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31 Things Retail Workers Hear Regularly

"Do you have more of this in the back?"

Morgan Shaffer

Aug 20, 2018

Michigan State University

402

Morgan Shaffer

I have worked in retail for five years now and every time I work, I hear the same things over and over and over again from customers. If you work in retail you know what I'm talking about.

1. "Do you have any coupons out right now?"

Coupons are ALWAYS on the store website or you sign up when we ask for your email; you'll get all the coupons so you never have to ask again!!!!!

2. "I don't have the coupon with me because it's at home. Can I use it anyway?"

Is that really how you think it works? Just think about it for a second. No. The answer is no.

3. "I know this coupon expired yesterday, but can I still use it today?"

As my girl Jojo would say "too little too late". You literally had a month to use this coupon. You should have come yesterday if you wanted to use it.

4. "Do you have any more of this in the back?"

Maybe? How many workers did you ask before me? If three of my co-workers already told you "no," then why are you still asking?

5. "Is it cheaper if I order this online?"

I don't work at the online store, I work in-store. You would have to check on our website to see the deals that are happening currently for that item.

6. "Swipe or chip?"

The screen literally tells you what to do to. Just look down and read the words on the pin-pad.

7. "Can you break my $50?"

Did you really just wait in line at the checkout just to ask that? Do we look like a bank?

8. "Just looking."

This is me when customers try to avoid eye contact or dialogue with me.

You. are. never. just. looking. Let me help you so you can get exactly what you need!

9. "I don't need any help."

Okay, then don't come crying to me when you can't find your size or need me to unlock a dressing room.

10. "I need a dressing room."

Oh now you want my help!

11. "Haha! Sucks that you have to be working today!"

You will hear this whenever it is a nice day out or it is a holiday. Yes, it does suck that I have to work today, but the only reason I am working on this fine holiday is because YOU are shopping on a holiday.

12. "This top probably looks so much better on you than me. I'm fat, haha."

UGH. What an uncomfortable situation you have put me in. Try the next size up I guess?

13. "Where did you get your top? Is it from here?"

Yes, it is from here. But three seasons ago, I'll help you find something similar.

14. "Oh, your top isn't from here? You shouldn't wear it here then."

I will add that to my list of "Things I will never do."

15. "It must be dangerous for you to work here with all these deals!"

Haha, no not really because I have bills to pay and mouths to feed!

16. Asks name for fitting room "I would prefer not to say."

I can't stalk you if you don't give me your last name, if that's what you're worried about. Make up a name. I have to put something on the door.

17. "Can I exchange my gift cards for cash?"

I have no words for this one.

18. Asks for email address at checkout "Um, you already have it."

Great! But we ask for it every time to send you a copy of your receipt.

19. "What time does the mall close?"

And they ALWAYS ask either five minutes before it closes or five minutes after it closes.

20. "Are the prices going to be the same tomorrow? When does this sale end?"

My guess is as good as yours. I don't make the rules, corporate does.

21. "Can I have a bag?"

Only paying customers receive bags, otherwise we will just assume you're a shoplifter.

22. "I am NEVER shopping here again!"

Oh darn. I think we will survive. Also, see you next week!

23. "I don't have my receipt or the tags but can I still return this?"

I still don't understand why anyone thinks this is okay. Also, give us your email next time and you'll automatically get your receipt so this doesn't happen.

24. Customer doesn't get their way "Every other store I go to can do that for me, why can't you?"

Because we are not that store. We are this store. Here is what I can do for you, if you let me.

25. "How's your day been? Mine's been good because I don't have to work today!"

Lucky you?

26. "Do you work here?"

Yes. Who else would be sizing the jeans?

27. Customer tells you their life story at checkout

Sorry about your divorce, your total is $25.97.

28. "Can I speak to the manager?"

Hi! I am the manager! Yes, me. Let's chat.

29. Customer shields pin from you at checkout

What am I going to do? Reach over the counter and grab your card?

30. "Oh, it didn't scan? It must be free!"

OMG! You're so right!

31. Customer asks you a question after you clocked out

Darn! Just missed out.

Unfortunately, this is just the surface of the things we hear in retail every day. I pray you are able to to get through your next shift without rolling your eyes.

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31 Things Retail Workers Hear Regularly

"Do you have more of this in the back?"

1. "Do you have any coupons out right now?"

2. "I don't have the coupon with me because it's at home. Can I use it anyway?"

3. "I know this coupon expired yesterday, but can I still use it today?"

4. "Do you have any more of this in the back?"

5. "Is it cheaper if I order this online?"

6. "Swipe or chip?"

7. "Can you break my $50?"

8. "Just looking."

9. "I don't need any help."

10. "I need a dressing room."

11. "Haha! Sucks that you have to be working today!"

12. "This top probably looks so much better on you than me. I'm fat, haha."

13. "Where did you get your top? Is it from here?"

14. "Oh, your top isn't from here? You shouldn't wear it here then."

15. "It must be dangerous for you to work here with all these deals!"

16. *Asks name for fitting room* "I would prefer not to say."

17. "Can I exchange my gift cards for cash?"

18. *Asks for email address at checkout* "Um, you already have it."

19. "What time does the mall close?"

20. "Are the prices going to be the same tomorrow? When does this sale end?"

21. "Can I have a bag?"

22. "I am NEVER shopping here again!"

23. "I don't have my receipt or the tags but can I still return this?"

24. *Customer doesn't get their way* "Every other store I go to can do that for me, why can't you?"

25. "How's your day been? Mine's been good because I don't have to work today!"

26. "Do you work here?"

27. *Customer tells you their life story at checkout*

28. "Can I speak to the manager?"

29. *Customer shields pin from you at checkout*

30. "Oh, it didn't scan? It must be free!"

31. *Customer asks you a question after you clocked out*

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There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

1. What do you do for a living?

2. What's your favorite color?

3. Do you have any siblings?

4. What's your favorite television show?

5. When is your birthday?

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?

8. What's your favorite childhood memory?

9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

10. Are you a cat or a dog person?

11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

13. What is your ideal date night?

14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?

15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?

16. Do you have any tattoos?

16. Asks name for fitting room "I would prefer not to say."

18. Asks for email address at checkout "Um, you already have it."

24. Customer doesn't get their way "Every other store I go to can do that for me, why can't you?"

27. Customer tells you their life story at checkout

29. Customer shields pin from you at checkout

31. Customer asks you a question after you clocked out

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