So I’m standing in the men’s suit depeartment of the Bay (the place where I worked during the summer), and I’m covering one of the other associates breaks. Before she leaves she tells me that theres a man in the change room trying some things on and that the merchandise on the counter is his. I say yeah okay and let her go on her way.
So I’m standing there by the changeroom, and the man comes out and says to me, “I want to try on some trunks.” I assume he means the swim trunks, and I nod and say okay. So he walks away and I don’t see him for 15 or so minutes.
I finish cashing through a customer and the same guy comes up to me and says he’s ready to purchase. I’m like okay let’s cash you through. I have my head down looking at the cash register mind you and I don’t see what it is he’s holding. Then out of no where he says, “Is this for gays?” I imediately look up shocked and I’m like what?? Gays? I look at him and he’s holding what looks to be a man thong in his hands. I don’t know what to say and I imediately start to ramble on about I dont know what gay guys where for underwear and what not. He eventually says he’ll take it. And I quickly cash him through and hand over the bag. But I can’t help but keep thinking about if he had tried that thong on and what exactly he left behind in the change rooms...
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
The different types of Customers...
It has come to my attention, while working within a retail department store, that customers are quite versatile. There are different types of customers; ones I'm sure you or maybe someone you know has come across. Certain kinds you pray each shift you will never have, and unfortunately at some point you always do.
This is my list, maybe you have come across others, I’m not sure, but let me know =)
1. The Driven: a customer that is determined to get what they want, at no cost. Refer to number 2 in the Customer Handbook.
2. The Angry: a customer that is already angry over something that happened that day, something that has nothing to do with you (the employee), but they make it your problem. You can smell these types of customers... I swear.
3. The Stupid: a customer, you as an employee can’t believe actually exists. These people ask you the dumbest of questions, or in most cases, questions that are easily answered if they would just read the signs (or look around even). I one time had a customer ask me where the men's coats were, I replied, “right behind you sir!”
4. The Challenger: This type of customer is someone who likes to challenge you, in regards to prices, and even intelligence. I would also categorize this type of customer as a manipulator, or schemer. See below.
5. The Manipulator: The manipulator basically manipulates you into thinking you did something wrong. Or in a criminal sense, they could be considered a quick change artist (someone who gives you a large bill, and asks for change, and repeatedly change their mind as to what they want, and when they are done, they walk away with more then what they previously owned).
6. The Schemer: Basically like a manipulator, except these types of customers are frequently the ones that move merchandise under signs that read a sale, hoping that you wont figure it out. Or they just simply move the sign. At some point you will get a customer that frequently goes in search of broken merchandise, that of which they want to buy, and hope they’ll get a discount on it. (Usually in stores that allow a no bill return, they will ‘lose’ the bill, and return the merchandise 3 days later for a full refund, minus the discount... in the end receiving more money then the amount paid).
7. The Double Teamer: These people work in groups and perform most of the above definitions, below too.
8. The Cross-dresser: The name speaks for itself.
9. The Employee: These are customers that work at your store, the moment they’re on the other side, all definitions count.
10. The Impatient: People who are in a hurry, and you can tell they are in a hurry. At this point, I’d work slower...
11. The Insane: Insane, enough said.
12. The Boaster: People you may consider insane, these people, have to tell you exactly what they bought, and why they bought it. Another, could just simply like to flash around their cash.
This is my list, maybe you have come across others, I’m not sure, but let me know =)
1. The Driven: a customer that is determined to get what they want, at no cost. Refer to number 2 in the Customer Handbook.
2. The Angry: a customer that is already angry over something that happened that day, something that has nothing to do with you (the employee), but they make it your problem. You can smell these types of customers... I swear.
3. The Stupid: a customer, you as an employee can’t believe actually exists. These people ask you the dumbest of questions, or in most cases, questions that are easily answered if they would just read the signs (or look around even). I one time had a customer ask me where the men's coats were, I replied, “right behind you sir!”
4. The Challenger: This type of customer is someone who likes to challenge you, in regards to prices, and even intelligence. I would also categorize this type of customer as a manipulator, or schemer. See below.
5. The Manipulator: The manipulator basically manipulates you into thinking you did something wrong. Or in a criminal sense, they could be considered a quick change artist (someone who gives you a large bill, and asks for change, and repeatedly change their mind as to what they want, and when they are done, they walk away with more then what they previously owned).
6. The Schemer: Basically like a manipulator, except these types of customers are frequently the ones that move merchandise under signs that read a sale, hoping that you wont figure it out. Or they just simply move the sign. At some point you will get a customer that frequently goes in search of broken merchandise, that of which they want to buy, and hope they’ll get a discount on it. (Usually in stores that allow a no bill return, they will ‘lose’ the bill, and return the merchandise 3 days later for a full refund, minus the discount... in the end receiving more money then the amount paid).
7. The Double Teamer: These people work in groups and perform most of the above definitions, below too.
8. The Cross-dresser: The name speaks for itself.
9. The Employee: These are customers that work at your store, the moment they’re on the other side, all definitions count.
10. The Impatient: People who are in a hurry, and you can tell they are in a hurry. At this point, I’d work slower...
11. The Insane: Insane, enough said.
12. The Boaster: People you may consider insane, these people, have to tell you exactly what they bought, and why they bought it. Another, could just simply like to flash around their cash.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The Customer's Rule Book
The Customer's Rule Book, is a figment of a customer's imagination. It is an imaginary book they created within their head to relate back to when they believe they are in a situation where the customer service is not up to their satisfaction.
As an employee, I have never read this book, and I'm sure many of you haven't either. But this is what I believe is written there...
As an employee, I have never read this book, and I'm sure many of you haven't either. But this is what I believe is written there...
1. As a customer, I am always right!
2. As a customer, I dictate the prices when...
a) The wrong price comes up on the machine
b) There is a sign over a stand of shirts and shorts. The sign says all shorts, $9.99, clearly the shirts that are ticketed $24.99, are $9.99 too. THE SIGN SAYS!!
c) I swear I saw a sign there
d) Everything is on sale
3. If a price is not coming up, it must be free!
4. I know there is a line, I see people standing in the line, but I want help NOW! Double exclamation mark!!
5. As a customer, I have the right to complain to the employee about their stores customer service, at how slow and incompetent they are at serving me. At how there is no one on the floor, and that I am in a hurry. BUT, I do have time to wait around to speak to a manager about how shitty the store is.
6. As a customer, I have the right to tell the employee I hated shopping at the store, and that I wont ever shop there again, BUT I'll be back tomorrow.
7. As a customer, I have the right to put things on hold and tell the employee I'll be back to purchase, and then never come back.
8. As a customer, I have the right to stand and watch an employee fold clothes and make the display look all nice, and then go in there and take it apart looking for a size I don't actually like.
9. As a customer, I have the right to wait for an employee to have a bunch of things in their hands, or going on break, and then ask them to help me find something I can easily find on my own, but I'm to lazy.
10. As a customer, I have the right to come to an employee and return an item I have had for over two years, no longer have the receipt, have some how ran it over with my car and it no longer fancies my taste, but I swear that's what it looked liked when I bought it.
11. As a customer, I have the right to wait till 2 minutes before close, and then come to the employee to buy or try on my 20 articles of clothing, and then decide I don't actually want any of it. Then I have the right to complain that I can't get back to my car because someone has locked the doors I came in through, and now I have to walk farther.
12. Just to restate it, I am always right!
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