Customers!!!!

[2 jam donuts]

Ahhh customers. The reason I am employed....my bread and butter. Some of them sh** me to tears!!!!! I work in the footwear sect of a major(cheap) dept store. the utter disregard some customers have for the product, other customers and the staff is unbelievable. I have people complain that the shoes look worn,"would you like to go tell the lady who allowed her little girl to play dress up while she shopped that the shoes are not toys"
Teenage girls... "No I dont mind that you try on every single style of boot, any danger that you might actually put them back on the shelf in their box when you have finsihed?"
Slippers on sale..."hey look at all these styles of slippers arent they cheap, lets pull them all down and make a slipper floor instead of a slipper wall!" And while we're about it lets pull the actual hooks off and maybe knock some shelves down, because we can just leave them there, someone is employed to pick up after us.
I am sick of being told off and talked down to because the wrong size shoe is in the wrong box(I didnt put it there!!!) or, you never have the size I want.....well if I didnt have to clean up after you pigs all day I would have more time to fill the shelves and you would be able to come in, choose what you want, minimum fuss and then go home.
At our line of stores in particular, staff hours have been cut to the minimum, and we that are left are trying our best to do our best, we dont just have to fill shelves, we have to do time on the switchboard, unload stock that has been delivered, store it out the back and in my case,,unstuff the shoes before they can be bought out, the 30 hours a week i work is just not enough.
Most of our customers are very nice and understanding, its the minority that make it hard...please dont make such a mess........and if you see someone trashing the place..say something........cos i cant, as much as I'd love to
PS can you tell I had a really bad day at work???Only to rush off to the footy and see my team get trounced!!!

 

[Joel]

Tell me about it. I work in retail, while I'm at uni, and customers wonder why staff at some of these places seem ****ty sometimes.

 

[TheWackedYak]

This one's a two-way street...

Worked in retail for a few years at both ends of the scale(KMart and Myer), and you work people out in a hurry. If you know they're going to annoy you, grit your teeth and come through with the sale or politely recommend a competitor ASAP to get them out of your face.

Working in retail also makes you aware of what good service is, and its not waiting five minutes to be acknowledged (let alone served), its not being called "dude" by some schmuck in a suburban sports or surf store who you've never shared a beer with in your life and it's not one-word answers.

********s are going to be ********s no matter who's going to serve them, and you can't do much with them. They've got bigger problems and for whatever reason you're their outlet...that's retail.

Keep doing the right thing and don't try to control what you can't...it's not worth the stress. And buy something you can repeatedly punch at home...

 

[dr nick]

yes, i work in retail too. some customers drop things from the shelves on the floor, and they see that the sales person who works there has seen them do this, but they don't seem to give a damn and keep on walking.

Having said that 99% of customers are fantastic, and since so many are regulars i have a great time and get to know them well. I just hate it when i get an ******** in the last few minutes of my shift.

 

[dr nick]

hey 2 jam donuts... y brother worked at foot locker and i dont know how he did it. He's got many similar stories to you. The benefit is though it is commission based so there's incentive to be nice and helpful. Doesnt help when some customers openly admit (after a good 20mins with them) they are only there to get advice on which shoe to get, and they will buy it from a cheaper store. I would find that pretty insulting.

 

[bunsen burner]

Mt gf used to work at Bras'n'Things a few years ago. One day a guy rang up and kept asking her questions about lingerie styles and sizes etc. My gf was trying to get rid of him but he kept asking new questions. Then my gf twigged and said, "Ok I'm hanging up now", to which he replied, "Not yet, I'm just about to come".

 

[Tinker]

I have worked in so many customer service environments - retail, hospitality, you name it....

When I go shopping I always go out of my way to smile and be polite to staff and wish them a nice day or a good weekend - because i know when people did that to me it really diffused my mood and made it easier to get on with things. Still, if a staffer is rude I will ask them if it's just me or if they are having a bad day - straight away they are nicer!!!

 

[P_D]

Originally posted by nicko18
hey 2 jam donuts... y brother worked at foot locker and i dont know how he did it. He's got many similar stories to you. The benefit is though it is commission based so there's incentive to be nice and helpful. Doesnt help when some customers openly admit (after a good 20mins with them) they are only there to get advice on which shoe to get, and they will buy it from a cheaper store. I would find that pretty insulting.

SAME thing happened to my SIL - except she worked at Baskin Robbins lol

 

[lufc618]

I also work in retail and i'd say about 50% of customers i just can't stand. They have no respect for anything that we do. I've been very close on numerous occassions to mouthing off to customers.

 

[aggels]

I also work in retail, which I don't mind mostly - I've had much worse jobs and the vast majority of customers are great, or at least quite tolerable. I have a few pet peeves though. I hate those who get upset at me because their bank cards are overdrawn, or won't work or whatever. Particularly those who threaten to talk to my manager because of it.

I hate when people throw money or credit cards down on the counter when my hand is outstretched to take it. I don't mind them putting it down, but throwing is just so disrespectful. That's not exactly a serious complaint, but it doesn't feel good when people do that.

I hate when people expect me to know every single thing about every single product, which I don't - and there's a difference between people asking, which is fine, and people getting ticked off when I don't know the answer, which isn't fine. This, though is partially my employee's fault in that their method of employment doesn't include product knowledge, and I know very little about what I'm selling. In fact, I never actually applied for this particular store, and had no real intention to sell what I sell, although of course, I don't mind. In fact, I'm starting to really enjoy it. It seems like a fairly easy type of product to sell. People don't tend to make a mess, and when they do it's entirely accidental, and they're always very apologetic about it.

Finally I hate when people roll their eyes or smirk when I ask them for id, especially when they're about 21. It's not that big a deal to be asked for id, when you know you're buying a product that requires you to be 18, and you're only a few years older anyway.


However, I think I have a pretty cushy job as it turns out. *touch wood*. And I really like the people who are patient when I stuff up, and even smile when I apologise for the umpteenth time when the register crashes, or I need to work out how to put through a cheque. They're nice. And I like the people who face up when they pull a product down from the shelf - I'm certain they've worked in retail cos I find myself doing the same thing elsewhere. And I like the people who stop and have a conversation for a bit. And I -love- the customers who will give advice to other customers when they hear that I'm not sure about it.

 

[2 jam donuts]

thanks people i feel better now. And besides Monday is another day.arghhhhhhhhhhh!!!! school holidays start today!!!!

 

[Tinker]

Originally posted by aggels
Finally I hate when people roll their eyes or smirk when I ask them for id, especially when they're about 21. It's not that big a deal to be asked for id, when you know you're buying a product that requires you to be 18, and you're only a few years older anyway.

I never know whether to be happy or insulted when I get asked for ID - I am 26 and married and I still occasionally get carded. Part of me thinks it's a disgrace but the other part reminds me that if I am still looking that young I am not going to hate 40 so much!!!!

 

[lioness]

Well I have to say first up that I have never worked in retail, so I am speaking totally from a customer point of view.

I'm always nice to whoever is serving me, I'll always give them a smile and a thank you. The ONLY times I will get a bit upset is if two staff members are standing around having a chat about what happened on Saturday night, and I'm standing there watching the minutes tick by waiting to pay for something! Usually I'm not really rude to them, I'll just go put the item back and walk out. But that is after a substantial amount of time waiting, and I think it's fair enough.

99% of the time though, even if someone is a bit snappy with me, I'll be really nice to them. Especially around Easter or Christmas or just at busy times. I mean it's probably likely that they've had 50 aggressive customers go through and be rude to them! And if you're nice to people they're usually nice back. I've had shop assistants over-apologise for things out of their control (eg a customer holding up the line asking a million questions or a register failing), it's very nice of them to do that but I do understand it's not THEIR fault!!!!

Oh and just a note to all you retail workers who've mentioned this - if something falls off a rack near me, I WILL pick it up and put it back!

 

[lioness]

Originally posted by Tinker
I never know whether to be happy or insulted when I get asked for ID - I am 26 and married and I still occasionally get carded. Part of me thinks it's a disgrace but the other part reminds me that if I am still looking that young I am not going to hate 40 so much!!!!

I'm 26 as well and I get asked for ID quite a bit! I don't really mind it, I mean they're just doing their job. And it makes me laugh when they get embarrassed when they look at my date of birth!

 

[Squeak]

The law states that if you think they look under 25 you have to ask for ID, so don't get insulted, they are just following the law.

Aggels, where do you work? The stuff you were saying suggested sex shop, but I suppose it could be anywhere really.

 

[Syd]

I wonder why most of you applied for positions that read "Customer Service" in the headings at all......

 

[Diego]

Ahh you have to love consumers. No matter what. They are the most selfish, disrespectful breed that the human race has spawned.

The sad thing is, the world is made up of consumers.

One day i am going to headbutt all those smelly fat people who push their way to sales just so they can have it all to themsleves.

Did i tell you fat people are greedy..hence why they are fat!

 

[Joel]

Originally posted by Syd
I wonder why most of you applied for positions that read "Customer Service" in the headings at all......

Why should people in customer service have to serve rude, and arrogant people? That is the type of mindset that those type of people have.

ie. They work in 'customer service', therefore, they must do what I tell them. They don't understand that it's their fault that they didn't keep the docket etc.

It's a little hard to understand to people who haven't worked in customer service, because it is usually those who haven't, that are rude.

 

[dr nick]

Originally posted by aggels
I also work in retail, which I don't mind mostly - I've had much worse jobs and the vast majority of customers are great, or at least quite tolerable. I have a few pet peeves though. I hate those who get upset at me because their bank cards are overdrawn, or won't work or whatever. Particularly those who threaten to talk to my manager because of it.

I hate when people throw money or credit cards down on the counter when my hand is outstretched to take it. I don't mind them putting it down, but throwing is just so disrespectful. That's not exactly a serious complaint, but it doesn't feel good when people do that.

I hate when people expect me to know every single thing about every single product, which I don't - and there's a difference between people asking, which is fine, and people getting ticked off when I don't know the answer, which isn't fine. This, though is partially my employee's fault in that their method of employment doesn't include product knowledge, and I know very little about what I'm selling. In fact, I never actually applied for this particular store, and had no real intention to sell what I sell, although of course, I don't mind. In fact, I'm starting to really enjoy it. It seems like a fairly easy type of product to sell. People don't tend to make a mess, and when they do it's entirely accidental, and they're always very apologetic about it.

Finally I hate when people roll their eyes or smirk when I ask them for id, especially when they're about 21. It's not that big a deal to be asked for id, when you know you're buying a product that requires you to be 18, and you're only a few years older anyway.


However, I think I have a pretty cushy job as it turns out. *touch wood*. And I really like the people who are patient when I stuff up, and even smile when I apologise for the umpteenth time when the register crashes, or I need to work out how to put through a cheque. They're nice. And I like the people who face up when they pull a product down from the shelf - I'm certain they've worked in retail cos I find myself doing the same thing elsewhere. And I like the people who stop and have a conversation for a bit. And I -love- the customers who will give advice to other customers when they hear that I'm not sure about it.

hehehe nice post aggels. There are so many of those little things that just goes to show a lot of people look down on you with total disdain because you are a lowly cashier.

I know what you mean about people throwing their credit cards on the counter when you are reaching for it. Some also slam them down. Some ask you why something costs as much as it does . That can get annoying.

When the eftpos goes down most people are more than helpful, but youd be equally surprised how angry people can get with you for something that is no fault of your own.

I have also been a victim of credit card theft myself before, so i am one of those people that makes sure a) the gender of the person matches the card's name and b) that the signature is resembling the one on the card. I once refused a signature which was blatently different to the one on the card, so i asked him to sign again (and he signed the same way again). I refused the sale until i saw some ID and he had a real big go at me. Thankfully i pointed out why signatures needed to be checked, and the rest of the customers in the line did the abusing for me
- turns out his drivers licence did match the card name, he was just playing silly buggers the idiot.

 

[TheFoxhat]

You already know that RETAIL SUX @SS ...2JD...

 

[2 jam donuts]

I know i know fox, but i have to pay the bills, and mostly its fine. I take pride in my dept and get frustrated when others trash it. Thanks lioness, there should be more people like you. I am always pleasant to the customers, but if they are rude or talk down to me, funnily enough, we never have what they are after when I go and check out the back. The smile never leaves my face and I apologise profusely, but ya cant help bad luck . Nice customers, I will do anything I can to get them what they want.
I saw a sign once that said "We are here to serve you, but we are not your servants" Unfortunately the boss wont let me put it up

 

[Syd]

Originally posted by Joel
Why should people in customer service have to serve rude, and arrogant people? That is the type of mindset that those type of people have.

ie. They work in 'customer service', therefore, they must do what I tell them. They don't understand that it's their fault that they didn't keep the docket etc.

It's a little hard to understand to people who haven't worked in customer service, because it is usually those who haven't, that are rude.

Joel,

I have spent the vast majority of my working life in customer service starting from restaurants when I was 15, and I must admit that the vast majority of customers I have dealt with were alright.

Yes there are a few rude, arrogant types about (occupational hazard), but as I said the majority aren't.

I always found the best way to handle rude customers was to kill them with politeness, ****ed 'em off more knowing they couldn't stuff up your day.

Even once I completed my accounting studies, I always tried to maintain a strong focus on customer service. Now that I run a branch warehousing operation that covers 3 states, its even more prominent.

Too many competitors and opposition product waiting to knock you off to get slack in any area (stock levels, supply time, service, etc.)

Excellence isn't accepted as occassional here, its the minimum standard.

Best way to avoid whingy customers is to give them service that leaves them happy, rather than giving them a reason to whinge.

Easier to do if you enjoy what you do.

 

[otaku]

when you get a customer that is rude, simply be rude back.

If they throw their cards onto the bench when you are reaching for it, just drop their stuff in front of them. Or (in the case of cash) slam their change down onto the bench and grin in a slighty crazy way at them.

If they abuse you, tell them to "go get f*cked"

works every time.

 

[Syd]

Originally posted by otaku
when you get a customer that is rude, simply be rude back.

If they throw their cards onto the bench when you are reaching for it, just drop their stuff in front of them. Or (in the case of cash) slam their change down onto the bench and grin in a slighty crazy way at them.

If they abuse you, tell them to "go get f*cked"

works every time.

Another potential business success story in the making.....

 

[otaku]

Originally posted by Syd
Another potential business success story in the making.....

you got it.


maybe you should try it.