working at a shoe store
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

9 Things Shoe Store Employees Wish Their Customers Knew

Especially because most of it is common sense

299
girl shoe shopping

Retail in itself can be extremely frustrating for its employees. The customers who don't understand the return policy, extended holiday hours, and continuously cleaning up after people can take it's toll on you. Working in a shoe store has opened my eyes to just how messy and careless people can be. If you work in a shoe store, you can totally relate to these things.

1. We know we don't carry a lot of inventory for larger sizes

And we're very sorry for this inconvenience! Believe me, if it meant I didn't have to hear your complaining and shy away from your glares, I would carry every single shoe in every single color in larger sizes. But the truth is, not a lot of people have a large shoe size, which means the company would be wasting money having an overabundance of larger sized shoes than the average size 6-8.

2. Please put the shoes back in the box where you found them

Nothing is more frustrating, blood-boiling or terrifying than finding a box with no shoes in it, or a box with one shoe in it. And on rare occasions, I've even found boxes with 3 shoes in it. I don't understand why, but please, just put it back the way you found it! Nothing is more tedious than cleaning up the same messes all day.

3. Yes, it still costs money, even if there isn't a price tag on it

I know this is a wacky concept to comprehend, but shoes have those little labels on the inside with a lot number for this very reason. Between shipment, stocking, people trying the shoes on, tags and stickers can fall off easily. That's why they're stamped or stitched onto the inside of the shoe so your sales associate can accurately ring in your item. So yes, it still costs money.

4. Do NOT walk into our store 5 minutes before closing

Shoe shopping is seriously such a tedious task. You have to try them on, find a style you like, and decide if you can afford the shoe you fall in love with. I've helped some people who have spent 3 hours in the store trying on every shoe in their size. So please, do not come into the store 5 minutes before we close claiming, "I'll be quick!" You won't. There's no way. Don't lie to yourself and waste my time.

5. And if you do, please don't come in with a pile of returns

The last thing we want to be doing when we have a closing checklist a mile long is to deal with your multiple receipt return. Not only is it time consuming, but we would've been able to help you a lot faster when we weren't in the middle of closing down the registers.

6. If you really have to come 5 minutes before we close, at least be nice to us

More than likely, we're going to have to stay open later just for you. We're going to have to stay there even longer because we can't do some of the closing tasks while customers are still in the store. And, we still have to clean up after the mess we KNOW you're about to make.

7. If you have a big return, be patient

Figuring out returns that are made up of multiple receipts, have missing items or the items were on sale can be confusing for an associate to decipher. We're just trying to make sure you get the correct money back in the proper way that the company's policy allows. I know you'd like to be doing something better with your time, but trust me, so would we.

8. We WANT to help you

Our mission is to greet and size every customer, and make sure you leave happy with your purchase. When we suggest a shoe or accessory, it's not to build our sales. It's to help you take advantage of a sale, or show you something you might like that you hadn't seen originally.

9. We're still human at the end of the day

Everybody has a bad day, but that's no reason to take it out on us. We're terribly sorry that we don't have your size or the color you wanted, and we will do whatever we can to either hold it at another store for you, or special order it. But if we're being courteous and pleasant to you, we expect the same in return. Save your attitudes for someone else, because we sure don't deserve it.

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

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

53256
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

34218
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956805
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181563
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments