Retail Request

[Lisa loves Pooh]

When trying on clothes, please bring in what you want to try on. It is NOT the job of the dressing room attendent to go back into the racks of clothes because you didn't get the right size. We are not your personal shoppers. Go get it yourself!

Another one of those confusing things.

Some stores do provide this service even if it isn't on a sign that they do. I always feel bad about taking them up on the offer though for this very attitude. I wonder if they really mean it or if they thing I'm an idiot.

While you may not be a personal shopper--it seems basic customer service to me, though.

ETA: I see you work at Target. That would have been helpful information. While many things here, I do agree with--outside of Target and Walmart, MOST places that do have a fitting room attendant or staff near by (IME) will get you another size. YMMV depending on the store. But I don't shop high end stores--all run of the mill retail and if folks aren't obviously busy, they will help you. I have had trouble in Old Navy when it was swamped, but that is understandable.

 

[Andtototoo]

I would never in a MILLION YEARS occur to me to do something like this. What is wrong with people?

This has happened to me a million times. I have to say that I never ceased to be amazed at the entitlement and effrontery of it, however.

 

[MrsKreamer]

I think it is a fine line to walk..the last retailer I worked for would make an announcement at intervals before closing..so 15, 10 and 5 and then a final one indicating the store was closed. Yes if you come in before closing you can shop..but I think some common sense and common courtesy should come into play as well.

If you know the store closes at 9pm and you get there at 8:55 with plans to do extensive shopping that is inconsiderate and wrong and you will likely be told at closing to please finalize your purchases and check out and I don't think that is unreasonable.

So by all means enter before closing but be prepared to head to the check out at actual closing time..otherwise wait until the next day and you have more time during operating hours (that is my personal opinion..I am such each retailer and manager has their own feelings on the matter).

This.


The problem with late customers at my store is that the lights automatically dim 20 minutes after closing, the registers lock 30 minutes after closing, and the lights turn OFF 1 hour after closing. Not to mention there is a lot to do after customers leave, it isn't as if when you leave we can just walk out too. We have to close out the registers, count money, sweep floors, and recover all aisles. None of which can be done until all customers are gone.

Case in point, a few nights ago, after 3 announcements, and associates looking around all the registers were shut down, only to find a customer wondering around with a full cart! This was at least 30 minutes after closing. There was no way to ring her up at that point!

 

[tlbwriter]

I kind of giggle when (not even at work, but just at any generally large company) somebody threatens to take their business elsewhere. I've heard this said about both Disney and WalMart and I hate to say it, but those companies are so successful that one or even a few shoppers isn't going to make much of a difference...

Also, when I worked in retail, if someone threatened to take their business elsewhere I'd think "Good. You can go drive the competition crazy and take up THEIR time. No skin off my nose." Because these are the 20% of customers who take up 80% of your time, and seem to think a purchase of a few dollars makes them gods.

 

[Kteacher]

I forgot about the babysitting issue. I work behind a jewelry counter and once had a customer ask me if he could leave his 5 year old son behind the counter with me to "make it easier for him to shop"

 

[Coconut36]

I forgot about the babysitting issue. I work behind a jewelry counter and once had a customer ask me if he could leave his 5 year old son behind the counter with me to "make it easier for him to shop"

OMG that is just crazy!!!

 

[EclecticWAHM]

Here's mine:

Do NOT -- repeat do NOT -- snap your fingers at me.

Then you will have to wait even longer for service because it's going to take me several moments to sufficiently compose myself to keep from lunging at you and breaking your freaking fingers.

Good grief, yes!! Someone did this to me when I was waiting tables. I turned to the rude gentleman and said "I am not a dog, sir. You can speak to me like a human being." He got the message. What a donkey's behind.

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

I forgot about the babysitting issue. I work behind a jewelry counter and once had a customer ask me if he could leave his 5 year old son behind the counter with me to "make it easier for him to shop"

I can top that. I worked retail through high school and undergrad. A customer once asked me if he could leave his son (I'd estimate around 8 years old) behind the counter with me while he left our store to go buy cigarettes.

In 6 years of retail, I had experienced every single gripe listed here and more. It really is insane and I'm so happy to be out of the madness. It's unfortunate that the crazy 20% tainted all the positive experiences I had, but it's true. To all of you who are currently working retail, I wish you a truly happy and stress-free holiday season.

 

[MrsKreamer]

I can top that. I worked retail through high school and undergrad. A customer once asked me if he could leave his son (I'd estimate around 8 years old) behind the counter with me while he left our store to go buy cigarettes.

In 6 years of retail, I had experienced every single gripe listed here and more. It really is insane and I'm so happy to be out of the madness. It's unfortunate that the crazy 20% tainted all the positive experiences I had, but it's true. To all of you who are currently working retail, I wish you a truly happy and stress-free holiday season.

When I worked at Blockbuster(about 8 years ago), a man left 4 kids alone(all under 12, the youngest only 1) while he went down the street to Walgreens. I guess he didn't we would notice...

 

[goofinoff]

Lol.. a little love from the cosmetics counter:

* Please do not fault the person behind the counter because they do not have a free gift. They just work there and do not make the rules.
* Please do not continue to badger them if there is anything you can give them IF you choose to buy the products. This is not a flea market or a garage sale. Do you try and barter when you buy shoes, purses and jeans?

* Do not just ask for samples. This tells us you have no intention of buying and just want free product. Instead, find a product you would like to try, and ask if there is a specific sample of the product you are interested in. If we have it--we will give it--we'd love for you to try before you buy--but at least know what you're asking for. The samples can be expensive and some counters are required to track who they give them to and follow up within a week to see if they liked it. Some also only give to those who purchase of have had a consultation. And sometimes... the vendor doesn't drop them off to the store and they really don't have any!
* Tis the season to want your makeup done for parties and dances. The consultant took their time away from the sales floor to make you pretty--buy a product or two from them.
* If a product is discountinued or re-formulated.... this also is not the consultant's fault so don't freak out on us. They know what replaced and is close and can help you. The formula you've been using for 20 years may not be the best for you now--and probably isn't the same color for you either--let us help you. If you're still unhappy---try amazon or ebay and find the old, funky product online and continue to use.

* We clean our stuff. Trust me, we have to work around it all day and you better believe we do a ton of cleaning. We use the testers too and want to make sure what we're using is in tip-top shape. If we catch someone being unsanitary beyond our control--we toss it--that's just gross. If you want to try something on and you're not sure of the proper way---just ask.

* Don't let anyone sell you something you don't want or can't affort. Get what YOU want. Returns look bad on us and we'd rather you just get what you can afford and what you'll use.

I think I love you!!!!!!! Do you work for Clinique by chance?? You used the word consultant! I manage a Clinique Counter!

 

[sookie]

When trying on clothes, please bring in what you want to try on. It is NOT the job of the dressing room attendent to go back into the racks of clothes because you didn't get the right size. We are not your personal shoppers. Go get it yourself!

Weird - in a lot of places that is EXACTLY their job. That is why they ASK YOU if they can do it!


I swear, some people really make me laugh in this thread. Yes, I understand the frustration. I've also had rough jobs in the service industry that are comparable while I was in school (waitressing - at a buffet, no less!!).

However, please note that as a customer, I've had my fair share of hateful clerks when I was just trying to complete my purchase and was being perfectly nice. I had one that was so hateful this past Saturday (for absolutely no reason - I was just checking out) that I looked her square in the face and asked her why she was upset at me, and what did I do to offend her and cause her to talk to me in this way? She was slamming my purchase around, eye rolling, grunting, and complaining about things that were beyond my control (anti-theft tags on the shirt, etc). She was startled I called her on it and apologized for her behavior, but even the manager ringing people up next to her told her she needed to tone her attitude down (after hearing what I said to her). It goes both ways, folks. If you don't like your job - QUIT! Don't make me suffer as a customer just because you are pissed you had to come to work today.

 

[sookie]

This is target. Part of the fitting room attendant is to answer phones and security. To leave the desk to go and get clothes/items takes away from the job at hand. Yes, I am sure at macys where they are a higher end store they are probably more than happy to tell you their opinion but at a retail chain we have enough on our plates. Sorry if this sounds harsh but after cleanning up after people for 8 hours a night it just gets old.

I can understand that. However, in 99% of places part of the job of the attendant is to get sizes for the customer if needed. It's actually a deterrent for the customer to NOT to purchase the items if someone is not helping them.

 

[Shelby5514]

One thing I remember from working retail many years ago is how people would just leave the clothes they tried on all jumbled up in the dressing room.

Off the hangers, laying on the floor and bench, inside out. I didn't realize that retail employee translated into servant in some languages.

UGH! My #1 complaint. And sadly, it's not only teens that do this. On Black Friday we had one dressing room with about 20 Mother of the Bride/Groom dresses inside out, on the floor in a big pile along with the hangers scattered everywhere. You just want to say to them "Do you leave your clothes like this at home?"

And I love the people that will unfold something to look at the size and then throw it back on the table and grab another one that is folded to buy. Again you want to say "You know we WILL fold it for you when you check out."

 

[Jennasis]

Weird - in a lot of places that is EXACTLY their job. That is why they ASK YOU if they can do it!


I swear, some people really make me laugh in this thread. Yes, I understand the frustration. I've also had rough jobs in the service industry that are comparable while I was in school (waitressing - at a buffet, no less!!).

However, please note that as a customer, I've had my fair share of hateful clerks when I was just trying to complete my purchase and was being perfectly nice. I had one that was so hateful this past Saturday (for absolutely no reason - I was just checking out) that I looked her square in the face and asked her why she was upset at me, and what did I do to offend her and cause her to talk to me in this way? She was slamming my purchase around, eye rolling, grunting, and complaining about things that were beyond my control (anti-theft tags on the shirt, etc). She was startled I called her on it and apologized for her behavior, but even the manager ringing people up next to her told her she needed to tone her attitude down (after hearing what I said to her). It goes both ways, folks. If you don't like your job - QUIT! Don't make me suffer as a customer just because you are pissed you had to come to work today.

Some people don't have the luxury of quitting.

Many people don't hate their jobs...but there are things that can make a day frustrating.

Feel free to start your own thread about hateful clerks.

 

[briannesmom]

I don't work in retail anymore but even as a customer this drives me crazy. Get off your phone so the cashier can greet you and ask any necessary questions. Your phone call is not so important that you can't tell the person to hold on a minute or call them back. If you get a really important call that you have to take get out of line and wait until you're done.

 

[goofinoff]

I don't work in retail anymore but even as a customer this drives me crazy. Get off your phone so the cashier can greet you and ask any necessary questions. Your phone call is not so important that you can't tell the person to hold on a minute or call them back. If you get a really important call that you have to take get out of line and wait until you're done.

I was waiting on someone during our free gift with purchase time and the customer took a phone call in the middle of our conversation. There were people waiting to be helped so I went to the next person. After 10 minutes or so she came back, interrupted me with another customer and said "Excuse me, weren't you helping ME?" I told her yes I was but since she took a call I helped the next person. She expected me to stop what I was doing and go back to helping her!!! I told her as soon as I was finished I would be back to help her. She thought I was going to stand there and wait for her to finish her phone call!!!!

 

[PeterPan09]

Wow can I relate. I've worked retail too and until you've done it you have no idea how that crappy treatment feels. People treat you like you are there for them to berate,criticize, order around and are the direct cause of everything they don't like about the place. Of course not every customer is like that, but the few that are feel like a lot because the way they make you feel.

My rule? Don't come to me with a complaint and then ask "what are you going to give me?". In many cases, the cashier has no power to give you what you want. Demanding free items or cash back in a nasty way makes it far less likely that you'll get it. Wait and see what is offered, and you may be pleasantly surprised. I know I've asked for extra nice compensation for people who were nice to me.

 

[sookie]

Some people don't have the luxury of quitting.

Many people don't hate their jobs...but there are things that can make a day frustrating.

Feel free to start your own thread about hateful clerks.

If you don't have the luxury of quitting, you don't have the luxury of treating customers badly. There is no excuse for bad behavior on either side. If the day is frustrating, you still have no right to treat the people you interact with poorly. If customers weren't there, the clerk wouldn't have a job in the first place.
I'm not that passive aggressive. My whole point is that there are rude clerks just like there are rude customers.

 

[SaraJayne]

As someone already mentioned, don't complain to me about prices. I have no control over the prices and I really don't care if you think our merchandise is too expensive.

What exactly did you think you were going to find walking into a high end jewelry store?

 

[Becky2005]

I think it is a fine line to walk..the last retailer I worked for would make an announcement at intervals before closing..so 15, 10 and 5 and then a final one indicating the store was closed. Yes if you come in before closing you can shop..but I think some common sense and common courtesy should come into play as well.

I won't go into a store if I know they are closing in 5 minutes unless it's a "I know exactly where what I need is & I can make a beeline for it".

Our store does the warning messages and then the lights go out right at closing time...trust me, you WILL feel rushed out the door because 9 times out of 10, the announcement right after the we are now closed, is one to the employees to check their areas for customers and to call the front to let them know if there are any still in the store (with the implication that you will help said customers hurry along with their choices). I'm pretty sure if I was a customer and heard the 2nd announcement I would attempt to get myself out of there ASAP...as it would be pretty obvious. I've also heard the call me page along with the last register will be closing.