Attitudes at New KC Store

[Only_True_Mosno]

I think it's fair to post concerns regarding specific Camping World locations. I re ently stopped in at the Camping World Store in KC (Grain Valley) . I was shocked at the poor attitudes I encountered from everyone I came in contact with. Trust me I am one of the friendliest guys you will meet so I know it wasn't me!

I walked in and guy at the front just gave me a stare..no greeting. I walked to the Service Counter where 3 individuals were sitting. 2 females and 1 male. One female was on the phone...the other looking at a catalogue. The male was staring at his computer monitor. I didn't want to interrupt so I simply stood there waiting for one of the three to finish up. After several minutes the male looked at me from his computer monitor and said nothing. I surmised it must be my turn to talk so I asked him if they had range covers for our kitchen stove. He looked at me with a disgusted look and said "huh?" I again asked if they had the metal cover that goes over your burners on a stove. He stated he had no idea and turned to a second male that just walked up and said this guy needs a range cover. This guy was friendlier and took me to the area where I was able to find it. I told him thank you and walked to the checkout. The guy there was eating a sandwich. He took the cover scanned it and said nothing. I entered my pin number in the debit card reader and waited for my receipt. He essentially threw the receipt in my direction and said "there you go". I said nothing and began walking to the door. He yelled "thank you" at me. I replied "your welcome" and walked out the door.

I will not be returning to purchase anything else from this store. I purchased a 2014 Fifth Wheel from Camping World in November. I would think we so called "Elite" Members would be treated with a tad bit of courtesy?...which must be a tad bit to ask at Camping World these days?

[IndyCamp]

DutchmenSport wrote:
If the store employees were young "kids" I think that attitude is pretty typical of today's young generation. Generally, young people have not been taught manners, respect for other people, and common decent courtesy. It's all about "them", and they are there to get a pay check and you are an inconvenience to them. (that's their attitude).

I think this is a huge overgeneralization.

I'm not a young person or anything, but it seems like every time I turn around, teenagers are being called "lazy," or "takers," or "ungrateful."

It's funny, when I was a teenager, the older generations said the same exact thing about my generation. I got my first job at 14 and have been working ever since.

First of all, the young people you describe probably don't even work. Kids who feel that entitled wouldn't dare work retail. There are many teenagers who work service jobs who are just as friendly and helpful as their parents and grandparents were when they were working those same jobs.

Anyway, we now know that the employees in the original post were not Millenials, but were actually middle age. What generalizations can we make about their generation?

[cgrace1998]

We were there in July. We were out on the lot for 1 1/2 hours and never once did anyone ask us if we needed assistance. We were seriously looking at two brand new models they had on the lot. Guess what, they lost our business. Heard from another dealership in K.C. that when CW took over the previous dealership basically everyone was fired or quit because of broken promises. When went inside still had NO ONE offer to help. We made a purchase of a part we needed and left.

[GBandPB]

We purchased our new fifth wheel from CWKC at the KCRV show in January. Took delivery the last week of January. I have not had the experience as the original poster. I have been back to CWKC a couple of times since dealing with a warranty isssue and getting the protection package done to my 5er. I'm currently having a small issue getting the thing titled and licensed but I'm confident that will soon be resolved.

My take on the KC store is that they are incredibly busy while trying to make the transition from a family owned operation to a corperate owned affair. There seems to be an aire of confusion in the place. I have not experienced any unfrienly people there though. I'm the type though that is agressive in getting things done. I don't have time to wait so I seek people out. I have met enough of the people at the store that when I call or go out there I ask for specific folks by name.

I'm not ready to give up on CWKC just yet. I would like to see them build a bigger nicer showroom compared to the other CW stores I've visited.

[Only_True_Mosno]

DutchmenSport wrote:
If the store employees were young "kids" I think that attitude is pretty typical of today's young generation. Generally, young people have not been taught manners, respect for other people, and common decent courtesy. It's all about "them", and they are there to get a pay check and you are an inconvenience to them. (that's their attitude). The few younger "kids" that are fortunate enough to get a job, just don't have people skills.

I wouldn't give up on Camping World yet.

Excellent point! That is what really blew me away....if they had been a lot younger it wouldn't have been as surprising. All these employees were middle aged! This is a new Camping World just like the new one in Columbia where I purchased my fifth wheel. I would imagine they may have been former employees like my Columbia store, but using those two examples, both of which were former dealers, the difference is night and day!

[DutchmenSport]

If the store employees were young "kids" I think that attitude is pretty typical of today's young generation. Generally, young people have not been taught manners, respect for other people, and common decent courtesy. It's all about "them", and they are there to get a pay check and you are an inconvenience to them. (that's their attitude). The few younger "kids" that are fortunate enough to get a job, just don't have people skills.

I wouldn't give up on Camping World yet.

[HappyKayakers]

OldRadios wrote:
...
I'm sure the way each store is managed makes a difference.

Bingo! If all the store employees have a bad attitude, you need a new manager - one who will ensure the floor staff know how to treat a customer. If they don't change then it's time to start replacing employees.

[Bucky_Badger]

Only True Mosnowman wrote:
I think it's fair to post concerns regarding specific Camping World locations. I re ently stopped in at the Camping World Store in KC (Grain Valley) . I was shocked at the poor attitudes I encountered from everyone I came in contact with. Trust me I am one of the friendliest guys you will meet so I know it wasn't me!

I walked in and guy at the front just gave me a stare..no greeting. I walked to the Service Counter where 3 individuals were sitting. 2 females and 1 male. One female was on the phone...the other looking at a catalogue. The male was staring at his computer monitor. I didn't want to interrupt so I simply stood there waiting for one of the three to finish up. After several minutes the male looked at me from his computer monitor and said nothing. I surmised it must be my turn to talk so I asked him if they had range covers for our kitchen stove. He looked at me with a disgusted look and said "huh?" I again asked if they had the metal cover that goes over your burners on a stove. He stated he had no idea and turned to a second male that just walked up and said this guy needs a range cover. This guy was friendlier and took me to the area where I was able to find it. I told him thank you and walked to the checkout. The guy there was eating a sandwich. He took the cover scanned it and said nothing. I entered my pin number in the debit card reader and waited for my receipt. He essentially threw the receipt in my direction and said "there you go". I said nothing and began walking to the door. He yelled "thank you" at me. I replied "your welcome" and walked out the door.

I will not be returning to purchase anything else from this store. I purchased a 2014 Fifth Wheel from Camping World in November. I would think we so called "Elite" Members would be treated with a tad bit of courtesy?...which must be a tad bit to ask at Camping World these days?

Manager should be fired immediately. Enough of this, brand new shop, employees should be pumped up.

[Dog_Folks]

Was the store an existing dealer previously?

When the Lake City, Fl. location was first opened, after taking over an existing dealer, it was at first, terrible. Staff attitude was very poor.

Nine months later, you would never know you were in the same store. Inside revamped, large accessories area, and the people there were fantastic.

Maybe the dust had to settle and the staff that were really unhappy with the take over moved on.

I don't know for sure, but that one store sure turned around.

[OldRadios]

I have been to the Syracuse NY CW twice in the past few months. Friendly service and greetings as soon as you walk in the door. They have a reception desk that points you in the right direction or gets someone right there to help you. When browsing around the store I've been greeted several times and asked if I had any questions or needed help finding anything.

I'm sure the way each store is managed makes a difference.

[TinyoneRV]

The problem is the people involved don't connect their customer service with their pay. They have been conditioned society to believe that money magically appears to cash their paycheck. Happens in many businesses. The biggest thing a business can do to win customer loyalty is project a friendly, helpful and thankful attitude.

[Old-Biscuit]

Found the same 'lack of concern/attention' in three different CWs across the US

San Bernardino, CA
New Braunfels, TX
Robertsdale, AL

Haven't been in one or shopped at CW on-line since.

I worked hard for my monies and expect common courtesy/friendly face/acknowledgement when I spend it.

[Oasisbob]

I see this far too often. Customer service is lacking in many retail settings today. Sad but true