If you have ever worked a job of which the primary focus is in customer service, I'm betting you have many interesting stories to share. Customer service is an animal world, and we are fighting to survive. I work at the Discount Tobacco Warehouse in Macomb, IL, and I have a blast working there. I love my customers and I couldn't imagine living without the joy my coworkers share with me.
Negatives
1. Paying with Change
Remember that time a customer set $20 in nickels and pennies on the counter and demanded to pay for their items with this form of tender? Or that time when you ended your shift with $40 in quarters? I experience this on the daily, although our store is located right across the street from a bank where customers can easily exchange their coins for cash. Our store is also across the street from Taco Bell, which is irrelevant yet beautiful.
2. The Squatter
"I'm just looking." "I'm waiting for the bus and it's hot outside." I don't have a problem with someone taking a second to cool off if there is a heat advisory outside, but I do mind after twenty minutes when I'm required to stand behind the counter and I could be using that time to stock the store. I've also had an instance where a man came and literally sat on the floor in the middle of the store. That was interesting.
3. Returning Items
"No, sir, I will not allow you to exchange (for a third time) your almost entirely used bag of tobacco for a new bag after you have clearly placed a piece of foam from your couch into the bag."
4. Working Doubles
Need I say more?
5. Rude Customers
There will be times where you have customers that just aren't the best people, and you have no choice but to grin and bear it because your job depends on it. Sometimes a refund is worth not having a customer file a complaint with your manager.
Positives
1. Awesome Leadership
My boss is awesome. She makes my job easy and efficient. I can go to her when I need real talk, she's an awesome workout partner, and she's very supportive of me and everything I do.
2. Building Connections
I had no idea I could meet so many influential people where I work. At a gas station I worked at in my hometown, I built relationships with several "important" people in Savanna, one of which includes a man who owns a beautiful castle. One of the connections I've built working at the tobacco store also got me out of a parking ticket, so I have that going for me.
3. Transferable Skills
While understanding the difference between Marlboro Menthol Ultralights and Special Blend Gold 100s may not help advance me in my career as a future music educator, there are many transferable skills that you obtain from this type of work experience. You learn many social skills, become a beast at general math, and hopefully earn a great work ethic.
4. Employee Discounts
I get 15% off of potato chips and there is not one thing in life that could be more beautiful.
5. Putting Others First
The satisfaction of prioritizing another person before yourself can be a very gratifying experience. For some customers, you may be the only interaction they have with someone all day, which means you have the power to make their day special.
Customer service can seem dreadful at times, but there are so many rewarding experiences that come along with a job in this field. Take pride in what you do, and be the best that you can be. You are very important.
