Ah, holidays are here!! Which means it's the worst time of the year for me a.k.a for retail workers. Having extended hours is such a pain in the ass(closing at 11pm or 12am & having to open the next morning at 8am, really?), being attacked by customers, the crazy sales (some are such great deals though) that go on from Halloween all the way until Christmas.
1. The people
I do realize that the holidays are quickly approaching, but I do not remember us being this busy last year, or even last week for that matter. It is like everyone woke up and randomly decided today is the day to buy gifts for everyone .
2. Special sales & coupons
Some sales end at a certain time and "no I will not go ahead and honor that price for you", you're three hours late. Just looking at an item I know if a coupon will work or not but I would rather stab my own eyes out than to fight with this customer who has been here for two hours, So I will smile and be as fake as I can and tell them I can try it and see... Hey, I can at least say I tried.
3. Taking advantage
I sell shoes so when a customer sits in her chair and looks at me and demands me to get a size 8.5 I smile and say of course... When I have to break the news and tell her we don't have that size and she obviously sees I have ten people behind her waiting for sizes she wants to sit in her chair and ask "Well can you go find me something that looks like this but in tan?" MAKES ME SO MAD.
4. Dads shopping For daughters/wife
No, sir, I do not know what kind of style, brand, color or height of a shoe that they would like. Pick something sir you're wasting mine and your time. You should have asked them these questions before you came. Have a nice day but please leave me alone. Thank you.
5. Under staffed
I understand completely that managers only have so many hours they can fill and having call off's during this season does not help anyone out but it drives me up the wall when we only have three people working and there are about 50 people needing help.. We not only get wore out easier, we just got a bad review on us.
6. Rude customers
I can't help that your card is declined but is it really necessary for you to call me names? You're only doing this because you know if I say something back my job is gone. Plus you're the type of lady who would call corporate on someone.
This is my second holiday season and I am already ready to retire. If you're working retail this season I wish you the best of luck. I really hope you don't have any horror stories but I can say from my experience that it is an awesome dinner conversation.
Good luck my fellow retailers.
Happy Holidays.
