At some point in our lives, we all have to work in retail. It is an easy starting job because that you do not need much experience at. Just be an honest and friendly person and you can pretty much land a job at any retail store. Oh, and also show up to your shift on time!
Once you get into the routine, it is an easy job. The thing that makes it difficult is working with difficult customers... and I know we have all had one person who just drives us crazy by the things they ask or say. Customers always know just the right phrases to make you irritated and ruin your day. Here are some common phrases that employees hate hearing.
1. “Well the customer is always right so….”
2. “Oh, it didn’t scan? It must be free then.”
3. “X, Y, Z has it cheaper.”
4. “Your signs are not very clear.”
First, the signs are very clear and tell you what is in cash aisle. No, it won’t list every single product, but if you are looking for a skin care product, look in the beauty/cosmetics section. If you are looking for pop, look by the good or find a cooler. And second, I don’t make the signs, I just work here so I can afford my food and shopping addiction.
5. “You are out of X, Y, Z. Can you go check in the back?
“If it’s not on the shelf, then we’re out.”
“Can you go check in the back just in case?”
No, I don’t really want to go check in the back because I just checked the availability for the same product for a different customer. But sure, I’ll go in the back and pretend to look around and come back to tell you the same thing. Whatever helps you sleep at night.
6. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. Can I speak to the manager?”
Sure, I’d love to call my manager up here to tell you the exact same thing I just told you.
7. When you ask them to repeat their question and they reply with “What didn’t you understand?”
8. After a customer hands you a $20 bill...
and you say, “Okay, out of $20?” They reply, “Yes.” Then you start gathering up the change from the cash register and they say they now have “x” amount of change that you asked for in the first place.
9. Is this 2/$4? It said it was.
I don't know ma’am.I don’t know every sale in the store.
10. “I just printed that” when someone hands you a $50 or $100 bill.
11. When you are working on a holiday or a nice summer day...
and a customer says, “Sorry you have to work today. Hopefully you’ll get off of work soon to enjoy the weather.”
Thanks for reminding me that I always work on the best days of the year. As if I didn’t hate my life enough already. But go enjoy the weather for me.
12. “Why do you advertise items you don’t have in the store?”
Well we did have it.You just happened to come on the last day of the sale for a popular or commonly used household product (i.e. toilet paper, Kleenex, sugar, flour.)
