With Black Friday and the holiday rush right around the corner I thought I'd take a moment to give you some things to keep in mind while you're shopping. They're pretty basic things that a lot of people either never learned or have forgotten...
Retail employees on the front lines (cashiers, salespeople, customer assistance) are not in it to get rich. Typically we get paid shit. For some it's a second job, for others it's a way to make ends meet. Remember that when you're dealing with us. Yes, we get a discount. Which we use to buy more stuff in the store.
We have to ask you about credit cards. We have to ask you a second time about credit cards. Sometimes we have to ask a third time about credit cards. We don't want to. So be nice when we do. "No, thank you" works well. "I'm sure, thank you" also works well the second time we ask. Complaining about the interest rates really doesn't work so well. When in doubt, lie. Yes you have the card. Or both. Or all. We'll never make you prove it.
Hang up your damn phone. If you come up to the counter on the phone we understand. As long as you put the phone down. But if you come up to the counter and keep chatting away it really pisses us off. We don't want to know that Becky told Steve that she likes Nick but she really likes Bobby. And that Becky is a slut. Ask the person on the other end to hold on for a moment while you spend 60 seconds at the register. Unless it's a life threatening emergency. Because if it's a life threatening emergency you probably don't need those skinny jeans.
Don't yell at us. You have no idea how many times I've been yelled at in different customer service jobs. We know we make mistakes (okay, maybe not me but others) so give us the chance to correct them. We're not robots. It's not our fault that we don't have bathing suits left in October. Or that we don't carry the brand you're looking for.
We are selling the products. I do not go back into the warehouse and make it myself. So don't bitch at me because something didn't work, or the quality was not what you expected. Tell us the problem and we'll offer a solution or 2. Yelling and screaming will get you nowhere.
Hand me the money. Don't put it on the counter and slide it over. And don't lick your fingers then count your money. It's kinda gross to get your spit on the money right before you hand it to us. And money has enough gross shit on it.
The customer is not always right. Sorry. And if a customer says that it just makes it worse. Yes, we're not perfect. But neither are you. So if you're an asshole we may find ourselves moving a little slower. Petty, yes, but makes us feel a little better in a warped sort of way.
Don't walk up to a counter and say "I want to talk to a manager" and then refuse to say anything else. Sometimes it's something we can help with and that will save you time. If you really needs to talk to a manager it will only help you to have us explain it to them first.
The flip side is that sometimes we are limited in what we can do so we have to call a manager. Understand that we are not doing it because we're trying to inconvenience you.
Watch your kids. Here's my "favorite" kid story. Mom is in the store with her son, who was about 6 or 7. He wanted candy and she said no. So he spent the next 5 minutes screaming and telling her that she couldn't be his best friend anymore while he pulled clothes off the hangers. Then Mom's phone rang. She answered it and kept talking while browsing the racks. After a couple of minutes I realized it was quiet. And I didn't see the boy. So I got concerned and walked around the racks. There, behind the jeans, was the kid eating a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. When he finished he walked back to his mom, who smelled the candy. She scolded him and they walked out, leaving candy wrappers on the floor.
Don't come in and trash the store. We are the ones who have to clean it up. The shelves and displays are not trashcans. Don't draw penises on price tags (yes, that's happened). If you pick a shirt up off the table don't drop it in a ball. We appreciate it if you make an effort to put it back the way the rest of them are. Even if you do it wrong. Don't leave crap on the dressing room floor. Like your old bra when you steal a new one (yes, that's happened too). And if you knock something over just pick it up. Not that difficult.
Treat us the way you want to be treated. It's that simple. Acknowledge us when we say hello. Please and thank you are magical words. Or names are not "hey you, in the black shirt", "missy", or "honey". Don't think I can't tell you where the spark plugs are because I have tits. We have bad days. People tell me how good I am with customers, how happy and friendly I am. No, I act like I am. I really don't like people. We know when "it's such a beautiful day outside", you don't have to tell us. Most of the time we'd much rather be out there ourselves. Don't drop your stuff on the counter and walk away, especially when there's a line. You'd be pissed if someone did it in front of you, so don't be that asshole.
If you're nice to us we'll be nice to you. It's that simple. And you never know, there might be a coupon or something you didn't know about. We really do like to help. Although when we say "have a good day" we really don't give a shit what kind of day you have.
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