Sometimes we bring in an attitude - and sometimes a conflict in interpreting the expressions of the other communicator doesn't work out.
One thing for sure, it's not always the other guy - as said, you asked questions, and he did try to answer. I don't see where it's poor customer service to take a moment to think about answering to the best of their ability.
You still haven't proven you weren't badgering the counterman, and the reply hasn't settled who was being smug and condescending.
Nonetheless we all have these things pop up.
I was trying to buy a knife from a big box store, they are the exclusive retailer and it's not on the internet. I saw it while there but the salesperson was involved in finishing up a transaction for a rifle sale to a couple - even getting close to the counter display took some finesse. I took a look and left as it was going to be awhile and they weren't finished.
No big deal.
Went back two days later, same sales person, who was engaged with another person discussing the hundreds of thousands of dollars in markdowns the company had authorized, much less her share in the department. I positioned myself at the case, touching it, looking up at her and down into the case, no way to get a word in edgewise with the prattling.
In FIVE minutes time she and the other customer repeated the same information six - I counted - 6 times back and forth about the markdowns. There were two other salespersons standing there waiting who observed this.
I finally turned to leave - they aren't the only location I can shop from - and she finally broke it off to ask what was it I needed? After FIVE minutes of looking at her and staring in the case?
Gave her a casual half turn of the head and "No thanks." as I exited the department.
In relating this to a coworker he topped my story - went into a sporting goods box store to purchase a handgun, long display case full, and lots of customers milling around. Typical. The one salesperson was "educating" a couple about concealed carry, how to do it, which firearm to choose, etc.
He waited an half an hour when another customer bluntly interrupted and dragged the salesman off to look at an air rifle on display down an aisle. Five minutes later he was at a nearby gunstore and purchased the pistol, holster, and ammo - in less than ten minutes NICS check and all.
We both agreed it was better off we didn't actually make the transactions at the first store we tried at - handing us edged weapons or guns and ammo would have been risky. What we DO know working retail in OUR business is that IT'S A TWO WAY STREET, sometimes the salesperson isn't all there or on top of the game, sometimes the customer.
We get a lot of posts here complaining about gun store salespeople - I've had issues with them, too, the ignorance and hype are sometimes stunning. On the other hand, I've dealt with customers who either aren't qualified to open the hood of their car, or who, as I said, think they are right. They get so tightly focused on an issue or objective they can't see themselves as possibly doing it all wrong.
So, am I not going to ever buy something from that sporting goods department at the big box retailer? I checked two other stores - sold out. No, what working in retail off and on for 45 years has taught me is that things change and copping an attitude about a situation won't make it better.
If someone never wants to darken a doorway again, it's their choice. My take is that I will still enter the store and let them do it again, and again, and again - until they realize that 1) they can't chase off customers they have an issue with, and 2) they deal with me.
I have to do it on the other side of the counter, and frankly, after a number of visits, things get a lot better. We start to understand each other - better communication takes place - more transactions happen, to the benefit of both. Or, we discover that one of us is really being a jerk, which settles the issue.
Jerks don't get waited on, or have customers come to them. And that usually solves the issue soon enough as the message does get across.
What I discovered is that some people who are initially reticent in a first encounter are often a fountain of knowledge about the subject - but that once too often they have been treated harshly by others who demand they follow a set social protocol that only their demographic exercises. You aren't going to make a good first impression being a confrontational jock with a nerd - or an officious suit with a blue collar worker - or a well heeled playboy throwing money to solve a car toy problem with a knuckle scarred hot rodder.
Working retail, you soon learn to check your attitude at the door and just help people Unfortunately, the consumer no longer does, and the Golden Rule has been thrown under the bus in the rush to not lose face dealing with a knowledgeable and experienced worker. I've seen customers more interested in not looking bad than fixing their car. Get them all the time, and it's the same on forums. If you don't work retail the first and foremost weapon employed is to blame the sales person. Ok. Be that way.
We are used to it, and given time, what comes around goes around. I guarantee it.
