Have you ever left a store or restaurant or any lineup, really, in frustration at what you perceive to be poor service?

Well, you're not alone.

New research says Canadian consumers are abandoning their shopping carts, delaying purchases and leaving stores, public transit stops and restaurants in droves over frustrating wait times.

A Maritz Research survey says 86 per cent of respondents -- from a pool of 1,300 people across Canada aged 18 to 64 -- admit to walking out of a store fed up with having waited too long for service.

The research also shows customer expectations and opinions on wait times were strongly influenced by the retailer's attitude toward client care and can result in loss of sales through negative world-of-mouth messages.

"Competition for most retailers is plentiful," says Rob Daniel, president of Maritz Research Canada. "Customers who are leaving stores due to long wait times have other options."

He says that enhancing the customer experience is the best way for most retailers to set themselves apart and retain customers.

In grocery stores, where consumers invest a significant amount of time shopping, results show that 40 per cent of customers admitted to leaving without making a purchase.

The research found that eight minutes is a reasonable wait time, according to participants, and after 15 minutes they would consider leaving.

Nearly 70 per cent of respondents said they told others about their negative experience and half of those polled had posted a negative experience online.

The survey found that stores and other services have options available to mitigate customer frustration.

More than 80 per cent of those surveyed said they would increase their wait time if they felt compassion or apologies were offered for the wait and 67 per cent would wait longer if they were updated on their status.

In some cases all that is required is a friendly employee, with 74 per cent of those polled agreeing they would increase their wait time if greeted with a smile.

The survey also found that businesses that offer refreshments, music or reading materials may encourage customers to stay long enough to complete their purchase.

"What's clear from our results is that businesses can do more to keep customers in the stores and enhance their in-store experience," says Daniel.

"It should be top-of-mind for business when assessing how the needs of customers could be better addressed."