Sitting here in the comfort of my computer chair, I feel compelled to help out my fellow man, woman or child in any way I possibly can. I feel the need to combine my love for writing, with my love for "fixing things". Now the first thing I would like to address is the relationship between the retail world and the consumer.
Whatever you are purchasing whether it's gas, groceries, or whatever, you are generally buying those items from a human being. There has been a trend recently to customers purchasing more and more online, but the majority of purchases are generally still in the physical world. As humans, we have gotten increasingly more difficult to please, whether it's our natural indulgences or our impatience with "that person".
The problem with this situation is that it is seen as "just the way it is" and that's that. We are all to just continue along, trying to take advantage as a consumer, and resenting the customer as a retail employee. Here are 10 reasons why everyone should work in retail first, so they'll respect the work that is being done.
The human beings that work in retail are some of the most patient individuals I have ever met. Please treat them with the same respect you would want in return. They keep the consumer goods moving into the hands of the buying public on demand, and without much appreciation. Hopefully it doesn't get to this:
Whatever you are purchasing whether it's gas, groceries, or whatever, you are generally buying those items from a human being. There has been a trend recently to customers purchasing more and more online, but the majority of purchases are generally still in the physical world. As humans, we have gotten increasingly more difficult to please, whether it's our natural indulgences or our impatience with "that person".
The problem with this situation is that it is seen as "just the way it is" and that's that. We are all to just continue along, trying to take advantage as a consumer, and resenting the customer as a retail employee. Here are 10 reasons why everyone should work in retail first, so they'll respect the work that is being done.
- There's 10 minutes until closing. Got the money counted and...here comes another one :( This one shouldn't even need to be explained, but I will explain anyway. For everyone who has never worked in retail, we are people too. (I am going to say we by the way, even though I am thankfully no longer in retail, but I will relive the past for your own education.) Driving up to a retail store at 9:50 when you know that they close at 10:00 is not a cool thing to do.<----------------I'm putting it mildly here. The people who work in retail are standing, stooping, moving around, or sitting still for long periods of time. The time on the clock that matters most is the time they get off. When you rob them of the glory of leaving at the time their heart has been set on all day, you are showing a lack of compassion.
- "So you're saying I can't get an extra discount? Can I speak with your manager?" I'm not sure if the greater majority of the consumers understand, but the sales and customer service associates are told what to do by the managers. That means that most often, you are going to get another "no" from a higher paid employee. That doesn't really go over very well. As though the original rep lacked credibility. The rest of the transaction is an awkward moment of victory by the consumer, and defeat for the rep. I'm not saying that you won't save some money, but you also crush a soul.
- "Are you open yet, I've got things to do!" Just coming into work is a chore for some. The fact that there is a person waiting out front with their hands on their hips, tapping their feet, and mouthing the words "when are you going to open" does not help get the store open any faster. When you show up prior to opening, you must understand that the actual start of the retail day is when the store hours start. If their is an efficient opener, and they feel comfortable opening, they may open the doors early. But don't lean on the glass door, and act like you are offended. All the employees want is to feel comfortable and ready to go before opening.
- "How long is this going to take? Can't someone else use that register?" I have no idea, and probably not. The length of time that you spend in a retail store is dependent upon the consumers' amount of questions, the people already in the store, and other variables. But if you believe that another rep is going to be called in to work because you are late for a hair appointment, you are mistaken. The companies try hard to forecast the amount of reps that are needed daily. But trends aren't always accurate, and a store cannot over staff one day to be under-staffed on another.
- "This price says online only, but I know for a fact that you can do it here too right?" Usually "online only" means just what it says.You have to realize that, inventory is generally ordered on-hand for customers who walk into the store.The stores don't have enough inventory space to hold everything. So online is there for people who are willing to wait for their product. But the downside is that you have to wait a few days to get it. And that is precisely why the prices are different online.
- "Do you mind if I pick up something, and put it back in an entirely different place?" We all have been there right. You pick up a can of vegetables and put them in your cart. You walk around until, oh there's a sale on another brand! So you switch the two cans, or slyly hide it at one of the end caps. Well, really you have made work for someone who had other things they could be doing, like maybe the aforementioned empty register not being used. But you deciding to "babysit" those peas and then orphan them next to the cookies is just wrong. Bring them back home. Poor peas.
- Returning without a receipt=I'll try. Demanding without a receipt=Bye Bye. The point of a return policy is to allow for a period of time for the customer to know if they like their product. Once that time period elapses, it is not required that the item be returned. The fact that the product is in great condition, or you feel it didn't last as long as you wanted it to, does not mean that you are entitled to another one. If you are respectful and genuine, you will have a better chance.
- The holidays do not mean the same for retail employees If a person is humming "Baby it's cold outside" in mid Novermber, chances are good that they are in retail. Those songs that you hear while picking out your sweater are on a crazy loop that seems to play your least favorite song more times each day. But mainly the music means that the crush of customers is on its way. I am not saying that the companies don't love the numbers, but to the retail employee, it is often overwhelming. I once worked 27 out of 28 days during the holidays (co-worker had mono) so I have felt the wrath of holiday in retail.
- "I got my way, woohoo". "Hey man, sorry for blowing up at you, I just...." You just wanted your way, and now your conscience kicked in and you feel bad. It's human nature to feel bad. But to a retail employee, it's like a kick to the gut. As though you are normally a good person, but I actually brought out the Incredible Hulk in you by not fixing your issue or giving you a discount. It doesn't make anyone feel any better to then offer your hand after just humiliating them.
- We enjoy helping you Not the skeptical, "worried about getting a better deal somewhere else" you. The you that feels comfortable enough to ask about 20 questions after your purchase. Even calling you up on your off day with a minor issue. But we want to sell to that person in the first place. Don't put up these complex walls that we have to break down one by one. Why not make the purchase and sale together as a team. Not all sales reps are to be trusted. But if you get a bad vibe, don't force yourself to purchase something. Find someone you do feel comfortable buying from and let them sell to.....you.
The human beings that work in retail are some of the most patient individuals I have ever met. Please treat them with the same respect you would want in return. They keep the consumer goods moving into the hands of the buying public on demand, and without much appreciation. Hopefully it doesn't get to this:
Well, I feel as though I have done my duty for now. Hopefully those that have not worked in retail can understand a little more about the human being that is helping them.