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The things in my head go 'round and 'round

This is my life. You can't have it.

Archive for the ‘Retail’


Seeing the future as it barrels towards us

So there I am the other night, sitting on the love seat as the MLW and The Princess were in full repose on the couch. We were watching the Disney Channel, as usual. I should say that The Princess and I were watching the show, MLW was playing Mah Jong online.

Disney is an interesting channel to watch. Everything is produced to promote Disney, and nothing but Disney. There is a segment called” Getcha head in the game.” I heard the announcer say that phrase, looked at The Princess and simply asked, “Where did that phrase come from, it sounds familiar.”

“High School Musical”, came my reply.

“Interesting”, says I.

To which The Princess asks, “Why?”, as she looks at me warily.

“Because,” I say, “There must be another High School Musical coming out soon. They are already marketing it to us.”

Thats all I said. And The Princess goes crazy on me.

“Don’t. I hate it when you do that.”

“Do what?”, I ask innocently.

“I hate it when you make those broad statements like you know what the heck is going on just because you work in retail.”

“Me?”

“You. Now just stop.”

So, just to set the record straight. Check this out.

Give them little nibbles at the cheese, and then when they take the big bite, reel ‘em in.

Namaste.

Retail Do’s and Don’ts

We have discussed Retail Etiquette numerous times. We have talked about some basic things that just should not be done, and we have talked about some things that should be done.

But it seems that there are still some items that have escaped notice. For instance:

Please do not call me asking if I have any openings for your son/daughter. When I have a Mom, and it is always a Mom, call me looking for a job for their child in the back of my mind there is this shrill alarm that goes off. Because something, somewhere, is telling me that your little darling isn’t all that interested in getting a job. You are interested in them getting a job. That doesn’t help me. Or your kid.

There is nothing wrong with getting off of your butt, going to the local store and asking the Manager how to apply. It is really that simple. And if your kid can’t do that, how are they going to be able to do all of the customer service related things that I need them to do? Think about it. And if I don’t have any jobs, or if their school schedule doesn’t work out with what I have to offer, then let them go to the next store and try again. It isn’t as if I have labeled them unemployable. I just don’t have a job for them. They will live with that rejection. It will be good for them.

Because when you Mom’s try to get your kids a job, then you want to dictate their schedule. And I don’t play that way. So, let your little darlings learn to ask for themselves. It will make the world a much nicer place.

Namaste.

Retail Etiquette

Part of a continuing series where I try to teach you, dear readers, to not be ignorant slobs to those of us who work in retail.

So where can we go today in our Retail Etiquette instructions?

I know.  Weekend insensitivity.  That is a good place to begin.

People who work in retail work weekends.  Why?  BECAUSE WE HAVE TO YOU IDIOT!!!  Someone has to be at the stores to sell you the crap that you HAVE TO HAVE RIGHT NOW so that you can go home and feel good about what you bought that you didn’t really need.  So, when we are working and you are trying to assuage your ego by spending money, don’t make semi-sarcastic comments to us about having to work on the weekends.  It isn’t funny.  We would like some time off with our families also.  But the bank likes to know that we will have the mortgage payment coming in on a regular basis.

Which brings us to the next part.  We work in retail for a lot of different reasons.  Some of us are using it as a bridge, some and just there for some cash, some to support themselves through school, and some of us have made it our career.  It is a service profession, not slavery.  A store of any kind, is one of many.  You can choose to go buy the things you want anywhere you want.  But when you get to that special store, you are going to have to deal with one of us.  Retail People.  Don’t be an idiot to us.  We want you to get the things you want, and go home.  We are not trying to screw you.

Even though we work in the same store day after day, we don’t touch every single item in the store.  Yes, sad but true, we do not know where every single thing is in the store.  You don’t know where everything is in your house, don’t expect me to know where every widget is.  Be real.  I could go on and on about this, but what is the use.  You are going to come into my store, or the store of one of my fellows, and want some porcelain covered widget in just the perfect shade of puce and freak out when we can’t find it.  doofus.

Ok.  That is it for now.  More will happen as you make me crazy.

Namaste.