I worked for over 3 years at this upscale toy store in Chicago. Any of you from Chicago know that the North Shore is one of the worst places for retail in the country (customers are snooty, have wayyyy too much $$$, and seem to have traded in their money for manners).
Any way, I had three major complaints.
1) We offered free gift wrap. I consider myself an expert gift wrapper, yet twice I had paper ripped off the package while I was wrapping it b/c 'It looked bad' and once a lady slammed a kids' garden rake on my hand b/c I was taking too long. I started bleeding and she was like, I don't have time for you to get a band-aid, Edward is late for his b-day party." I bled all over her package and she actually walked out of the store like that!!!!
2) Most customers were actually really nice on X-mas, it was like the only day of the year that anyone had any manners. But retail isn't immune to the problems of society, like Alcoholism. On Christmas Eve two years ago this guy came in ten minutes after we closed and he reeked of alcohol. He was like, go ahead son, pick out whatever you want.....well 15 minutes later the kid had picked out like a 5 dollar book and his dad started screaming at him that it was too expensive and Santa wasn't coming that year, etc..... probably the saddest thing I've ever seen. My manager and I gave the kid a couple things and paid for it ourselves... i still get upset when I think about it!
3) Just 2 little pet peeves from retail work- I must live among the most intelligent group of humans in the country. Every single customer is always like, My grandson is 1, but he's very smart for his age.....then they get pissed when you show them age appropriate toys!! Finally, If there is a giant purple sign that says closed, I'm vaccumming, and most of the lights are off, why do you people shake and rattle the doors like there's something wrong w/ me?????!!!!!
Sorry this is so long but I've got tons o stories... maybe I'll treat you guys to another one later
