Wednesday, 23 November 2011
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Holiday Shopping Tips From A Retail Employee
Dear Customers, I know the holiday shopping season can be stressful, but please remember these helpful tips while shopping.
1.) If you're not done shopping don't throw your stuff on the counter, and expect it to hold your place in line. Other people do need to put their stuff up there, not just you.
2.) If you child tends to run around destroying everything in the store, keep them either at home, in the cart, or invest in a child leash.
3.) A bra or shoe is not the most sanitary place to keep you're money, as if money wasn't dirty enough, you pulling it out of your sweaty tits and handing it to the poor cashier is just rude.
4.) Don't yell at the cashier it they offer you rewards or credits cards, they HAVE to.
5.) The prices in the store are not the cashier's fault.
6.) Don't be upset with the cashier if the lines aren't moving as quickly as you like, especially when they are trying to go as fast as possible. It is not their fault that the stores have 1234567 lines and refuse to hire/give cashiers any hours.
7.) It is also not the cashiers fault, if the person in front of you chooses to argue with every price, like a mass retailer is a flea market, or they request a price check on everything. Then uses 1234567 coupons.
8.) Actually HAND money to you cashier, they are people too.
9.) That shirt you just tried on, came on a hanger, or a table, not on the floor you just threw it on, or stuffed behind a bunch of toys.
10.) If you don't want something, just give it to an employee, don't attempt to hide it in a pile of other stuff just because your too lazy to walk across the store. You can even give it the checkout person as you're leaving.
11.) Saying you "should have gone to Walmart." hurts no ones feelings. We probably wish you would've went to Walmart.
12.) I'm sorry if you last minute shop and we don't have your wife's favorite perfume. The same thing with the toy that every kids wants.
13.) If you don't come cursing and screaming, for the most part we are more than happy to fix whatever problem you have.
14.) It is not the employee's goal in the store to make your life difficult.
Does any body else who does/has worked retailer have any "tips" they would like to give shoppers?
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- From: Smileitsokay@xanga
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Comments (27)
Amen to this. I absolutely hate customers that think us employees are purposely out to get them and screw them over as much as possible. They act like the prices of items are some big conspiracy we've created. The prices aren't determined by the cashiers or employees on the floor and we can only move so fast. And following policy isn't a lack of service, especially when we try our hardest to override it (just to please them) and just can't.
I'm actually writing a book on proper customer etiquette because after years of working in retail there are way too many types of customers that I can't not hate on.
I've never worked in retail, but God Bless all of you who do at this time of year! I can't even imagine. I hate shopping at this time of year. People are just plain crazy. It's sad that people have to be told all of this! Good list!
I did love #11. haha
Thanks for this list! I can't believe most of these tips aren't common sense to some shoppers! It is especially important to remember that cashiers are people with feelings too. I think I am sympathetic, because I used to be a cashier at a McDonalds that was across the street from a shopping mall. And I was the opener on Black Friday. I didn't get to do Black Friday shopping until recently. Apparently, bad behavior from the shoppers not only occurs in retail stores, but in quick service restaurants as well. Other tips I'd offer, if I may:
* Make a list of people/things you need to shop for so you aren't milling about and wasting time.
* Do your research online beforehand to determine which stores and items, so you can make a plan
* Don't bring your small children, and certainly if you must bring them, do not put them on the counter at checkout! Possible dangers on the counter, and possibility of falling.
* Remind yourself that the holidays is about the happy memories with friends and family, rather than going broke trying to buy gifts.
* Don't talk on your phone while the cashier is ringing you up. I personally find that very rude.
With this being said, I am going to finish my holiday shopping online now.
@MangoWOW@xanga - Maybe you can write a chapter in your book that relates to proper etiquette in quick service restaurants? I've got a list!
@babybug329@xanga - Haha I had actually been considering collaborating with a friend that works at starbucks to get a more rounded view. And YES to the phone comment you made. Not only is it rude to be on the phone when you're getting rung up but a lot of times it slows up the line! People are so preoccupied with their conversations that they don't pay attention to paying for their items.
@MangoWOW@xanga - I really hate it when people are talking on the phone when it's checkout time. I make a point to not be on my phone at checkout time, or when I want to order something. I wonder what people used to do when none of us has mobile phones!
Good luck on your book!
Apparently my dad has been known to throw hissy fits when the cashier asks if he wants to sign up for the rewards program/credit card. He said he tossed down his items somewhere and left the store just because the cashier asked if he wanted to sign up for the rewards program or whatever it was there.
Ugh, four months of working retail at Mall of America was plenty for me. You'd think that some sense of common decency wouldn't be too hard to manage, but I was proven wrong on that almost every day.
I'd like to add, make sure you understand a store's refund policy BEFORE you try and return something, and don't bitch at the cashiers for enforcing company policy if you don't get what you want. If there's even a possibility of making accommodations for you, you're sure not going to get special treatment by throwing a fit at an underpaid, overworked retail employee.
what about tips for those of us who aren't barbarians. LOL. like bring a water bottle and some tea in a travel mug, wear comfy shoes, have ideas about what you're looking for, wear layers, bring a little snack to avoid mall food or extra junk, bring hand santizer, take extra vitamin C before going and a multivitamin, leave heavy things in your purse at home, don't bring small children no one will enjoy that not you -not them -not other shoppers. :)
I worked in retail for 6 years.. and the biggest thing I wish stores had are cell phone blockers in their ceilings. My biggest ever pet peeve was rude customers yapping on their cell phones holding up my lines. (I was the fastest cashier in 3 stores I worked in, and held the highest efficiency rate).
The only other thing I would add is "Be nice to the cashiers. We are people too!"
I was in a store the other day and this mean old lady was just ripping a young cahsier apart. So when we were done we went through her line, and the poor gal was just about in tears. I thought she was going to cry when I asked if it was her first day. She nodded, I encouraged her the best I could, and my 4 year old son said "dont cry. you're pretty, its ok". then he started singing all the silly songs he knew that makes his sister laugh. It was cute (and it kept them entertained while I was packing the groceries, which was great). I hope she doesn't quit because of how she was treated,
Rather then muttering about how long the lines are, or being a jerk about how slow the cashier is going, find something nice to say or just shut up.
Oh and last thing. Sign your freaking credit cards. Cashiers do not have to accept them if there is no signature (hence the "not valid unless signed"). And if you write "ask for id" be ready to show it!
@hippie1231survz@xanga - So did my mom. Then she wasn't so happy when I got a job that almost fired me because I couldn't sell any freakin' cards. No one wants them, but I will get thrown out if I can't sell more than one a month.
OP: The first one brought back so many memories of when I was working as a cashier in a camping store. When it was busy (like lines out of the door busy) this one guy dropped his shit on the counter and went back for more! Make sure you have EVERYTHING you want when you check out especially when the store is about to close. We had to wait an extra 20 minutes for this one guy ugh. Lastly, company rules, policy's and prices are NOT OUR FAULT. We're just working to make a living like you are.
I hate when people throw their money or credit card on the counter. I can understand if I'm still preoccupied by the computer or ringing them up if they just set it on the counter. If I have my hand out though and they throw it on the counter I want to just roll my eyes. I always make it a point to put it in their hand after I'm through with it.
Lol I love this. I feel like printing this out and handing it to all the customers at Sears with their purchases. I hate being assaulted for no reason especially when I have to offer credit and rewards. I have one to add though:
Check and see if the store takes Canadian currency or Canadian debit cards. It's annoying when I have to ring up an entire purchase to find that the customer didn't realize we don't take any of their forms of payment.
amen!
Going into my third retail Christmas, there are plenty of things I've noticed that customers can do to improve everyone's shopping experience:
- If you are shopping for clothes in popular sizes, don't wait until the last minute because we won't have them. This is not our fault.
- The same thing applies to returning items for a different size. Be prepared to exchange this for something else.
- When returning something, keeping the tag with the barcode on it will speed up the process immensely. While it may be a gift, removing the price is different than removing the entire tag. Many tags are made so that the price can be easily removed from the bottom. It becomes a problem when we don't have any of the same item left and we don't know how much it was worth in the first place.
- Keep your receipt if you want a full refund because otherwise you'll likely get store credit for the current selling price. Without the receipt, we don't know how much you paid.
- Don't leave the counter and continue shopping halfway through the ringing up of your purchase.
- Don't bring items to the counter completely inside out and unzipped if you've been waiting in line. It will make it quicker for you and everyone else.
- It is better to leave items in the fitting room or hand them to an employee, rather than trying to put them back yourself.
- It isn't my job to call VISA or the bank for you because your card isn't working.
- Don't put things on hold if you're never going to come back for them.
- Don't leave your hangers on the rack. Bring them to the checkout. (I've had customers leave the counter to put a hanger back on the rack. What makes you think we want an empty hanger there? I don't have time to go on a scavenger hunt to find them all.)
- If you are going to use a coupon, read the fine print first. Don't get mad at the cashier for enforcing what is blatantly written on the card. Don't return what you just bought in order to re-buy it with a coupon.
- Don't ask what the price of every item is. If there is an obvious sign right by it (that couldn't refer to anything else close by), it isn't there to trick you or for no reason at all.
- We are required to tell you about sales in the store, to say hello, to ask for your email, etc. I don't like doing this nor do I like having to be the customer, however, the least you can do is be polite.
- You don't need to turn every pile upside down to examine a shirt in every size and every color. If you don't like the color of a shirt, it isn't going to look any different in another size.
- Getting completely involved in a conversation at the checkout, whether it is with a friend or on your phone, forces us to interrupt you in order to do our job. I don't like interrupting people, but I can't stand there waiting until you finish your conversation to tell you how much your bill comes to.
- It is rude to wait until the mall/store is about to close before you come in, especially if you're just browsing.
- I don't know what size your 12 year old niece is if she isn't there. 12 year olds come in all shapes and sizes just like everyone else.
The list goes on.
This is perfect, I couldn't have said it better.
Yeah, this is why I don't miss retail at all. The customers and the insanity of it.
People are seriously insane when they shop this year. I won't even set foot in a mall until after Christmas.
Here's a good idea: fucking shop online.
I sincerely hope this is my last Black Friday working in retail. It makes me hate everything and everyone so much.
It's good to know that Christmas and the holiday season is all about presents and iPads. I personally think the people who go black friday shopping are crazy. I think I would rather stay in my warm comfy bed while those idiots get punched in the face over a TV. I worked retail around Christmas. I had to work Christmas eve one year and it was insane. I plan on doing my shopping in the early mornings of weekdays when there is hardly anyone.
Oh and I HATE (and still do!) when people are on their phones at the register. I've had people completely ignore me because they were on their phones. I could have screwed up their change or something and they would not have noticed. That's why when I shop anywhere, I have more patience. (Except at the Albertson's by my house. They only have 2 cashiers open at a time then except everyone to do self check out. And that slows people down)
Dont let me process your transaction, then as I hand you your receipt suddenly decide to return half your bag.
If there is a line & Im the only logged in cashier, while Im in the middle of checking someone out do NOT interrupt me to ask if I can help you find x product. There are other associates around whi have the time to help. I cant just walk away from a line. & dont get pissy when I volunteer to radio someone else to help.
We dont have the product youre looking for? Dont give me the third degree as if Im responsible for that. District sends us what they send us, & yes, unfortunatly we dont get in what you want.
Dont start arguing with me if we're out of a 'gift with purchase' - I cant pull a cheap sample of nasty perfume out my ass, you know.
& for the love of God, dont take product off a shelf, then decide five seconds later yoy dont want it so you set it RIGHT NEXT TO where it goes, but not in its place. Stop being lazy.
@angelicgekko@xanga -Men come up to me and ask me what size they are or if something would fit them....It's annoying as all hell.
#3 oh my gosh. Had that happen to me a few times at my old job. *gag*
These should definitely be tips for shopping anytime, not just during the holidays.
#10 is something that I am absolutely guilty of ...
and #6 I have to disagree with because in some instances, it IS the cashier's fault that the line isn't moving as fast as it should. I was at Hollister yesterday and there was this huge line. And I soon realized why when it was finally my turn to pay. The girl-cashier was next to the boy-cashier about holiday pay-rates. It wasn't bad that they were talking, but every minute, the girl stops what she does and looks at him and goes, "OH. MY. GOD. NO WAY!" .. I mean she could have said that without stopping what she was doing and maybe just maybe the line will move faster lol But that's just 1 instance. I'm sure other people do make the effort to fasten the process :)