Wednesday, 08 July 2009
-
Ways to Drive a Sales Associate Crazy
If you're like me, you like to shop. Or at least, you DO shop. Either way, you must spend some amount of time in a department store. Now I'll admit, before I took this job at my local TJMaxx, I was just an everyday, normal shopper. I have been guilty of several of these transgressions during the 19 years I've been shopping. (Yes, I've been shopping since infancy. I loved grabbing shoes off the shelves when I was in stores with my mother.)
But in the almost month I've been a sales associate, I've realized just how many things any shopper does can further complicate the job a sales associate has to do. Thus, I've compiled a list of the do's and don'ts of department store shopping.
DO try and find an item with a price tag attached. If it isn't the right color you are looking for, bring both items to the register with you, and we can check you out with the item you want. If you can't find another item of the same, ask an associate on the floor to help you out. We can do price check runs from the register, but just know that it will take time; 5-10 minutes at least, so don't get upset with the cashier because you have to wait. We are going as fast as we can, and doing the best we can with the resources we have.
DON'T ditch half your cart at the cash register. Know exactly what you plan on purchasing before you get to the register and before we have completely rung you out. Now, I don't mean if you have gone over-budget and you need to remove one or two items. That's not a big deal.
I mean coming up with a cart load of things and then deciding as you are being rung out that you don't want every other item you have with you. That causes unnecessary items behind the counter and takes away valuable time from the sales team that could be used to help serve you and our store better and more efficently.
DO put things back where you got them. So you think that top is cute but want to take a better look? Go ahead, take it off the rack and look. But if you decide its not for you, for goodness sake PUT IT BACK where you found it. That goes for anything, anywhere in the store. And please, don't carry a million things around the store and then drop them all in a pile in an unrelated department.
There is nothing more annoying to a sales associate than having to spend two hours doing recovery, picking up juniors clothes strewn all thoughout the home department. Just please, have some respect for our store and for us. We want your shopping experience to be easy and enjoyable, but it can't be if your associates are spending all their time cleaning up after you and your fellow shoppers.
DON'T use the kids/toys department as a daycare for your children. By all means, bring your children to the store with you. But please, keep an eye on them. Don't send them to wreak havoc throughout the toy section while you shop for shoes across the store. Sales associates are not babysitters, and cannot be blamed for any trouble your children get into. We want your children to be safe, but accidents do happen, and if you aren't watching them, it is more likely your child could get hurt. No one wants to see that happen. Just use common sense when you take your children shopping with you.
***
Now these guidelines are good for use in any store, whether it be a Wal*Mart, a Macy's, or even just your local grocery store. Not only is it just good practice, and respectful of the store you are visiting, but following these simple tips will help all of us sales associates help you, the customer, have a more pleasant shopping experience.
Are any of you guilty of these shopping transgressions? Have any of you experienced a change in the way you shop because you have worked retail? What else would you add to this list?
Editor's Note: This entry also appears on Dollarish
-
recommend
- recs 2
-
share
-
email
- sent 0
Related Posts
Post a Comment
- Back to lovelyish's Lovelyish Site!
- Note: your comment will appear in lovelyish's local time zone: GMT -05:00 (Eastern Standard - US, Canada)
About the Author
-
- From: Allyson_Singsxo@xanga
- Name: Allyson
- Location: Jamestown, New York, United States
- About Me: allyson rae. 20. sophomore music major. I'm a daughter. I'm a sister. I'm a friend. Give me a pillow, a blanket, some junk food & a House/Bones marathon, & I'm happy. Give me your heart, & I'll love you forever.
Stats: This Week All Time Posts: 0 1 Views: 0 1363 Comments: 0 57 View all posts by Allyson_Singsxo@xanga
Comments (57)
funny cause i just start working at a store. and it annoys me when people just put things everywhere and leave half full carts in the middle with no intention of getting anything.
I work retail, but at a smaller specialty store. However parts of what you wrote can definitely be applicable. I would also add things to it to be (a lot) more exhaustive list. Emphasis on the exhaustive...some days that's how I feel after dealing with the hags.
i've worked at a gap outlet for two years..trust me it gets worse.
the other day we had a two year old leaning on the door that goes into the backroom and her mom wasn't watching her...
my friend and i were going on break and she started to open the door and the girl fell and hit her lip..the mom flipped out and blamed us..sorry lady, watch your damn kid!
yeah I used to work at Kmart for 2 years. Worse night I think was when I had to clean the shoe department after mothers day sale for 4 hours.. NIGHTMARE.
And the service desk is there for a reason-- when you wanna find out a price or if we have more in stock NOT THE CHECKOUT. gah
there are reasons I wont work back in retail ever again.. the ones you've listed are certainly included.
Okay, let me remind everyone defending this that retail store/department store employees get paid by the hour. They chose this job because either 1) They are still in highschool or 2) They were too lazy to go to college for a degree to get a job that has a salary. I am the girl that carries a bunch of shit around the store and then drops it off in an unrelated department. You shouldn't get your undies in a bundle, because the extra 15 minutes of putting stuff away will get you a couple more dollars, and you'll burn calories!
i used to be a part time sales associate at a pharmacy before. a customer once asked me: "miss, do you sell cigarettes here?". a really annoying customer was the one who used an hour of my time entertaining her, and she ended up buying nothing.
I've never even worked in retail and I completely agree with you. Those are some very annoying and/or rude things that people constantly do. I especially hate when people let their kids run and scream all over the store, pulling stuff off of shelves and hangers. And of course, the parents never get them and tell them to stop.
I'm one of the seemingly few people in this country who don't do any of the things you mentioned.
Thanks for posting this....
I just recently worked at a Ross store for 5 months as a sales floor associate, mostly in the men's/kids department, and all of that stuff sounds far too familiar. I'd always find Incredible Hulk/Transformers/Thomas the Tank Engine trains/any other action figure in the middle of the men's shirts...or someone would hang Women's World dresses somewhere in the 3-6 month baby clothes...I mean, come on, people! I even found a basketball nestled in the kitchenware aisle.
As far as whether working in retail has changed the way I shop, I don't think it has. I'm kind of OCD as it is, so if I'm looking through shirts or dresses and one falls to the floor, I automatically pick it up and put it back. It's one thing for something to be in the wrong place...but all over the floor? That's just...well, it sucks. I certainly appreciate what retail associates do even more than I did before, having been on that side.
oh, and @TrishaJustTrisha@xanga - the only reason I chose this job is because after applying at 22 places, it was the only one that was hiring....and I'm certainly not in high school. I am only working part time temporarily; I lack only one semester before I complete my bachelor's degree. I can see how the "people working in retail" can often be stereotyped into the categories you mentioned, but I can assure you that is definitely not the case.
Children were a major concern when I worked at Victoria's Secret... The bras are not toys kids. :)
There are a lot of Ignorant people in this world.
Returning used clothing.
Finishing a transaction only to have the customer pay and realize they don't want it anymore.
"Wait hold on I need to grab one more thing."
"Oops it appears I don't have my wallet on me.""I'm waiting for my friend to come back so we can checkout in the same transaction."
Have worked both retail and in the food/restaurant industry for a while. Both are similar. After working and experiencing what its lke in another pair of shoes, you gain the wisdom in knowing what it involves. A lot of those people you have to deal with may not have worked in that type of environment. And then some people are just ignorant. Or the boss likes to make sure you have enough to do with your time at work, whether it be while on shift or after..
These guidelines are really just common sense and common curtesy, and I personally already follow them when I'm shopping. But you must realize that a certain percentage of the public is in too much of a hurry or too self-absorbed to care much about making your job easier. If you're going to work in a customer service type job, you'll just need to deal with that.
I don't always check for the sales tags, but when they are missing I'm always very apologetic to the sales clerk. I'd never leave my daughter unattended in a store and I can't imagine why parents think that is a good idea. Though at just this past weeks shopping trip I did leave some pudding on a random shelf in Giant. To be fair though I couldn't remember the isle it was in originally and was frustrated with not being able to find anything. They're redoing our store and even the new signs they put up don't point you in right direction for what you need.
Ah, that brings wonderful memories of me working in a bookstore a while ago. We had one or two infamous customers (they became almost celebrities after a bit) that we were seriously planning on running over with a library cart full of books.
Also there was one guy with a 6 year old kid in a kiddie section of the store.
"Dad, I want this book on trains..." (kid picks up the book and looks at it wistfully)
"No, son. You have better books on trains at home" (dad takes the book out of the kid's hands and throws it in the middle of the floor without even looking)
Now talk about murderous thoughts...
@TrishaJustTrisha@xanga - We have more important shit to be doing (like putting new merchandise out) than returning things to their correct department. Stop being an ignorant bitch.
I just had flashbacks. I worked at Old Navy for 2 years and there were a lot of things that annoyed me. For instance, I used to hate when people brought in huge carts full of clothing into the fitting rooms then left everything balled up on the floor in the room rather than bring it out to me. I didn't much like when I would be folding shirts and offer assistance to a customer. They would glare at me, say no and then proceed to mess up every pile I just folded.
AHHH. This post is making me have terrible thoughts.
@heathercupcake@xanga - Stop being ugly? It's not my fault you have a crappy job for whatever reason! When I was in highschool I worked as a waitress and believe me I've dealt with really annoying and time consuming people, but I just sucked it up because I was getting paid.
I worked at a woman's clothing score while I was in high school/freshman year of college. It's ridiculous how messy, rude, and nasty women are. They assume that just because you work there, you're their bitch.
I loved how people would just knock clothes on the floor in front of you, and then leave it there. I also loved how they'd ask for something off the mannequin, even though you know they couldn't fit in that size...-.-'
@TrishaJustTrisha@xanga - Really, no need to be so obnoxious. You should treat people the way you wanted to be treated girlie...
@TrishaJustTrisha@xanga - some people does not have the choice you know...
@Mercredi - this is very true, but most people do have a choice, and that is who I am directing my comments to.
@TrishaJustTrisha@xanga - so if you choseto work in a store, you have to accept to be treated like shit? nobody deserves it, even the lazy girl who prefered it to studies. but that's my opinion.
I feel sorry for sales associates, I really do. But it is RETAIL!!! These people did not go to university for this job. It is for the people with low education and low skill set. I don't care if that's mean, it true. I don't care if your working through college, welcome to life. Everyone has things about their job they hate. Where are the lists for "things not to do to piss off your doctor" or "things not to do to piss off your lawyer". It's a store people, if you feel you can get a better job, then go do it.
Geez.
@TrishaJustTrisha@xanga - I agree with you Trisha!
@IFeel_Invisible@xanga - You could not be more wrong if you tried! I AM college-educated, and before I moved to a tiny town in the midwest (to be with my fiance, who is a soldier and still recovering from wounds sustained in Iraq, mind you), I had a great career as a makeup artist--working mostly in department stores, incidentally (i.e., in a retail environment), and making about $45,000 a year JUST in my day job. That's not even including what I made with occasional freelancing, doing bridal makeup and the like. I made more than many of my friends from college did working in jobs they needed their degrees to get.
Now that I'm in Indiana, however, the job prospects are VERY limited. There's one factory, a handful of mom-and-pop businesses, a Wal-Mart and a Kroger in town. The closest town with any real opportunities is 46 miles away, which means the round-trip commute for a job there would be 92 miles a day, or 460 miles a week. Quite frankly, I'm not willing to commute that far, particularly not during an Indiana winter. And so, I work as a cashier at the local Kroger store, four minutes from the house. Is this a job that fully utilizes my skills? No. Is it a job that fully utilizes my education? Is this a job with advancement opportunities galore? Of course not. But that does NOT mean that I have "low education and low skill set" because I do that job.
And by the way, sweetheart, while we're on the subject of education and skill sets, try using better, more grammatically correct phrasing while you're bagging on other people. Otherwise you just prove to the world that not only are you a judgemental twit, but you're also an idiot. A better phrasing of your statement might have been, "These jobs are for people who have limited education and/or a limited skill set". And "it true"? Really? What happened to the apostrophe and the "s", genius? Wow, you're really showing off those skills and that education. We should all just bow down to kiss your satin ass!
One more thing: I actually have read a list of things not to do when visiting your doctor, written from the doctor's frustrated point of view. Such lists exist for many professions, in fact, and they all have one thing in common: They bemoan the lack of courtesy and attitude of entitlement that is so rampant in our society. So many people think that it's all about them, and when they're paying a particular doctor to deal with their health woes or choosing to patronize a particular shop, they feel like it's their right to monopolize the doctor as long as they like (to hell with the other patients he has waiting) or treat the sales associates any way they want because they're just there to please the shoppers, after all--and these individual shoppers are pleased by abusing someone, being nasty to someone, or making someone's job more difficult.
Do me a favor. In fact, do us ALL a favor: Know what you're talking about before you open your mouth again.