Absolutely ... much more warm feel than bigger outlets/chains ^ ... same with giftshops in small cities/towns.

Speaking of customer-oriented and such ... I find the same (similar type of deal) at my neighbourhood rec' centre/gym. I've got a nice repor (spelling?) with the 2 caretakers (married couple in their 50s) and it's always nice to have a quick chat with them. Heck ... I was leaving this evening en route to work and runnin' a bit late ... and ended up having a 25-min' talk with the guy and we discussed health-related stuff (as he asked about my field of work) and told me about his heart health and such. Really nice talk ... I really had to rush to work afterward as I was really runnin' a tight commute by then

It is always nice when I enter two of our SDM stores and am welcomed by the girl in the fragrance & beauty dept. The stores are set up so she can spot each person entering. It's a nice gesture. Also like the welcoming person at Walmart.

Best Buy, home depot, any restaurant as long as you tip well. Worst are Rona, canadian tire, the source

Yes I agree with you Noah,my SDM is set up that way as well,it is nice to be reconized as you enter the store.

Polly ^ that's a nice feeling. Used to work at Shoppers Drug Mart from 1995 - 1997 in my mid-teens. Did stock clerk & some plain clothes security (at the same time) and med/prescription deliveries in the neighbourhood. Plenty of fun.

I'm always treated well at M&M Meatshop, Best Buy (dartmouth crossing) and Superstore (young st). All places are friendly and helpful.

Worst places I find are EB Games and Zellers.

Zellers is horrible..imo:)

Tell us about your Zellers experiences, people.

The worst experience I had there was around 2002 or so. I was doing my Christmas shopping and standing in aisles and glancing up at the top shelves and simply looking at items. I was minding my own business and there was a plain-clothes woman who was doing security who kept hovering in my aisle, and then a few feet from me, and then standing at the end of the aisle and peeking at me from around the corner every 20 seconds or so. VERY unnerving. She followed me around the store and I was simply standing there several feet away from the items. Not touching anything. Just looking at prices. I finally turned and faced her from 20 - 30 feet away and said - "Could you please stop following me around the store? You're making me very uncomfortable. I am standing looking at items way up on the top shelf. I am doing nothing wrong. I am looking. Please leave me alone. Thank you."

You're right. There is never anyone around to help you -- and the stuff seems to never be organized well.

They all do except the ones that I shoplift from..They are brutal

I find asa consumer the best customer service is at the small independant retailers.  I live in a rural area and it is hard to list just one.  I would have to say Jordy's gas bar in Crediton Ontario!  Always a smile.

How rude of them. How dare they?