Why I hate working retail during the holidays... - Page 3

lindyhop · 12-23-2006, 02:40 PM

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.

sleepyjeff · 12-23-2006, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mousey Girl

Whenever I take an order I let my customer know that we close at 5:30. This was especially true of yesterday, since we are closed until the day after Christmas. This chick comes in at 5:25 to pick up some chairs. she is dragging a guy with her, who immediatly heads to the bathroom.

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"......

2 hours to go...

alphabassettgrrl · 12-23-2006, 07:40 PM

My heart goes out to anyone working retail. Especially at this time of year.

BarTopDancer · 12-23-2006, 08:26 PM

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.

Morrigoon · 12-23-2006, 09:43 PM

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

Jughead P. Jones · 12-24-2006, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

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

A roaster. A nice one made by General Electric for $39.96.

And, if anyone else asks me about them again, I swear to god, I'll beat them over the head with a frozen turkey!

Alex · 12-24-2006, 02:14 PM

It is more than I'd like but within the range of consideration.

However, I will never own a Fossil watch again. Every one I've ever owned (three, two were gifts) has proven to be even more fragile than Disneyland watches.

Ghoulish Delight · 12-25-2006, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

It is more than I'd like but within the range of consideration.

However, I will never own a Fossil watch again. Every one I've ever owned (three, two were gifts) has proven to be even more fragile than Disneyland watches.

Wow, really? I've had a Fossil watch for 4 years and other than a couple battery changes, it's taken a licking and continued to tell time (or something like that). Of course, the evidence of that abuse is unfortunately apparent as the glass face is not-so-cleverly convex. So I can't give Fossil full design points, but durability hasn't been an issue.

We hit our loca mall yesterday (Saturday). It was definitely crowded, but not to zoo proportions. Though there was an inexplicably long line for Panda Express.

I'm sure CP's brothers (one works at Target, the other Toys-R-Us) will have some good stories to tell.

Kevy Baby · 12-24-2006, 09:54 AM

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.

Betty · 12-24-2006, 10:49 AM

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.

12-23-2006, 02:40 PM	#1
lindyhop Swing Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Long Beach Posts: 997	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. __________________ Hyperbole is the best thing ever!
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12-23-2006, 07:40 PM	#3
alphabassettgrrl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,978	My heart goes out to anyone working retail. Especially at this time of year. __________________ Why cycling? Anything [sport] that had to do with a ball, I wasn't very good at. -Lance Armstrong
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12-23-2006, 08:26 PM	#4
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	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. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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12-23-2006, 09:43 PM	#5
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	Okay, you've totally left me hanging... what did she end up buying? Was it a deep electric skillet??? __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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12-24-2006, 02:14 PM	#7
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	It is more than I'd like but within the range of consideration. However, I will never own a Fossil watch again. Every one I've ever owned (three, two were gifts) has proven to be even more fragile than Disneyland watches.
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12-24-2006, 09:54 AM	#9
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	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. __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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12-24-2006, 10:49 AM	#10
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	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. __________________ Nee Stell Thue
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