Complaint About Retail Store Workers

[xoprincessmomxo]

No kidding.

Aside from leaving stuff about, it gets dirty and wrinkly...twice the work for the slave labor, I mean, retail staff. It amazes me how people treat those lower on the labor totem pole as lower caste.

I didn't know I was a slave. Or lower caste.

Talk about treating people rudely.

 

[KAMLEM]

Having said that, it is still their job to do this, and by no means my responcibility! If the sales people want a clean dressing room, I suggest they put on their sneakers and do it themselves rather than leaving it to the customers. Sorry, it just burns me.

I don't think it's asking too much for you to bring your clothes out of the dressing room. She shouldn't have had an attitude, but who says that's part of her job description? Most stores I shop in expect you to bring clothes out of the dressing room and leave them at the entrance.

I also believe that (gasp) its the sales persons job to go to the back if I can't find my size out on the racks and not give me the generic "Everything we have is out on the floor" responce..... gasp!!!

What makes you think it's a generic response? It sounds like you expect the worst from salespeople, maybe they sense that and think that you're the one with the attitude? In some stores there just isn't enough staff for them to be waiting on customers as if they are a personal shopper.

 

[goofinoff]

I didn't know I was a slave. Or lower caste.

Talk about treating people rudely.

We work retail! Remember, we deserve abuse day in and day out! That's what we get paid for! I think it should be a law that everyone should have to work with the public for at least 1 year! That way we would all treat each other a little nicer and with more respect! I'm just a girl trying to make a living! Doesn't mean you can treat me like crap! (not you personally!)

 

[missypie]

Do you ever shop at H&M? They seem to have a corporate policy of rudeness. They limit the number of items you can bring into the dressing room (fair enough), but won't hold onto the extra items for you. So, if the limit is 6 items and you want to try on 7 and you are alone, you literally have to try on the 6, get dressed, then go back out to get the 7th item, stand in line again, then try on the 7th item. The employees of every H&M I've ever been to have been very rude.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

Jennasis -. I also believe that (gasp) its the sales persons job to go to the back if I can't find my size out on the racks and not give me the generic "Everything we have is out on the floor" responce..... gasp!!!

Actually, in most small retail stores (Limited would most likely be included) everything is kept on the sales floor. There is not a lot of backstock, besides the new seasons clothes that have started arriving. So in this case, it is not the sales person's job as there is nothing back there for them to get you. What's on the sales floor is what you get.

 

[ilisao]

Can you please explain to me how I treated anyone poorly? I walked into a store, chose some close to try on, walked into the dressing room, was somewhat rudely told to put the clothes back that I didn't want, and then did so!!

Then when I wanted to purchase one of the items, I waited patiently for the sales clerk to actually do her job (i.e. stop chatting and come to the register), I paid for the item, and left. Yeah, I should be taken off the streets!!!

Your comment is for to laugh!

I'm sorry, that last sentence was a bit grammatically incorrect, so it was difficult to read.

While you may not have said anything to the salesperson, your attitude here certainly shows your feelings towards retail workers. And that could very be apparent to the people in the stores.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

We work retail! Remember, we deserve abuse day in and day out! That's what we get paid for! I think it should be a law that everyone should have to work with the public for at least 1 year! That way we would all treat each other a little nicer and with more respect! I'm just a girl trying to make a living! Doesn't mean you can treat me like crap! (not you personally!)

I agree! It honestly takes a very patient people person to be a good retail worker!

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

Actually, in most small retail stores (Limited would most likely be included) everything is kept on the sales floor. There is not a lot of backstock, besides the new seasons clothes that have started arriving. So in this case, it is not the sales person's job as there is nothing back there for them to get you. What's on the sales floor is what you get.

I didn't ask for anything there (there was no one around to ask), but I was in a Gap outlet, and I asked for a size 8 short jeans because I couldn't find one, and I'm so sick of having to pay to get pants hemmed all the time. The girl went all around, and into the back, and came out with the ones I wanted!!! I was soooo excited, I swear, I thanked the girl 100 times. This was an outlet, and she was a great retail/sales person. I totally understand if theres only one sales person in the store, or if the person is totally swamped, that they can't cater to one person (not that I've ever asked for that - I'd rather shop alone), but if your there restocking, or whatever, I do expect some help - and this girl sure did!

 

[bicker]

And that experience, contrasting The Limited and The Gap, is consistent with my wife's experience.

 

[Scornelius]

I'm an assistant manager at the Canadian equiv. of Lane Bryant, and I agree with the OP. While we're ok with customers taking their 'no-gos' out of the fitting room and giving them to us, WE need to put them away. For one, things have to be hung properly. Secondly, they have to be put back not only in the right spot, but in the right size order. Thirdly, it's our job. It's offensive to expect our 'guests' (the customers) to do our job and pay us for the privilege.

I also don't think having minimum wage employees instead of seasoned veterans is an excuse. The whole job of the associate is to help customers, ring them out and put away their clothes. Honestly, while physically taxing, it's not that hard. And retail profits are WAAAY down because of a lack of customers, so there is plenty time to get this done.

And lastly, there's never any call to be rude to a customer. Ever. If I ever see it out of my associates, they get written up immediately.

 

[Mom2Nick]

You need to get together with the Springs1 chick - the one that thinks all servers are incapable of doing their jobs correctly. I have a feeling you two would become great friends over lunch and a little shopping......

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

I'm sorry, that last sentence was a bit grammatically incorrect, so it was difficult to read.

While you may not have said anything to the salesperson, your attitude here certainly shows your feelings towards retail workers. And that could very be apparent to the people in the stores.

Obviously you've been living under a rock for many years, and have never heard the "That is for to laugh - hahaha" saying. I cant remember where its from, maybe SNL, but come on, don't even go there!

And about your second comment, your totally entitled to your opinion, but I'm just gona let you know, your wrong. I don't have an additude toward anyone unless I get one, and even then, its truely not worth my time or energy to give an additude back. I didn't do it to this rude sales woman, I said no more than "thank you" when she rang me out, I just simply asked a question on here, which you replied to.
Bad customer service is something that annoys me. I'm not talking about - Hey, I didn't get my coffee while waiting for the sales person to get my shirt - I'm talking about just plain rude people not wanting to do their job. Is there nothing out there in this whole entire world that bothers you? Would you be OK with going to the food store and having the person throw around your produce?? (just an example) That would probally annoy you - this annoyed me.

 

[OrlandoMike]

I didn't ask for anything there (there was no one around to ask), but I was in a Gap outlet,

It's all Paul Presslers fault!

 

[mjkacmom]

I've never been in a store where they expect you to bring things back to the rack. Either there is a rack or shelf to put unwanted clothes, or at more upscale stores (where they actually ask you if you want them to bring the clothes you are carrying to a dressing room for you), they'll tell you to leave unwanted clothes in the dressing room.

 

[suzannen]

This very question was asked of Dear Abby in September, here is her response:

DEAR ABBY: I have been reading your column since I was in high school. Many of the topics you discuss have been very helpful. Now I have a question and thought you could give me some advice.

When a lady tries on clothes in the dressing room, but does not wish to buy them, should she leave them in the dressing room or put them back on the rack? -- MELANIE FROM OKLAHOMA

DEAR MELANIE: The garments should be left in the dressing room, replaced neatly on the hangers on which they were displayed. Sadly, sometimes customers leave the clothing in a messy pile on the floor, which means the salesperson must then hang them up so they can be displayed again. Such thoughtlessness is tacky.

Dear Abby aside, I was always told this by a few good friends in retail:
1) If it is a fine department store (bloomingdales..) or store like Ann Taylor, they do prefer to have their salespeople to put the garments back to ensure 1) the clothes have not been damaged (torn or stained); 2) they are buttoned, tied and hung up or folded correctly, and 3) the clothes are put back in the right section & within the right size area.
2) If it is a store like TJ Maxx or Marshall's, hang them up and hand them back to the salesclerk standing by the clothes rod.
3) If it is a store like Walmart, take the clothes and put them back yourself.

I've followed this advice and have never had any problems. And, they all agree that there is never an excuse to simply leave clothes thrown on the floor!

 

[Squirlz]

I also believe that (gasp) its the sales persons job to go to the back if I can't find my size out on the racks and not give me the generic "Everything we have is out on the floor" responce..... gasp!!!

I used to get customers like this at the hardware store. We kept no stock in "the back" whatsoever. But they would insist I check so I would go back, get a cup of coffee, chat with friends, then go out and tell them I didn't find anything. Big waste of their time and mine.

 

[mjkacmom]

The more I think about it, I'm guessing the salesperson meant for the OP to bring them out of the dressing room, not to return them to racks. I'm sure that is part of her job - why should the OP do it? I don't care how short staffed or busy a restaurant is - I'm not bussing my own table!

 

[Mahnahmahnah]

Actually, in most small retail stores (Limited would most likely be included) everything is kept on the sales floor. There is not a lot of backstock, besides the new seasons clothes that have started arriving. So in this case, it is not the sales person's job as there is nothing back there for them to get you. What's on the sales floor is what you get.

Here's where the confusion for most customers lies - If you go to another small store like Bebe (when I USED to shop there, before DD ) They fall all over you and DO have stock in the back.

I believe that the customer service you get also has to do with commission, too. If you go to a Bebe type store, I think they are on commission, thus you will get better service. The draw back with this is that sometimes they are up your rear the entire time you are in the store, which can be annoying at times. I understand they need to make money and some are truly helpful - but I am one of those shoppers who prefers to shop alone and ask for help when I need it. Not all sales associates are like this, just some. I understand though, as I worked retail, back in the day, and it ain't easy.

So, it's basically a Catch 22 sometimes, and I end up just shopping at the stores I like now. And I don't expect terrific customer service at very store. You just can't. But I will frequent the stores who are nice to me. The one's who are bad that has stuff I want? Well, I just shop them online when possible.

 

[missypie]

I used to get customers like this at the hardware store. We kept no stock in "the back" whatsoever. But they would insist I check so I would go back, get a cup of coffee, chat with friends, then go out and tell them I didn't find anything. Big waste of their time and mine.

My husbandis one of those who always has to ask the employee...then he gets irritated when all the employee does is look at the stock that he has already looked through.

It's hard to know, though. We were at a small clothing store last weekend. While shopping, we overhead an employee over the phone, talking about how at their store and store X, lots of stock is kept in the back, where as at store Y and store Z, all the stock is out.

I think that if you do work for a store where all the stock is out, you need to come up with a gracious way of telling the customer that. Just looking through the rack that the customer just looked through is insulting, but going to the back is a waste of time. How about, "I'm sorry, but we dont' have any stock in the back. May I help you look for it on the floor?"

 

[bicker]

Perhaps, but I think there is also a lot of folks out there for whom anything other than a speedy and on-target, "Here's what you want," would be considered bad customer service, regardless of the actuality.