If you have had the pleasure of working in retail at some point in your life, then you know the drill. Some days your store can feel like the most boring place in the entire world while other days are complete chaos and you feel like you’re being pulled in 20 different directions. Either way, I think most of us can agree it’s a love-hate relationship. Your co-workers may be awesome, but one lousy customer can really put a damper on your workday. Whether you like it or not, I think we can agree the next 10 instances are true no matter what store you work in.
1. When a customer thanks you and tells you how helpful you’ve been. Then you think, “Why can’t every customer be like this.” That sure would make working in retail a whole lot better.
2. When you’re just about to go on break, but a customer asks you get help them find something or get an item down.
3. Walking into a dressing room, and you think straightening it up will be a quick five-minute task. Nope. Try again. Apparently it’s hard for people to hang their clothes back up, so you’re left with a mountain of half the store's clothing to put away. OK, maybe half the store is an exaggeration, but still, it’s a lot.
4. “No, you cannot combine your coupon with the sale, but you can do two separate transactions if you’d like.” Does this ring a bell? I have said that sentence far too many times. A majority of the time I’m left with a frustrated customer who is trying to tell me I’m wrong and I can honestly do nothing about. But hey, at least you’re saving some money.
5. When an item is missing a price tag, or it won’t ring up correctly and then the customer replies with, “Oh, then it must be free.” Nope. Nope. Nope. I’ve heard this joke too many times and it’s time for it to be put to rest. I get it, you’re joking, but c’mon it gets old.
6. The worst feeling in retail? When a customer walks in at 9:28 p.m. and your store closes at 9:30 p.m. Trust me, there definitely isn’t a worse feeling. Not one, just anger.
7. When you greet a customer and they completely ignore you. OK, but you could at least smile.
8. You go in the back to get an item for someone, but when you return the customer is gone. That’s right, they vanished like Sabrina the Teenage Witch when she teleports. Well, back to the back room it is.
9. Between work and your own shopping, when Christmas time hits, you definitely live at the mall.
10. When you’re in the middle of ringing out a customer and they walk away from the register. Hmmm, do I continue your transaction, or start helping the next person in line. Yeah, that’s an awkward time.
11. Trying to maneuver shelves during a floor set like ...
12. So, I’ve told you the worst feeling in retail, but the best? When you help a customer find exactly what they’re looking for plus more, and they could not be happier. It really brightens my day to see someone leave excited about their new outfit.
I’ve worked at Justice for the past four years. I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly days. I’ve dealt with the confused grandparents, the bratty moms and children, and some of the sweetest people, too; you could say I’ve seen it all. While some days may seem terrible and other days go extremely well, it must be worth it in the end since we keep sticking around.
