Bad experience at Chapters Bookshop Parnell Street, Dublin 1.

Desmond_T

Welcome to the club.

cloud493

I order everything from the book depository now so. I went in a little while ago, looking for 'scars' by Cheryl Rainfield. When I asked how much the ordering in would be, its not a massive book for the record, a whopping 33 euro :eek:
6.61 off the book depository, and free shipping

dukedalton

I find with Chapters that the books they have on special offer are usually great value, but anything else they have at full price is more expensive than elsewhere.

Desmond_T

Yeah like, why bother, especially when you've got to negotiate the snotty staff, who should be grateful to have a job.

Zeek12

dukedalton wrote: »

I find with Chapters that the books they have on special offer are usually great value, but anything else they have at full price is more expensive than elsewhere.

Agree 100%. If I'm looking to buy something new in Dublin, Chapters would'nt be my first port of call. But they do have excellent offers in the second-hand section and it's great even just for a browse.
Have to say I've never experienced the rude staff thing; the last time I brought a bunch of old books and Dvds in for exchange the guy who dealt with me upstairs was very friendly and gave me quite a decent exchange price too on an in-store voucher.

endacl

doctork wrote: »

I visited Chapters for the first time last week, having heard good things. Was really surprised at the rudeness of the staff. The man at "Customer Service" silently pointed at the check-outs when I approached him, and then laughed out loud and pointed again when I didn't quite follow his direction.

A simple "the check-out is over there" surely wouldn't have been too difficult. I would have thought that customer-service is the one strength that bookshops have over online stores, and would have expected a lot better.

Its all part of the charm of the Chapters experience! Personally, I love the place.

Agent J

Desmond_T wrote: »

Yeah like, why bother, especially when you've got to negotiate the snotty staff, who should be grateful to have a job.

Build a bridge already.

ThirdMan

This is off topic, but I used to buy vinyls in a record store in Cork. I can't think of the name of it now, but it was upstairs at the corner of Washington Street. Anyway, my taste in music used to be a little more commercial in those days, so the guy behind the counter used to smirk when he seen which vinyls I was spending €50 on. And yet I went back there a few times! I don't know who was worse, him or me.

Lawliet

davearthurs wrote: »

Also the fact is I saw books that looked fine that were being thrown out. The plastic bags were transparent so it was easy to see them.

I realize this post is quite old but as someone who works in the book section of Oxfam I just wanted to clear this up for anyone who got the wrong impression. If the books were in transparent bags they were not being thrown out. We use clear bags to move books between shops, books that are recycled go in heavy duty green bags. In all the time I've been at Oxfam we have never recycled enough books to fill a bag in one go; usually we just throw out one, maybe two a week that are totally destroyed. We don't get near enough donations to be fussy and wasteful, most weeks its a struggle to even fill the shelves.

Violate_Me

I find it staggering that this gentleman has retained his position for so long.

cloud493

Violate_Me wrote: »

I find it staggering that this gentleman has retained his position for so long.

The guy on customer service?

Violate_Me

cloud493 wrote: »

The guy on customer service?

Yes. Anyone I have ever spoken to who have ever been to Chapters has had nothing but bad things to say about him.

And this thread confirms this

Ninap

Violate_Me wrote: »

Yes. Anyone I have ever spoken to who have ever been to Chapters has had nothing but bad things to say about him.

And this thread confirms this

Off topic, but did you really join Boards in 2001? And rack up a grand total of 11 posts since then??

Sulla Felix

Violate_Me wrote: »

Yes. Anyone I have ever spoken to who have ever been to Chapters has had nothing but bad things to say about him.

And this thread confirms this

I get on grand with him. So that's one at least. :P

cloudatlas

Yep the guy at 'customer service' and I'm sure he'd be the type to love this bit of internet fame too.

JR79

Violate_Me wrote: »

Yes. Anyone I have ever spoken to who have ever been to Chapters has had nothing but bad things to say about him.

And this thread confirms this

He is just about the worst person you could have for that job & the way he has treated the staff while I was there was shocking

dukedalton

JR79 wrote: »

He is just about the worst person you could have for that job & the way he has treated the staff while I was there was shocking

Come on JR, you can't lob that grenade in here and just walk away. Explain!

cloud493

dukedalton wrote: »

Come on JR, you can't lob that grenade in here and just walk away. Explain!

This. Come on spill

Clemenza

JR79 wrote: »

He is just about the worst person you could have for that job & the way he has treated the staff while I was there was shocking

Do tell please!

Ms. Koi

I've bought quite a lot of books from chapters, it's one of my favourites for a ramble when waiting on himself.
I've never experienced such bad customer service, but I do agree the staff are very overworked, they seem to have no time to stop and help, which is needed sometimes. They either need more staff or maybe just have floor staff to help with enquiries?

I would love an online catalogue of the second hand books, you can spend hours searching! Although, I do love the ramble!

Sulla Felix

kellief wrote: »

I would love an online catalogue of the second hand books, you can spend hours searching! Although, I do love the ramble!

I'm kind of surprised they don't do a bit of selling online really.

Ms. Koi

Sulla Felix wrote: »

I'm kind of surprised they don't do a bit of selling online really.

They would make quite a bit of money from it.

Clemenza

Online is a terrific idea.

I wonder will they embrace it?

Ms. Koi

Clemenza wrote: »

Online is a terrific idea.

I wonder will they embrace it?

It might be worthwhile saying it instore when I'm there next.

Clemenza

kellief wrote: »

It might be worthwhile saying it instore when I'm there next.

Good idea, I'll do the same tomorrow when I'm there!

jd

kellief wrote: »

It might be worthwhile saying it instore when I'm there next.

To Customer Service guy?

Clemenza

http://www.yelp.ie/biz/chapters-bookstore-dublin

The bespectacled manager is beyond rude.

It's not just us Boardies who think this :rolleyes:

VisionaryP

I'd just like to say well done to the staff member in Chapters Bookstore who refused to allow my 7 year old nephew (who was in obvious distress) to use the bathroom yesterday afternoon, even though we had just made a purchase. Absolute stellar customer service there, well done!

Clemenza

VisionaryP wrote: »

I'd just like to say well done to the staff member in Chapters Bookstore who refused to allow my 7 year old nephew (who was in obvious distress) to use the bathroom yesterday afternoon, even though we had just made a purchase. Absolute stellar customer service there, well done!

Really? That's ridiculous. Some people are arseholes

cloud493

Dunno what that yelp page is going on about their quick ordering and 'genuinley nice staff' :rolleyes:

Well I guess its only a couple of staff that are actually rude in fairness, the rest just always seem to be busy or rushed off their feet, so to speak.

echo beach

VisionaryP wrote: »

I'd just like to say well done to the staff member in Chapters Bookstore who refused to allow my 7 year old nephew (who was in obvious distress) to use the bathroom yesterday afternoon, even though we had just made a purchase. Absolute stellar customer service there, well done!

Sounds harsh but unless there are toilets provided for customer use the staff member was correct. Customers can't go into the staff area of any shop. Public liability insurance only covers customers in the public area and unfortunately personal belongings and stock have been stolen from shops by people whose child wanted to go to the toilet.

cloudatlas

echo beach wrote: »

Sounds harsh but unless there are toilets provided for customer use the staff member was correct. Customers can't go into the staff area of any shop. Public liability insurance only covers customers in the public area and unfortunately personal belongings and stock have been stolen from shops by people whose child wanted to go to the toilet.

If the person is elderly or a child surely exceptions to the rule should be made.

Bottleopener

Clemenza wrote: »

Really? That's ridiculous. Some people are arseholes

I really wish some people would put themselves in the shoes of the shop assistant before making a statement like this. I work part time in retail and I know for a fact that I'd face disciplinary action if I allowed someone into the staff area without informing a manager, and managers aren't on duty 24/7, often there'll just be a supervisor whos in the same position. It's stupid, I know, and I'm sure the guy who refused toilet access felt pretty bad about it, but in reality theres nothing he could do about it. If something went wrong hes the one who'd be held totally responsible.

5uspect

I'll never understand why people expect a business, with the exception of restaurants et al. to provide you with toilets?

For future reference there are toilets right across the street in the Ilac Center behind McDonald's:
http://www.ilac.ie/?s=toilets

GCU Flexible Demeanour

In fairness, their second hand science fiction section is huge. I've no opinion on staff, because all I've ever done is paid them for whatever I'm getting. Took the money, gave the change. I can't even remember what the till operator looked like, but I think she was a girl.

But, in fairness to them, that second hand section is a place you could easily waste a morning.

Agent J

cloudatlas wrote: »

If the person is elderly or a child surely exceptions to the rule should be made.

Try telling that to the insurance company if said elderly or child takes a fall in the staff toilet.

bumper234

cloudatlas wrote: »

If the person is elderly or a child surely exceptions to the rule should be made.

Who takes the child? Do you insist on going in as well? Now the staff member has 2 members of the public in an area they are not supposed to be and double the risk of something going missing. I know you will say he was obviously in distress but hey he could be a great actor and we all know people are not adverse to using children as a prop for robbery. Or maybe you think staff member should have escorted him? But then who is going to let a young child out of their sight with a stranger right?

hooplah

There are also issues of staff privacy. In my last workplace the only toilets for staff were on the other side of a locker and changing area. People on breaks or changing into work clothes should have some privacy. If staff are storing personal belongings (including wallets, phones etc) behind a secure door they would understandably be unhappy with non staff having access.

I know its rough for customers caught short, and maybe more places should have public toilets, but I don't think its fair to expect to be able to access staff facilities.

bumper234

There was a thread recently about this (i think it's in AH i cant link as am on a temp holiday from there ) if some one wants to link there some guy reckons ALL shops should hav3 public bathroo.s.

cloudatlas

bumper234 wrote: »

Who takes the child? Do you insist on going in as well? Now the staff member has 2 members of the public in an area they are not supposed to be and double the risk of something going missing. I know you will say he was obviously in distress but hey he could be a great actor and we all know people are not adverse to using children as a prop for robbery. Or maybe you think staff member should have escorted him? But then who is going to let a young child out of their sight with a stranger right?

Used to work in retail and I let children with an adult and old people go to the toilet all the time. Why? Well I suppose because it's just down right cruel not to let an older gent who may piss his pants in public go to the bathroom. Of course I see your point, unfortunately when you're in these situations you can't help but bend the rules a little.

bumper234

cloudatlas wrote: »

Used to work in retail and I let children with an adult and old people go to the toilet all the time. Why? Well I suppose because it's just down right cruel not to let an older gent who may piss his pants in public go to the bathroom. Of course I see your point, unfortunately when you're in these situations you can't help but bend the rules a little.

And if after one of those visits you realised stock or cash was missing would you still be as accepting? I understand why you did it and maybe where you worked had the facilities to allow this but some places only have staff toilets. These are usually located near staff lockers/canteen, managers office or stock rooms These locations hold money, personal belongings and stock and i am sure if any of those items went missing then you wouldn't have a job for much longer.

cloudatlas

bumper234 wrote: »

And if after one of those visits you realised stock or cash was missing would you still be as accepting? I understand why you did it and maybe where you worked had the facilities to allow this but some places only have staff toilets. These are usually located near staff lockers/canteen, managers office or stock rooms These locations hold money, personal belongings and stock and i am sure if any of those items went missing then you wouldn't have a job for much longer.

Yes I agree I knew the 'by the book' action to take. Actually on one occasion my boss reprimanded me for not allowing someone use the staff toilets. Yes they could have climbed four sets of stairs and reached the staff room lockers and taken their chances there if no one in the staff room had seen them. My point is theory is always different to practice, the world or work requires some flexibility.

Anyway back on topic I was in Chapters the other day. Yer man was grumping away on the customer service desk but everyone I came into contact with was courteous. Their collection is not that good. Great history and literature section but the rest was poor. Hodges is far better.

dukedalton

cloudatlas wrote: »

Anyway back on topic I was in Chapters the other day. Yer man was grumping away on the customer service desk but everyone I came into contact with was courteous. Their collection is not that good. Great history and literature section but the rest was poor. Hodges is far better.

Hodges doesn't have a whopper second hand section though.

I was in there on Monday and was surprised by the large number of floor staff they had, not doing a whole lot other than re-arranging stacks of books that didn't need to be re-arranged, etc. I had to wait at the till for about five minutes before I was served, so evidently they aren't till trained.

GCU Flexible Demeanour

dukedalton wrote: »

Hodges doesn't have a whopper second hand section though.

That's the size of it. I'd agree the new books section is nothing special. But the second hand selection is quite remarkable.

teire01

How much roughly are they paying for second hand CDs?

Toby Take a Bow

dukedalton wrote: »

Hodges doesn't have a whopper second hand section though.

I was in there on Monday and was surprised by the large number of floor staff they had, not doing a whole lot other than re-arranging stacks of books that didn't need to be re-arranged, etc. I had to wait at the till for about five minutes before I was served, so evidently they aren't till trained.

There's a lot more than 're-arranging' stacks of books to do in a bookshop. I would say they were probably putting out stock, collecting books for returns, or organising a company sale. But yeah, a bookseller should always be aware of people wanting to purchase. It's only been on the rare occasion that I have waited anything more than a minute for service in Hodges (or most bookshops) so you may have just been unlucky.

dukedalton

Toby Take a Bow wrote: »

There's a lot more than 're-arranging' stacks of books to do in a bookshop. I would say they were probably putting out stock, collecting books for returns, or organising a company sale. But yeah, a bookseller should always be aware of people wanting to purchase. It's only been on the rare occasion that I have waited anything more than a minute for service in Hodges (or most bookshops) so you may have just been unlucky.

From what I saw, they were just keeping themselves busy. They weren't stacking shelves or putting new stock out; they were literally walking around touching off books that were already out. They looked foreign to me, perhaps they are students working there for the summer. Anyway, it's not a big deal, I don't mind waiting a minute or two to be served.

Toby Take a Bow

dukedalton wrote: »

From what I saw, they were just keeping themselves busy. They weren't stacking shelves or putting new stock out; they were literally walking around touching off books that were already out. They looked foreign to me, perhaps they are students working there for the summer. Anyway, it's not a big deal, I don't mind waiting a minute or two to be served.

No, they weren't students there for the summer, bookshops wouldn't hire people during the quiet months. They may have been 'touching' off books, I would say they were checking for returns so.

dukedalton

Toby Take a Bow wrote: »

No, they weren't students there for the summer, bookshops wouldn't hire people during the quiet months. They may have been 'touching' off books, I would say they were checking for returns so.

Quiet months? Summer? At the height of the tourist season?

Beginning to wish I filmed my visit,

Toby Take a Bow

dukedalton wrote: »

Quiet months? Summer? At the height of the tourist season?

Beginning to wish I filmed my visit,

Yup, quiet months. Busy times for bookshops are Christmas and the beginning of the academic term (for places like Hodges).