If there is one thing Croma store does not lack in its staff... they are everywhere talking, laughing, discussing lunch or gossiping. If they do notice you, they arrive in packs by your side. Croma staff works only in groups it seems. We went there to buy a pedestal fan, can't get simpler than that! We were shown one crompton greaves fan by three semi-efficient sales people. It took two of them to turn on the fan and one to say that "that's all we have". I spotted an Usha pedestal fan, still in its box by my feet. It was a discovery of great surprise to the attendant staff "We had that???!!! " We asked the price. It was about a hundred bucks more expensive than the next door (mariginally more efficient) store. I mentioned that. There was commotion. Three more floor staff were called for consultation. "Ok, I will ask my manager" said the sales gal and sauntered away. She was in no hurry. The rest of the half a dozen people around asked (one by one) if we wanted extended warranty. "No Thank, you". Cut to approx 7 minutes later, the sales girl appeared and asked me to accompany her to the next door store. She wanted to verify if I was telling her the truth!!! and wanted me to go with her!!! Never heard of such a thing. Either you sell it at the price quoted or you dont. In the mean 20 more minutes had passed, our fan had been dragged listlessly to the cash register (at one point I asked if the gal needed help carrying the fan to the counter (because by this time her back up guys had conveniently disappeared. All the dragging across 40 ft of space was for nothing, because there was no one at the cash register. Someone was summoned, who had to then summon someone else. Lots of whispering and shuffling ensued. After 20 minutes of hemming and hawing, I asked for the manager. The staff shaking in fear, pointed to a guy who was... yes chatting... with another person by the gate. The manager came, made some appropriate noises, asked the billing guys to get cracking. You would have thought he'd stay till the transaction is complete, seeing that we made for some rather unhappy customers. No. The gentleman disappeared to the back before we could say "croma! ". Seriously, this has to be the saddest state of affairs. The sales people are well meaning youngsters who have not been taught to value their work, time or effort. They are there biding time and wasting ours. If the manager is anything to go by, the inspiration definitely isn't flowing top to bottom. A very sorry excuse for customer service. Shame on Tatas for running such a shoddy show.
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