“Everything outside already. Don’t have, means don’t have”.  These non-standard English phrases will make no sense to shoppers unfamiliar with the way some Singaporeans tend to speak.

For many sales staff, saying, “Everything outside already”  essentially means that all the items that are available for sale are already on display. And, “Don’t have, means don’t have”  means there is no other stock available.

But both these phrases sound very rude and may offend the customer.

Focus On Customer Service

Try this friendlier response the next time a customer asks you for something you don’t have: “Sorry Sir, all our items are already on display. I’m afraid we do not have the item available if you can’t find it on the racks.”

Start off by apologizing to the customer as he/she is probably disappointed that the item is not available. After all, your job as a sales or customer service assistant is to please the customer and fulfil his/her wants, is it not?

Source: Edited from the Singapore Retailers Association's Speak Good English pamphlet.