Customer Sevice

May 22, 2007, 8:01 PM

Here is an example of the joys of working in the workplace.

Okay, I was behind the tills at work today, which I do enjoy doing as you get to meet some interesting people and make friends. And Ive made several and its nice. However, you do get your rough with smooth and yes you do encounter the nastier customer who doesnt give a rat's arse about you and just wants their shopping done there and then!

So I served one of my workmates friends, whom was lovely to me yesturday with some cigs and roach paper. I accidently gave him the wrong change and he made this very clear. He had a lady friend with him who was drinking a can of Carlsberg and was the most grossest thing I had ever set eyes on. She wasnt too quick to start bad mouthing me and saying that its always this shop and its always me, even though I had never seen her in my life! I was panicing and couldnt do the simple math in my head and I asked for a calculator.

Big mistake cause this gave that bitch more ammo agaisnt me. She went on and did the sum in her head as this lovely man got out his phone and did the calculation for me. She shouted the answer at me, I didnt hear her and then she asked me very nasty like "How much did I say?" I said I didnt hear her and she smirked and called me more. Now I could feel the sting in my eyes and I refused to cry in front of her. Whilst this was going on the man I was refunding went to my manager Jamie and demanded his money back, at which point Jamie said to calm down and I'd sort it when Im sorted.

I finally gave him the almost right change as I wanted her out of there. She just kept taking jabs at me, even when they got the change and she left. I served the nice customer who used his phone and he said to ignore them. But then the tears came. Jamie shouted for Robert and asked me into the office in which I broke down into tears. I kept apologising cause I was scared I had given the wrong change to them. I was told not to worry and have 5 minutes breather. I felt very shook up afterwards and couldnt focus right. People had to point out their booze and cigs to me as I was shaking so much and forgot where most stuff was.

I mean at the end of the day we are there to serve you, there is no need for you to be evil, horrible and result to name calling. At the end of the day we are providing you with a service, if we werent there, you'd be buggered wouldnt you? There is no need for this carry on. Yes some people do make mistakes, but we are quick to correct them and all we ask is for patience and understanding.

Has anyone else experinced this type of behaviour? Have you ever been nasty to someone serving you?

May 23, 2007, 3:37 AM

Yikes. That was really mean of her and quite frankly, I don't appreciate customers like that. I'm a cashier too (although I'm sure you know already) and I dislike customers with a horrible attitude. Who wouldn't? And what's more irritating is that they know they're being nasty, yet still resort to being one continuously. So why do they do it? To piss us off, be a smart ass back to them, and give them a reason to report us to our managers?

Hah, I've had a couple of 'em trying to report me to the Big Boss. What they do is they actually ask me the store manager's number. "And can I have your manager's number? What's his name?" And I'll give it to them, acting cool at the same time. See, they try to intimidate you with these stuff. They want us to get scared. Screw that, lol.

In the end, I've never heard a complaint from my manager about me. =) And it's good that you didn't cry in front of them. I know it can be tough, but just relax - as cliche as that may sound. You'll deal with a lot of those, of course. It's retail. It's to be expected.

The thing is, some people are grouchy by the time they reach the registers. If they can't find the stuff they're looking for in the store, that sets them off. Well some anyway. And it's the cashiers who they usually blame. "I can't find this blah blah blah, you guys need to get some more blah blah blah, why does this cost so much?! Blah blah blah!" And so that's what makes our job stressful.

I can understand why they're stressed sometimes, but they also need to understand that it's not an easy job for us as well. So patience on both sides are needed. Unfortunately, I've ran out of patience after working in retail for almost 8 months. That's just me though. You might be able to tolerate them more than I probably can. =/

On top of the long lines, the other work that needs to be done, customer complaints, etc...it's a pain in the ass. I hate my job...and so that is why I'm leaving by the end of May. =) I'd rather deal with 20 kids than childish adults.

My Character Profiles · May 23, 2007, 3:45 AM

That's terrible. I've known my share of people who are quick to critisize people for making mistakes; heck, I live with someone who's like that...but lashing out at someone is just taking it a step too far. =\
I understand people becoming frustrated, but that ugly hag has her own downfalls too. I'm open enough to say that I can hardly add and subtract right with a piece of paper to do the solutions on. I would have cried if I were you too, but I also would have thrown something at her and lost my job. =\
At least you were the bigger person by not lashing back at her; which I'm sure is just what she would have wanted you to do.

May 23, 2007, 10:27 AM

Thanks guys and you dont know how tempted I was to learn over the counter and smack her in the jaw lol! My gran went crazy and said I could take her to court for verbal and almost mental abuse, but I personally dont want the woman in my life ever again. My mum has been inr etail since I was a child and she seems to take the bad customers in her stride. At the end of the day, they arent impressing anyone, just making themselves look foolish and childish. The other customers were looking at her disgusted and I hope that someday she gets treated the same way. Im actually nervous about work incase either of them come back.

May 23, 2007, 10:36 AM

It takes alot to be able to handle customers like them, so good on you for being a pro about it

May 23, 2007, 10:37 AM

aww i feel for you i now how it feels cause i used to work at a super market but not anymore thanks to one person

but its ok i can just get another job down at EB!!!

May 23, 2007, 10:41 AM

Well not everyone can just get another job. This is the first job Ive had in a year. So Im not quitting on account of this woman. I just hope I dont have to deal with her again.

May 23, 2007, 10:43 AM

You really should've asked her to leave as soon as she caused a commotion. Especially if she was being loud and disruptive. Nevertheless, I'd say you handled it the best way you could, and you didn't let yourself down to anyone. Granted, short-changing someone isn't the most impressive act whilst serving, but it's hardly an excuse for someone to have a go.

Don't let it bother you or anything. She was only one person, AND she was drunk. I'd have pointed that out to security. ;p Morons deserve no second thoughts.

May 23, 2007, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~SapphireStar~

Well not everyone can just get another job. This is the first job Ive had in a year. So Im not quitting on account of this woman. I just hope I dont have to deal with her again.

well i agree with you there even though it was my first job

but im young so i have the rest of my life ahead of me

May 23, 2007, 10:47 AM

Lol, sadly we are the security! We only have CCTV and no guards, its sucks! I know its not great short changing someone, but I had a huge que of customers and no one was hoping on till when I buzzed for help, so I was under pressure. My friend did say I should have asked her to leave, but Ive witnessed managers trying to get people to leave and I was terrified of this woman, she was taller then me (Im only tiny) and drunk people are scary when they get more angry and I didnt want her to end up hurting me.

Thanks guys, I mean I dont get upset with people behind tills when Im shopping as I understand what they are going through and let them take their time. It opens your eyes when your on the other side of the counter.

@ HeroMaxim, youre really not helping me here.