Does a cashier have to speak to a customer when serving them?

[PizzieDuster]

As long as they don't comment on my Star Magazine or my People Magazine and want to discuss the Kardashians and what a wuss Bruce Jenner is. Ignore away. Yes. The cashier at Vons stopped what he was doing and read the cover and then spoke to the next cashier next to him about the Kardashians. I said "Am I all done here?"

And please don't comment on what food I'm buying. "Hmmmm, what is this? Muffin tops now instead of the whole muffin? Now I've seen everything." Sorry for you for that.

 

[ironpig70]

I would have reached out and taking her phone from and hung it up. Then asked her for her managers name and number.


That is unacceptable.

 

[sasywtch]

I went into a Shell gas station down the road from me. A young guy was standing at the counter while the guy working (I think he's the franchise owner) was blabbing away on his cell phone. If it was an emergency fine but he just looked at us, looked away and never motioned or said he'd be just a minute. We stood there and finally walked out. I have not been back since.

I cannot stand for clerks to be too busy to say "how can I help you" or "will that be all" and most importantly, "thank you". When I get a clerk who says nothing to me including thank you, I feel as if I did them a favor. A person at my work told me that it's her culture. She said the owners of store/gas stations have the money and the shoppers are peons. (her words, not mine).

I will say a loud, well thank you too...I won't be back. I think the older I have gotten, the more outspoken I am.

The Chevron across the way is always packed even though their gas is higher. They always have 2 people at the register and one stocking or washing down the pavement if gas spilled. When you walk in, they say hello or welcome. This is probably one of the very few times I will spend a little bit more for something.

 

[S. C.]

I complained in an E-mail about a year ago to 7-11. Only time I have ever sent a complaint letter to a company.
DH and I stopped at a 7-11 to use the bathroom and buy slurpees, walk in the bathroom and it was so filthy I couldn't use it. DH said mens was same way we didn't buy the slurpees figured if they didn't clean bathrooms was afraid they didn't bother cleaning machines either. Two months later same 7-11 stopped again thinking well, maybe we just caught them at a bad time before. Same thing filthy bathrooms, I'm not talking paper towel on the floor or dried soap in the sink, I mean dried up urine on the toilet that had been there for awhile, floor so grimy no way had it been cleaned in a few weeks, no way could I use that bathroom. No one else was by checkout so I stopped and mentioned to the clerk about how bad the bathroom was she was leaning forward on the counter and kind of stared over my head and says "oh, really?" With a "I don't care" look on her face and tone to her voice.
This is in a very busy area of town with lots of businesses around it. Corporate thanked me for letting them know and said they would be speaking to the manager of that store.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I think it is unacceptable (no matter what language the person is speaking on the phone--I am confused as to why that matters at all in the scenario) and I would email or call management. In fact, had there been a number posted in the store (there often is) I would have taken out my phone and called right there before leaving.

 

[declansdad]

I would have reached out and taking her phone from and hung it up. Then asked her for her managers name and number.


That is unacceptable.

What the cashier did is unacceptable but so is reaching out and taking the phone. What makes what you say you would do any better?

 

[darkwing818]

I don't think this is uncommon, especially at 7-11, and I wouldn't be bothered in the slightest. The cashier owes me correct change and the right price, not a conversation. Handing over a bag instead of bagging it for you is the only questionable part to me, but not worth complaining to management over.

Absolutely Agree..... But still extremely Rude & Unprofessional. But it is 7-11

 

[maxiesmom]

I would have reached out and taking her phone from and hung it up. Then asked her for her managers name and number.


That is unacceptable.

Not a good idea. You could end up sued for some supposed damage to the phone. Or for theft even.

It is a 7-11, not Macys. It is rude to talk to someone on the phone and not focus on the customer, but to me it is not worth getting worked up over. People don't shop at any 7-11 because of their stellar service. They just want to grab something quick and be on their way. If all of that happened, mission accomplished.

 

[Nennie]

I had something similar happen to me at CVS, but instead of being on his phone, the cashier was in a non-stop conversation with the cashier next to him (so she was ignoring her customer just as much as he ignored me). I only purchased 2 small items, but he didn't offer me a bag, and pretty much just threw the receipt at me.

Funny thing was that the next day I received an email from CVS, asking me to do a survey about my recent shopping experience. I gladly filled it out, and told the truth about my experience! I've never received one of those emails before (and I shop at CVS a lot), so I think it was karma that I happened to recieve it that particular time!

 

[aaarcher86]

I would have reached out and taking her phone from and hung it up. Then asked her for her managers name and number.

That is unacceptable.

As long as you aren't surprised if she reaches out and smacks your hand away before calling the cops for what would look like attempted assault.

 

[soccerdad72]

Sure, it's rude and unprofessional, but I don't know if it's something I would put the time or effort into complaining about. I would assume that cashiers at convenience stores come and go weekly and by the time someone got around to dealing with them, they would already be gone.

 

[Acklander]

I agree that it's extremely rude, and unacceptable. But it wouldn't annoy me enough to actually take the time to write or call or storm off, or never shop there again. It's a 7-11. If I'm stopping there for milk it's purely for my convienence and no other reason. If I'm writing emails, or seaking out another places to pick up a quick jug of milk. I'm am no longer convienienced which defeated my purpose. I'd probably just roll my eyes, grab my purchases and move on with my life.

 

[pkondz]

I gave it some thought and it went like this:
1. As a PP mentioned. Grab the phone and hang up.... but then came to the same conclusion other PPs mentioned. So not a good idea.
2. Leave without buying anything... but... I went in to buy something, so the only person I'm punishing is me. Trust me, the clerk doesn't give a hoot if you buy that can of coke or not.
3. Take out my cell phone and make or pretend to make a call. "Accidentally" knock over large display piled high with items. Keep talking on phone and shrug shoulders on way out.... Nope. Don't think I could do that. Tempting, though.

So then I thought of this... don't know if I'd actually do it, but it's a thought.

Go through the store picking up as many items as you can carry. The more frozen food items the better. When teller points to the total after scanning everything, walk out.

Seems kinda mean though.... but if I'm in the right (er, maybe I should say wrong) mood, then all bets are off!

 

[JessicaR]

Sure, it's rude and unprofessional, about. I would assume that cashiers at convenience stores come and go but I don't know if it's something I would put the time or effort into complaining weekly and by the time someone got around to dealing with them, they would already be gone.

I agree that it's extremely rude, and unacceptable. But it wouldn't annoy me enough to actually take the time to write or call or storm off, or never shop there again. It's a 7-11. If I'm stopping there for milk it's purely for my convienence and no other reason. If I'm writing emails, or seaking out another places to pick up a quick jug of milk. I'm am no longer convienienced which defeated my purpose. I'd probably just roll my eyes, grab my purchases and move on with my life.

I gave it some thought and it went like this:
1. As a PP mentioned. Grab the phone and hang up.... but then came to the same conclusion other PPs mentioned. So not a good idea.
2. Leave without buying anything... but... I went in to buy something, so the only person I'm punishing is me. Trust me, the clerk doesn't give a hoot if you buy that can of coke or not.
3. Take out my cell phone and make or pretend to make a call. "Accidentally" knock over large display piled high with items. Keep talking on phone and shrug shoulders on way out.... Nope. Don't think I could do that. Tempting, though.

So then I thought of this... don't know if I'd actually do it, but it's a thought.

Go through the store picking up as many items as you can carry. The more frozen food items the better. When teller points to the total after scanning everything, walk out.

Seems kinda mean though.... but if I'm in the right (er, maybe I should say wrong) mood, then all bets are off!

It seems most agree that it is rude and shouldn't happen. Too bad we also agree that we wouldn't take the time to correct it or complain about it.

pkondz - I like some of your ideas!

The cell phone has become an extension of so many people that they don't see how rude it is when you don't acknowledge the person you should be serving.

 

[anniemae]

Yes its rude, but I would not do anything about it. I would just pay and leave. I needed items, I got my items. I don't need a super friendly awesome 7-11 experience.

I would have moved on and not given it a second thought, but that's just me. I do think it was rude and totally understand if a person would be upset by it, but not something I would let bother me.

I guess good customer service is rare these days and people get used to poor service.

 

[Help Please!]

Grew up in south Florida...I've had that happen a bunch! So rude, now I live in east central Florida....happens a lot less here!

 

[hereyago]

It doesn't matter if it is just a 7 11, it is still a business dealing with the public. Would I expect them to suck up to me? No, but look at me, smile and say thank you for your business. No yacking to your co worker when customers are right there, no yacking or checking fb on your phone. No pointing at the register ,because I will ask you if there is somethings wrong with your voice. Do not roll your eyes because you hate your job, because I will ask if I need to call a manager over so they can relieve you so you can go wash out your eyes since you are rolling them around.lol

Some people haven't been properly trained and some just don't care , but I am not going to lower my expectations.

 

[Luv'sTink]

I guess customer service is a thing of the past for some.

It was rude, period. I have stood at the counter at 7-11 and waited for the men (usually) in my area to acknowledge me before I pay and they always look at me like whats the problem, but in reality they know exactly what the problem is because then the make a small effort at customer service.

 

[mikehn]

Although I sympathize with you, you kinda have to adjust your expectations accordingly. Like pulling into a gas station and then getting upset because they dont pump your gas.

 

[MSSANDRA]

It's pretty much what I expect on the RARE occasion I run into a 7-11 type store. Have seen this more than once . I just try very hard to avoid these, use pay at the pump gas places and buy my other stuff elsewhere. If I have to run into one, it really does not bother me as long as they are getting me out of there ASAP. Now if they are standing there talking and ignoring ringing up my stuff...yep, I will call them on it. otherwise not worth the hassle. The exception we have found it Quick Trip (QT). Not sure how regional they are but are gaining popularity here in the South. They are known for their huge slushie bar. They are always, everyone we have been too, polite and professional. We make frequent late Summer evening QT runs.