My retail rants

[raysnkaysmom]

Agreed..it takes far longer to count actual money than it does credit slips. And you're less likely to end up with a short drawer due to credit slips.


Here's another one from DH;

Dear people,
It is really irritating for you to call three, four, FIVE times a day asking if we've gotten a truck and if *X* item was on it. It takes up uneccessary time in our day. We have things we need to get done and we can't get them done if we're answering the phone every 30 seconds.

No love from the inventory person.

Dear sir,
I do not know what posessed you to pick up one of our phones and yell "SHUT UP YOU *bleep*!" into it but we'd really appreciate it if you didn't do it again. The customer who was on the other end of that phone call called us back and started to rake us out because she thought WE were the ones who told her to shut up.

No love.

LOL....actually, the cash part never bothered me though..its waiting for check writers!!!
But, I guiltily have been known to write a check when I've forgotten my debit card...

Yeah...and when 20k peices come in on a truck..we have NO idea what's on it until we open the box...we dont' get to order, and we don't get a detailed printout of what it is on there... Give us a day or two to get it to the floor please

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Dear sir,
I do not know what posessed you to pick up one of our phones and yell "SHUT UP YOU *bleep*!" into it but we'd really appreciate it if you didn't do it again. The customer who was on the other end of that phone call called us back and started to rake us out because she thought WE were the ones who told her to shut up.

No love.

Somebody actually did that! That is horrible!

I work retail as a second job and there are days when it is tough...really tough. Granted, I work at the Disney Store so it's not always too bad! But I can relate to messy clearance areas for sure!

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

Yes somebody actually did that once. Before he started workiing in inventory, DH would come home with the craziest customer stories. He also told me that one time, a customer was SO mad that *big box retail* would not fix his television (for whatever reason, I don't remember what it was) that the guy chucked the TV down the cust. svc counter and almost hit an assoc. who was standing at the other end dealing with something on the computer.

He's also had people pound on the doors trying to get in before they were open for the day or after they'd already closed early on a holiday because they needed 'just one thing'. Sorry..if you needed that one thing SO bad you should've been there earlier.

 

[acename]

Yes somebody actually did that once. Before he started workiing in inventory, DH would come home with the craziest customer stories. He also told me that one time, a customer was SO mad that *big box retail* would not fix his television (for whatever reason, I don't remember what it was) that the guy chucked the TV down the cust. svc counter and almost hit an assoc. who was standing at the other end dealing with something on the computer.

He's also had people pound on the doors trying to get in before they were open for the day or after they'd already closed early on a holiday because they needed 'just one thing'. Sorry..if you needed that one thing SO bad you should've been there earlier.

I worked at a big box electronics store for two years. One Christmas Eve we were closing at 5pm. A guy come in at 4:57 wanting a big screen tv that we were sold out of. He sits there and screams at my manager because he won't call other stores to see if he can get it from them. He kept saying you've ruined my family's christmas. Luckily, my manager was a huge guy, 6'6" and about 250 lbs. when he finally said "No, you ruined your family's christmas. Sir, it's time for you to leave," he didn't get much lip from the customer.

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

Your manager ruined HIS Christmas?

 

[missj1975]

I used to work at Walgreens as a part-time job. I hope I never have to work retail again.

My store was not a 24 hour pharmacy (or 24 hour store) so I got contantly yelled at by customers when the pharmacy was closed. They couldn't believe the pharmacy was closed even though the hours were displayed all over the store. Most customers actually expected me to open the pharmacy (or call the pharmacist in) for them so they could get their prescription because it was always a life and death situation.

What I would have loved to tell my customers:
Just because I work at Walgreens doesn't mean I am a doctor. Anyone (with good credit) can get a job at Walgreens so please don't yell at me because I don't know whether you have the flu or not. Sorry I can't also recommend the best medicine out of the 50,000 cold medicines we sell.

Don't complain to me about the price of milk and bread. Yep, Walgreen's charges way more then the typical grocery store. If you want cheap milk and bread, go to Save-A-Lot, not a high priced pharmacy.

If you call and ask for the price on a certain product and want to know if it is in stock, please don't get mad when I put you on hold for ten minutes. I need to help the customers who are standing in line at my register first. Sorry we don't have a employee standing by to answer the phone for all your price check questions.

If the parking lots lights are off, our closed sign is up, but yet you see me sweeping inside the store, don't bang on the door and act shocked when I ignore you. Yep, we are closed and I am cleaning up.

Don't complain to me you can get certain products cheaper at Wal-mart. Yeah for you. Go to Walmart. Walgreens does not price match.

Don't look at me in shock when I say thanks for shopping at Walgreens and hand you your bag. Yes lady not all employees are rude but trust me, we want to be, especially to the customers who talk on their cell phone while an employee is trying to check them out. You want common courtesy? Give us common courtesy, it is a two-way street.

I could go on and on but I am so happy now that I don't have to deal with the general public.

Another rant, I sell some stuff on ebay on the side. If you notice that you live near me, please don't ask if you can pickup the item so you can save on shipping. Why do I like ebay, because I don't have to meet people and I'm not going to make an exception so you can save $3.00.

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Retail is not for the faint of heart nor for the not brave among us. A lot of times, I wonder if those of us who work or have worked in the cust. svc retail field are just gluttons for punishment with what you have to put up with on a daily basis.

 

[missypie]

OP, the problem for you and for the shoppers is that your employer does not hire enough people. The dressing rooms are a mess because customers leave them that way, but there is only one person manning all dressing rooms and she doesn't have time to go back and clean them. There are no employees around the store to ask questions because your employer didn't schedule them.

My son works at Albertson's. There is a computer that tracks sales at least on an hourly basis and if they haven't met their sales quota, they start sending people home. So when you need someone to help you find something, my son is sitting at home instead of being there to help you...the store just saved $6.55 an hour.

I know retail is tough. I love retail but didn't choose it as a career because you have to work too hard for too little money. But you really do have to blame a lot of the problem on inadequate staffing.

 

[ajk912]

I totally forgot about the cash thing, thanks for the reminder. I hated how, especially at Christmas, you are counting down a $3000 drawer instead of the usual $500 drawer. And then having to take the deposit to the bank and hope you don't get robbed.

Not that that is the customer's fault, of course, but the credit/debit customers sure are easier than the cash ones!

 

[acename]

I think staffing is a big problem. But the things that bothered me personally when I was in retail were from people who were just rude. Like the people who thought you should help them first because they were going to spend more money. Or the people who constantly ask for a lower price. Or most importantly, the people who seemed to look down on me because I was working retail and not a "real job". I know most people aren't like that, but the ones that are reallly really get to you. Plus they always seem to be out in full force during the holidays.

 

[Mellie2162]

I can't imagine having to work with the public, it has to take a strong person. That being said, at least you have a job right now when many are getting laid off.

 

[snickerharley]

To the person whos son works at Albertson's, I too work retail an we track sales as well and often have to send people home due to not meeting sales requirements for the day. Yes this does stink for our customers and I feel for them but if we keep employees on the clock when we are not making the sales then eventually prices on the products will go up.

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

Mellie--even that's not all that secure. DH has confessed to being worried about his position being downsized and consolidated with another position at his workplace. If that happens, he would have to fight for the new, consolidated position and if he didn't get it, he would be out of work.

 

[missypie]

To the person whos son works at Albertson's, I too work retail an we track sales as well and often have to send people home due to not meeting sales requirements for the day. Yes this does stink for our customers and I feel for them but if we keep employees on the clock when we are not making the sales then eventually prices on the products will go up.

Another reason why retail is so tough. If I stop shopping there because I can't find an employee when I need one, then the store has lost over a hundred dollars a week in grocery business because it saved $6.55. However, you are correct that if you hire too many people, you might lose my business because prices are too high.

 

[missypie]

Mellie--even that's not all that secure. DH has confessed to being worried about his position being downsized and consolidated with another position at his workplace. If that happens, he would have to fight for the new, consolidated position and if he didn't get it, he would be out of work.

I also fear that the ugly customers will be even uglier this year. We all "know" that retail is in trouble this Christmas, so the demanding folks will figure the retailers are so desperate that they'll take anything.

 

[babytrees]

Amen sistah! I go out of my way to tell managers when they have GREAT employees! People are sooooo quick to focus on the negative and never reward the positive. My friends will get embarrassed sometimes because I will ask for a manager just to tell them how great an employee was!

I do this too...I actually did it last Saturday and the poor boy looked scared snotless. I asked for a manager and the girl said there wasn't one in that dept. but she would get one for me.

I always tell the managers that I do it because the good ones don't get complimented enough.

 

[Mellie2162]

Mellie--even that's not all that secure. DH has confessed to being worried about his position being downsized and consolidated with another position at his workplace. If that happens, he would have to fight for the new, consolidated position and if he didn't get it, he would be out of work.

I completely understand. I was only saying that right now in these times, even as stressful as all of our jobs may be, after we vent we should take a few moments to be thankful.

 

[missypie]

Another big understaffing problem is in restaurants. So many times when the service is poor it's because one waiter is covering far too many tables. It's so hard when you're getting ready to leave a tip, because you're ticked because your ice tea glasses never got filled and you never got that mayo you asked for, yet you know that the poor waiter probably hasn't even had a bathroom break all night. I make myself leave a normal tip, but boy it's hard.

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

I always tell the managers that I do it because the good ones don't get complimented enough.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I used to work at Walgreens as a part-time job. I hope I never have to work retail again.


If you call and ask for the price on a certain product and want to know if it is in stock, please don't get mad when I put you on hold for ten minutes. I need to help the customers who are standing in line at my register first. Sorry we don't have a employee standing by to answer the phone for all your price check questions.

If the parking lots lights are off, our closed sign is up, but yet you see me sweeping inside the store, don't bang on the door and act shocked when I ignore you. Yep, we are closed and I am cleaning up.


.

I get that alot too.. people call and expect us to ignore the customer in store to check on the item for them. I generally don't have an issue with that except when the customer on the phone gets rude for their wait. I get to the phone, and their product in question is at the other side of the store. I place them on hold, on my way to look when I get stopped by a customer (or 3). I can't very well ignore them, because the customer on the phone was first. I have tried to explain that I am with another customer, and sometimes that helps...but it does delay the time I get back to the phone.. try to understand that your phone call isn't all I'm doing at the time.

And, yes...the last minute shopper.... our company has been robbed a time or two..I"m not opening the door for you when it is locked for everyone else.

OP, the problem for you and for the shoppers is that your employer does not hire enough people. The dressing rooms are a mess because customers leave them that way, but there is only one person manning all dressing rooms and she doesn't have time to go back and clean them. There are no employees around the store to ask questions because your employer didn't schedule them.

I know retail is tough. I love retail but didn't choose it as a career because you have to work too hard for too little money. But you really do have to blame a lot of the problem on inadequate staffing.

And, I do blame inadequate staffing and not the customers for that issue. Doesn't mean it gives them the right to trash the store or our fitting rooms. Yes, it's about 50/50 on those who make a mess vs those who don't, but for-profit companies wouldn't have many deals for our customers or make enough to stay in business and open more stores if they overstaffed each faciility... It's called business sense....

I think staffing is a big problem. But the things that bothered me personally when I was in retail were from people who were just rude. Like the people who thought you should help them first because they were going to spend more money. Or the people who constantly ask for a lower price. Or most importantly, the people who seemed to look down on me because I was working retail and not a "real job". I know most people aren't like that, but the ones that are reallly really get to you. Plus they always seem to be out in full force during the holidays.

I dont' care how much you plan on spending, I'll be nice first and hope you'll be nice back. If you're not nice, I'll bite my tongue and say thank you as you leave. But you best bet that YOUR hundred dollars that you are spending isn't worth it to ME when you are a uglyworded person, no matter how much you try to make me feel bad that my company will no longer get your money... how's that phrase go....? oh yea. "With friends like you , we dont' need enemies"... Bye

I can't imagine having to work with the public, it has to take a strong person. That being said, at least you have a job right now when many are getting laid off.

9 times out of 10 when asked...I love my job.. honestly. And, I'm thankful.. just wish patrons were more understanding....

Another big understaffing problem is in restaurants. So many times when the service is poor it's because one waiter is covering far too many tables. It's so hard when you're getting ready to leave a tip, because you're ticked because your ice tea glasses never got filled and you never got that mayo you asked for, yet you know that the poor waiter probably hasn't even had a bathroom break all night. I make myself leave a normal tip, but boy it's hard.

I waitressed when I was younger, and yes...they get stretched beyond beleif too... It's all in attitude that determines your tip