I work in a boutique, specifically, a bathing suit/small surf brand boutique. Retail is definitely an interesting industry, and the micro version of it is especially interesting. Anyone that works in a quaint shop will know of these struggles that we deal with on the daily:
1. When customers walk in when it's closing time
I've been here all day. The lights are turning off and the vacuum is running. Please come back tomorrow.
2. Hanging stuff up on the hangers/clearing dressing rooms
There's an art to hanging up clothes, especially bikinis. It's not a hard art, just an art...yet I don't think any customer has mastered it. Please, just leave it to the sales associates!
3. When customers ask if there's stuff in the back and you say no but they don't take no for an answer
I swear, I'm reliable. I'm not lying. I wish we had it, but we don't. And please don't roll your eyes at me when I kindly say we won't be getting anymore. You'll forget about it in five minutes, I promise.
4. When people put stuff back in (very) obvious wrong places
Our suits (and all merchandise for that matter) are by brand and within the brand, color. If you're not sure where it goes, please just give it to me. I don't even care if you give me 20 items. It's my job to put them back into their exact spots.
5. When customers think you price the merchandise
I know. Our inventory can be...not exactly on the cheaper side. And yes, I want to buy everything that I put out, but I can't. I feel the same way. I don't make the prices, I just sell the things with the prices. But I can promise you that you that they're well worth it, because the quality is great!
6. All the makeup and deodorant
Sometimes I think that people just wipe their pits and faces on half of the shirts and bikini tops. Thank goodness for our steamer and magic makeup remover!
7. Customers always want the inventory that's not even tagged
When it's not busy, my co-workers and I bring out new inventory, and for some reason, bikinis and board shorts on a counter without tags on them seem to be very attractive.
8. When customers put a million things on hold
Behind the counter fills up with basically half of the store from people that say they're going to "come back later" to purchase. I'm sorry, but you can't claim 50 suits that you haven't paid for...especially for more than 24 hours.
9. When the return policy is "exchanges or store credit only" but people don't seem to understand
Don't get me wrong, if you have an issue, we will assist you in any way we can...but in the past we have had way too many people wear suits to the beach with the tags still attached and then try to return them. We know when they're worn, and returning them for money back is not going to fly! So, make sure you pick out something you absolutely love so you don't even have to worry about our policy (unless, of course, something goes wrong.)
10. Those that think stealing is somehow O.K.
We have great cameras. We prosecute everyone. We will find you no matter what, so just don't do it. Karma will get you and teach you to work on your morals.
I absolutely love my job and my customers. Believe me, I want everyone's shopping experience to be great, but it is quite easy to get driven crazy when you work at a boutique!
