I spent about a dozen years in retail so I could go on for days. It's been 20 years but I still have the dream where customers start wandering in even though we're not open yet. The worst part was the day after the day after Christmas because that's when we would get all the returns, one after another all day long.

There was the woman who returned the outfit for her newborn because he didn't look good in that color.
There was the woman who returned the bathrobe because it clashed with her bathroom.
There was the woman who put a curse on me because I wouldn't (couldn't!) do what she wanted. She didn't speak English so her grandson got to translate her special message to me.
There was the family who bought their fast food lunch in the mall and then set up their picnic on the (until that moment) lovely display in front of our department.
There was the customer who asked "Are these sunglasses guaranteed?" and the exasperated salesperson (me) who replied, "Guaranteed to do what?"

So extra good wishes to all of you serving in the trenches of retail this time of year.:cheers:

Heh heh.....I got so fed up with a series of similar situations at my store that about two years ago I started locking the bathroom a half hour before closing time.

Today is my last day of business until next Wednesday.....I just know that 15 mintues before closing time someone will call and say they're "on their way in" and "could you please wait"......:mad:

2 hours to go...:)

I respect anyone who works retail; especialy this time of year.

I was in a 10 minute line at Bath and Body Works the other day (it was just that busy) and the line host (the girl at the front of the queue directing you to the nearest cashier) and cashier was apologizing for the wait. I just smiled and said if you're in a hurry you should not be in the mall in December.

Okay, you've totally left me hanging... what did she end up buying? Was it a deep electric skillet???

I was unable to shop for Susan until yesterday. I braced myself for the insanity. I was pleasantly surprised to find all of the stores I went to were tolerable and people were being nice. Totally shocking.

I did a bit of shopping yesterday. Aside from having trouble finding a parking space at the grocery store - it wasn't too crowded. What did surprise me was all the Valentines day stuff out at Big Lot's and Target.

I actually got all of my shopping done yesterday in just under 3 hours. I was expecting it to be more like 5 or 6. The stores that I went really weren't that bad. I was pleasantly surprised.

Matthew, on the other hand is just finishing up his 6th day in a row of holiday madness, working at Pier One. He's ready for a couple of days off.

Ended up in two malls (I somehow lost my watch so need a new one) yesterday and all things considered they weren't that bad.

Went away empty handed though. I'm very picky about watches and the only one I found in about 12 stores that I'd actually wear was $2,100. Unfortunately my price limit for a watch is about $400 so maybe I'll go watchless for the next 22 years and then buy that one.

Just start saving your hundred dollar bills and you'll have it no time!