Author/Journalist Jessica Samuels
Author/Journalist Jessica Samuels
Link to Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/gAs8srOGgBs
To me sometimes retail customers are not always right, and sometimes they are assholes that love to pick on the sales person and make their lives hell. Amazon link you can buy it in paperback, kindle and audiobook!
http://amzn.to/2t5ZjsC
Retail Workers can’t control inventory, and they are only human after all….
Retail customers think workers have power over every aspect of the company, and the truth is they don’t have control over certain things at all. They don’t control the prices of an item, since it’s up to the company. If something rings up a different price then the one on the shelf, a customer might have moved the item to the wrong place. Or maybe an associate was setting something up and they forgot to change it.
Either way I’m sick and tired of customers saying I changed the price when all I did was ring up their item. I did not change it at all, and it’s up to the company, not the associates and if it’s an issue with the system, then that is different. If an item rings up higher than the clearance tag, then that isn’t an issue. And the prices vary per store because of inventory. One store can put an item on clearance, and the other store is full price because store wants the stuff to sell to make room for more stuff. It’s not hard to get that different stores carry different products. That is why we won’t carry the thing you are looking for that you found a few years ago. We don’t carry certain products that other stores do. I’m sick and tired of people saying that we got rid of something when it’s not my fault.
Retail workers don’t have control over policies either, and it gets annoying when people think we can break it just for them. It’s horrible for retail workers to be treated like dirt over policies their company has, and guess what? People try to get others to break it all the time. I can’t touch the products of another store if my store doesn’t carry it physically. I have had people bring in watches that my store doesn’t carry, and I can’t touch it at all. I’m not allowed too due to liability issues since if I break it the company has to pay for it. I’ve seen it happen all the time, and it’s company policy which is something I have no control over. Time and again people try to get me to work on it when we don’t carry it, and they use the excuse you did it last time. Or, they say they got it at the company when I know for a fact we don’t carry it. I’ve been working retail for 5 years, and I’ve seen it all.
Also when the register messes up the cashier or sales associate has to fix it, and the customers think we have control over it. They don’t. I can’t help it if the registers act up since it’s a machine, and not even my fault. Customers think it’s something I did, and they even try to help me with it like they know my job better than I do. Nope. I don’t want your help fixing the machine.
Cashiers/Sales Associates don’t have any control if your card gets declined, and it’s not our job to keep track of your money. I don’t care if you have enough money since it’s not my fault you didn’t check to see if you had enough for it to go through. Not my fault. Stop looking at me for every little thing with the register since I don’t know everything. Also if you think I know everything then stop treating me like I’m stupid.
Retail workers and sales associates have no control over merchandise. No, I don’t have the power to order items for you out of the cases unless they are personal orders. I won’t know what items come in till they come in. I don’t control how many products we receive either. If you want to get an item not in store then check online. The sales associate can only order special items not regular store inventory. We also can’t look up to see if another store has it.
Retail workers don’t control the weather so stop complaining about things being wet if it’s raining. We can’t give directions from our store to where you are at since it’s called google. We are not going to know what is around everywhere either. We don’t control your coupons being expired so don’t take it out on us since it’s not our fault you didn’t pay attention to the date. We can’t control your mood, and don’t take it out on us.
Store inventory is different for in store and online that it can take twenty-four hours for it to register. Again if it’s different for in store and online then it’s not our fault someone bought it, or put it on a random spot. Someone can actually have it in their baskets too. We don’t control items being out of stock either, and we know it’s popular but people buy stuff again not our control. We can’t help that someone bought your size since people buy stuff….
Some of these things are definitely out of a sales associates and cashiers control, and don’t take it out on them for it. It’s not their fault. They are only human after all, and yelling at them for things they can’t control is pointless since they can’t help it.
Retail taught me a lot….
There are so many things I have learned while working retail. It’s not as easy as people think it is, and that is one of the things I thought when I first started. It’s not bad for a part time job, especially since you need something to build your resume. It’s something temporary to get you where you need to go. It can be the rest of your life if you enjoy it. However, it’s not for me permanently. I’m just using it to get through college. It teaches you how to deal with people, and problem solve since everything that goes wrong means it’s up to you to solve it. The customers treat you like you know everything, and at the same time they think you don’t know anything. The customer thinks the sales associate is supposed to wait hand and foot on them. It doesn’t mean that, but you have to act like it is.
Retail customers can also be pretty nasty to you just because they can, and in that case the customer is not always right. Retail gives you the ability to be in contact with other people, and to deal with many different personalities. Doing the same thing day after day though can get boring, and especially if you work there long enough then you have seen and heard it all. You have to learn how to multitask because you will be in charge of two departments at once, and sometimes even the customers expect you to wait on two at the same time. It sucks when they do that since it’s not easy to wait on two people at once, because you have to keep track of it. They also try to tell you how to do your job when they have never worked retail before. It teaches you to treat the person on the other side of the counter well since you know the struggle.
When you get hired, they never tell you that you will be in other areas, and that the managers can put you where ever they want to. You can be in one area, and then they will want you in another. The customers do have a habit of treating you like you are stupid sometimes, and when they have issues describing an item they will make it like you are stupid to them when they suck at describing it. It can be a very draining experience at times. Long hours for very little pay, and people who constantly run you ragged. It’s not for everyone either. It made me who I am though, and I’m an author so it helped me with my writing too.
I do recommend trying retail out when you are just getting experience so you will know what it’s like having a job. People are messy and they don’t clean up after themselves. They are so lazy they will put items in random spots, and then blame you for every little thing. It is a steady paycheck provided you don’t do anything stupid like steal or work off the clock. It gave me some people skills, and the ability to listen since people will tell you their stories. You also have the ability to act like you are listening when really your mind is somewhere else. Retail can be a source of entertainment too. Between the drama with the customers and managers it can be hilarious when they blow stuff out of proportion. It teaches you how to let stuff roll off you, and to let things go. If you stress about every little thing it can lead to high blood pressure. It did give me some lifelong friends, and people whom I love working with. There are good and bad points to every job since I love some of the customers that come through my line. You can always tell who works retail by the way they treat you. If they are nice then they understand what it’s like. It also teaches you how to keep calm in pressure situations, and I would not change it at all. It taught me a lot of valuable lessons I can use in other jobs, and I would recommend people to work retail just for the on the job experience. Even working in it full-time was eye opening since it allowed me to see it more in depth. I actually love the coworkers this time, and I get along with a lot of them. I love the people I work with now, and having good managers can make all the difference. I do suggest it’s a good starting job to have, and it will teach you a lot about working with the general public!
Retail is not for everyone, and Black Friday is something every retail worker dreads working on. They are required to work it since it’s a major retail holiday, and everyone is rushing out to buy the latest gadget, clothing item, cookware, or even game amidst all the crowds. And working there today you come across a lot of interesting people, and some can be rude too. Even annoying! Here are the things retail customers say to retail workers on Black Friday!!
Where is this item?
Will this coupon work?
Are you sure it won’t work?
This doesn’t say special on it…
It will be a long night for you…
I want a gift card then if you can’t give me cash…
Do you know where a coupon is?
Do you have the ad with you?
Have you seen the item that is $9.99?
It was supposed to be $5.99 not $7.99…
Line is long…going to be a long night for you…(Thanks for reminding me..)
Oh well I just want to see how much it is. I don’t know if I want it yet…
Is there a coupon you can use to take it down?
What is the price of the item….
Do you have anymore tvs yet?
Do you know off hand where a certain item is even though I didn’t tell you the brand?
Do you work here? (Why am I wearing a nametag?)
You’re so short….(I get it I look like a kid but come on why comment?)
Enjoy your thanksgiving! (Even though it’s your fault we are working…)
How much is it with the rebate?
How do I do the rebate?
How much was it before the special?
Do you have a trash?
Is this the only one you have in stock?
Are you sure you are out?
Where is the item you have in the ad even though I’m standing right in front of it?
Is this the item that is $79.99?
When will the sale end?
But she told me you can pick up the items on Black Friday…
Can you check to see if the item is scanning up at that price? And this one? And this one? Sorry to be a pain.
Oh, and can you give me a box?
Can you give me a gift receipt?
I’m sorry you have to work instead of being home with your family?
Did you enjoy your thanksgiving?
Do I have to use the store card to get the discount?
Do I get a discount if I use the store card?
Do you have to be a store member to get the discount?
What do you mean you are sold out of the very popular item?
Phones rang all day over items and customers get mad we are out…Really?
Ma’am you check out for Black Friday at 6, and yes you can check out with normal stuff too!
Oh too bad I can’t buy lip gloss since stuff is blocking the way….We don’t have a good sale like last year? Thanks…
Thanks ma’am for yelling at me because you could not get a soda when it was roped off, and thanks guy for being rude since someone said you could….
One Black Friday people went over the tape and complained about being stopped. The ropes are there for a reason…
So there you have it since it’s a crazy day for retail workers, and I hope you enjoy your day. Good things are coming including me trunking the rough draft of the first Scarlet book, and reworking it!
Jess
Besides Rafflecopter I want to use my blog to have a giveaway too, and the one with the best story wins 2 paperbacks, 2 ebooks, 2 audiobooks, and an Amazon Giftcard. For this entry just comment on this blog with your story of rude, angry and stupid customer stories in the comments below, and you will be entered to win it. The contest lasts until June 6th! Share this post and get others to comment too!
Until Next time,
Wolfdreamer25
Don’t ever say these things…
I’ve been working retail for way too long to the point where I hate it when a customer says these phrases. They aren’t funny anymore some of them, and I can’t laugh either at it. Don’t ever say these again, and I will tell you why.
Oh, it doesn’t scan so it must be free right? Ha…Ha…Ha…But not funny at all since I’ve heard it way too many times. It’s not funny anymore since it’s a lame joke. It costs something since nothing is free. And it’s even more annoying when they say back in my day they would give it to the person free. I don’t care what they did back in the day since it’s different now.
Oh, I just printed it today…Said when they give me a hundred dollar bill. Not funny when you have heard it so many times. I get it that is the only thing you have, but come on? Do you think you are funny when you say that? You aren’t, in fact, I want to hear something new. I even had a customer joke about printing a penny of all things….Come on…
Do you work here? I wear the vest, name badge, and uniform I do work there, and common sense will tell you I do especially since I’m behind a counter with the keys. I also get annoyed when I’m putting up items, and I’m asked if I work in this department…I do since I have the keys…Come on…Same goes if I’m stocking stuff in the area.
Do you have this item in the back? No, we don’t especially if the spot is empty and there is no shelf tag. We don’t keep anything in the back except full items…Stop asking that since we don’t keep the good stuff there.
You had this a few years ago at a different store…Then we don’t have it since products change every year. Different stores carry different products. Duh. Not every store is the same. I’ve had a customer think I wasn’t telling the truth because I told her we don’t carry it at this store. We don’t the product was at another store. Then a customer asked if we had a product in stock. We don’t then they ask me when I’ll get it in, and guess what I don’t know since they never tell us when things come in. The lady asked if I worked there long. I do the product she was looking for was at another store in another state. Of course, we don’t have it…
I saw you have it online…And it’s different in store. In store and online are different and carry different products. Shoving your phone in my face won’t make me want to help you find it either. Just because we have it online does not mean we have it in store. Don’t blame me for it either…I don’t have any control of it…
Can I get a discount? No, since you are not entitled to anything. I hate it when customers ask me this. Hell, one guy asked for a discount just for checking out at my register. You are not entitled to a discount just because you ask for it. What makes you so special? I’m sorry to say this but you aren’t better than everyone else. Yes, you spend money, but it doesn’t mean you are entitled to a discount.
You look like you are doing nothing, and need something to do…We are always doing something such as cleaning up after you. One time an employee said it while I was taping up stuff and repeated it twice like I was doing nothing and that I can size her finger. I mean come on no need to be rude about it.
They did it for me at the other store…then go there especially if you want to be rude about it.
I think you get the point. I can go on and on about this, but retail workers are people too. I get asked the stupidest questions, and I hate it when people act like they can ask something like these questions and think they can get away with it. Just don’t say these ever since retail workers have heard it all, and it gets old…
In other news Tales from Behind the Counter is now an audiobook! Here is the link and especially pick it up if you loved this blog post! http://amzn.to/2D7XjrC
And The Killer Contract Agency now has a new cover, and I spent 4 hours reformatting it. So when I get the full finished cover I will be republishing it again!
Hey retail workers what are you sick of hearing from customers?
Until next time,
Wolfdreamer25
The world we live in is really discouraging sometimes especially when you work retail. I’m not saying where I work, but I do work as a sales associate. This was my first job working with the public, and after working it for four years with no opportunity to move up you get discouraged easily. I love the people I work with in my area, and I do love some of the shorter shifts since people are easier to deal with in small amounts. It can really get to me though when I’m trying to be nice to a customer and all they are giving me is yelling and bitching in return. That is the part I hate about the job. I love fixing watches and putting batteries in, even putting up clothes and freight is fun. Zoning isn’t too bad either since it’s just straightening up clothes. Cashiering in the main registers can be a pain since I’m treated like crap when everything goes wrong. Somehow it is all my fault even though all I do is ring it up. If something is mislabeled it’s my fault too. Meanwhile, we are so short handed we worked like dogs, and people wonder why we have bad attitudes when serving them. Already overworked and it doesn’t help when you act like an asshole toward us when it’s not our faults…I don’t control the prices in the system. It’s not my fault if it rings up a different price in another department. Just because I work at that place doesn’t mean I know where every item is, and if I try to help you don’t get mad if I can’t tell you the exact place where it is. If I work in a department then I’ll only be familiar with items in that area, and not others. By the way I hate people who talk on the phone while I’m serving them it’s rude and disrespectful. Finish your conversation then talk to me. I don’t need to hear your business either. I also don’t need to hear your entire life story because I really could care less about it. Return policy is the policy and I’m not breaking it since I don’t want to get fired for someone I don’t know. I’m also tired of being blamed of things going wrong with the register. I have no control over it either so stop acting like I do. I’m also tired of getting talked down to like I’m stupid because of where I work.
I graduated high school, got an associates, and I’m getting a Bachelors so I can get out of retail. I’m trying to better myself, and even write novels on the side. It will be a full time job the more I write and publish. Stop repeating my name a few times like we are best friends when you don’t know me. One customer kept saying my name so much I almost asked her to stop. Also stop acting like you’ve never used a debit card before, and getting me to help you with it. You should know by now how to use a card. Wait your turn, and don’t be rude to ask me a quick question especially when you know I’m with someone else. It can be applied to all retail stores, and I’m not the only one who feels this way. The people who work retail will totally understand what I’m saying. I’m even working on a few stories that involved working in a retail store since it still amazes me the way people behave there. Retail associates try to smile and say hi. There are ones who are nice and smile back, but a lot of the time they ignore you. They also have a bad habit of saying item and then not even treating the associate like a person. Be nice and say hi then item. Don’t just say item and that’s it cause it makes you look like an asshole. Different stores carry different items, and no items are not all the same. I’ve seen it before different stores have different brands and prices. If you get mad and say, “Well if you wont break policy for me I’ll go to your competitor.” Then go no one is stopping you. In fact the company doesn’t need your business especially if you act like an asshole.
All in all, just act like a nice human being. Treat retail workers with respect and be understanding. Don’t yell at them over things they have no control over, and above all try to be a decent human being. They are trying the best they can especially when half of the time they are shorthanded and doing the best they can to give you the best customer service possible.
In other news I’m going to school in a few weeks and it led me to only working three days a week. I’m happy about it since it means I can get more writing done. I’m going to school Tues-Thurs. Monday is a free day. I’m going to try to finish #AngelWitch in the next few months. My problem is I’m focusing on too many projects at once not good. I won’t finish anything doing that.
Until next time,
Wolfdreamer25
Ps. If you have worked retail or working retail let me know what you think of it. I might make more posts like this. If I missed anything just say so in the comments below. I hope you enjoyed the article I wrote. I really don’t mind the job, and I was just talking about some of the things that made me mad about it.
I work retail and now that the holidays are upon us the people are actually starting to get nastier. I get it you are trying to find the perfect item and we have ran out of stock therefore ruining your Holidays, and it’s all out fault for running out. Then again you could have shopped earlier instead of waiting till the last minute, or called the store before wasting your gas to drive all the way to the store to find out that we are out of it. I also get the fact that you are in a hurry, and have to be somewhere so why are you waiting in a long line when you have places to be. Shop earlier when you are not in a hurry. And stop saying that it’s free every time it does not scan. It’s an old joke and it makes you sound like an asshole. I’ve heard it so many times I hate hearing it.
If we have a small selection then I hear is this all you have? Yes, it is and no we don’t carry it anywhere else in the store. No, we don’t have it in the back at all unless we are over stocked. No, you don’t get a discount especially when you are rude. Not all of us are going to smile all the time. Why? I try to smile at every customer and then I get ignored or given dirty looks like they think they are beneath me because I work there. I even said excuse me the other day and the lady glares at me like I was in her way. Whatever. I also get mad when people give me an attitude because of the fact that I don’t know where everything in the store is especially when I don’t work in that area.
I’ve had a lady the other day look at me like an idiot because I told her the books are in electronics and she made the gesture of opening a book to explain to me you know books? She said like I didn’t read or know what one was. I’m an author I read books and I write books. That’s another thing I’m sick of since not all people who work retail are stupid, high school drop outs like some of the people who don’t work retail think they are. We are humans we have feelings. We don’t control all aspects of the register. If your card gets declined it’s not our fault it can be the banks, but don’t blame us for it when we just scan items and bag it. We don’t control the prices either and we don’t know the prices of every item in stock either. A lady actually accused me of changing the price of the printer ink when I don’t work there, and then had the audacity to say I’m dishonest. Giving me a lecture when I didn’t do shit. No, I don’t know when we will get more of an item in unless I have a barcode to look it up, and even then I don’t know when it will come in since I don’t have control of it. The company send stuff and we put it up. That is it, and I’m sick of the customers getting mad if we don’t have an item that another store carries since different stores carry different products. Well, you had this item a few years ago…We don’t have it now because items changes and some items are discontinued and again something we don’t control the companies do. Well, the other store did this…then go to the other store and let them do it. Also waiting in line for a few minutes is not going to kill you, and stop getting mad when you have to wait for assistance since a lot of workers are cross trained in multiple departments which means we are assisting customers in that area. And stop interrupting other customers if you see us helping another customer it’s rude. And for the love of god don’t be on your phone while we are helping you it’s rude, and you are acting like we are not worth your time. Plus, if you talk on the phone while we are assisting you then you might miss out on something we asked you. Then you get mad about it since you were yapping on your phone instead of paying attention. Also, if the computer makes a mistake then tell us nicely, and we will correct it but don’t be rude about it.
These are just somethings I thought about. Please try to be nice and have patience. It’s busy for all of us, and we are running ragged trying to help everyone. Every person is fighting something you know nothing about. They really don’t need to be treated like dirt so you can get your way. Try to at least act like a decent human being toward the person behind the counter, and prove to them that not all customers are mean and rude.
These are just some of the things I have personally dealt with, and all opinions are my own. I might have more posts on this subject and I hope you enjoyed a look into the life of a retail worker.
Until Next Time,
Wolfdreamer25
![IMG_0685[1]](https://i2.wp.com/jessicasamuelsauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/img_06851.jpg?resize=225%2C300)
I have not been updating as much as I said I will because I have been very busy working. I have a smartphone now the Samsung Galaxy S3, and I do plan on doing a review on it since it helps me so much that I use it every day. I am reading some writing books and working on the paperback I have planned the will have the first killer short, retail story, Obsession Spell, and two other stories just for the paperback. I have stories to touch up before sending them to the editor, and the retail novel to go through. I hope everything will be done in a few months no guarantees since school starts back up on the 7th. I will try to update the blog more, and happy holidays!
Until next time,
Wolfdreamer25
I have been very busy with work and school so much that this is one of the only days I can get without going to work and school. It was my birthday on the 25th, and I am one year older now. And for my birthday I got an early birthday present..An Ipad 1st generation. I traded in my 3ds and Ds XL for it all the games and accessories and a few xbox games I am not playing I paid a good amount under 200! I got it from Gamestop, and the device will get me through writing on the go and college! I am pretty happy with it, and I will do a review on it with the post for writers. I have been making progress on the retail novel still putting in changes…I have been busy with work and school, and rewrites have been slowly getting there. I have decided to do a blog post every monday called Mad Mondays where I write about the stuff that makes me mad because it would be a fun thing to do for the blog. I am done with a major fight scene, but it does need polishing I will work on it. Hopefully everything can be done by Christmas maybe? No promises since my life is nonstop busy, and now for a Mad Monday post.
Mad Monday: Topic: Driving..
One of the things that makes me mad is truck drivers, and I am talking about the situation that happened to me recently. I stopped at a stop light, and a young guy stops so close to me he will hit me if he gets hit from behind. I try to pull up to get some space and he fills in the gap by moving closer. It makes me so angry I honk at him, and yell at him when he moves up more. I mean really give me some space because if I get hit because of some moron stopping to close I am suing him, and he will be paying for my car too! Another driving related thing is not! reading the road signs like look around because there is an intersection that merges and there are several signs saying that, but people don’t listen especially if there is an accident they want to race ahead! I did not let some guy in because he did not read the signs and wanted to race ahead of the people stopping because there was an accident. Another thing is tailing I HATE that period it is so annoying if you are on the road and some jerk thinks it is funny to ride the car. Get off! If you want to get somewhere that badly go the hell around my car and get off it!
That is it for Mad Mondays..
Until next time,
Wolfdreamer25
Tell me readers what makes you mad when it comes to the road?