Complaint about Lemar

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 19:04

Now for my next lot of complaints - all about Lemar (the one in Karakum but they're probably all the same!)



I hope the CEO who was posting on here recently asking for suggestions from customers will read this. I'll try to be as constructive as I can in my complaints!



1. Why put prices for Baklawa of 12.00TL and 10.45TL in front of baklawa that is 20TL? Trying to ask the girl behind the counter which ones are which is difficult when she cannot speak a word of English. Put the right prices against the right trays and customers will know what they want to choose without having to ask the price of each and every one.



2. None of the staff speak a word of English. I wanted half a kilo. "Half" didn't work. "Buçuk" didn't work either. My dictionary definitely says buçuk = 'half'. Ok, so does Yarım but why don't they have the sense to comprehend buçuk? Give the staff a few basic words of English to make their lives and ours easier and everyone will be happier.

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 19:09

Next time I go to UK,I'll speak in Turkish in supermarkets and see how many would be able to understand me!!!

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 19:11

3. The litre tub of icecream I picked up was marked 3TL. Yet at the counter it was scanned as 3.50TL. On questioning, again no one spoke English so a very nice Turkish customer translated. "That campaign has now finished!"



Sorry, but if you're not selling something for what it's advertised at (which is actually printed on the box), then it shouldn't be on the shelf. The Turkish customer answered "the price cannot be taken off because it is printed in the plastic box".



Sorry but if Lemar bought in this icecream that allowed them to put it on the shelf for 3TL and make a profit, when the campaign is finished, ok, the price goes back up but not for the ones they originally bought to sell at 3TL which are printed as 3TL. That is misleading. Those should be sold off as they were intended originally.



There you go, complaints are now off my chest!

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 19:12

spot on yorgozlu, I speak a little turkish and I treat it as a bonus if shop staff and others can speak english

hattikins


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 2793

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 19:18

Yorgozlu, totally agree with your comments, how very arrogant to expect staff to speak English in their own country, if Pippie is so concerned then there are plenty of Turkish lessons available.



*Ok, so does Yarım but why don't they have the sense to comprehend buçuk? Give the staff a few basic words of English to make their lives and ours easier and everyone will be happier.*



How arrogant that sounds, and if you know that the word for half is yarim then why not use it, who do you think you are, HRH.

JohhnyLee


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 2495

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 19:21

Yorgozlu You are so right, and I think you will find most of us on here echo your comments, Well said.

ataturk


Joined: 09/09/2008
Posts: 712

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 19:24

Yorgozlu you are so wrong if you go into a supermarket in the UK it is probably owned by a turk and hence you will have the same problem they wont be able to speak a word of english. lol

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 19:27

msg 7,

ataturk;

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 19:29

I DO agree with everything else though.However,I'm known to pay what it says on the ticket/shelf.

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 19:33

I'm sorry you all seem so frustrated by my comments.



Hattikins, I only found out what Yarım was when I returned to my car to look up the word for 'half' in my dictionary. I've been using buçuk for ages with no problem and couldn't (can't) understand why no one understands it in Lemar. No, I don't think I'm HRH, you'll notice I make an effort to spell the words correctly and I would like you also to know that I take great effort to try to use as many Turkish words as I can.



Yes, I agree Yorgozlu, that I should try to speak the language where I live, and I do to the best of my ability. But in a country that needs tourism, especially in holiday towns like Girne, it would be helpful not just for customers but for staff too if the staff could use a few basic words. It would help to overcome the communication barrier. The staff are obviously as frustrated because they cannot explain things to me. My comments were meant to be constructive to help, not for you to only see the

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 19:35

negative ...

AnthonySmith


Joined: 14/05/2009
Posts: 455

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 19:40

I'm afraid Pippie I know where you are coming from, but we are living in a different country with a different language. The days of colonialism where us lazy Brits expected everyone else to speak the Queen's English but us are gone.

I have problems shopping, and in Lemar, Karakum, too, but that's my fault, not their's.

I wouldn't expect it in Germany, France, Russia, Iraq or America ;-)

JohhnyLee


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 2495

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 19:41

Pippie, no disrepect intented what so ever, but i think alot of us came here to get away from everything being right and proper, and well organised, with trading standards etc etc etc.



Yes we could do with it up to a point, but I always relate things here to how things where in the Uk in the 60s, and we are so lucky, because for instance, the veg and salad we buy here tastes like food from the 60s, not the mass produced crap we get in UK.



So please lets not have it to perfect, And it is up to us to learn to communicate, not vica versa.

littleme


Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 299

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 19:50

Ok yes we should speak Turkish I agree but you should also have asked for the manager in the shop rather than hope he reads the forum. If a person or persons make a mistake please at least give them the chance to rectify it I do think it's only fair. why jump on them misleading people are you 100% sure it was intentional thats the trouble with public forums many people assume "they did they have must of" & I am sorry but if a person makes a mistake then I feel that they at least deserve the right to correct it & learn rather than be slaughtered without even knowing it.

I understand that you feel people should know but in all fairness we shop at the shop in question we enjoy going in there & have quite a laugh with them as well, they have always been very helpful. One more thing deli items are priced according to weight & in isle 4 they do have a scanner which enables you to price check any item.

proger1



Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 2919

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 19:52

Sorry to try and lighten the mood slightly but reading this just reminds me of the old holiday sketches, the brit with the lobster tan, high socks and sandles, string vest and head hanky sun hat shouting across the room "Oi waiteroh, oneoh beero and oneoh juico" at the top of his voice in a magaluf restaurant, trying to be cosmopolitan and fit in with the locals.

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 19:57

Ok JohhnyLee, I'm not old enough to know about the 60s but I accept what you're saying. Life is wonderful here but I suppose everything cannot be perfect as you say.

Now I've got that out out of my system I'm feeling much calmer now! I'm even coming to terms with (and getting on top of the problem) of constant short changing in the shops!



But please everyone, I am trying so hard to learn and use the language, and have fun doing so with so many people when I'm out at work but the staff in Lemar just look at me blank and it's so frustrating. I speak English, French, Spanish, Arabic and some Urdu and Thai and none of it is any use here. Please do not tarnish me with the 'lazy brit' brush. I am anything but. Even in the UK if there was a communication barrier with anyone at work I would try to work things out with them - even through 'give us a clue' sign language. May be I am just too customer care oriented and shouldn't expect others to try as hard as I do.... I'll leave it th

gooligan


Joined: 30/01/2007
Posts: 1591

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 19:58

Pippie,there is a price scanner halfway down the 2nd aisle if you are unsure of prices in the future.

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 20:01

Littleme - please read my posting again. I am not pointing the finger at any particular member of staff. None of what I wrote is their fault. They cannot help it if they are not being trained to put the right prices in the right places, nor if they are not given help by their managers to allow them to learn a little to help them in their job.



Sorry, but as a manager, I have always trained my staff so they know what they need to know and are happy that they won't have any struggles in their job, or at least would have my support to help them out of any difficulties...

cyprusman3



Joined: 09/06/2009
Posts: 297

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 20:08

How about naming what u want half of so they understand (yarim kilo or bucuk kilo) ?

littleme


Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 299

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 20:15

Pippie Sorry I did not mean for it to sound as if I was having a dig SORRY I just think we all need to learn & have a chance to. I have great fun in the shop with my rubbish Turkish but we always enjoy our trip to Lemar.

Whistler


Joined: 28/07/2008
Posts: 1332

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 20:21

I went in last week and bought a packet of Neutrogena facial cleansers, which were marked 12.95tl.

When I got to the car and checked my bill the cleansers were listed as 19.95!!!!! Went back in with the bill

and pointed this out to an assistant. Got the shrug but persisted in pointing out it was wrong and they were marked wrong. She then tore off the price ticket in front of these and I did get a refund. How many other items are there marked thus.

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 20:31

Cyprusman, this is what I said:



Baklawa içın on iki tele, evet (pointing to the baklawa).

She nodded.

"buçuk kılo istiyorum".



I got 3/4 kilo of baklawa at 22tl/kilo and 1/2 kilo of baklawa at 12tl/kilo



"hayır" I said, repeated it all again and tried sign language for 1/2!! She took a little out, looked at me questioningly so I gave up and said "tamam, tamam, teşekkür ederim"



Now tell me what to say in future and I'll do it.

TimothyCadman


Joined: 13/12/2007
Posts: 1040

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 20:31

Just try asking for, "Bes Yuz Gram....." - "500 grams" to mean half a kilo. They'll understand that.

daisy dukes


Joined: 06/09/2008
Posts: 3815

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 20:33

Oh Christ sake, is no one going to pick up on Progers (extremely funny) input??



Pippie don't you know that if you speak louder and louder and stick an 'oh' on the end of every word...EVERYONE will understand you!! It's Universal...or at least British!! ( isn't British Universal anymore.......?????)



DD

Panchocat


Joined: 29/11/2009
Posts: 1333

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 20:44

Shop at Supreme Pipie the staff there speak excellent English!

gooligan


Joined: 30/01/2007
Posts: 1591

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 20:46

Daisy,that only works in the med,eastern europe you swap the 'oh' for 'ski',ie thanksi veryski muchski

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 20:49

Good suggestion Timothy, I didn't think of that at the time. Will do that next time.

daisy dukes


Joined: 06/09/2008
Posts: 3815

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 20:55

gooligan....funny!!



DD

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 21:05

YARIM KILO/BES YUZ gram-half a kilo.

"bucuk" is used for time as "half past/X.30"

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 21:49

Thank you for clarifying, I'd half guessed it but wasn't sure.

mozgor



Joined: 16/06/2010
Posts: 256

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 22:04

Pippie, I have to say that you ARE living in a country, presumably through choice, where their first language is Turkish not English and don't you think it's a bit arrogant to criticise them for the fact that they "don't speak a word of English"? In my opinion, the vast majority of the local people are very accommodating provided you meet them half way and don't EXPECT them to learn our language.

mozgor



Joined: 16/06/2010
Posts: 256

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 22:12

OK Pippie, having now read all the comments you have had enough of an ear bashing so apologies. It's jus that your original post didn't come across very well.

andrew4232



Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 1543

Message Posted:
04/07/2010 23:52

its so british everyone has to speak english, if you want them to speak only english go back home to the uk ! it up to you to learn there language not the other way round

denizen



Joined: 21/08/2009
Posts: 388

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 00:18

English is the most widely spoken language in the world. Most countries teach English as a second language. It is the accepted language for many international activities, including Air Traffic Control, a comfort, I am sure. Most Europeans, if they speak a second language, it's English. Most English people's second language is: take your pick. I am taking Turkish lessons, in years past I have tried to learn French, Marcel et Denise, etc. Spanish, tien usted una cervesa. At school I studied, for a short time Latin, amo, ama, amas, amamis, amatis, amant. Not a lot of good. Have managed with the International English, better known as P&S (point and shout). Now I am settled here I will endeavour to learn to speak the Turkish language, until I am proficient, bear with me, and the majority of Brit ex pats, it's not arrogance, merely ignorance.

LaptaMike


Joined: 07/10/2009
Posts: 1679

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 00:51

I bought some nasty meat from Lemar Karalongolu (I know ive spelt it wrong, hard name to remember) last year. Got it home and in the fridge straight away. The next day it was rancid.



Anyway, about shop personnel speaking English, I went in Dolmaci in Alsancak this morning, at checkout I never said a word but she asked for the money in perfect English. Tends to be same in Starling and Ileli and just about all the other shops I go in. (Before you say, I'm not pasty white ;-)

denizen



Joined: 21/08/2009
Posts: 388

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 01:04

Who's Patsy White?

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 01:09

If all native English speaking persons boycotted Lemar, I wonder how long they would remain in business?!



Richard

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 01:14

You'd be surprised Richard.



Good to hear you are alive and well.

LaptaMike


Joined: 07/10/2009
Posts: 1679

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 01:15

hmmm denizen ;-)

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 08:34

Lemar @ Catalkoy the staff are miserable and not helpful apart from one girl in fact they are quite surly

Compare that with Supreme they are helpful and have obviously had customer service training well done management

A few friends that speak and are learning Turkish have given up on Lemar except for their specials

In English terms its the difference between Morissons who are miserable miss price and double scan and ASDA are cheerful and engage with the customer

Its not about learning the language its about the customer being willing to engage and the staff responding and visa versa .The Lemar staff don't want to be there and it shows in their you're disturbing my day attitude

example pay for the big shop 150tl and still bagging up the next customers shopping comes down the chute onto yours

Supreme

there's a person assisting" big shops" pack helps them get the tills clear quicker

Car park is small when busy man directing cars and helping reversing

CUSTOMER CARE& SERV

frontalman



Joined: 28/02/2008
Posts: 499

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 11:59

I must echo previous comments, it's a bit of a cheek to come to a foreign country and expect them to speak anything other than their own language!

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 12:12

Frontalman its not the language its the attitude in Lemar it sucks end off Supreme Erdener great attitude sign language and a few laughs on both sides

sydney


Joined: 20/06/2007
Posts: 127

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 12:24

Like one suggested here, take it to the scan machine and it will tell you the price. Expecting the staff to speak or know any Enlgish is unfair! But also, Lemar being frequented by many expats, they should make an effort of understanding the basic words to reply as we also make some effort to pick up Turkish words out of courtesy.



I certainly know they put wrong price tags to most of the products and very bad at giving back change which I did mention in of previous posts. I simply stopped going there.

zcacmxi


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 388

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 12:29

It all boils down to competition and how keen a business is to attract foreign customers.



E.g. It must be very profitable for the Banks to take the English speaking residents money. So many of them now have ex-pat branches with English staff.

girne


Joined: 14/01/2009
Posts: 438

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 12:42

spot on Yorgoz. How many English working in Sainsburys can speak another language....................................................none.............................

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 12:54

Msg 45

How many Sainsbury's workers can actually speak English? Not many in my neck of the woods. It's either an Eastern block or a regional colloquial accent, both incomprehensible!



Richard

cyprusman3



Joined: 09/06/2009
Posts: 297

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 13:15

Msg 22 Wow pippie in that case tell her to f off !!!! I would

begonia


Joined: 19/05/2009
Posts: 229

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 13:26

.......and even some people on this board can't speak English !!

girne


Joined: 14/01/2009
Posts: 438

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 13:57

message 22 you could ask for Yarim Kilo.



When you say Büçük kilo you are translating from english to turkish which you know never works.!!

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 14:26

msg 42;

wanderer;

"its not the language its the attitude "



Spot on,its as if they do us a favour by serving us,and it is no different in Starling either.

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 15:00

Sal

Thanks for your support its the attitude and the management

I've just imported the wife's car done all the paperwork and the rest

Met some really lovely people government workers doing their job helping a man who can't speak the language I'm willing to follow instructions and admit my limitations Don't think it would be that good in the UK with customs etc .

Generally people in Kybris want to help

But the staff training at Lemar sucks its a management issue not the staff If you do not train you do not get better

When I worked at one time the organisation had poor back office support and it cost us big time .We had to educate train encourage and reward and we then experienced growth and customer loyalty



Today at the Bank the lady I dealt with knew what i wanted to do did it piles of paper but not much common language between us but we got there respect and trust

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 15:03

Hopefully Lemar wil realise its the management problem

I Don't mind doing some training for them if they provide the translator my time & experience free of charge

raidercruise


Joined: 07/06/2010
Posts: 237

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 15:05

They have some big management problems. Some of their staff dont' even talk properly. Very rude attitude.

Ailletoo


Joined: 24/01/2009
Posts: 1003

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 17:18

Errmmm... just thought I'd point out .... you are in north Cyprus not England.. They speak Turkish here.. get used to it! Try learning. P**t!

Ailletoo


Joined: 24/01/2009
Posts: 1003

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 17:19

That should be 'speak properly! msg 53

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 18:36

Pippie, I also get annoyed by the variations in "marked" and till prices but marked prices are no more than "an offer to treat". The simple contract is formed at the till. Best to watch the till figures as goods scanned. If you see a difference which you are unwilling to pay simply give the item back and have the till receipt credited before you pay. Similarly, it is correct business ethics to pass onto customers price increases as new stock has to be bought at the new prices and monies in stocks on shelves is dormant money to the business. Sometimes a business will not make a price increase as a goodwill gesture until stock depleted. Where this becomes difficult is a decision has to be as to whether or not the shop is simply getting it wrong occasionally or you detect a definite and repetitive variation between marked and till prices. In the case of the latter, and regrettably, there are some pricing scams, I make my observation known to the management and vote with my feet.

nostradamus


Joined: 15/04/2008
Posts: 557

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 18:57

I really couldn't care less whether the staff in a supermarket speak English or not - it's helpful but not essential - but I haven't used Lemar for a very long time because their till staff never had any change, they were a miserable, unhelpful bunch and a lot of their products were going though the till at a much higher price than on the shelf. Vote with your feet. If Lemar lose enough custom they might finally get the message. I now shop almost exclusively in Illeli who seem to have got it right in most areas plus the fact that they also pack your shopping up and take it to your car. Great - this is called customer service.

girne 29


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 1488

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 19:14

Nice one.

Pipies thread about pricing in Lemars, somehow manages to end up as a thread about speaking Turkish.

Nice body swerve,should be politicians.Dont think you will get many tourists to some countries if they are required to speak the local language in order to shop .

As a tourist, I, and many others,have managed no problem to shop where we didnt speak one word of the local language and the shopkeeper spoke not one word of English. Just because one doesnt speak the local language doesnt not mean one expects the local to speak English.

Chegwin


Joined: 24/03/2009
Posts: 775

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 19:28

What is it about people called Pippie or Pipie?

More greetings than a Christmas card.

Chegs

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
05/07/2010 21:01

Sorry Chegwin, lost you there. What on earth are you on about? I thought both Pipie and myself have always been pretty helpful on this board!

Lazy days


Joined: 24/07/2008
Posts: 847

Message Posted:
06/07/2010 15:29

Hello peeps

mess 60 You gotta be kidding HAHAHAHAHA

Side splitting stuff

Some People who post drivel for the most part.

As stated earlier by Mozgor, TRNC is a Turkish speaking place and as such it is their choice not ours in what language they speak also highlighted by yorguzlu in mess 2

Typical stuck up pompous Brits

DONTY


Joined: 07/06/2007
Posts: 534

Message Posted:
06/07/2010 16:26

Last 5 words in Msg 34 sum it up!

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
06/07/2010 19:34

msg 58;

girne 29;

"Nice one.



Pipies thread about pricing in Lemars, somehow manages to end up as a thread about speaking Turkish.



Nice body swerve,should be politicians.Dont think you will get many tourists to some countries if they are required to speak the local language in order to shop .



As a tourist, I, and many others,have managed no problem to shop where we didnt speak one word of the local language and the shopkeeper spoke not one word of English. Just because one doesnt speak the local language doesnt not mean one expects the local to speak English"







You might need to read msg 1 again!!!.......and.......perhaps the rest of the posts as well.......then........you might find that,NO one has actualy disagreed with comments on msg 1 other then ...."None of the staff speak a word of English."......



as for everything alse on msg 1.......WE have all agreed ACTUALY!!!



Above all that;

No one is expecting anyone to learn the local language or

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
06/07/2010 19:41

msg 63 cont.





saying the staff in shops shouldnt have to speak english,of course it helps and of course it is a bonus to all.

However,if one comes on puplic forum complainig about the staff in a shop not speaking english.......



Do please wear it if the cap fits.

flowerfairy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 1277

Message Posted:
06/07/2010 19:50

Well, I feel sorry for the poor little man who has been advertising Lemar's special offers. Sorry, I can't remember his name.

What an awful job he must have!!!!!

He's done his best to inform mainly expats of the forthcoming 'specials', something rather unique for

bulletin boards. Also trying to deal with any problems with staff and promotion deals.

I expect he feels he's wasting is time trying to promote Lemar.

I just hope he reads this post and tries to continue the good work that he started.

Texas


Joined: 22/09/2009
Posts: 634

Message Posted:
06/07/2010 20:20

Apologies if someone has already suggested the following;



If you want anything from the deli/meat/fish/etc counter and then you discover the display price (per kilo) is different from the bar code price, just leave the item in the store.



They haven't made a deliberate mistake, the price they charge you is the price to be paid. You will have chosen not to pay what you believed was an incorrect price.



They may eventually work out why all the Brits (and a few of Germans and a Dutch couple) always seem to leave behind the expensive baklava! One more thing, I very rarely see locals buying baklava from the main supermarkets. Maybe it's only the ex-pats and the odd tourist?



PS. Try buying baklava from a shop that makes it daily and specialises in nothing but baklava. You will be surprised at the difference. Next door to Guido's is a good place to start.

redgraves


Joined: 03/11/2008
Posts: 107

Message Posted:
06/07/2010 20:25

mmmmmmm......... which language should they learn to speak first ....... English? Russain? Swedish? Italian? etc etc.