15 Struggles of Working Retail As Told By Amy Poehler | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

15 Struggles of Working Retail As Told By Amy Poehler

I'm not a regular sales associate, I'm a cool sales associate.

9
15 Struggles of Working Retail As Told By Amy Poehler

Working retail is infamous for being a frustrating job. Outsiders don't see beyond the employee discounts and our peppy attitudes. Retail does have its positive attributes — employees gain interpersonal skills, learn how to fold clothing like a pro and put their creativity to good use while building displays. Despite this, the troubles we face sometimes don't make it worth it. But hey, at least we know how to dress.

Here is a compilation of hardships all retail employees face as told by the incomparable Amy Poehler.

1. Customers who are rude or treat you like a peasant.

These people really know how to put you in a bad mood. Whether they ignore you or talk to you in a condescending tone, they definitely don't make your job any easier. My personal favorite is when I ask a customer "Hey how's it going?" or even come close to starting a casual conversation, they bark "I'm just looking!" I'm sorry, but that's not what I asked.

2. When it's your turn to sort hangers.

3. No, I'm not flirting with you. I am just trying to tell you what sales we have going on.

4. We do not decide the prices.

I can't tell you how many times a customer has complained about an item's monetary value. If you want to shop cheap, go to Good Will.

5. My manager is going to say the same thing I just did.

If I wasn't sure about a question you were asking, I would've already asked my boss. They aren't going to say anything different.

6. When customers leave surprises for you or messes in the dressing room.

It is extremely frustrating to have to hang up the wrinkly and dirty clothing that customers leave on the floor.

7. When I say "we don't have anything in the back," I mean it.

I've even had customers INSIST that I go back there to check "just in case." All we have back there is empty boxes and ladders, thank you very much.

8. These words make you cringe: Back-To-School, Black Friday and Christmas.

9. Customers taking five seconds to mess up folds that took you twenty minutes.

We call these people "tornadoes." They destroy literally everything in their path, leaving us with the aftermath.

10. Customers who ask for a discount or free stuff.

Yes, we have to be nice to the customers, but that doesn't mean we are their friends. It peeves us when customers slyly ask for a discount or when high school students come in and the first question we get is if we have free stuff. You are at a clothing store where you BUY things. Also, Public Service Announcement: No, if the tag fell off an article of clothing it is not free. Thank You.

11. When customers keep shopping way past closing.

Unless they're going to drop an obscene amount of money, we just want to go home.

12. Shoplifters.

We notice when a customer is acting strangely while in the store. They don't make our jobs any easier when we have to awkwardly confront them about what they have stowed away in their bag.

13. Inventory.

14. District managers are like the police of retail.

You're scared and nervous in their presence, and they can fire you with the snap of their fingers, and they won't even bat an eyelash doing it. They can smell fear.

15. The biggest pressure of the job is making quota.

That means being the pushy salesperson that only cares about numbers. It's awkward for customers because they know we only want the money in their wallets in order to keep our jobs. If we don't make quota consistently, the entire store goes down hill as well as our employment.

Whether we are working retail because we are trying to get through college or we just need a job, it teaches us many things. Through all of this, at least we are getting paid and the customer is (hopefully) satisfied.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

133592
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

31184
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

28612
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments