I think I may be done working retail...........

[Kteacher]

Yesterday was probably the worst day I've ever worked in 30 plus years of retailWe were mobbed, so lines were long. I lost track of how many people stopped at the jewelry counter just to yell at me about the long lines at the other registersOne lovely customer even called me stupid for not leaving jewelry customers to ring him up in the men's dept.
I know people get frustrated and want to vent, but I don't think I would ever berate a sales associate, especially if their only fault was that they were the first convenient person to yell at.
I ended up going to Target on my lunch break. I purchased 3 pags of mini chocolate bars and 2 containers. I put the chocolate filled containers on my counters hoping that customers wouldn't be able to scream at me if they were eating chocolate.
This has probably been the worst holiday season I've ever worked

 

[The Mystery Machine]

 

[golfgal]

WOW!!!! I really feel sorry for you--people just have no manners any longer.

I used to work at Macy's and one Saturday-you know the SATURDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS-not busy or anything there were 4 of us scheduled to work and I was the ONLY one to show up. I had a line 15+ deep all day long. The dressing rooms were a MESS because I couldn't leave the register to clean them, I kept apologizing to everyone telling them that 3 people got sick and we couldn't find replacements (they weren't sick, just didn't show but I didn't want to tell the customers that). One woman steps up to the line and starts yelling at me and telling me I have this huge chip on my shoulder, etc. I just stared at her her not knowing what to say. The lady behind her told her off for me though . I had one woman come up to me to tell me that the dressing rooms were messy, I thanked her (like I didn't know that). What a crazy day.

I kept calling my manager telling her I needed help. She kept telling me she would be back to check on things in a bit. About 2 hours into this I called her for about the 4th time and told her I was the only one in the department could she at least come back and clean out the dressing rooms for me. That didn't help either.

 

[java]

I was out shopping yesterday and couldn't believe the "attitudes" out there. People were being so rude. I actually saw my favorite salesperson(vera bradley store) out shopping herself and made a point of saying hello and how great I think she is!

Hang in there it's almost over. And I am giggling with the chocolate comment!

 

[Pixiedust34]

It's sad that people can be rude in general and they will take it out on the nearest person. I'm sorry to hear that you had a bad day. I used to work in retail and it seemed that the holidays brought out both the best and worst in people.

 

[eliza61]

Kteacher,
You have my utmost respect. I worked retail part time for 10 years and it got to the point that the part time money in no way made up for the abuse.
Working with John Q public takes the patience of a saint.

I was at the world a few years ago and this women called the cm at the post in Tonys Town square a fat rhymes with witch and then started to really launch into her about being Mexican. The reason, she did not make adr's and couldn't get a sit down lunch at any of the Mk restaurants. I'm not lying the cm had to leave the desk, she was almost in tears. such a lovely women.

Think happy christmas thoughts. It's almost over.

 

[tiggger1]

do you work at Kohls in Taunton? It was crazy there yesterday!!!

Yesterday was probably the worst day I've ever worked in 30 plus years of retailWe were mobbed, so lines were long. I lost track of how many people stopped at the jewelry counter just to yell at me about the long lines at the other registersOne lovely customer even called me stupid for not leaving jewelry customers to ring him up in the men's dept.
I know people get frustrated and want to vent, but I don't think I would ever berate a sales associate, especially if their only fault was that they were the first convenient person to yell at.
I ended up going to Target on my lunch break. I purchased 3 pags of mini chocolate bars and 2 containers. I put the chocolate filled containers on my counters hoping that customers wouldn't be able to scream at me if they were eating chocolate.
This has probably been the worst holiday season I've ever worked

 

[lttlmc3]

This would be why I do my shopping online. I'm sorry that happened to you.

 

[LoraJ]

This would be why I do my shopping online. I'm sorry that happened to you.

Same. I avoid the malls and box stores as much as I can this time of year.

 

[The Princess]

I can sympathize with you!! While I don't work retail I do work in an Italian grocery store. Its not real, real busy right now but next week will be absolutely crazy. I am the only cashier and its hard to even get a break!! You almost have to get yourself mentally ready for it and I'm not!!!

 

[Christine]

There is never an excuse for being rude to anyone like that. I certainly get mad while shopping (at usually the store's lack of management) but I would NEVER take it out on a sales clerk. People have a difficult time managing their anger.

I do, however, get really ticked off when, during this time of year, they stores cannot manage to staff their registers. I know that the stores are all about maximizing their profit, especially in this economy but it's in inexcusable not to hire enough people. That's one cause of "rage" out there and nothing ever good comes of it.

I'm not sure why stores even bother to build/install all the registers they do. They never use them all. At this time of year, every register should be full.

At our Kohl's they have two sets of registers and there are about 8-10 registers at each location. If they have EVER had them all up and working, I've never seen it. And to not have them all running during the third Saturday before Christmas, during their "Power Hours" is really just bad business. But that's the way it was.

 

[luvsJack]

I am sorry you were treated that way, but I am glad to hear that the stores are busy somewhere! I was in TRU yesterday and, although the parking lot was filled, there were no customers at the registers. No line, not even one person at any of them when I went to check out! And Wal Mart wasn't busy either.

 

[TaraPA]

I work in retail mgmt. I'm about DONE this year with the entitled attitudes of a lot of people!

Yesterday we were swamped. Lines to the door. A gentlemen comes up with his purchase & tosses a coupon on the counter. I politley explained that the items he had there were not included in the coupon. He WENT OFF completely that he didn't like what the coupon was for so he wanted to substitue what he wanted. I politely pointed out that the coupon was for very specific merchandise as clearly stated on the coupon, and also showed him at the bottom where it said "no substitutions." He flipped his lid & got in my face & said he'd never shop there again & stormed off, leaving his items on the counter. Seriously?!?!? Since when do you get to make-your-own terms on coupons? He thought by getting in my face he'd win. Sorry, I can't bend the rules on things that are in print like a coupon! I can't take a 50 cent off coupon for bread to the grocery store & expect them to take the coupon on my milk. I thought that took the cake until....

The phone was ringing a lot yesterday & I just couldn't answer it. I do not answer the phone if I'm with a customer, I think that's rude. So I finally get a second to run back in the back room to check the answering machine. The 1st msg is a lady saying very rudely "what - can't anyone there lift a finger to pick up the phone?" The 2nd msg was the same lady leaving her phone number, demanding to be called back immediately by the manager. I wrote down her info & was called out to the front to handle a return. As I'm finishing the return the phone rings. I'm not with a customer at that moment so I grab the phone. It was the same lady, asking why no one called her back yet (it was literally 10 min. after her 2nd call). I explained that we had a line to the door & everyone had to be helping customers in the store, no one could get to the phone. "Well I'm a customer too!" she yelled. She then asked what time we closed. I told her 6pm. She said that was ludicrious, didn't we know people are eating dinner at that time & want to shop later? I apologized (like I even needed to) & said that was the closing time of the entire shopping center, and we follow their closing. She then goes off on me how dare we not let her in the night before - she was there knocking at 9:10pm & she could see us in there & she has a coupon to use that expired today. Um, excuse me - we CLOSE at 9:00pm - yes we were in there - closing registers & cleaning the mess of the general public. So she goes on to say how dare we put an expiration date on her coupon when she can't get here during our hours. ***?!?!?!?!?! It took every ounce of energy NOT to hang up the phone. Who is that entitled that thinks a store would stay open just for them to come use a freaking coupon?!?!?!?! If you can't get to my store during business hours that's YOUR problem - not MINE!!! She then says "well you'll take my coupon later this week since you're not open tonight when I can get there, right?" Our corporate policy is no expired coupons, however, as the manager I can make a few exceptions at my discretion. There was NO WAY this lady was going to treat me like this & then get what she wanted. I told her too bad, so sad, coupon expires at 6pm tonight, take it or leave it (leave it - please!!!). She said she will never shop here again & hung up. That was the nicest thing she said all day - that I'd never have to see her in my store again! Man she must be a miserable person to live with is all I can say. Why do people think they can throw a hissy and be disrespectful & get what they want? It INFURIATES me!!!!

 

[Becky2005]

Why do people think they can throw a hissy and be disrespectful & get what they want? It INFURIATES me!!!!

Unfortunately, it's because 9 times out of 10 it WORKS. I have worked retail before & honestly, if people pitch a big enough fit 9 times out of 10, they end up getting whatever they want just to get them out of the store, etc... therefore, because it works, they keep doing it. Squeaking wheel gets the grease, etc...

It makes me sad but I have seen it happen, so of course, people are going to keep trying it to see if it will happen again & again. It's like kids...you know the ones that scream their heads off for the candy bar in line, so the parent gives them the candy bar just to quiet them down...guess what happens the next time?

I'm sorry you had a miserable day OP. It's these kinds of stories that make me hesitant to even want go get part-time job in retail again. I worked it for many years and I could use the flexibility and the income but I just don't know if I can mentally handle the "getting yelled at for things I can't do anything about anyway & some of the time it was the customer's fault for the situation in the first place!"

 

[Darsa]

Tara, and to you!

I do not envy ANYONE who has to work retail. I did it for ~ 20 years until about 10 years ago, and can definitely sympathize. People are amazing; I do NOT have the slightest idea where they come up with these entitlement attitudes.

OP, I don't blame you on the chocolate thing, though I imagine in your shoe's I'd have eaten them all myself!

 

[Becky2005]

OP, I don't blame you on the chocolate thing, though I imagine in your shoe's I'd have eaten them all myself!

Actually, when I first read it that's what I thought she was going to say she doing with the chocolate -- eating it herself for stress relief....I know I would have been!!!!!!!!

 

[SaraJayne]

I work in retail mgmt. I'm about DONE this year with the entitled attitudes of a lot of people!

Yesterday we were swamped. Lines to the door. A gentlemen comes up with his purchase & tosses a coupon on the counter. I politley explained that the items he had there were not included in the coupon. He WENT OFF completely that he didn't like what the coupon was for so he wanted to substitue what he wanted. I politely pointed out that the coupon was for very specific merchandise as clearly stated on the coupon, and also showed him at the bottom where it said "no substitutions." He flipped his lid & got in my face & said he'd never shop there again & stormed off, leaving his items on the counter. Seriously?!?!? Since when do you get to make-your-own terms on coupons? He thought by getting in my face he'd win. Sorry, I can't bend the rules on things that are in print like a coupon! I can't take a 50 cent off coupon for bread to the grocery store & expect them to take the coupon on my milk. I thought that took the cake until....

The phone was ringing a lot yesterday & I just couldn't answer it. I do not answer the phone if I'm with a customer, I think that's rude. So I finally get a second to run back in the back room to check the answering machine. The 1st msg is a lady saying very rudely "what - can't anyone there lift a finger to pick up the phone?" The 2nd msg was the same lady leaving her phone number, demanding to be called back immediately by the manager. I wrote down her info & was called out to the front to handle a return. As I'm finishing the return the phone rings. I'm not with a customer at that moment so I grab the phone. It was the same lady, asking why no one called her back yet (it was literally 10 min. after her 2nd call). I explained that we had a line to the door & everyone had to be helping customers in the store, no one could get to the phone. "Well I'm a customer too!" she yelled. She then asked what time we closed. I told her 6pm. She said that was ludicrious, didn't we know people are eating dinner at that time & want to shop later? I apologized (like I even needed to) & said that was the closing time of the entire shopping center, and we follow their closing. She then goes off on me how dare we not let her in the night before - she was there knocking at 9:10pm & she could see us in there & she has a coupon to use that expired today. Um, excuse me - we CLOSE at 9:00pm - yes we were in there - closing registers & cleaning the mess of the general public. So she goes on to say how dare we put an expiration date on her coupon when she can't get here during our hours. ***?!?!?!?!?! It took every ounce of energy NOT to hang up the phone. Who is that entitled that thinks a store would stay open just for them to come use a freaking coupon?!?!?!?! If you can't get to my store during business hours that's YOUR problem - not MINE!!! She then says "well you'll take my coupon later this week since you're not open tonight when I can get there, right?" Our corporate policy is no expired coupons, however, as the manager I can make a few exceptions at my discretion. There was NO WAY this lady was going to treat me like this & then get what she wanted. I told her too bad, so sad, coupon expires at 6pm tonight, take it or leave it (leave it - please!!!). She said she will never shop here again & hung up. That was the nicest thing she said all day - that I'd never have to see her in my store again! Man she must be a miserable person to live with is all I can say. Why do people think they can throw a hissy and be disrespectful & get what they want? It INFURIATES me!!!!

People like that you have to laugh at ~ otherwise you'll kill them with your bare hands.

So sorry you had to deal with that.

For both you and the OP (and anyone that works retail) . I've BTDT and don't plan on going back. It really sours your look on humanity.

 

[MIGrandma]

I think you need a ! I have never worked retail, but I worked as a waitress for many years so I know what you're going through somewhat.

I have never gotten upset at a retail worker. I always treat them with respect, and they in turn treat me in the same manner.

It just amazes me that people think they're going to get anywhere by yelling and screaming at the retail clerks/cashiers.

I don't blame you for wanting to quit, people in general are not nearly as polite as they used to be. Especially at this time of the year. Sad.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Unfortunately, it's because 9 times out of 10 it WORKS. I have worked retail before & honestly, if people pitch a big enough fit 9 times out of 10, they end up getting whatever they want just to get them out of the store, etc... therefore, because it works, they keep doing it. Squeaking wheel gets the grease, etc...

It makes me sad but I have seen it happen, so of course, people are going to keep trying it to see if it will happen again & again. It's like kids...you know the ones that scream their heads off for the candy bar in line, so the parent gives them the candy bar just to quiet them down...guess what happens the next time?

I'm sorry you had a miserable day OP. It's these kinds of stories that make me hesitant to even want go get part-time job in retail again. I worked it for many years and I could use the flexibility and the income but I just don't know if I can mentally handle the "getting yelled at for things I can't do anything about anyway & some of the time it was the customer's fault for the situation in the first place!"

I completely agree with your post. In fact I've seen so many threads here lately that someone will post to "keep harassing someone, the squeaky wheel gets the grease!" when someone is having an issue. I think too many people justify their actions and expect always to get their way [and don't understand why a store is run a certain way and think they know the "right" way to fix all of the problems]. I stay far, far away from malls and stores from the beginning of November until January. So many rude, inconsiderate people in the store and too many exhausted, overworked, put up with the rude, inconsiderate people for far too long employees.

 

[rgf207]

I worked retail for years during high school and college. I had people that were rude to me all the time but I always gave it right back to them. Never once did I get in trouble. If you can't be civil to me and talk to me like an adult, I don't give you the time of day.
I was more than happy to help but once they resulted to verbal abuse I ignored them.

People would yell at me over the phone because they were on hold too long. I would tell them I was busy helping people that actually came down to the store.

I remember one incident where a customer started an argument with me over a fax machine. He was yelling at me and told me to get my manager because I was going to be fired. I outright told him "NO" I would not get my manager. The look on his face was priceless because he had no idea what to do next. He just left.