The Club Shop - Can we do it better?

parker14 said:
No harm in asking for a discount, but don't be offended if the answer is no. Was more about the poor communication to paying customers.
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It reads like the poster is fed up about not getting a discount to me. Not sure why "no" is poor comms?
 
Danny Ocean said:
While a lot of small businesses may give you a discount for luxury items or high-value items if you ask it is usually because the items
they are selling are not unique to them and they don't want you to go elsewhere, in the case of this store most of the items are sold only by them, so why discount.
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By on large, the shop is selling mass produced sh1te that has BFC printed on it an is priced with a huge mark up.

Surely better to accept an offer of 90% of the hugely marked up price than no sale ?

Plenty of small print that could be argued forever and a day - offending those who paid 100%, etc, etc - but I'm amazed at the responses on this thread from experienced business folk.

I think the same folk would offer different reponses if somebody was to start a thread with a title of:

"Everything about the BFC shop is absolutely perfect and nothing could be improved".

*** AVFTT Caveat *** - I am not interested in their own businesses as that's a private matter and I'm not suggesting for a second that they don't know what they are doing and I have nothing but huge respect for each and everyone of them who have been successful in running their own business.
 
Macseasider said:
"That will be £200 please Sir"

"I'll give you £150, cash, hold out your hand"
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Or perhaps the opening poster lives in the real world ?

OK, I might have been overly harsh with what I said above and perhaps the business folk just think that when purchasing tat from the BFC shop, you do so knowing that you are contributing to club and that might be the main reason for their purchase, and I apologise to anybody offended by any of my sh1te.

But in which world are transactions carried out at the original price put up by the supplier ?
 
SEASIDE2020 said:
By on large, the shop is selling mass produced sh1te that has BFC printed on it an is priced with a huge mark up.

Surely better to accept an offer of 90% of the hugely marked up price than no sale ?

Plenty of small print that could be argued forever and a day - offending those who paid 100%, etc, etc - but I'm amazed at the responses on this thread from experienced business folk.

I think the same folk would offer different reponses if somebody was to start a thread with a title of:

"Everything about the BFC shop is absolutely perfect and nothing could be improved".

*** AVFTT Caveat *** - I am not interested in their own businesses as that's a private matter and I'm not suggesting for a second that they don't know what they are doing and I have nothing but huge respect for each and everyone of them who have been successful in running their own business.
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Mate it’s football merchandise. It’s all mass produced. You aren’t going to find artisanal small-batch football training tops anywhere in the world.

The minimum (or probably close to minimum) wage guy behind the till has no autonomy to give a discount (but I bet he is in ** hot water if his till doesn’t balance at the end of his shift!) — and asking repeatedly for a discount is just stopping him from serving the next customer in the line.

The OP is having a hissy fit about that and posting about it is just entitled drivel.
 
Asking for a discount is a bit strange tbf.

As for politeness and customer service, it needs a general kick up the arse in the UK. Many of the younger generation seem to think it's fine to chuck money on to counter, whilst jabbering away on the phone when buying stuff. No hello, thanks or even eye contact.

Go to London and nobody thanks the bus driver. Travel on a train from Croydon and nobody talks to anybody else, everyone looking at screens, heads down. People obsessed with tick-tock...watch for 5 seconds, swipe, watch for 5 seconds, swipe....

Society is becoming more isolated as technology makes the world 🌎 seem smaller. And, a polite hello to a stranger seems alien to many people.

mad-link = social commentator extraordinaire
 
SEASIDE2020 said:
By on large, the shop is selling mass produced sh1te that has BFC printed on it an is priced with a huge mark up.

Surely better to accept an offer of 90% of the hugely marked up price than no sale ?

Plenty of small print that could be argued forever and a day - offending those who paid 100%, etc, etc - but I'm amazed at the responses on this thread from experienced business folk.

I think the same folk would offer different reponses if somebody was to start a thread with a title of:

"Everything about the BFC shop is absolutely perfect and nothing could be improved".

*** AVFTT Caveat *** - I am not interested in their own businesses as that's a private matter and I'm not suggesting for a second that they don't know what they are doing and I have nothing but huge respect for each and everyone of them who have been successful in running their own business.
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The lad behind the counter isn't there to do a subjective assessment of the quality of goods on sale and then calibrate the price accordingly. He's there to charge the marked price. That's the basis upon which most "experienced business folk" employ people.

In this instance, as far as I can see, he's merely done his job and dealt accurately with a query from someone who wants something that is simply not on offer.

What are the odds the OP will be on here moaning if he doesn't think we do enough business in the January window? And completely missing the double standard in play?
 
Parky1953 said:
So I visited the club shop early doors today as I wanted to purchase a couple of items.

Having tried on what I wanted, I eventually picked up two further items and walked over to the till.

I was met by the most uncharismatic character I’ve ever come across in the shop. The conversation went like this, and I’m a friendly character…

Me - Alright bud, please could you scan this and let me know the price.

BFC - £35.

Me - Ok, thank you. As I’m buying four items for £150, would there be any chance of a discount?

BFC - We don’t do discounts.

Me - Not even 10% for a STH?

BFC - We don’t do any discounts.

Me - Great thanks.

BFC - Put your card in there.

I mean, come on. I don’t want the earth but we spend our hard earned cash following our team and this is what we get back. Is it just me that finds it disappointing? Even if the lad had just shouted up, “Any chance of a discount on four items” and had been told no, I’d have at least felt like he made the effort.
I’m pretty sick of the poor customer service we get from BFC. I’d understand if I was a knob, or if I was rude, but I’m far from it.

I would’ve orders the items online to get them earlier but the £6 postage is ridiculous, especially when the sizes are all over the place and you have to return them to the shop for an exchange!

Are BFC getting it right? I don’t think so. What do others think? Can we please make some positive changes?

We should be a family friendly club that are proud to wear the shirt and serve other customers with at least a smile, surely that’s not much to ask!
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I think the staff in the shop are probably on minimum wage and I don't think they have the authority to give discount , but they should be polite and service with a smile .
 
basilrobbie3 said:
The lad behind the counter isn't there to do a subjective assessment of the quality of goods on sale and then calibrate the price accordingly. He's there to charge the marked price. That's the basis upon which most "experienced business folk" employ people.

In this instance, as far as I can see, he's merely done his job and dealt accurately with a query from someone who wants something that is simply not on offer.

What are the odds the OP will be on here moaning if he doesn't think we do enough business in the January window? And completely missing the double standard in play?
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We never do any good business in January anyway. Maybe there are hundreds of shysters cutting deals in the club shop and concourses?.......
 
Parky1953 said:
Ok, I think people are thinking I’m pissed because I didn’t get a discount! Not the case.

Yes it would be a nice gesture, especially when spending such an amount at your club (not the local co-op), but my point relates to the service, or lack of it!

Blimey, you can’t hold a discussion on this board. It’s straight for the jugular of anyone who wants to discuss anything!
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I have to say that I don’t see your issue - you asked for a discount (I assume as banter) and you were told there was not one available. Now the person serving you may not have been all chatty chatty/full of bants (as the yoof call it) but I assume they were not rude either just matter of fact? So what is the problem?
 
The o/p complains that the £6 delivery cost online prevented advance ordering, but then goes on to say bought £150 of merch.

Any online orders over £100 are free of delivery charge. 🤷‍♂️
 
Actually the Tesco’s example is a good one.
Loads of items in store have Clubcard discounts and points to be used later.
Same should apply to ST cards (actual & virtual).
 
Maybe the club could factor in a discount in club shop/drinks food concessions for season ticket holders by inreasing prices of season tickets. I suppose some would take advantage of non season ticket holders by asking for some cash to use ST. So maybe No discount is the best way.
 
todayistheday said:
Maybe the club could factor in a discount in club shop/drinks food concessions for season ticket holders by inreasing prices of season tickets. I suppose some would take advantage of non season ticket holders by asking for some cash to use ST. So maybe No discount is the best way.
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A mate of mine showed me a picture of Blackpool shirts being sold in the west of Ireland - cheap. maybe we should all get a flight there / a hotel and save some money!
 
I recall, decades ago, when Blackpool Airport was open and even had a tourist shop within it that the BFC souvenirs were cheaper than the BFC shop itself. I bought a nice embroidered silk club tie.

In the Prem season and before, you got a 10% discount voucher with a ST. I tried to offer it at the last league match of the season and they refused to accept it. The manager was unpleasant with a bad attitude, I guess that came with working for the Stains.
 
seasideone said:
Why on earth would you expect discount at BFC for buying a few items?

Do you do that in your local shops then as well?

Being personable is not about discount, boasting about being personable is a joke to be fair - as that is how you should always behave!!!
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Maybe but there are ways of talking to people that could be a tad more emollient.
 
SEASIDE2020 said:
By on large, the shop is selling mass produced sh1te that has BFC printed on it an is priced with a huge mark up.

Surely better to accept an offer of 90% of the hugely marked up price than no sale ?

Plenty of small print that could be argued forever and a day - offending those who paid 100%, etc, etc - but I'm amazed at the responses on this thread from experienced business folk.

I think the same folk would offer different reponses if somebody was to start a thread with a title of:

"Everything about the BFC shop is absolutely perfect and nothing could be improved".

*** AVFTT Caveat *** - I am not interested in their own businesses as that's a private matter and I'm not suggesting for a second that they don't know what they are doing and I have nothing but huge respect for each and everyone of them who have been successful in running their own business.
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It's 'and'.....By and large.
 
It's up to the Club. They can employ staff on minimum wage and leave them to it. Or, they can invest in their young people, get them some retail training and some qualifications to put on a CV. BFC could become a true centre of excellEnce for all of its employees. It could be a business that youngsters fight to get into because it could lead somewhere for them. What do you think Mr Sadler?
 
No problem with the attitude of the staff in the shop.
I got messed about the other week over some ticket upgrades I ordered over the phone getting sent from pillar to post but they werent rude. They sorted it eventually.
No different from any other shop staff in the UK from my experience.
Its a job thats it.
Serve people who want to buy.
No need for any over the top fake rubbish" are you having a great day" blah blah blah.
I dont need anything else. Its a transaction.
As for a discount they don't do it end of. No need to get upset about it.
As long as they arent rude no problem.
 
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basilrobbie3 said:
The lad behind the counter isn't there to do a subjective assessment of the quality of goods on sale and then calibrate the price accordingly. He's there to charge the marked price. That's the basis upon which most "experienced business folk" employ people.

In this instance, as far as I can see, he's merely done his job and dealt accurately with a query from someone who wants something that is simply not on offer.

What are the odds the OP will be on here moaning if he doesn't think we do enough business in the January window? And completely missing the double standard in play?
Click to expand...


Fair enough, I suppose haggling in the club shop is like haggling with a charity.

Apologies for going all Sir John Harvey-Jones on everyone.

Taking BFC shop out of things, I am surprised so many seem to thing discount is a swear word although they are perhaps focusing entirely on the club shop to be fair.
 
cside said:
Mate it’s football merchandise. It’s all mass produced. You aren’t going to find artisanal small-batch football training tops anywhere in the world.

The minimum (or probably close to minimum) wage guy behind the till has no autonomy to give a discount (but I bet he is in ** hot water if his till doesn’t balance at the end of his shift!) — and asking repeatedly for a discount is just stopping him from serving the next customer in the line.

The OP is having a hissy fit about that and posting about it is just entitled drivel.
Click to expand...

Fair enough, haggling is probably not the done thing in the BFC shop and I've just apologised elsewhere on the this thread.

Offering a discount does not make a business less profitable, nevermind I'm probably going all Sir John Harvey Jones again.
 
BFC do a lot of sales throughout the year perhaps the o/p should keep an eye out for the discounted items in the sales.
 
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