I have pro’s and con’s for the retail business and I’d like to share them with you. What I’d like to call “Tracy’s list of Super! and Sucks!”
First of all, let me say that I really like my job. I’m not banking and I barely get any hours, but I’m happy where I’m at. It is, however, just a job and not a career. I haven’t been able to find an actual career position, so I’m basically stuck working retail until something else comes along. But like I said before, I’m happy there. I work with some great people.
The customers that we get are usually “old-money” people who are looking for a great bargain (which we have tons of). I work in a discount store where you can buy 1,000 thread-count sheets for $40, Nine West clothing for $30, and beautiful Waterford crystal for around $60. We have great prices.
Super! Example: A few weeks before Christmas, I was working the cash register when an old-money customer came in. She’s a regular and likes to find good bargains while shopping. She has two adorable kids. When she brought her items to the cash register, I noticed she had a Vera Bradley purse that I used to own. I looooved this purse, but I literally wore it out. The purse was made of silk and the bottom and sides came unraveled, the straps broke, and the purse just kind of deflated as though in a cartoon. I kept the purse for a few years because it was so pretty I couldn’t bare to throw it away. But as I was cleaning out my closet one day, I decided it was finally time to bid the purse farewell.
Anyways, the woman put her items on the counter and listened as I told her how I used to have that same purse and how I wore it out from excessive use. She smiled politely as I longed for her bag (in my head) and she and her two children were off.
Not five minutes later, her children came running back in the store carrying the purse. “Merry Christmas!” they said to me and I was stunned. “What? I can’t accept that!” I told them. But the children said that I had to- they’re mother was excited to give me the bag and the children were just as happy. I told them several more times that I couldn’t accept i (it was an eighty dollar bag), but they finally made me take it and ran out. I looked out the window and the mother was waving at me. I waved back kindly with tears in my eyes. I promised myself I would take care of this bag.
This gives me hope that they’re are still people who are nice in the world (a kind of thought that isn’t quite so prevalent in the retail world), and I thank that woman so much for the purse.
Sucks! Example: People, people, people… the check writing has GOT to stop! I know, I know… we accept them so it’s all our fault, but OH.MY.GOD. Check writing is the worst thing to do to a cashier! Not only do we have to wait on you to write the check out (can you really not remember what store you’re shopping in, by the way?), then we have to check your license, enter in ALLLLLLLLL the information on your check (again, not technically your fault), then wait for our ancient computers to authorize it and stamp it. However, do you know how easy it is to swipe a card or pay with cash? So much easier. For real.
Sucks! Example: When you come into my line with a buggy full of items, please refrain from taking out each item and asking me the price on it. There is a reason there is a BIG price tag on every single item- it’s for YOU, ok? Also please refrain from standing there with a buggy full of items and decided what you do and do not want to keep/buy. This is infuriating to a) me, b) the people behind you in line, c) the manager who wants my line to disappear faster. Why do you even put items in your buggy and decide whether or not to buy it when you’re checking out? It’s an inconvinience for me (the cashier) because not only do I have to put everything back up, but the people behind you get infuriated with ME about this (for some unknown reason, as if I can help it).
Super! Example: Shipment. Opening all the boxes to see what merchandise we get in is like Christmas all over again!
Sucks! Example: Shipment. Unloading an 18-wheeler with only females (no guys work at the store anymore) is a pain in the ass. At least I’m not the only one who complains that day- ALL of us do. It’s quite a site to see 4 women unloading 500+ boxes (some weighing up to 50 pounds).
Super! Example: I work extremely hard to check you out with a smile on my face. I engage in small talk with you and make sure you found everything ok. I want to be the friendliest employee I can be and I appreciate it when you pay me attention and talk along with me. Even saying that my service was great is awesome and I (and my manager, pluse the company) appreciate it. Customers have no problem letting managers know when a clerk is rude, so why not brighten someone’s day and give a compliment as well? It makes everyone feel better.
Sucks! Example: I am required to get a certain amount of names into our system to send out e-mails and flyers for sales. These sales papers are awesome because they show you what’s going to be in store in about a month, but having me beg people to fill out the paperwork to get the fliers is exhausting. People don’t want to be badgered by me. And they’re certainly weird about giving out their address. It’s not like it’s your social security number or anything, but seriously? Give me a break and fill it out. I’ve got corporate down my ass because I can’t get any names and it makes me look incompetant.
Super! Example:Seeing what rich people buy. It’s fun to take a peek into someone’s life (to me). I get the nosey gene from my Mama.
Sucks! Example: When you walk through the door and I say “Hi! Welcome to so-and-so” or “Hello, how are you?” don’t look me in the face and ignore me. It pisses me off. You are no better than me so don’t act like it.
That’s about all FOR NOW, but believe me, I’ll be back with Part II of Confessions as soon as I gget pissed about something else. Just remember a couple of things:
1. At least I have a job. I am not a bottom dweller, I am actually working. I pay taxes just like you so please stop looking at me like you pity me for having to work in a discount store. I actually enjoy it on most days.
2. Engage in conversation when the employee offers it. You might be in a hurry, but we’re stuck at work at a little human interaction builds out morales. Please keep this in mind.
Thanks!
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