Coles — Local services in St. John's

Absolutely horrifying customer service over the phone and I will never call or ever recommend Coles to anyone. I understand indigo search is impossible at the moment and I’ve been very patient. I was currently at chapters and had a gentleman try and help me find a book under two sections - fiction and philosophy (which made sense for the novel I was looking for), we searched physically - no luck. So i decided to call Coles in any hope that before I ventured there physically someone might be able to check and see if the literature was available. The female worker made me feel completely worthless, idiotic and was completely curt arguing with me that a book could not be under both sections of fiction or philosophy - not explaining - but literally arguing with me in a loud, demeaning tone. I spelled the name of the writer - she said yeah I’ll go and check - waited on the phone for a few seconds and said “yeah its not there” like I would believe that she had checked that fast and said yeah have a nice day extremely curtly. She never asked anyone to check for her. I have worked myself at the avalon mall during system issues myself before and understand that stress is an understatement but to be talked to like that for simply asking to check. Not good enough. I hope no one else had or has to deal with disgusting wrath today or ever again. I made the call at 2:31 pm.

I dropped in to look for a title while I was at the mall for other stops. My baby was in my arms as I browsed but could not find the book I was looking for. I approached the desk to ask if the book was in stock. The person working was extremely rude and dismissive. Did not want to look up my request, acted as though I was an idiot for not looking it up in advance or on my own phone. After repeating my request again, the employee searched and stated “look, it is quite obviously not available if you look online”

I get it, everyone has a phone and that is the default expectation. But I needed a small amount of help. Did it really inconvenience you so much? I wasn’t keeping you from other customers or tasks. With Amazon’s better selection, pricing, and quick shipping the only thing a physical store has the advantage of is an employee to actually help out if needed.

In the end - you’re right, I should just look everything up online. Thanks for advice! Amazon will be my choice for all my new books.

I placed an order online. My expected in-store pickup date was Friday, Feb 12 before we had to retreat to Alert Level 5. Anyway, this store temporarily closed before that and they didn't even bother to contact me or notify me about the temporary closure or what that would mean to my order which was due for pick-up (which is also a gift for a dear friend). I had to call the customer service line to get an update. Luckily the lady on the line sorted this out for me.