K-Mart Shoppers (Or anybody who shops)

[Green_Bean]

I absolutely loooove to complain about my old job in retail management.

But reading stuff like this thread reminds me that I did, in fact, work for a very good company. “Customer Satisfaction” was the priority, and we were allowed to do just about anything to satisfy the customer. If the district manager walked in and found you standing on your head, it was okay–because a customer had asked you to demonstrate the head-standing performance of a particular hat.

In terms of the complaints by the OP, we were allowed to give sale prices early or late. We were allowed to substitute similar items if the advertised item was out of stock. All the cashiers could make decisions like these without the help of the managers. If the salesperson was unsure of what to do, a manager was always on hand to make a decision. Helping the salespeople help the customers (and helping the customers ourselves) was the most important thing we had to do. Other “important” manager stuff, like making the schedule, arguing with the home office, and lounging in the office reading trade magazines could wait until less busy times.

It was no utopia, of course–but that is a topic for another day.

If you have complaints about the service in a store vote with your dollars! Shop elsewhere.

If you don’t like your working conditions, try and change them, or get another job. Or get an attitude adjustment. It might be all you need.

And if you work in retail, remember: there will always be jerky customers. Always. Give them a nice big smile, say “have a nice day” and then go into the back room, grab some bubble wrap, and pretend that it is the customer. Pop pop pop. Now, don’t you feel better?

[aenea]

PLG, you seem like nice people, so this is not directed personally at you.

Fucking K-Mart? I will never shop in that store again, ever. (You’re welcome) I am pissed to the point that I wrote a letter to the Senior VP of marketing, after getting his address from one of the K-Mart vendors. As nice an apology as I got from him (and then the store manager) I will still deal with that place again. Remember that old saw about references? It’s something like: please one person and they will tell 2 friends. Piss one person off, and they will tell 10 people about it.

I worked in the service industry too. I am aware of the patience it takes to deal with the public. There is still no excuse for being rude to people, especially when you are being paid to work there.

Roll your eyes at me, or give an impatient remark while I am asking you something and I will be one of those extremely angry customers that you don’t like.

Matter of fact I make a point of not putting up with that shit when I am spending my money in your place of business. No, I don’t walk in with an attitude - that’s not fair either I know.

[pepperlandgirl]

For the record

1. I never ever treated any customer with anything but respect, no matter how annoying/angry they are. I have always done my best to help any customer in the store.
2. Ditto for my BF
3. I don’t mind the majority of the customers who are capable of the following exchange
   Sale Associate: Can I help you?
   Customer: Yes, I’m looking for blah blah blah
   Sales Associate: Oh, I’m sorry, we sold the last one today. Would you be interested in blah blah blah?
   Customer: Oh, ok. Well, let me have a look at that. Yes, thank you, that will do. OR: Oh, I see. No, that’s not what I wanted. Thank you anyway.

See? That’s good. HOwever, there is a minority of people who can’t handle a civilized exchange to save their life.
Their’s a difference between customer service and being the dumping ground for all the frustration of a customer, over and over.

Oh, and I no longer work. After 4 years, I decided I wanted to enjoy my teenage/high school years while I still could. So now I focus on school work. The original rant is because even though I dont work there anymore, the memories are still clear, AND my BF does work there, so I still here about it.

[Flyhalf]

**

Their’s a difference between customer service…

so I still here about it.

**

I think a little more focus on school work might be in order.
That way, you don’t ever have to worry about customers and customer service. Never ever again.

[Wendell_Wagner]

pepperlandgirl,

Wait a minute. Perhaps we’ve discovered the real problem here. You mean you were working at K-Mart part-time while you were in high school? Why, especially given that you hated the job? Are your parents so desperately poor that your family would have starved without the money you would have contributed? High school students should be studying when they’re not in school, or engaging in extracurricular activities, or just goofing off. Unless their family desperately needs the money, there’s generally no excuse for them working. Most of the time they’re spending the extra money on flashy clothes or expensive stereos or some such useless nonsense. The real point of high school students working part-time jobs seems to be to teach them to be conspicuous consumers.

[zut]

Wendell Wagner says,

Unless their family desperately needs the money, there’s generally no excuse for [high school students] working. Most of the time they’re spending the extra money on flashy clothes or expensive stereos or some such useless nonsense. The real point of high school students working part-time jobs seems to be to teach them to be conspicuous consumers.

Are you serious? If the above quote was intended to be tongue-in-cheek, I’m afraid it whooshed over my head. If not, I’d like to point out two very good excuses for high school students to work: 1) college tuition, and 2) work experience. High school students are at the age where they’re supposed to be seguing into adult life and the attendant responsibilities. What better way than a part-time job?

[Angkins]

**
2. ** Managers **
Just because you are being an asshole, doesn’t mean you can complain to the manager. Just because the store doesn’t have the item you want doesn’t mean the manager needs to hear about it. He/She KNOWS what items they do or don’t have long before you come into the store. That’s part of the JOB. So before you complain to the managers, taking their attention away from truly important things, pull your head out of your ass and THINK about it for a few minutes.

What exactly do you think a manager’s job is??? I have been in management for 10 years now and am very good at my job, but if the people who work for me do not inform me that we have run out of something then I may not know we are out of this item. Do your managers HAVE to do an inventory every day? Maybe it’s the staff, like you , who have a fuck it attitude and assume that your manager knows all and sees all, well guess what! Pull your head out of your ass and think about that!

3. ** Sales Associates **
   These hard working people are not at the store to listen to you bitch and moan. Just because you act like a brain dead fuck doesn’t mean they can magically pull what you want from the air. ** IF YOU ITEM IS NOT THERE DON’T BITCH AND MOAN. They * cannot do anything about it! They are not magic! GET THE FUCK OVER YOURSELVES [/I}

Oh, your right, don’t bother the sales associate if you are looking for something, it’s only their fucking job to assist the customer! They may not be able to pull from the air what I’m looking for, but they can check the stock room for more of this item, or get me a raincheck.

4. ** Rainchecks **
   If you get a raincheck for an item, it’s for THAT ITEM. Not one similar to it, not one that’s cheaper, or anything else. IT"S FOR THAT FUCKING ITEM!!

Did you know that sometimes there IS a substitute item…and if you ask the sales associate they can find this out for you!

5. ** Register Workers **
   These people deal with YOUR stupidity all day, every day. YOU are not so special that they have to listen to your bitching and moaning. They are NOT intenionally charging you the wrong amount, and when they DO, they cannont fix it. YOU MUST TAKE IT TO THE SERVICE DESK! Do you understand? It’s not a hard concept to grasp.

I am so special that they should listen to my complaints, I am spending my money at their place of employment, which in turns helps them have a fucking job!!! They may not be intentionally charging the wrong price, but they can , and should fix the problem, or call someone who can.

Front line employees are the backbone of any company, regardless of the size. If you for one minute think that the customer shouldl not complain to or direct question to theses people then I am *** very very very glad that you do not work for me!!***
The managers should be managing the store, not doing all the work. If you can’t deal with customers, good or bad, then get the hell out of the service industry!!! Managers should place the best people in the best positions, ensure that employees are trained in their specific duties and oversee that those employees are doing their job. Everyone needs to work together as a team for the collective good of the company. The whole ‘it’s not my job’ attitude really pisses me off, both as an employer and as a customer. It may not be your fault, but that does not mean you can’t try and help.

Why the fuck can’t you people understand that if no amount of bitching and moaning is going to change anything? They do the best they can with what they have…your impatience/rudeness/ignorance will NOT help matters.

The customer is NOT always right, especially when the customer is an asshole, so just STOP it.
**

I disagree that complaining will not change anything. If I did not hear customer complaints then I would not know where the problems are. I appreciate hearing complaints, who knows how many people are not complaining to me…but to other customers, nothing is worse for business than a bad reputation. Try to understand why the customer is so rude and upset. They have had to deal with sales clerks with your attitude. It’s your job to serve them, and if they are being an asshole then be extra nice. Once they see you are trying to help, they will calm down. There are always going to be asshole customers anyways, life is like that.

[Angkins]

Yikes!! Sorry everyone too many italics and too much bold!

[Talkinsquirrel]

I think you might like this website pepperland

http://www.customerssuck.com

I agree with you too. Just yesterday I was working at my job (burger king )and I got cussed out because a lady ordered the special we were having (2 Whoppers for 2 dollars) and she knew that if you want two fries with it it would cost her 4.48 and when the price rang up as 2.99 (she ordered cheese) she got pissed off because it was a dollar extra than what was advertised. And when she got her food she and she found out that she didnt get fries she had the nerve to tell my manager that “that boy shouldnt be working the register” That pissed me off to no end because I NEVER get any complaints. I am always kind and courtieous to the customer. Then she got her husband to come in and cuss me out for 2 orders of fries.

Some people are nuts

[pepperlandgirl]

Angkins, there is a difference between
Customer: Can you help me find this?
Sales: I’m sorry I just sold the last one.
Customer: Can you look in the back?
Sales: Yes, it’ll take me a few minutes…(later) I’m sorry we are out.
Customer: Ok can I have a raincheck?
AND
Customer: Why don’t you have this? Don’t you realize I need it? God, the incompetence! How the hell do you people stay in business. It’s ADVERTISED in your circular that you have it, and I need it. Wal Mart would have it. WHy is this store so stupid! Let me talk to a manager! (Except louder and with more vulgarity) (Once the manager shows up they begin yelling again, accomplishing little to nothing)
As far as I know, the managers at the store have a pretty good idea what is there and what’s not, because they keep them informed. They don’t need the customers to start yelling at them to know what they do or do not have.
That is the person I am complaining about. I don’t mind customer service, but when the customer is an asshole, and no matter what I do it is wrong, then I get upset.

I worked part time in as a waitress and later at Kmart, because A, it was a good experience for me. B: I never bought flashy clothes/expensive stereos/or anything frivolous. I saved for a car, and then when I got one, I took out a loan and comenced paying car payments. I liked the independence.

[Flyhalf]

Well PLG, along with independence, comes responsibility. Sometimes that means having to DEAL with people who are just assholes.

By the way, you never answered my question. Have you ever behaved in the manners you described? You will probably claim that you haven’t.
But we all know better. It happens to the best of us.

[Angkins]

PLG, There are without question customers who act that way, but I believe then to be a extremely small number. What most likely happens is they ask a sales associate for whatever item, the employee doesn’t know, rolls their eyes, sighs at the inconvenience at being asked to check out back for the item and then takes forever and a day to do so.

It is unfortunate that this happens but again that’s life. A remarkable number of the employees in these positions are very young and inexperienced. When they encounter a customer who becomes upset, they do not know how to properly deal with them and this causes the customer to become more upset.It’s a vicious cycle.

I realize many of the young people do their best and genuinely care about serving the customer, but often they lack the skills that through time they will acquire, that enable them to deal with these situations. I also realize that there are experienced employees who also lack this ability. Some people are naturally able to deal with irrate customers, regardless of their age or experience, some will never acquire this skill, and others will learn how to handle the situation.

If you come accross a customer that is being an asshole, then call for your manager or direct supervisor. It’s is their job to deal with this sort of problem. I have also asked customers to go elsewhere for service because of the way they have treated the staff. I will not tolerate my staff treating customers poorly, nor will I tolerate an abusive customer. No matter what the situation, you have to treat the customer with respect, even the assholes, and then you can say you have done your very best job. Let the people in charge deal with the wackos!!

[pepperlandgirl]

I don’t recall ever being an asshole in a store. I’ve been disappointed “Oh, man. That sucks.” I’ve been surprised, “So many people wanted that stupid item that it’s gone?!” I’ve been slightly upset by sales associates that don’t care.
However, that is a different rant I can start.
The rant I am on now is about how polite/nice/considerate I know certian people to be, and how they are treated like dirt by assholes everyday. I realize it’s a small minority, but at least 2 people of that minority comes into the store, march themselves right back to the patio furniture area, and comence yelling.
This is the first time I have ever complained about anybody anytime. Normally I am very patient. Don’t take one impassioned rant and decide that I am a slacker/unable to deal/irresponsible/or whatever else, because that is not fair.

[Angkins]

**

This is the first time I have ever complained about anybody anytime. Normally I am very patient. Don’t take one impassioned rant and decide that I am a slacker/unable to deal/irresponsible/or whatever else, because that is not fair.
**

Did anyone here SAY that you personally were a slacker/unable to deal/irresponsible etc??
Please point out where this is said **directly ** to or about you because I can’t find it.

Or maybe you take a discussion that evolves from your post too personally…afterall it has happened before in MPSIMS. I’m sorry but I could not find the thread to post a link, but it was about you bf and his ex who moved to Canada.

[pepperlandgirl]

LouisB:

              If Pepperland Girl worked for me, I suspect I would fire her in an instant. 

Why, because in the privacy of my own home I rant? I don’t act like that when I am at work, believe it or not I know how to act professionally. And

Pepperland Girl sounds to me as if she regards her workplace as a place to visit
with fellow workers—she probably resents her chats being interrupted by customers.

Cute. Actually, I make it a point to NOT work with people I will be tempted to talk to. My mother raised me with a better work ethic than that. I take personal offense to both of those statements, as both imply that I am a slacker.
Angkins:

They have had to deal
with sales clerks with your attitude

My attitude? I come home and annonymously post something on an obsure MB never complaining about anybody by name, for the first time ever, and I have an attitude? Another insult to my ability to act professionaly.
Flyhalf:

Sometimes that means having to DEAL with
people who are just assholes.

Implying I don’t know how to deal.

Maybe that’s just my personal take on things. But that seems to be what people were trying to say.

[Marlitharn]

The way I see it, crappy cashiers/customer service people/whatever ruin it for the good ones, and bitchy customers ruin it for the nice ones. I work in a C-store, and I get tons of grouchy customers every day. I try to give them the benefit of the doubt; I usually just assume that the last time they bought gas, it was pumped for them by a toothless inbred troglodyte who didn’t know how to count change and never took the unfiltered Camel out of his mouth. On the other hand, you get assholes like the guy who spent 45 minutes insisting we call our manager at home (at 10:00 pm on one of only 4 nights off the poor man gets every month) because he thought a certain item we had was overpriced. Then there was the lady who chewed me out because I didn’t compare signatures on her driver’s license and credit card slip (Why, ma’am, is it stolen? If the Texaco/Visa/American Express/Discover gods say it’s okay, then it’s okay.) We’ve all run into a lot of incompetence when we shop. Unfortunately, some people have decided that EVERYONE is incompetent, so they have to behave like dildos or they’re going to get ripped off. I’ve been at my job three years; it amazes me how many people think I don’t know what I’m doing. As if there’s anything difficult about it. But it takes all kinds to make the world go 'round. By the way, can anyone explain to me why guys ask for their receipt when they’ve bought nothing but a bunch of porno mags? What are they gonna do, declare them on their taxes?

[LouisB]

Pepperlandgirl, your rant gives the impression (at least to me) that you regard all customers as potential enemies. It seems as if you expect customers to be not only rude, but ignorant.

That being said, at the time I made my comment about firing you, I was waiting for the results of a biopsy. I took out my anxiety and frustration on you, for which I apologize.

[aenea]

Why, because in the privacy of my own home I rant? I don’t act like that when I am at work, believe it or not I know how to act professionally.

PLG,

Please keep in mind that you did not, in this case, rant in the privacy of your home. You ranted on a public message board, and guess what? You get to deal with the public again. I realize that you are a teen-ager, but please consider where you are posting to when you express your private opinions. Plus, this is the pit, where we can ALL be very open about our opinion of what you say.

[pepperlandgirl]

LouisB, I understand. Apology accepted. And I hope that the results of the biopsy were good news, and not bad. I understand about taking out frustration/anger/anxiety from IRL onto this message board.

You get to deal with the public again. I realize that you are a teen-ager,
but please consider where you are posting to when you express your private opinions.

So, please inform me. If I can’t use this board to post rants and my personal opinion (Which by the way, I see people do all the time) then where can I?

[Green_Bean]

Pepperlandgirl:

I think you are a bit confused.

Yes, you are free to rant and express your personal opinion here. But this is a very active public message board, and thus you open your rants and opinions to criticism from others.

I am new here myself, but I have observed a couple of things. One of them is that the SDMB is not a place for random ranting. If you start a thread, the other members will take you seriously. You can not make statements and assertions like the ones you made in the OP and subsequent posts and then backpedal by saying “it’s just a rant.”

If you don’t want to be held accountable for what you say, go rant in Teen Chat.