As Black Friday (well, now it's pretty much Black Thursday) rolls around, everyone's starting to get ads in their mailbox and in their inbox for various stores and everyone is mapping out what stores they'll make a stop at.
As an employee at a store in our local mall, I know that Black Friday is usually the craziest day of the year (next to the Semi-Annual sale), so, customers, take note of these 7 things.
1. Be patient with all employees.
Stores will be overloaded with people and the employee to people ratio will be absolutely insane. We want you to have a great experience while shopping at our store, but it will require some patience. If we're helping someone else, either look for another employee to help assist you or wait for us to finish what we're currently doing, don't yell at us or act annoyed because we're doing our job.
2. If you don't want an item, put it back where it came from.
So you saw that lotion that was on sale and thought it'd be a great deal, but then you saw a candle that you wanted even more, right? Lotions belong with the lotions, candles belong with the candles, etc. If you decide you don't want something, please just walk a few extra steps to put it back.
3. Clean up your mess as you go.
No matter where you go, someone will undoubtedly leave something behind, whether that be a cup from Starbucks or tester cards for perfume, keep your trash with you and throw it away at the nearest trash can. If you can't find one, ask. It's not our job to pick up after you because you can't throw your own trash away.
4. Know that we're giving up time with our families just to help you.
That's definitely part of our job, don't get me wrong, but dealing with customers who just want to yell at you because you're out of stock of a certain item and who have a bad attitude just because of how busy it doesn't help the fact that we're missing out on spending time with our families.
5. Respect other fellow customers, too.
They're there for the same reason that you are- everyone wants to get in on these deals. So, don't forget to use your manners that your parents (hopefully) taught you when you were younger and say, "Excuse me" if someone is in your way.
6. No, we don't "have it in the back."
During busy days like this, we'll be constantly restocking items as they fly off the shelves. If we don't have it on the carts, we probably don't have it in the back, either.
7. It isn't our fault that you cannot combine 10 coupons.
There are some you can combine and some you cannot. That isn't a rule made by employees, contrary to popular belief.
Enjoy your Black Friday shopping, but don't make our day harder than it already is. We're trying our best to make this a positive experience for you.