I Work(ed) in Retail, and Now I Understand...

[christiangirl]

When in a book shop, particularly B&N.....

*I always put the book back in the right spot and, if I don't know where that is, I drop it off at the Info desk.
*If they say "We have one left" I understand there really aren't any because that "one" in the system is the one no one can find.
*I know to put back what I don't want BEFORE I get to the counter and to never take back a book with bent/dirty pages.
*I know to never leave my trash or empty cup on a random bookshelf (I can't BELIEVE how many Starbucks cups get left in random places).
*And most importantly, if I ever need a book, I never come with less than the full title and details of the cover art. Because I have had my fair share of "I don't know the title or the author but I know the cover is blue" or "It's a series about horses.....I think."

BTW they were "Something Blue" by Emily Griffin and the "Heartland" series. I was just that awesome.

[LucyKKG]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

*And most importantly, if I ever need a book, I never come with less than the full title and details of the cover art. Because I have had my fair share of "I don't know the title or the author but I know the cover is blue" or "It's a series about horses.....I think."

Lol! This is the first thing I thought of when I saw this thread! I've heard that SO many time! "It's something about a cat, and the cover is orange." Umm....

[pearlbubbles]

On the other side of the spectrum on being talked down to, in my experience co-workers are just as bad as customers.

I was hired on-call for Macy's back in September and on my first day in the Home section for the holiday season, a "senior" employee tried to show me how to ring up a transaction. Overlooking that I had been working in the store since September, there's an extensive training when you're first hired with a register in training mode before you ever get on the floor. She also consistently makes a point to rub my "lack of college education" in my face, when I have made my alma mater no secret (especially on black friday with the football game later that day).

I never mind if people don't put things back themselves, I generally don't mind doing it, but I always appreciated it when customers would take the time to rebutton a shirt and put clothing back on the hanger. If the items are already prepped after they're tried on, it makes it that much easier to get them back on the floor.

I actually really do like working retail for extra money because I love starting conversations with people. I love repeat customers because they always tell me about their day or how their kids are doing or whatever. That's probably the best thing I've learned about retail: a little kindness will go a long way. I had a couple repeat customers come in today and one woman even brought in her husband to meet me. It was so sweet.

I do have plenty of horror stories, but I thought I would share a more humorous one from my college retail job.

During college, I used to work at Charlotte Russe and I was on the register one day. I was doing my usual attempt at trying to start some sort of conversation while ringing out because engaged customers are happier customers in my experience (also because I just like talking to people). While I was ringing out one customer, she pulls out an entire stack of one dollar bills to pay for her purchase (which was over $40).

"Oh, do you work in one of the restaurants in The Village?" The mall I was at had one of those outdoor attachments with all the specialty shops and nice restaurants.

She sneers at me and says "I wouldn't degrade myself by working food service."

So I just kind of shrug it off and compliment the shirt she's buying.

But my customer continued the conversation and said "I probably make way more money than any of those waitresses anyway. My tips are really good and repeat customers will drop hundreds of dollars on me."

At this point, I was trying my hardest to change the subject because I honestly had no idea what to say in response (if anyone has any ideas in hindsight, I would love to hear them). I think I fumbled with "A hundred dollars in one sitting sounds great" or something of that nature.

She smiled and told me "It's because the dancing keeps me fit. Not like being around food all day. Thanks for the shirt."

I was at a loss for any sort of response, but at least she left happy and gave me a thank you.

Meanwhile, my manager had been standing near by during the conversation and after the customer left, she started laughing hysterically.

[IrishLake]

Originally Posted by pearlbubbles

She smiled and told me "It's because the dancing keeps me fit. Not like being around food all day. Thanks for the shirt."

LMAO! See, now I know quite a few.... um, thicker strippers. Not sure if their tips are the same as someone who's "fit" or not. I went and visited my brother yesterday, and he had a stack of 1's on his dresser. I said "Oh are you going to the strip club later, or did you get another side job you won't admit to? Let me know when you dance and I'll send all my friends to watch, you know they tip well." I'm a fun sister like that.

(The 1's were really tips from a valet job he did the night before.)