OT-Stupid Babies-R-Us moment

[soccerchick]

I am really hoping this is a joke and she didn't report the woman.

Me too...

 

[srferson]

This discussion is kind of silly, really. I think we all agree the worker didn't mean to offend the shopper; probably just making conversation. Also, none of us probably would have reported her. However, by reporting her, I highly doubt her "job will be in jeopardy" or anything like that. Having worked in retail, I can say with some certainty that the bond between the manager/workers is a bit stronger than the words of a customer!!! Yes, they check into it, but what more than likely happened is the manager, if she questioned it at all, asked the worker what happened, she told the manager, and they both did a bit of eye-rolling and let it go. I'm guessing no one lost their job, and I hope OP found a place to buy presents for her baby!

I hear what you're saying. However...

Yes, the odds of her losing her job over this are incredibly slim. But the odds of the store going out of business because she made that one comment... also incredibly slim.

And the bond between a worker and a manager varies in all occupations. It's more about the people and their personalities than anything else.

I'm sure we all are hoping she and her daughter enjoy her first birthday (and all the others after that).

While you may be thinking the discussion is silly, the OP asked for opinions.

 

[jessica52877]

Wow! I don't think you did the right thing at all. It sounds like she was being human interacting with a customer instead of shoving something down your throat. How would you like to work somewhere and be forced to sell something you didn't believe in. I am sure she was just being friendly. Had you went on to ask about a specific toy I am sure she would have given you all the info on the toy needed.

I do think that her job is in jeopardy is a very real thought. So many need to cut hours and one little thing is all they need to have a reason to do it. I didn't buy much for my DS for his 1st birthday. I think I spent $18 total on a LP garage and school bus. No need for a ton whether he would remember or not.

 

[TammyLynn33]

OMG..Im glad I dont work in sales haha if people are reporting sales help trying to offer helpful advice..

When you said a "few new toys" Im guessing she meant dont go overboard..As shes one..

I find alot no offense new parents take offense to any unsolicitated advice. I admit I used to, never to the point of complaining to management tho..

Now when sales staff tell me or my son hes ok in the $100 skates as opposed to the $300 skates..I thank them.. I appreciate when people dont upsell me..

 

[sohappy]

I have to agree with everyone else. I don't think that you did the right thing. I don't ever believe in tri-angulating the issue unless it can't be resolved directly. Did you even try to say something to the person? Or just tell on her? If you said something to her and she was rude, OK, talk to the manager.

I can tell you that in my business (manufacturing, not retail), we are constantly cutting heads. We have to get our staff down. It is a hard decision to make. Something like this could push it over the top for someone.

 

[bumbershoot]

Did I do the right thing by letting the store manager know about this employee?

No, no I don't think you did the right, good, or nice thing.


My one year old's party was a celebration of his age, not a gift thing, mainly b/c of money. It wasn't even a cake thing, b/c he had only started with solids less than a month earlier and cake is just allergy-central...

I'm sure we bought him something little, but not much... It's funny, the few things I *wanted* to get E when he was one have now ALL been recalled...weird, that.


I'm sure that lady was just trying to help... I'd rather run into her, rather than people upselling me and insisting that the most expensive stuff is the best...I think DS was nearly 2 before he started liking the toys more than the boxes they came in....

 

[kevschickee]

I can't believe you reported her. She was being nice. I can tell you my 3 year old doesn't remember her 1st birthday at all. No you didn't do the right thing

 

[duffy]

No, you did not do the right thing. Sheesh.

 

[teresajoy]

I agree with everyone else, you shouldn't have reported her.

 

[tinkerdoodle]

What were you thinking? Oh right, you weren't...

Open mouth, insert foot.

 

[playswithstars]

Count me as another person who doesn't think you did the right thing.

Here's a similar story involving myself that actually happened to me yesterday while working retail. I was checking out these mother and her grown daughter the other day and they were using the access card. Then using a credit card to pay the difference. I'd say the majority stuff they were buying was necessary. For example things like food and cleaning supplies. The mother was holding onto a book that she had picked up that was about 7 dollars. She seemed to really want it but they both seemed very concerned whether she should get it. At the end she was like ohh just add it on (very quickly,like before she checked her mind.) Without sounding like I'm judging they def. didn't seem like they had a lot of extra cash and that buying this book was a big deal. I really wanted to tell the lady that I knew for a fact that the local library had three copies. But I didn't want to get in "trouble" for discouraging a sale or possibly offend them.

 

[roxydotty]

It sounds like the employee said something kinda silly. Not hateful or intolerable. Haven't we all done that at least once in our lives?!! Said something that didn't quite come out right. When I was younger, I was a little shy and I remember saying stupid little things because I was nervous. I said something a month ago that was suppose to be funny, but then I thought it probably didn't sound right.


OP, you can always call the manager and tell him/her that maybe you were being oversensitive and maybe made more out of it than was necessary. We all blow it at times.

 

[MickeyMouse'sBFF]

Wow, you got everyone rallied up, did't you. LOL
I think if there was a problem with her helping you actualy pick something out because you needed help doing so, then thats a problem. If you werent asking for help in looking for something and she said it.. then I would be thinking she was just sharing her view, and moved on. It probably wouldnt have occured to me to get the manager, but something there was something that wasnt sitting right with you about it. I would think the store would want to hear feedback from their customers about the service. If I were a manager, I would want to know if theres someone who isnt using the suggestions to sell the store products. The same story goes about the worries about the employee losing her job, as for the store. IT could lose its buisness and then MORE people would be out of a job if they arent doing enough sales.
Its not a right or wrong.. you shared an experience you had with the manager. Let the manager decide. If she gets in trouble.. its probably because she should have done something different in the work place that she was being paid to do. If it wasnt a problem with the employer, then theres nothing for that employee to worry about, now is there...

 

[maxiesmom]

I can't believe you reported her! Would you had rather she walked you over to the most expensive toys in the store and told you that all the cool one year olds were getting them for their birthdays? You reported her for having an honest conversation with you and not treating you like a walking dollar bill. Shameful!

 

[kevschickee]

I can't believe you reported her! Would you had rather she walked you over to the most expensive toys in the store and told you that all the cool one year olds were getting them for their birthdays? You reported her for having an honest conversation with you and not treating you like a walking dollar bill. Shameful!

well said sistah

 

[mommy*RN]

That is just sad. Here this woman was trying to help you, the consumer with a child, save a bit of money and you report her to the manager. I hope the manager had the same reaction as most people on this post.

In the past I've told family and friends not to go overboard on birthday gifts for their kids because the family (grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends, etc) often buy toys for the child. I've actually "merged" my three kids presents into one BIG present from their dad and I because one more gift to unwrap wouldn't mean much to them. This year their big gift is our trip to Disney.

If I worked in sales and asked a customer if they needed any help and they told me they were shopping for their child's 1st birthday I have no doubt in my mind that I would give them the same advice as the sales woman you encountered at BRU. Kudos to her for trying to help a customer save money and shame on you for reporting her for looking out for your pocketbook.

 

[Snow_White]

Is this a joke???????? Seriously I am finding it hard to believe that anyone could be so petty and mean-spirited.

 

[surfergirl602]

Wow I can't believe you actually reported this woman. Sorry but if anyone was rude , IMOP I feel it was you.

Yes, I can't believe in this day and age with so many people losing their jobs, you would deliberately try and get someone in trouble who in turn might be reprimanded for being nice and making light conversation.

All I could say is Wow.

I completely agree!!! You were the one way out of line, I would have to say.

 

[kevschickee]

Why hasn't the OP'er been back to explain hmmmmm maybe she feels a little guilty?

 

[surfergirl602]

Why hasn't the OP'er been back to explain hmmmmm maybe she feels a little guilty?

she asked,we told!! (we tell it like it is around here...)