Retail is a very demanding job. Understaffed and overworked. It is very hard finding qualified people especially considering the low starting pay offered. Also, mostly only part-time openings. I have to say, management has a great influence on how well a customer is treated and served. On the other side of the coin, customers need to be more thoughtful of the sales associates. Savagely opening boxes, leaving things in a mess. Leaving product where ever they feel like if they decide not to buy. Coming into the store not having a clue what they really need. (i.e., not bringing it the old item which needs replacing.) Being impatient. Everyone should work retail for yr. to see what it's like.
Expecting poor customer service these days
- Thread starter Cubey
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OP - have you ever had a job? You said you have been on disability since 18 and don't work...I am not asking that to be negative or derogatory, but working retail and hourly jobs in high school and college gave me a different perspective.
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Originally Posted By: sparky123
Retail is a very demanding job. Understaffed and overworked. It is very hard finding qualified people especially considering the low starting pay offered. Also, mostly only part-time openings. I have to say, management has a great influence on how well a customer is treated and served. On the other side of the coin, customers need to be more thoughtful of the sales associates. Savagely opening boxes, leaving things in a mess. Leaving product where ever they feel like if they decide not to buy. Coming into the store not having a clue what they really need. (i.e., not bringing it the old item which needs replacing.) Being impatient. Everyone should work retail for yr. to see what it's like.
AMEN!! Very well said
I've worked retail and sales most of my life. So many *adults* will publicly act like spoiled children,act common,and expect you to basically hold their hand. People need to definitely be more respectful when shopping in a retail store. The store/goods DO NOT belong to you,please respect the store's property,and leave it the way you found it until you pay for it. Then it belongs to you to do with as you wish.
There's also nothing I detest more than trashy sleazy people who go into a store,and cuss and curse and expect to be catered to. Yes,that clerk may be less educated then you,making less than you,BUT they deserve to be treated with respect. I agree with sparky123,everyone should have to work retail the very second they embark on the real world as adults.
Good post sparky123
Retail is a very demanding job. Understaffed and overworked. It is very hard finding qualified people especially considering the low starting pay offered. Also, mostly only part-time openings. I have to say, management has a great influence on how well a customer is treated and served. On the other side of the coin, customers need to be more thoughtful of the sales associates. Savagely opening boxes, leaving things in a mess. Leaving product where ever they feel like if they decide not to buy. Coming into the store not having a clue what they really need. (i.e., not bringing it the old item which needs replacing.) Being impatient. Everyone should work retail for yr. to see what it's like.
AMEN!! Very well said
There's also nothing I detest more than trashy sleazy people who go into a store,and cuss and curse and expect to be catered to. Yes,that clerk may be less educated then you,making less than you,BUT they deserve to be treated with respect. I agree with sparky123,everyone should have to work retail the very second they embark on the real world as adults.
Good post sparky123
I am not known for my patience and do indeed get extremely irritated when delayed due to the incompetence of others.
But showing this impatience just makes things worse for everybody in the vicinity.
I try to put myself in the cashier's shoes, the mundane repetitveness of the job, the low pay, the self important, overwhelmingly entitled customers who want their crack licked, and know I could never handle their job.
Few people these days have any consideration for others who must share the same spaces. Everybody walks/ drives around with their cell phones and themselves first and foremost in their minds.
You are entitled to nothing!
The world does not revolve around you!
Stay out of the left lane unless you are actually passing!
Check your mirrors often and put your dang phones away.
and the world will be a better place...
But showing this impatience just makes things worse for everybody in the vicinity.
I try to put myself in the cashier's shoes, the mundane repetitveness of the job, the low pay, the self important, overwhelmingly entitled customers who want their crack licked, and know I could never handle their job.
Few people these days have any consideration for others who must share the same spaces. Everybody walks/ drives around with their cell phones and themselves first and foremost in their minds.
You are entitled to nothing!
The world does not revolve around you!
Stay out of the left lane unless you are actually passing!
Check your mirrors often and put your dang phones away.
and the world will be a better place...
Originally Posted By: Rock_Hudstone
Originally Posted By: GreeCguy
We've all been there, but I think part of the problem is how we handle poor customer service. We roll over and take it and grip about it later on,
I did a Jack Nicholson in "Five Easy Pieces" style counter sweep in Home Depot years ago.
Thats one way to handle it.
Did you tell them to hold it between their knees?
Originally Posted By: GreeCguy
We've all been there, but I think part of the problem is how we handle poor customer service. We roll over and take it and grip about it later on,
I did a Jack Nicholson in "Five Easy Pieces" style counter sweep in Home Depot years ago.
Thats one way to handle it.
Did you tell them to hold it between their knees?
One theme that continues to run in response is the "do my job and see what it's like and then you'll understand."
Everyone has hard jobs or times of difficulity on the job. Try hot mopping a tar roof in August. Work as a sewer sucker on a warm summer day. Empty trash cans at night in a theme park and have roaches crawl down your back all night long. Pick and carry fruit from sun up to sun down or better yet, work all day long bent over at the waist picking cucumbers for 50 cents a bucket. Been there, done that and more and while the work might have been hard, hot and nasty, there was always a paycheck at the end of the week that paid my bills and set me on the road to a better life. While I'm not trying to brag about how good I am, I was always happy to have a job and tried to show appreciation to the people I worked with and the people I worked for. They didn't have to hire me, but I promised a fair days work for a fair days pay.
I find a growing discontent with America's workforce. Job pride and job sastifaction are rapidly on the decline because we feel we've been cheated. Movies, television, etc show 20 year olds living in fantastic apartments making tons of money living a very exciting lifestyle - that's not reality - it never has been. Advertisement has hammered into our heads that we deserve better, that we're number one, that the world will bow at our feet and give us anything we want simply for the asking. There have always been low paying jobs. There have always been subsistence lifestyles where people literally lived hand to mouth, (for a good read, check out "The Jungle" or "Grapes of Wrath.") Hard times are not new to our day and age. What is new is a sense of entitlement where everyone wants to be CEO without having paid their dues. What we're reaping is a growing sense of class distinction where one side hates the other and blames the other for all the woes in society. The lower class points the finger at the rich and the risk takers while the risk takers and creative minds are asking more and more "Who is John Galt?"
Everyone has hard jobs or times of difficulity on the job. Try hot mopping a tar roof in August. Work as a sewer sucker on a warm summer day. Empty trash cans at night in a theme park and have roaches crawl down your back all night long. Pick and carry fruit from sun up to sun down or better yet, work all day long bent over at the waist picking cucumbers for 50 cents a bucket. Been there, done that and more and while the work might have been hard, hot and nasty, there was always a paycheck at the end of the week that paid my bills and set me on the road to a better life. While I'm not trying to brag about how good I am, I was always happy to have a job and tried to show appreciation to the people I worked with and the people I worked for. They didn't have to hire me, but I promised a fair days work for a fair days pay.
I find a growing discontent with America's workforce. Job pride and job sastifaction are rapidly on the decline because we feel we've been cheated. Movies, television, etc show 20 year olds living in fantastic apartments making tons of money living a very exciting lifestyle - that's not reality - it never has been. Advertisement has hammered into our heads that we deserve better, that we're number one, that the world will bow at our feet and give us anything we want simply for the asking. There have always been low paying jobs. There have always been subsistence lifestyles where people literally lived hand to mouth, (for a good read, check out "The Jungle" or "Grapes of Wrath.") Hard times are not new to our day and age. What is new is a sense of entitlement where everyone wants to be CEO without having paid their dues. What we're reaping is a growing sense of class distinction where one side hates the other and blames the other for all the woes in society. The lower class points the finger at the rich and the risk takers while the risk takers and creative minds are asking more and more "Who is John Galt?"
If you can find it, (I haven't google searched it), look for a documentary titled "The Charcoal People," (Another title is "The Charcoal People of Brazil.") That's a hard job and a hard life.
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Almost 100% of the time bad customer service is due to bad management. Sleazy store managers don't know how to "manage" and keep their crews happy. An unhappy crew is what causes bad customer service. A well managed and happy crew creates a good working environment,which in turn leads to impeccable customer service.
Yes...I think most salesstaff WANT to serve well when they start out but are never taught/managed properly...and are treated with minimal respect by their supervisors and then become disenchanted...and grumpy.
Almost 100% of the time bad customer service is due to bad management. Sleazy store managers don't know how to "manage" and keep their crews happy. An unhappy crew is what causes bad customer service. A well managed and happy crew creates a good working environment,which in turn leads to impeccable customer service.
Yes...I think most salesstaff WANT to serve well when they start out but are never taught/managed properly...and are treated with minimal respect by their supervisors and then become disenchanted...and grumpy.
Respect and signs of appreciation from management goes a long way. Everyone likes a pat on the back and (hopefully) a few good pats brings a small monetary reward. Everyone should try to do the best as possible no matter their pay rate. Alot of sales associates are only in it for the time being till another better job comes along. On the job training is lacking as well unless one finds a mentor willing to teach and train. LOTS of injustice w/ large box retailers concerning the way workers are treated, paid and the hours given to work. Personally find it apalling the amount of $$$ corporations are making in profits but their workers are living at poverty levels. Another topic. Is it any wonder workers are disgrunted. But I do agree, things have to be earned and "dues" paid, not just expected/handled out. BUT when an hourly associate works for say 5 yrs. and only still makes $10-12 an hr. Not a real living wage for most.
shouldnt i get a discount for self service?
I've read this entire thread and I don't believe that anyone suggested this: Go speak to a manager and offer constructive criticism that might result in better operations in the future.
How else is the situation ever going to change?
If the manager is good, he will show concern, apologize, and thank you for bringing it to his attention. A bad manager? At least you should feel better knowing you tried.
Going off in a pout simply makes you the loser. In most cases, the business will survive without you, unless this happens to extremes. In that case, it is legitimate to stop doing business there.
"Don't cut off your nose to spite your face" . In this case, nothing was resolved and the OP no longer shops where he once enjoyed buying most of his hardware.
How else is the situation ever going to change?
If the manager is good, he will show concern, apologize, and thank you for bringing it to his attention. A bad manager? At least you should feel better knowing you tried.
Going off in a pout simply makes you the loser. In most cases, the business will survive without you, unless this happens to extremes. In that case, it is legitimate to stop doing business there.
"Don't cut off your nose to spite your face" . In this case, nothing was resolved and the OP no longer shops where he once enjoyed buying most of his hardware.
Originally Posted By: dishdude
OP - have you ever had a job? You said you have been on disability since 18 and don't work...I am not asking that to be negative or derogatory, but working retail and hourly jobs in high school and college gave me a different perspective.
No. However, I heard horror stories of retail at Sears daily from my mom. She mostly worked in the lady's dept but also in men's sometimes. The general stereotype is that men are more gross than women. I'm here to tell you, it's an out and out lie.
I don't think she ever reported the men's dressing room with a urine soaked spot on the floor like she did in the women's numerous times... in two different states she worked at Sears. Yes, they would use the dressing rooms as restrooms. To top it off, they would throw the clothes on top of it, or go on top of the clothes. Thankfully it wasn't her job to clean that up. She would shut the door, put a "Do not enter" sign and call the janitor.
OP - have you ever had a job? You said you have been on disability since 18 and don't work...I am not asking that to be negative or derogatory, but working retail and hourly jobs in high school and college gave me a different perspective.
No. However, I heard horror stories of retail at Sears daily from my mom. She mostly worked in the lady's dept but also in men's sometimes. The general stereotype is that men are more gross than women. I'm here to tell you, it's an out and out lie.
I don't think she ever reported the men's dressing room with a urine soaked spot on the floor like she did in the women's numerous times... in two different states she worked at Sears. Yes, they would use the dressing rooms as restrooms. To top it off, they would throw the clothes on top of it, or go on top of the clothes. Thankfully it wasn't her job to clean that up. She would shut the door, put a "Do not enter" sign and call the janitor.
Originally Posted By: doitmyself
"Don't cut off your nose to spite your face" . In this case, nothing was resolved and the OP no longer shops where he once enjoyed buying most of his hardware.
Eh.. it's not killing me to shop at Home Depot instead. Turns out they have better stock most of the time even though it's a smaller store. Better prices sometimes as well.
It's much like avoiding Wal-Mart. I thought I'd never be able to do it.. but now it's as if it doesn't exist to me.
Now, I might go to a Lowes in another city some time, but not the local one. If the manager trains his/her employees to treat customers that way.. they don't need my business.
"Don't cut off your nose to spite your face" . In this case, nothing was resolved and the OP no longer shops where he once enjoyed buying most of his hardware.
Eh.. it's not killing me to shop at Home Depot instead. Turns out they have better stock most of the time even though it's a smaller store. Better prices sometimes as well.
It's much like avoiding Wal-Mart. I thought I'd never be able to do it.. but now it's as if it doesn't exist to me.
Now, I might go to a Lowes in another city some time, but not the local one. If the manager trains his/her employees to treat customers that way.. they don't need my business.
Originally Posted By: GreeCguy
The lower class points the finger at the rich and the risk takers while the risk takers and creative minds are asking more and more "Who is John Galt?"
There is no financial risk taking of those already wealthy. They have the system rigged in their favor.
I'll just leave it at that... or else I may get another ban from the forum for getting too political.
The lower class points the finger at the rich and the risk takers while the risk takers and creative minds are asking more and more "Who is John Galt?"
There is no financial risk taking of those already wealthy. They have the system rigged in their favor.
I'll just leave it at that... or else I may get another ban from the forum for getting too political.
Originally Posted By: morris
shouldnt i get a discount for self service?
Have you ever seen Bill Burr when he talks about this? It's a riot!
shouldnt i get a discount for self service?
Have you ever seen Bill Burr when he talks about this? It's a riot!
Originally Posted By: Cubey
Originally Posted By: GreeCguy
The lower class points the finger at the rich and the risk takers while the risk takers and creative minds are asking more and more "Who is John Galt?"
There is no financial risk taking of those already wealthy. They have the system rigged in their favor.
I'll just leave it at that... or else I may get another ban from the forum for getting too political.
The system has always been rigged all the way back to Old Testament times. But there have been those few who bent the rules or broke the rules and climbed off the heap.
But ditto to your final comment.
Originally Posted By: GreeCguy
The lower class points the finger at the rich and the risk takers while the risk takers and creative minds are asking more and more "Who is John Galt?"
There is no financial risk taking of those already wealthy. They have the system rigged in their favor.
I'll just leave it at that... or else I may get another ban from the forum for getting too political.
The system has always been rigged all the way back to Old Testament times. But there have been those few who bent the rules or broke the rules and climbed off the heap.
But ditto to your final comment.
when i call any company i dont want to talk to a computer. some computers are so bad i cant get any thing done. once i decided to leave my no and have them call me back. surprise surprise it work out good. no i have not seen bill burr ill look him up. thanks.
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Originally Posted By: sparky123
Retail is a very demanding job. Understaffed and overworked. It is very hard finding qualified people especially considering the low starting pay offered. Also, mostly only part-time openings. I have to say, management has a great influence on how well a customer is treated and served. On the other side of the coin, customers need to be more thoughtful of the sales associates. Savagely opening boxes, leaving things in a mess. Leaving product where ever they feel like if they decide not to buy. Coming into the store not having a clue what they really need. (i.e., not bringing it the old item which needs replacing.) Being impatient. Everyone should work retail for yr. to see what it's like.
+2
For someone who works in retail, I agree....(at least until they get rid of me..)
Retail is a very demanding job. Understaffed and overworked. It is very hard finding qualified people especially considering the low starting pay offered. Also, mostly only part-time openings. I have to say, management has a great influence on how well a customer is treated and served. On the other side of the coin, customers need to be more thoughtful of the sales associates. Savagely opening boxes, leaving things in a mess. Leaving product where ever they feel like if they decide not to buy. Coming into the store not having a clue what they really need. (i.e., not bringing it the old item which needs replacing.) Being impatient. Everyone should work retail for yr. to see what it's like.
+2
For someone who works in retail, I agree....(at least until they get rid of me..)
Originally Posted By: Cubey
Originally Posted By: dishdude
OP - have you ever had a job? You said you have been on disability since 18 and don't work...I am not asking that to be negative or derogatory, but working retail and hourly jobs in high school and college gave me a different perspective.
No. However, I heard horror stories of retail at Sears daily
I know I said I wouldn't post anymore, but I guess I'm going to break my own rule here.
Why is it you feel you are the expert on customer service when you haven't been behind the counter and you haven't done any customer service yourself?
Originally Posted By: dishdude
OP - have you ever had a job? You said you have been on disability since 18 and don't work...I am not asking that to be negative or derogatory, but working retail and hourly jobs in high school and college gave me a different perspective.
No. However, I heard horror stories of retail at Sears daily
I know I said I wouldn't post anymore, but I guess I'm going to break my own rule here.
Why is it you feel you are the expert on customer service when you haven't been behind the counter and you haven't done any customer service yourself?
delete
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