What Does Everyone Think of Teen Cashiers At Stores?

[Puffy2]

I like them just fine if they do their job and are polite. I can't stand it when some of them talk to each other the entire time while they are checking out my groceries (cashier and bagger) - I've had them carry on personal conversations and I've even had some bad mouth the store and their job, boss while I'm (the customer) standing there.

Next time that happens I'm having a conversation with the manager because at the very least, these young people need to know what is appropriate work behavior and what is NOT.

 

[Nancy]

I like them just fine if they do their job and are polite. I can't stand it when some of them talk to each other the entire time while they are checking out my groceries (cashier and bagger) - I've had them carry on personal conversations and I've even had some bad mouth the store and their job, boss while I'm (the customer) standing there.

Next time that happens I'm having a conversation with the manager because at the very least, these young people need to know what is appropriate work behavior and what is NOT.

If they are bad mouthing their job/bosses/ etc then they should definately be reported to their managers. You should also let management know that their little side conversations are not something you should have to listen to. I will tell our cashiers to stop if I catch them talking, I'm amazed at how surprised they look when I tell them they are not supposed to do that. Especially since day 1 hour 1 of training they are very plainly told by ME that it is not allowed. They can chit chat on breaks or whenever they are off the clock; on company time....nope.

 

[NMAmy]

the only problem i have with younger cashiers (and i blame their employers not them) is that the majority do not know how to count back change or even calculate a simple transaction (so many look so purplexed if the bill is 6.11 and i hand them a ten dollar bill and a penny, they keep trying to hand the penny back to me). employers also don't seem to train grocery cashiers on bagging anymore-they know not to bag detergent with food products but the concept of not putting 20 cans in one paper bag eludes them (or putting the bread under the 2 liter bottle of soda ).

I agree with you on the change, barkley. I was a teenage cashier myself but one thing our boss insisted we know how to do was to count change. I can't tell you how many times I'll get a cashier who accidentally puts in the wrong amount of cash received. So my bill is $5.48. I hand them a $20 and they accidentally type in $10. They have no clue that a.--they could just give me the change required + $10 or b. they could simply count the change themselves. I've actually showed kids how to make change while at the store. Perhaps I need to hire myself out as a freelance change counter trainer. I've made sure my own dd does know how to count change without using a machine to tell her how.

I also hate it when they'll bag 4 glass jars of spaghetti sauce plus 6 or 7 cans all in the same bag and expect me to be able to pick it up. That's usually the boy baggers, though. Since it's not that heavy from the counter to the cart--I guess I ought to be able to carry it from the car to the house, huh?

Most teenage kids are hardworking and do a great job. Since I was a cashier through college, I know all about those crazy people who feel like it's ok to put down service people. It's usually people with their own self-esteem issues who feel the need to do it.

 

[RadioNate]

It's not just teens. I'm a 30 year old college educated woman who worked in retail for extra cash and something to do while DS was at school. You should hear how seemingly normal people treat cashiers and anyone else the perceive to be 'below' them.

Yes the ones that are the worst are the ones trying to get away with something. I think they figure if they get you upset enough you'll do what they want to get rid of you. It seems to work too.

 

[Stitchfans]

I don't know if it is just because they are in their teens. I have noticed a lot of rudeness going around lately. Age doesn't make a difference here. Alot of People just seem to be walking around angry with grudges.

 

[Marseeya]

I'm sorry to say this, and I know it's offensive, but I'd much rather deal with a teen cashier than an elderly cashier in general. I haven't worked retail in over 10 years, but I can't tell you how many times I want to reach over the counter and just do it for them when they can't figure out the register or credit card machine.

 

[Jeanny]

No, people are not this rude to teenagers, but to cashiers in general.

Generally I don't have a problem in the world with a teen cashier as long as they are doing their job. At one of my local grocery stores there are a few teens there who will stand and chat about last nights supposed sexual episodes in their life while you wait for them to acknowledge your existence. Those are the ones who annoy me.

When the cashiers at my grocery store start doing that or have their friends hanging at the checkout counter, I usually say to them in a flat tone "Excuse me, could you please contentrate on your customers? You can talk to your friends on your break!" The friends usually scurry away, I then say to the cashier "I'm sorry, but you're going to get in trouble if your manager sees your friends hanging around distracting you".

I had one cashier who was talking to her friends the entire time I was there, looking the other way while she was scanning my items, never even acknowledged me. When it came time for me to pay, she glanced at the register, told me the total with her back to me and went back to talking to her friends I was watching her the entire time, when I did nothing, she finally looked at me and I said "OH, you're talking to ME???? I thought you were still speaking to your friends!!!" I think she got it without me being rude.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

Yes, some people are that rude and not just to teens. Some people feel the need to belittle others who work in service type jobs. I used to work in retail and you could not believe some of the things customers would do and say. Sorry about what happened to your DD. Tell her not to take it personally, some people are just not nice.

Boy, I agree with this 100%! I drive a school bus ( I love it, but driving has is moments too) but used to work in a convenience store part time as a second job, and the worst people I found to wait on were Tourists! I live in the Lakes Region so we get alot of them. But being an adult, I always stood my ground with them. Its hard for a younger person in situations like that.

 

[Tina]

I worked as a grocery cashier right after graduating high school. I never realized how mean people could be until that job. It was horrible. I was reduced to tears more than once by mean people who didn't like store policies. When I was promoted to a dairy clerk, I was ecstatic! But I was still called to man a register when the store got crowded. Often when I heard my name being called to the front, I would head to my dairy cooler and claim I never heard the page.

As a cashier who often bagged her own orders, I also got the opportunity to 'pay back' some of those nasty folks. I'd give their loaf of bread a good twist as I stuffed it the bag between the 2 bottes of soda. So... next time you find youself with squashed bread, you might want to reflect on how you treated your cashier!

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

As a cashier who often bagged her own orders, I also got the opportunity to 'pay back' some of those nasty folks. I'd give their loaf of bread a good twist as I stuffed it the bag between the 2 bottes of soda. So... next time you find youself with squashed bread, you might want to reflect on how you treated your cashier! [/QUOTE]




We could start a thread like that! I have a few stories of my own when I worked at the convenience store! I also met some of the greatest people while I worked there. I was there for 7 years so you see alot of the regulars.

 

[mum4jenn]

I have to say it is not just teenager cashiers who are treated rudely. I was in Orlando one year on vacation and went to a local grocery store for a few items. There was a woman in front of me who had food stamps/WIC. The cashier was an older lady, so it was rich the way she handled the woman. Well, the problem was the lady tried to get brand name canned milk and the register would not ring it up. The lady got hysterical. The cashier told her she could not get that milk. That she had to get the store brand. She went into a rage that her kids would drink no other CANNED milk but that brand. Ok, what kids drink CANNED milk? Anyway, the manager came over and told the lady she would get store brand or none. So, she took the store brand. As she left, the cashier said "She should be thankful she is getting ANY milk. She is not working and getting this stuff for free and yelling at me...a person who is working for a living to help support her." The bagger snickered and agreed and I just shook my head in agreement.

I have only had 2 complaints with cashiers.......both were younger. One worked at 7-11 and was barely legal enough to sell alcohol. Anyway, I went to the store to buy my hubby a pack of cigarettes. Did not have my ID and he refused to sell them to me. I told him I was old enough and he got an attitude. Told me to get my ID. I said fine, I would be right back with my ID. he said sarcastically "Sure you will " OK, so I went to the house for ID and purposely went back to Mr. Smarty pants. Showed him my ID and he was embarrassed that I proved him wrong. The other one was at a grocery store. It was our anniversary and we stopped to get some beer and wine. Hubby put the stuff on the conveyor belt and I pulled the money out to pay for it. He said "I need your ID". OH great. It was in the car. I then handed the money to my husband and the guy said "No, he can't pay or it. It's YOUR purchase". I had to go to my car for the ID. I handed the money to my husband and let him pay for it. I was clearly much much older than the cashier. Even the people in line were appauled.

They were doing their job correctly by asking for ID. Customers should always have heir ID ready if they are buying alchohol or tobacco. This is a part of the training....ALWAYS ask for ID. When I used to work at Publix I did not care if you were 99...you had better show me ID.


And if you drove somewhere shouldn't you have your ID with you anyway???

 

[Puffy2]

I had an older (not teen, this woman was probably in her late 20's) actually light up a cigerette while pushing my groceries out to the car.

Another, a teen, hijacked my groceries when going to the car by pushing them over to where her friend was so she could "chat" .

 

[SeeDisney]

It sounds like that WIC woman is very very stressed out in life and counting her every penny and places her tension onto your girl.

Sorry for your girl.

 

[miss missy]

Well.. hmm.. it is a tough thing when dealing with customers! People are sooo mean and rude these days! She will either learn that she will NEVER make everyone happy, some poeple just can't be pleased, period. Or she will find customer service isn't her thing. I feel for her, I know what she is feeling... it is amazingly sad to realize, people can act so crudely.

to her

 

[mickeyfan2]

I don't treat cashiers this way, but many do because "They are paying your salary with their purchase." Many try to cheat and hate to be caught.