Enough, is enough!!! (beware, vent enclosed)

[nja33]

I used to work in a sporting goods store where we had our own credit card as well as a points card. I never asked customers to sign up for the credit card and only explained the points card when a customer asked. Thankfully we didn't have a quota or I might have quit because I'm just not pushy and having to repeat the same thing for the millionth time in a single day can get annoying. We were offered a whole $2 for each credit card sign up but after taxes it was only a little more than a buck and it wasn't worth it to me.

We had a table set up in the front of the store with the applications and if people wanted to fill it out, that was fine and I'd gladly process the application, but most didn't after they realized you only received the 10% off if you were approved. It wasn't worth it for most people.

We did have one very annoying employee though. His official title was "greeter" so he'd stand at the front of the store, by the table, and ask people if they wanted to sign up. Might not sound annoying but he'd go to our outer set of doors and hold them open for customers to ask them before they were even completely in the store. I watched him do this for a few weeks and finally told him how much of a turn off I found it and if I was a first time customer in the store I might not return so readily. Did he stop? Nope. But at least I felt better about it.

As for when I'm in stores I always just say 'No, that's okay' and hand over my credit card or swipe it through. Maybe it's because I'm so young (only 20) but they usually don't mention it again.

 

[ducklite]

But see, you're describing a situation in which you simply ask the customer and then move on. People here are not complaining about that. What they are complaining about are harrassing cashiers who won't take no for an answer. I don't care what the cashier's reasoning is...that behavior is wrong.

Exactly! Ask me once at the register, graciously accept "No" as the answer, and I've got no problem with it.

Don't have employees walking around with clipboards badgering me as I'm trying to shop. Don't badger me if I say "no." If I say "no" to the first person who asks me as I walk through the door, I'm going to continue to say "no" to the other six people in the store and eventually walk out in disgust without buying anything.

Frankly with consumer debts at all time high's, I think it's incredibly irresponsible for the retailers to push the cards. It will only hurt them in the long run as we go into a depression and people can't pay their bills and thus do'nt shop.

Anne

 

[queenarmadillo]

It is incredibly annoying, and if people in stores are rude to you by continuing to harass you after you said no the first time then, whether they are being paid for their rudeness or not, they ought to expect people to be rude back.

The real problem isnt the cashiers though, or even the corporate bosses, its the people who dont know their own minds well enough to just say no. I worked briefly in telesales, and when people said no it was thankyou for your time, have a nice day and onto the next person, but other people persisted and managed to 'turn a no into a yes'. For as long as that continues to work people who's pay depends on it will continue to do it. If people were just firm enough to continue to say no the practice would become pointless and die out.

 

[ducklite]

How about this one...

"Um no, and I feel really ill so could you check me out quick so I can get to the bathroom please?"



Anne

 

[Nancyg56]

I always find it easier just to say "No thanks, already have one", even if you don't. It saves me from hearing the whole script.

I do the same thing. It's easier and faster that trying to say no.

 

[Cindy B]

Was this Kohl's?

Theyve been awfully pushy lately.

I've noticed it at Kohls as well. There was this guy walking around and letting everyone know ho w muchs they can save. He asked me once and I said I pay cash for everything. Then he said you can save... some much percent.

I then said with a 24% interest rate, where was my savings?

He shut up and didn't bother me again.

I'm at a point for telling people I already have one.

 

[CathrynRose]

OMG - How did you know that?????

You were behind me in line weren't you?

::

Noooo!

Cuz seriously - theyve been obnoxiously pushy lately. They must have had some sort of *Pep Talk* with their employees and are pushing these dang cards.

 

[kimmikayb]

Well, I guess since I use my Kohl's card all the time (they give you the best coupons if you have their card), I don't get bugged.

But I had a recent experience when I was calling to verify that I recieved my Discover card that drove me crazy. Most of the time when you call to verify the card's arrival, you get an automated system, but not with Discover. They transfer to a real person who then hassles you into transfering balances, using their credit reporting service, etc. etc. I was about ready to hang up!

YES! ITA! Same with my Capitolone card! I DREAD calling to verify because they try to sell me so many services and can't seem to hear no.

 

[kimmikayb]

Not a credit card (although we did push the cc for a short time) but when I worked for.....ummmm......The Disney Store we had to always push the presale of the videos. We had to sell so many a day. I hated that part of my job. Luckily, The Disney Store is one that draws people to that particular product, Disney. So it was fairly easy to do. We were told to keep at a guest even if they said no. I was not top salesperson.

 

[Hedy]

Now I have spent many many (over 15 years) in retail and this kind of thread burns me up. I'm not saying that you are not allowed to be upset but you are taking out your frustration on someone who can't change what they are doing anyway - for fear of no raise, or no hours. If the employees of a store/company are asking too much get the Client Relations number and complain to them. Being rude to the cashier does not stop the fact that they are required to do that. Better response would be to be nice to that person then complain to the corporate office.

Just my two cents.

Jenny

Word. I hated that when I worked in retail, but if I don't ask you, I get yelled at my my managers, who got yelled at my their managers...

 

[MrsPete]

Most cashiers have to do this - their job depends on it..

Yes, they're required to ask, but they're not required to belabor the point again and again and again.

Also, years and years ago when I was a cashier, we were PAID A BONUS every time we talked a customer into applying for a credit card. It was only $2/application, but some people are quite desperate these days -- perhaps the bonus has been rasied, and perhaps it's real money to some cashiers.

 

[Serena]

Yes, they're required to ask, but they're not required to belabor the point again and again and again.

Also, years and years ago when I was a cashier, we were PAID A BONUS every time we talked a customer into applying for a credit card. It was only $2/application, but some people are quite desperate these days -- perhaps the bonus has been rasied, and perhaps it's real money to some cashiers.

Actually, we are told to not take "no" for an answer. And the bonuses we supposedly get, they take it right back out of our paycheck.
I'm contantly in trouble because I'm not "pushy" enough.
Trust me, we don't like it anymore than you do.

 

[arminnie]

Where do you all shop that you get asked multiple times? I've only ever been asked once at any given time and a "no thanks" or "I already have a card" works just fine!

I must look like a deadbeat. I've never been asked at Kohl's. Target asks all of the time, but I just tell them I already have one.

At department stores I used to always tell them that I worked for Visa and wasn't allowed to have any other credit cards (not true but it worked). When they would still press that 10% savings, I would tell them that 10% of whatever the number added up to wasn't worth losing my job over.

 

[SamIAm21]

OMG - How did you know that?????

You were behind me in line weren't you?

Seriously though - yes it was Kohls

I knew it had to be Kohl's or Old Navy. Both are notorious for this behavior. I have actually gotten rude right back and said, I guess you're either stupid or you can't really speak English very well, because No Thanks is No Thanks!

 

[DancingBear]

And the bonuses we supposedly get, they take it right back out of our paycheck.

I don't understand.

 

[Jynohn]

I agree.

I can only once think of a time I was even remotely rude to a retail person over credit card apps. I was shopping in Victoria's Secrets and was hounded by six different people to get me to get their card. They just wouldn't let up. In fact I ahd walked in to buy a bra, and needed help finding what I wanted, and rather than asking if I needed help, they kept badgering me about the card.

I finally walked out empty handed because not only could I not find the bra I wanted, but I was so annoyed that I had reached my boiling point.

I called VS corporate the next day and told them they had lost a sale over the aggressive tactics. Things have defintely gotten better in that particular store since then.

Anne

Funny you should mention Victortia's Secret. I was just coming onto this thread to post about them when I saw you beat me to the punch.

I remember last year I went into VS to buy a bra. I knew exactly what bra I was looking for and walked to the back of the store to get it. I was pursued by no less than FOUR sales people between the front of the store and the cash register. The first one asked if I needed help and I politely told her no thank you. The second followed me to the rack and asked if I wanted to be fitted for my "correct size." Again, I told her no thank you. The third followed me over to the cashier and asked if I wanted some "matching panties." Again...no thanks.

After dodging my way through the salespeople, I finally made it up to the cashier, who proceeded to ask me to sign up for the card. I told her I wasn't interested. She asked again, "are you sure?" "Yes," I told her, "I'm sure." She then sighed loudly and said, "I don't know why you don't want it, you could save over $5.00 today." At that point I was so fed up I just said, "You know, I think I've changed my mind on the bra too" and left the store.

When I got home that night I emailed Victoria's Secret corporate headquarters and told them that walking into their store was like walking onto a used car lot. I have never shopped there again. Too bad...I really like those Ipex bras!

 

[sameyeyam]

My sister has a good comeback too. When they ask if she wants a credit card, she doesn't answer. She just pulls out her Tupperware brochures and starts asking them if they would be interested in giving a party. The poor clerks don't usually know what to say.

But if she doesn't feel like selling them Tupperware, then she just answers a question with a question. If they ask about credit card, then she says "how long have you worked here?", if they repeat it she asks "is this a good company to work for?", "boy it sure is hot today isn't it?" and so on...

 

[mking624]

Funny you should mention Victortia's Secret. I was just coming onto this thread to post about them when I saw you beat me to the punch.

I remember last year I went into VS to buy a bra. I knew exactly what bra I was looking for and walked to the back of the store to get it. I was pursued by no less than FOUR sales people between the front of the store and the cash register. The first one asked if I needed help and I politely told her no thank you. The second followed me to the rack and asked if I wanted to be fitted for my "correct size." Again, I told her no thank you. The third followed me over to the cashier and asked if I wanted some "matching panties." Again...no thanks.

After dodging my way through the salespeople, I finally made it up to the cashier, who proceeded to ask me to sign up for the card. I told her I wasn't interested. She asked again, "are you sure?" "Yes," I told her, "I'm sure." She then sighed loudly and said, "I don't know why you don't want it, you could save over $5.00 today." At that point I was so fed up I just said, "You know, I think I've changed my mind on the bra too" and left the store.

When I got home that night I emailed Victoria's Secret corporate headquarters and told them that walking into their store was like walking onto a used car lot. I have never shopped there again. Too bad...I really like those Ipex bras!

Oooh I really hate this about VS. I will only go in there if it's really busy...because then they are so swamped with people that they can't follow me around. And then when I get up to the register they either don't ask about the card or they'll ask, but only once and they'll drop it. They just want to ring up the sale and move on to the next customer by that point. While I typically don't like shopping in a really busy store, it does make shopping at VS much more pleasant. Thing is that I DO have an Angels card...but it's inactive (basically closed without actually being a closed account...I merely keep it for aging purposes). And I'm not interested in reopening it.

 

[Free4Life11]

My sister has a good comeback too. When they ask if she wants a credit card, she doesn't answer. She just pulls out her Tupperware brochures and starts asking them if they would be interested in giving a party. The poor clerks don't usually know what to say.

But if she doesn't feel like selling them Tupperware, then she just answers a question with a question. If they ask about credit card, then she says "how long have you worked here?", if they repeat it she asks "is this a good company to work for?", "boy it sure is hot today isn't it?" and so on...

Actually that seems pretty obnoxious and I hate customers like that. How about just saying "no." That's like at the theatre I work at. We have to do $.25 drink upsells, but we ask once. I don't push it and hell, we aren't even that enthusiatic about it. People could just say no, but so many feel like giving us a commentary on their bladder size -- I really don't care if you can't go 90 minutes without going to the bathroom, just say no or yes so we can move on and I can help the next customer. They always seem to think their being cute...yeah talking about how you will have to pee is not cute it's gross and nobody wants to hear it.

 

[sameyeyam]

Actually that seems pretty obnoxious and I hate customers like that. How about just saying "no." That's like at the theatre I work at. We have to do $.25 drink upsells, but we ask once. I don't push it and hell, we aren't even that enthusiatic about it. People could just say no, but so many feel like giving us a commentary on their bladder size -- I really don't care if you can't go 90 minutes without going to the bathroom, just say no or yes so we can move on and I can help the next customer. They always seem to think their being cute...yeah talking about how you will have to pee is not cute it's gross and nobody wants to hear it.

Actually I agree it is obnoxious, but from personal experience and reading the previous 5 pages on this thread, No Thank You just doesn't seem to work anymore.