talkmagic.co.uk

Once again Davenports lived up to the reputation of being completly rubbish at customer service yesterday, thus they have lost my custom for ever!!!!!

Either they cant be bothered to talk to you or they are arrogant....boo to them

what happened Chris?

I only ever get that from them when I'm actually in the shop. If I phone for an item, they're nice as can be.

But you're right that they're not my first choice for a bricks-and-mortar experience.

Well I was on my way to a gig, I thought I stop by get two new decks a TT and some rope....the guy in there, was this young lad, who served everybody whilst trying to either one hand card control or use some coin flourishy stuff.. Everything I had actually needed was out of stock....With very little apologises from the staff, or a n inkling as to when it may be in stock........

I asked if there was anything new in that would interest me, that I could see demoed, the guy just let that one slip under the carpet and didnt say anythign back...Then when his mates turned up he was more than happy to chat utter bul***s to them about jay sankey and how amazing this new stuff was...I then asked if I could borrow some scissors to cut my rope before my gig, and I got some smarmy reference to "can you not cut it yourself with a cut and restored trick, hahaha" So I was like cheers very much for no help and left, only spending a £10....

Silly little boy magicians....they have alot to learn...

You could always try Edina Monsoon's approach: "Listen love, you only work in a shop, so drop the attitude, okay?"

Brings back fond memories of the Old Days, when the shop was opposite the British Museum and Pat Page was behind the counter......

Barry

You should have gone into Alan Alan's shop in the old days. He was the rudest magic shop owner I have ever come across. He used to say to people "Have you come in for shelter?"

Jake of Davenports told me that Alan was so rude that that he sent droves of indignant customers to nearby Davenport to spend money there instead.

When he worked for Tommy Cooper in a tiny shop in Shaftesbury Avenue he always used to tell people to "go and look in the window" because they were taking up too much space in the shop without buying anything.

I once met a variety act (not a magician) who knew Alan and remarked on his rudeness. I asked why he was like that and the entertainer said "probably because he never made it in showbusiness and that is what makes him so bitter" However later on after that remark was made Alan had a 10 year run in circuses which enabled him to earn enough money to open his own shop which despite his rudeness made him a lot of money because the store was well located.

Alan had a good escape act.

I mean seriously, I dont expect them to fall at my feet, Im just your generic working pro magician....But when youve got a bloke in your shop in a three piece Black suit with tie and a black flight case, you know hes there to spend money and means business....as opposed to the two kids in their t.shirts jeans and hoodies(probably complete with ravens)...

You want a good salesperson/magician to get you excited about new effects and you want to buy them..........Enuff of me ranting now...

Betty should pay them some commission. They might suddenly change their attitude then.

mark lewis wrote:You should have gone into Alan Alan's shop in the old days. He was the rudest magic shop owner I have ever come across.

I did and he was - until I asked him about the Dual Control gimmick that I had installed in my jacket - then he became quite helpful.

Barry

magicofthemind wrote:Brings back fond memories of the Old Days, when the shop was opposite the British Museum and Pat Page was behind the counter......

Barry

all woodrow was my first davenports face


I only visited Alan Alans shop once, and my abiding memory is watching him spin two rings at his finger tips.

The staff at David Coopers shop in slough, ( no longer there, but it was he who had the dealings with Allan)
could be rude. In fact that shop was the only time ive ever lost my rag in a magic shop.

I had gone in to hire a costume for a fun run, and Mrs cooper told me that it would come back ruined, and they wouldnt hire costumes out to ..."people like you."

Id been a regular customer at the shop , for around 15 years at this point, almost every weekend, almost always comming away with something over priced.

as you can imagine, i blew my top!

Ive since learned from others that had this treetment, that this was par for the cource, and that the lady was indeed.. a total bitch.

the shop moved to eastbourne, and is still run by the family.

mark lewis wrote:You should have gone into Alan Alan's shop in the old days. He was the rudest magic shop owner I have ever come across. He used to say to people "Have you come in for shelter?"...

Although that is undeniably rude, I still found it to be highly amusing (it made me chuckle, anyway).

So I see nothing has changed at Davenports then. It's true that they are better when you phone them up, though. I usually speak to Betty or her son (can't remember his name) when I ring them and they are very pleasant and helpful. It's too bad the same cannot be said for their wannabe-Sankey counter staff. It never ceases to amaze me why they continue to place these children in such important, customer-facing roles. I just don't get it. They almost make you feel like they are doing you a favour by being there to greet/ridicule/insult you. Actually, I thought I was doing you a favour by giving you my custom; correction, I would be giving you my custom if you actually had anything in stock. But that's a whole new rant.

Ha Chris

I think I saw you yesterday, I was the well dressed bloke who came in and asked for the mini morrissey chop cup that he didn't have. That kid is always the same and I saw some bloke asking him lots of questions and get little or no attention.

Even after you told him you (if in fact it was you) had a ton of money to spend he wasn't any more interested.

I was hoping to have a chat with him about some products but thought I'd get the same short shrift as you and left the shop.

If it's any consolotion those two kids who left came out of the shop and we're not that complementary either about the shop.

I'm curious as to what a numbers deck is now though

I'm going to mention this to Betty next time I speak to her and see if she is actually aware of this.

Yep Agecroft that was I...I belive I said "Ill be some time If you wish to serve this man first" (that man being you) who yes didnt get his chop cup....