Part 1 - LBC Steve Allen Customer Service at Maplin Kingston

[ofcoursehesthefarmer]

Good old Steve.

[NickReilly93]

It's pretty clear steve lost during this; all the hassle he went through such as standing about on his own, waiting in a queue, asking for direction to where something is, waiting for the till, buying the item, being refused a bag, having to get his money back whilst clearly being mocked by the people working there, walking out the shop empty handed, being offered a bag however refusing as he is too embarressed to accept help and having to go to another store just to go through that again, FAIL!

[NickReilly93]

Why do you need a bag to carry one item? Do your hands not work properly? I'm sorry but the only people who rant about something as minor as buying something in a shop are sad old people like you, the fact that you were so offended by this that you ranted on the air about it is beyond me, get some friends, might help.

[576ito1080p]

Are you programmed to only give one answer?

Have you got an IR illuminator? " Have you Looked on the Internet "?

do you have a KO4 bridge rectifier? " Have you Looked on the Internet "?

do you have a 50W Cree LED? " Have you Looked on the Internet "?

do you actually sell Electronic componants anymore? " Have you Looked on the Internet "?

[acid100k]

haha this steve allen guy is a retard. He wasted 10 minutes of listeners time for a rant about nothing. This guy gets pissed off if someone asks him if he wants a bag? Haha, he also doesn't realise that once you buy something in-person, the seller has no legal requirement to give a refund unless it's faulty. I love how people think they can do what they like because they are the customer and "they are always right." From my experience they are pretty much always wrong, like Mr Allen here.

[partycats]

20 people work in maplins and steve is right they are useless ! even i've experienced the their stupidity ! and i too will never shop there again, bunch of bloody idiots.

[zoki742]

i think this man is so funny

[Bunniears]

That would be me the ginger boy.

You arrogant tosser, I did indeed say, unfortunately we have no bags. The bag I found was from the returns department. This was when you kicked up a roaring fuss about a bag, where as every other customer completely understood and accepted we didn't have any.

You SIR are an example of pompus pig and if you had indeed dragged me over the counter that would be a prime example of that.

[cliffaudio]

@Bunniears Listen Ginger, you should have used your initiative (if any) to ensure your supply of bags was fully stocked up rather taking the lazy approach by saying you didn't have any. Being able to find a bag proves that there was at least one bag available elsewhere in the store. Why didn't you anticipate that you might need bags? Why didn't you look for some bags before one of your customers kicked up a fuss? Wouldn't that have been the sensible approach? I think so!

[Bunniears]

@cliffaudio Right let's get the full picture here. I am supposed to get bags of which the store had run out. I am not the one in charge of ordering, therefore the manager should be liable not me. The bag I did find was from a returned item, where sometimes people leave the bags of returned items.

Further to that, if people like him didn't demand and use to many bags which he clearly does "I've given up saying 'how else?'" we might have had some left for other customers who genuinely needed one

[cliffaudio]

@Bunniears Fair point. The manager should have ordered more. I don't think it's unreasonable for a retail store to expect to provide one bag per custome, thoughr. He's the customer and is entitled to a bag!

[Bunniears]

@cliffaudio Not for a small dummy cammera, in a box about the size of a spindle of CD's. Not very big.

Now I've left this to the end; Use my initiative? Well as I explained in my first comment, how exactly was I supposed to go and get some bags (even if there were some) since staff are not allowed to leave the till area?

[LostPigeonIsADick]

"And he's faffing around like an old tart."

[mazzi77]

I'm surprised the fucker never said "Don't you know who I am?", perhaps adding "motherfucker" at the end of that too

[Supernaut1]

hahahahaha what a massive condescending arrogant self-rightous know-it-all prick. Has obviously NEVER worked in retail.

[cliffaudio]

@Supernaut1 Steve did in fact work in retail, at Camp Hopson in Newbury, Berkshire, a department store that knows how to provide superior customer service. Steve is well-qualified to comment on retail service.

[gregthegolly]

how interesting bet they would not wait to see the back of him

[westha1233]

so funny steve, gave my website a plug on he's show once aswell, yes he's a drama queen, but i'd rather have him than some wooden top like vernon kay!!!!!!!!!

[AffectedSkateboards]

@manoukahoney hes such a wanker. me and my friends skate in a car park sometimes near his trampy flat and he comes out and gets all cross. he even threatened to follow my mate to school before. what a paedo!!

[600GLE]

Maplins Kingston : Twinned with Homebase, Roundhay Road, Leeds.

[RossPatzelt]

Class clip!

[bensaund]

Very good, I have a policy that if there is no price on an item, i don't buy at all, I should not be expected to hunt around for the price or chase staff. The main problem with high street retailers (Curry's/PC World are the worst in my opinion) is that they simply don't care about the customer, they are too big to care.

[hitxdigital]

What a cunt... I've never had a problem in Maplin.

[ace666999]

LOOOOOL

[TheProgrocknut]

Drama queen!

[geogodley]

oh to be paid to complain! 2nd best job in the world. we know what the first is.

[mrhyde63]

maplins kingston has got terrible customer service they employ students from the nearby college and frankly they dont give a shit

[njqnjq]

Steve Allen is like MLK. Righting the wrongs of the world. What a guy and so nice aswell!

[AndrewYeardley]

lick my shoes lol

[0jspicer123]

"luckily I have the gift of sight" haha classic!

[radar0202]

I Think Mr.Steve Allen, your a legend in the game, yuur a hilarious to listen to, just keep it up matey!! Peace

[Londonguy028]

Why do they ask for your postcode ???? particularly if you're paying by cash - really annoys me!!! they do not need it and its a matter of privacy - they can p*ss off!!! . Rude service really annoys me he deffo did the right thing.

[g0tlu]

For God's sake, what's the problem with giving them your postcode? They didn't ask for your full address (apparently).

[Londonguy028]

yeah but you can get your full address from your postcode

[PlavOciZena]

Steve Allen is the best person on radio

[liamdgardner]

Why don't you get a life! They are not giving you a bag because they don't have to ask you! Try recycling!

[benwatchesvideos]

Well I worked for a branch of Maplin over 9 years ago, and I can quite catagorically state that the attitude of this man, and everyone else on here who's seen fit hurl mindless and unjustifiable abuse and insults at us retailers, is one of the main reasons I no longer work for the company. The only 2 things I will agree he made a valid point on is that he should have been greeted and aknowleged by the staff, and that they shouldn't have argued when he refused to give his post code.

[CrankCase08]

It looks like the Maplin oiks are organising themselves to reply on here, as they sit with the yellow taste of antiseptic and puss around their spotty faces and piercings. yuk.

[CrankCase08]

Yes, I found Hounslow branch were helpful.

[valetteboy]

I fully agree with your view on the staff of this store. If you don't like working in a shop/store find a different job. You as a shop worker are at some point a customer, do you want to be treated badly?. I wish more people were like Steve and stood up to staff of the type he encountered. Good manners and a smile cost nothing, its part of your job after all.

Marion - shop worker for ten years and proud to be one.

[anna1259]

Maplin Edgware Road is no better....

[Balcones99]

Read the language and the poor pelling of the Maplin staff --I think he has a point--

Obviously no hopers earning a small salery

Pay peanuts you get monkeys!

[Person1579]

Alan Partridge couldn't have said it better: You are a posh sod with plumbs in your mouth.

[alanw5]

A general comment. Most of the critics here need to go back to school!

Bad spelling; street talk, limited intelligence I think.

Steve's brilliant Maplin act has got you all steaming!

It's funny. Listen to him "in Conversation" then pass comment.

[manoukahoney]

The bloke has just been on a weeks holiday in Lanzarote with First Choice and he has the cheek to slag off the staff at Maplin's. What a tight git doesn't know how to travel in style. He comes from Stain's, what a loser.

[cliffaudio]

Steve was obviously joking about holidaying in Lanzagrotty. He actually went to Centreparks for ten days.

[alanw5]

Spelling skills here are pretty good arent they?

STAINES!!!! - when you can spell, come back please.

[TheSixthDivision]

Actually, you do need the address for a refund as the system will not allow you to continue without a valid address, so dont complain to the staff because they dont make the fckin policy. I think you were wanting bad service being so damn awkward. Try reading the policy properly before complainin. who the fck are u to judge how someone looks? so what if his ginger, u got grey hair...i know which one i prefer. Twat

[alanw5]

complainin

[spencerh11]

@TheSixthDivision- Very well said.

[shortass11234]

its maplin not maplins you stupid prick, how can you insult us staff when you cant even read you moron. we have to deal with customers like you all day and omg you have to be the worst one ever

LONG LIVE MAPLIN

[alanw5]

thats what you're paid for - try working in a JobCentre!

[manoukahoney]

What a tosser. He hasn't got the guts to front up to the manager in the store, and uses a radio show to vent his spleen. How many times has he admitted to watching shoplifters in action and stood back doing nothing and yet tells everybody the next day on the radio. Gutless, spineless knob!

[salsabil2]

well said eurodeluxe..only reads out compliments ..the biggest tosser on the radio

[eurodeluxe]

He is such an idiot. He is nasty, bitter and twisted. He is great at giving out insults and bile about other people, but hey, don't ask him for his postode - oh no!!!! He is like a spoilt kid. He uses his radio show to big himself up. He is a bully, using his radio show for his personal vendettas. Who cares what happened to him while he was out shopping? Just do your job and get over yourself. People are getting so tired of your ranting. You are vile and a product of your own failed TV career! x

[bollybib678]

he's so funny i listen every morning

[Literaryspot]

Steve Allen, your sense of humour hasn't changed since I've been listening during my Uni days. I suppose Kingston's Maplin needs more staff haha!

[burnzy3210]

i've never really liked maplin in kingston either, but seriously... stop whining

[norbie2]

This guy does sound like a twat.

What a total waste of time buying something then trying to return it and complaining about their returns policy.

If you want a plastic bag because you were too lazy to take one of your own (you should recycle) then you should ask if they've got any first.

If you're as petty as you are, you should find out about their returns policy before buying something (then changing your mind 5 seconds later).

When did he work in retail? In the 80s?

[titsalinabumsquash]

Norbie, I think you have missed the point. Are we all supposed to drag dozens of carrier bags around in case we decide to make a purchase? And why should a customer have to give a postcode to make a return? Are there notices in store informing customers of this?? NO. I'm partly with Steve on this one, sick of rude staff, only thing I am not with Steve on, is going to another Maplin store, I would have gone to a completely different store.

[voice2hire]

we love you steve, ......

[L6OWY]

Utter prick. classic wanker customer. Work in retail for a week and then start talking.

[cliffaudio]

Steve worked in several shops during his retail career, including the famous Camp Hopson department store in Newbury. He understands the importance of providing superior customer service.

[logom0]

I love this guy

[robccoleman]

I know the girl with the 'Earing through her nose' as she's my mates missus!!!

She's a great girl, this guy is clearly a tosser!!!! She treated you like shit because u done it first!!!

I've worked in retail, this guy can sod off!!!

Why should we put up with shitebags like this getting so snotty at the staff because he's had a bad day?

The bag thing is a joke!! If you put stuff in a bag for them, they just throw it back at you and say 'I'm saving the planet, one bag at a time'. Wankers.

[johnlemesurier]

Does she still work there...?

[coloradobulldog375]

Lovely man is that Steve. Clearly never worked in retail.

"I'm never shopping there again."

Well you hear that... almost everyday, and they next day that person is back, very quietly, trying not to make himself noticed.

Also, the whole bag issue, you ask "Do you want a bag?" and 9 times out of 10 people say "No, we should probably be green about those things." or somthing along those lines.

Therefore, its better to ask, at the end of the day, its just a question.

You are pathetic Steve.

[cliffaudio]

Steve worked in several shops during his retail career, including the famous Camp Hopson department store in Newbury. He understands the importance of providing superior customer service.

[Corsaboi]

what a d**k i would of kicked him out the shop and banned him, we don't tolerate that kinda crap in our yorkshire stores.

[cliffaudio]

IQ < 75

[Corsaboi]

So cliffaudio sits there all day trawling through messages left by members of Youtube to try and insult their intelligence....LOSER!

Seriously though, we still do not accept rude customers like this, we do not offer bags unless asked for one simple reason, we have been asked to go green. So when you have one pack of fuses (for example) and ask for a bag, you must be a complete moron.

[ldoll06]

i work in maplin and its not their fault they needed your postcode its part of the refund policy and they were doin their jobs so get off your high horse there's no need to be rude towards the workers they are not paid to put up with rudeness from you!

[Flashlegz]

You should always be offered a bag, no problem in being offered one. All you have to say is yes or no.

[thefilth37]

What a total whinger. I can't believe this moron has his own radio show. I remember when I worked in Maplins and had to deal with total w**kers like this EVERYDAY.

Making comments about how people look and not liking them, because the way they appear actually makes you sound like an irritating prat. That's not really bad customer service.

Postcode request is so that refunds can be traced back. You're asking the staff to go against policy and were forcing them to bend the rules for you.

[violator2375]

one more comment! if i was the employee that you highlighted as being "ginger hair that didnt care about his appearance"... i would certainly seek legal advice on that comment you openly broadcasted on live air! Everyone has different personal circumstances! you are not a celebrity, your are just another number fella... if you were that good at your job you would be workin for radio 1 so give the guys at kingston an apology!

[violator2375]

This guy probably needed a dummy CCTV camera because he has obvioualy pissed someone off by slating them on his radio show... so i bet they had taken revenge on his violent tongue.. but as he so proudly states to have his own radio show says to me that he is obviously paid very well... why not a real cctv system?.. is that because hes just plain ignorant or just to thick to be able to operate one? the question is asked Mr Allen. i wud have banned u from my store if i was the manager! prick!

[jaymzk]

okay hold on hold on! I can admit quite fine and happily that i work for maplins and to hear a crazy rant like this just reminds exactly why any retail job is pain in the fucking arse.

I can understand that its important how people should spend their money but you shouldnt slander staff members like that, some of us do work hard and try our best to keep customers happy but to get shit like this in return is just ridiculous.

[neviktobias]

Steve is right, I went to Croydon branch, having driven all the way up from Mid Sussex. The customer service there was so bad and the attitude of the staff was so low level. I wrote and complained and got the same letter as Steve got, same old biscuit !

How anyone can evenadmit to being -Maplin Staff- I do not know, how embarassing to admit it. Don't shop at Maplins, go anywhere but.

[dragon2309]

excuse me? what the fuck gives you the right to insult my choice of job placement. We are there for a reason, we are specialists, the only reason i am there is because i enjoy it, because i can stand there with customers, knowing i know what im talking about.

One utter prick has a "bad" experience in ONE FUCKING STORE and you're quick off the mark to go around branding every single employee in the company with the same fucking stick. Utter twat...

-Maplin Staff-

[gcw25]

Steve is right. Always.

[dragon2309]

A couple of things I picked up on listening to your video here:

"I pay your wages love" - Top marks there, so, what kind of royalty are you, or is it military, c'mon, it must be something that's causing you to think you're head and shoulders above the rest of the world...

Granted the service in Kingston doesnt sound great, but you sir need to get off of your high horse and start respecting people. They are NOT there to solely look after you.

-Maplin Staff-

[mi1964amigo]

I wouldn't give my postcode either and if I was being forced to, I simply wouldn't buy the goods. And who walks out of a store with unbagged items? Why put yourself at risk of getting stopped or looking like a thief? I agree with Steve Allen. Christ - if you wanted to walk out without a bag when they had them, they'd cause a fuss. I'll keep out of Maplins.

[dragon2309]

hahaha, you ammuse me in your short sightedness, you'll "keep out of maplins" based on this persons experiences...

Okay, i bought a lot of camera equipment from jessops once, oh my god they offered me a bag, and guess what, one of them had a piercing...

Are you going to stay out of jessops as well now? Are you serisouly that easily influenced, if you are then i hear walking across motorways is a fun pastime, go try it, right-the-fuck-now...

[giffinous]

As for the postcode, every retailer is in their rights to ask for an address in the event of refund to cover themselves in the event of fraud. In this particular case, the customer didn't leave the store with the product and so a refund without a postcode is acceptable.

In my view, Mr. Allen should get off from his high horse and start treating people as equals rather than minions who are there to serve him.

-Maplin Management-

[giffinous]

This man has no respect what-so-ever for the people who work in shops. The reason why a customer would be asked if they want a bag is to save plastic. In this case, a gentleman customer purchasing a single item in a box; one would assume that its quite elementary to carry it to his car without issue, and help save the environment.

[MiSsRiTe1]

some people just don't understand working in retail and how it can be difficult at peak times. I think this man on the radio is extremely rude he obviously thinks hes better then everybody else "just because hes on the radio". When asking for a post code for refunds what is the problem with that any store i have ever been in and wanted a refund has asked for my details this bloke just needs to get out a bit more. bless him lol

[Mullit6]

lol i work in that store, and the reason we had no bags is cus we sold so much stuff that we ran out before our order of bags arrived. and the manageress of whom you make a point of being arrogant, actually worked for several years in the hounslow store where you said the service was excellent

[Tredric]

"People should complain" about.. being in a store where the staff are busy and procedures and authorisations are required for refunds to be put through the till. Good one!

[Tredric]

So, an attitude problem before he even walked into the store... oh no everyone was busy... queue of people, which is pretty normal in a shop like Maplin, they didn't have bags, let me guess the car was right outside?

Its people like this that make me glad i dont work in shops. Retail staff are treated like absoloute crap, and get paid minimal amounts.

[dbairbus2]

Having worked at maplin, i have been in situations where things happen that from a customer POV seem odd. For instance, i may be helping someone already - at the rear of the store. I go to the counter to get something (like this woman walking around behind the counter) Then i walk of to the customer. Even if there are people waiting, i could not abandon my already waiting customer. The staff did not sound rude to me.

[cliffaudio]

I have been in that exact situation at Maplin. It's extremely rude not to acknowledge the waiting customer. Is it difficult to say "Hello, I'm with another customer, however I will help you as soon as I'm ready."? I think not. It's easy, polite and shows you care.

[dbairbus2]

That is true, however to be fair, at times the customer goes on to explain their problem anyway!

For what happened, the rant he had seemed a bit OTT. He had to wait a bit - that was all really.

He asked for something, got it. Done. Asked for a refund - got it. With is attitude and had i been serving him, i would have had him removed, i didn't get paid to have the likes of him talking down to me.

[dbairbus2]

So what did the staff do wrong?

If staff are serving, you wait...easy!

Refunds require a password...thats just the way it is - not a staff decision.

The 14 day policy is stated on the receipt.

You asked for something, she showed you - good.