Linthorpe Balloons

Appalling customer service!!!!Avoid

1 28/04/2012 by Doormouse

I went into Linthorpe Balloons this morning with a view to 1) find out how much it would be to fill a balloon i had bought from the internet due to the fact I had just had a back operation and could not walk 2) to purchase a smaller balloon complete with box 3) to order balloons for my engagment party and to pre order balloons for my wedding. I have got to say that i have not encountered such appalling customer service in all my life. Both ladies (whom were later years - which took me by surprise even more) were rude and unhelpful the minute i mentioned I had purchased a balloon from the internet and it was clear that this did not want to help me. I asked for a gestimate for helium for the balloon i had bought, she was reluctant to do this. I then asked for price of box and could i see it os i was thinking of adding in the box something small - the answer i got is 'sorry its not possible at the moment' (even tho there were 2 assistants in the shop), it was at that point I left the shop. I returned to feedback how they had made me feel as a customer and I can only describe what came next as appalling. things like 'how dare u come into the shop asking us to sell u hellium when u have bought your balloon elsewhere', why did u buy it off the internet in the first place, that i was 'rude' for even asking the price of the hellium in first place ! and 'ive got orders to get out and how did i know i was going to get get an order form u as u had already bought off internet, how do i know u wont do that again' !!! I suspect that one of the assistants was the owner!!! and she thought that she had given great customer service. The key to sales is to sell yourself first !! however this was clearly not the case. The best of it was that they had clearly discussed it as i had left the shop as on my return the other assiatnt came out from the back to join in. There was not a 'sorry that u feel this wa, im sorry that u felt i was unhelpful that was not my intention' nothing !! I didnt even get to discuss my requirements for my engagement or wedding as i ws so discusted and I left the shop and burst into tears! I then went into Bell Vue post office and the lady was extremely helpful, the fact that i had already boiught the balloon was not an issue or relevant (as it was with Linthorpe balloons) she gave me a price to fill it and althought they didnt have boxes she went thru the prices of the smaller balloons. As I was still visably upset by my visit to Linthorpe Balloons, the lady also was very shocked at the customer service (or rather the complete lack of - it felt more like bullying cos i had not bought a balloon from them!) i had just received from Linthorpe balloons.