Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DCJames]

Store clerks / service people want you to buy the product / service as quickly as possible so they can get you out of their hair and they can go back to doing nothing.

Also, don't ever ask a clerk a question that takes actual knowledge of the product / service because they simply won't know and many times will give you a BS answer.

For Koreans it's all about LOOKING the part ("keeping face") not actually doing your job the right way.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Don't you just love shopping somewhere where the shopkeeper / assistant is looking over your shoulder the whole time, and then when you select something and ask 'oelmayo?' suddenly a blank look envelops her face? Like she has all day long to follow customers around but doesn't have enough time to learn how much things cost.

That said, customer service in Korea can range from the unbelievably detailed to the completely non-existant.

[Ruraljuror]

I can't disagree, but one thing to remember is that you get what you pay for. Remember that people who work in customer service here don't have tips or comission to motivate them. I for one am happy to deal with crappy service in exchange for avoiding an extra 20% fee everytime I ride a taxi, or go to a restaurant or bar...those would definitely add up fast for me.

[Mr. BlackCat]

The thing that gets me is that they don't ever let you just think about it. They're always shouting at you, forcing the clothes on you or putting it in a bag and asking for money. Those that do this never get my business. Just shut up for two seconds and answer my questions (in Korean, I don't expect them to speak English necessarily).

Also, sometimes I'm just looking. Just f-ing looking. I make this point very clear from the moment 5 salespeople are breathing down my neck. Then they grab something and force it on me. When I say 'no' they get ANGRY at me. I've been pushed, shooed out of stores, yelled at. Listen, I'm not trying to waste your time. Go away. If I see something I want I'll tell you.

I hate shopping everywhere, but especially here. Only in Korea do you have 5 people bear hugging you while you try to shop, but then only one cash for 15 paying customers and you have to bag your own items.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Temporary]

Korea is the only place where a salesperson will discourage you from buying something.

Like WTF??

I wanted a new jacket (Motorcycle)

I said I want that one. I got,
No you shouldn't buy it.
Why not ?
Because its expensive.
But its good quality.
Yes but you can get Chinese quality and CHEAP.

I don't care!

Give me that fucking jacket.


Better yet.. (this is in Korean)
Restaurant:
I want spicy Samgapsal...

We don't have any !

What do you mean? They are eating it.. Points to Koreans eating what I
want. It seems you do have it.

But your foreign its to spicy for you..

I don't care I have been here for 3 years. Korean food is not spicy.
(adjuma races away to get her adjoshi, shocked)

Then he goes through monkey gestures showing me that normal samgapsal and kalbi is delicious...

I walk out of the restaurant.. Very Angry. Fucking idiots.


I find that most Korean salepersons tend to express their own friggen wants and wishes and not the customers..

Hence Now I basically shop exclusively on the internet.

[PeteJB]

I find the store clerks here immensely annoying. Back in the UK it was only a little bit annoying having staff watch you all the time, but at least they didn't come zooming over. And what's with the various departments greeting you if you get within 10 feet of their little private fashion fortress? It's like walking past an invisible sensor, one that triggers them to greet. Don't take me for a moody sob, but I like to have some thinking time when shopping.

[eamo]

Customer service in Korea is a lot better than it was 20 years ago. So Koreans see it from the point of view that everything has improved. Progress has been made.

It's just us spoiled westerners that still see crappy service everywhere we go here.

But, yes. It's true. Most services in Korea are crappy..................................... But some are amazing. I got a new boiler installed in my apartment on the same day that my old one broke!! The same day!! For 500,000 won!! Try getting that service in a western country.

Taek Bae (courier delivery) is darn good here too.

[fortysixyou]

Yeah the customer service might be dismal here but at least the delivery system friggin' rocks.

Seriously, I can get anything delivered here. Fast.

[spliff]

I've found Korean after service/customer service to be exceptionally good.

[Toon Army]

still beats the $hit customer service in my country (UK).......the sales assistants there can`t even muster up a smile

[ED209]

[mrsquirrel]

[DCJames]

[princess]

Yes, that's what I hate most about shopping here...being followed around. It's like I have a siamese twin as soon as I enter the place. Usually I don't greet them when they greet me. If you ignore them they won't always follow you. But, sometimes, they will still follow you and I will tell them in Korean, of course, that I am only looking. Once I had a girl following me so closely, that I actually stepped on her foot. She still didn't move away from me. They get so close sometimes that I can't even look at the merchandise. This never happened in Hong Kong or Shanghai or anywhere else. It didn't happen in Japan either. Only in Korea...hahaha

It's also funny when I have a crapload of items and I get asked if I want a shopping bag. DUH!!! I have two hands, people. Two hands.

But I have never been told NOT to order spicy food. Usually when I order something spicy, they ask me "Isn't it too spicy for you"? I always say no. To me, Korean food is NOT spicy. I would love to see many Koreans eat Mexican habanero peppers like me. My parents grow these and other peppers like jalapenos in their garden. bring on the hottest stuff you can find and I can eat it. I have known Koreans to say Pace salsa is too hot for them...hahaha...Go figure...Then they turn around and say kimchi is hot...

Overall though, I'd say customer service is pretty darn good here. I love how I get tons of samples at some shops, and the way they take their time and carefully wrap and fold clothes, etc is awesome. In the states, even Macy's will just throw your things in the bag. I hate that!!!!