Unhappy Retail Sales People

I bought a sears craftsman tap and die set with some money I got for Christmas a year ago. When I got it home I found "made in China" etched in all the parts. I took the set back and explained very politely (I've worked in customer service, I believe in the golden rule) that I bought the set because I thought that I was supporting a company who still made their products in the US...

I was given the "just because its made in China doesn't mean its a bad product" speech.

I understand that she was probably coached by management to give that speech to customers like me, which is fine. But it wasn't fine when Mrs. Sassy pants took it personally, and blew up on the store floor after I repeated my request.

Oh well, I got my money back and as it turns out my grandfather gave me his fathers tap and die set which I was much happier with.

Example: I work in the meat dept. of Sam's Club (ungh). A lady asks for her custom cut roast. I find said roast and hand it to her. Usually, this is where she says thanks and I say you're welcome. No.

"Will this feed my family?"

Like a fool I take the bait.

"Uhh...how many people are in your family?"

"oh, 12."

"That roast should feed-"

"Three of them are in the military."

"No. No mam, there is no waaay that will feed them. The three of them could eat that thing alone."

"Well...what should I cook?"

Ungh, dammit lady. How the hell should I know? This went on for ten minutes.

I'm not defending jerk salespeople, but sometimes you, the customer, are dicks.

Appleseed wrote: Example: I work in the meat dept. of Sam's Club (ungh). A lady asks for her custom cut roast. I find said roast and hand it to her. Usually, this is where she says thanks and I say you're welcome. No. "Will this feed my family?" Like a fool I take the bait. "Uhh...how many people are in your family?" "oh, 12." "That roast should feed-" "Three of them are in the military." "No. No mam, there is no waaay that will feed them. The three of them could eat that thing alone." "Well...what should I cook?" Ungh, dammit lady. How the hell should I know? This went on for ten minutes. I'm not defending jerk salespeople, but sometimes you, the customer, are dicks.

I'm confused. How many of those three are deployed? How many will be home?

I read that as there could be 9, 10, 11, or 12 people.

MORE INFO. YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS!!!!

What's my zip code? I lie. Problem solved.

Ive had a real problem with people lately. The girl at Best Buy threw away my reward zone cash and said that it wasn't valid. I asked for it back and she wouldn't pick it out of the trash can. I feel almost like everyone else is trying to "pull one over" every time I shop in a big store. I worked in restaurants for 8 years and I would like to think that I can spot bad service from a mile away, but now days that's all we have.

I do try to support small local businesses though. I always get great service at those places, even if the price is a buck or two more.

I worked Kmart retail in college and high school for five years. I do not act shiny towards sales people. I smile and say no thank you or thank you when today's clerks allow me the privelage to shop at their store.

I just feel bad as they get aggravated when I don't put all these extra services.

Cole_Trickle wrote: I do try to support small local businesses though. I always get great service at those places, even if the price is a buck or two more.

I will personally pay up to 25% more for a product or service if I can get it at a local mom-and-pop business with customer service (such as the dryer toaster I bought yesterday, or the stack of novels last week).

"If you want something done right, you probably shouldn't pay a pissed off teenager minimum wage to do it"

Don't know who to attribute that quote to but I love it.

stroker wrote: What's my zip code? I lie. Problem solved.

7

What's the problem giving them your zip code?

spitfirebill wrote: What's the problem giving them your zip code?

omg, they will like... uh.. know where ya live... kinda

fasted58 wrote:

spitfirebill wrote: What's the problem giving them your zip code?

omg, they will like... uh.. know where ya live... kinda

This sentiment is even more humorous if you imagine people having paid with credit cards and then not giving their zip codes.

They always ask for my phone number when I return something. I think it's Lowe's that asks for it when you buy "so you will be able to return it". I never give my number, and that's what I always tell them. If they persist, and sometimes they really do, then I ask them for their number. When they won't give it to me, I ask them why? It usually stops there.

I just give them a cell number from, like, 3 phones ago.

Service advisoring is a retail position (you think people are shiny happy people about, say, a hacksaw? Try a $40,000.00 car and a TON of buyers' remorse) so I tend to view these poor suckers with some pity.

spitfirebill wrote: What's the problem giving them your zip code?

Honestly, I don't know why it bugs me. It bugs me. I do not want.

I do not want to buy clothes with advertising on it.

I do not want car dealerships stickering up my car.

I do not want a $15 warranty on my tires unless you will sell me it for just one tire (thats right bitches... I only want one... and you get to guess which one when I get a flat)

I do not want to opt out of a survey every time I go to a register.

Get off my berkeleying lawn.

I still think a lot of the problem is that a lot of people don't really want to work in retail..but very often, they're the only jobs out there.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

spitfirebill wrote: What's the problem giving them your zip code?

Honestly, I don't know why it bugs me. It bugs me. I do not want. I do not want to buy clothes with advertising on it. I do not want car dealerships stickering up my car. I do not want a $15 warranty on my tires unless you will sell me it for just one tire (thats right bitches... I only want one... and you get to guess which one when I get a flat) I do not want to opt out of a survey every time I go to a register. Get off my berkeleying lawn.

Giant Purple......you are hilarious.

My local Walmart has a sign by the registers with the store managers name, photo, and phone number to call if dissatisfied with the service. So I call to explain the lines were long and they were pissed that I was bothering them on a Saturday night. That actually made me laugh.

Rob_Mopar wrote: Address? 1060 West Addison, Chicago, IL 60613

I've done that, but if a place gets really aggressive about wanting my home address (Radio Shack used to refuse to sell to me unless I provided it) I find the store's mailing address and make a point of making a special trip just to guarantee they start getting their own junk mail. 99% of clerks don't recognize the address.

Will wrote:

Rob_Mopar wrote: Address? 1060 West Addison, Chicago, IL 60613

I've done that, but if a place gets really aggressive about wanting my home address (Radio Shack used to refuse to sell to me unless I provided it) I find the store's mailing address and make a point of making a special trip just to guarantee they start getting their own junk mail. 99% of clerks don't recognize the address.

I love this idea!

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

spitfirebill wrote: What's the problem giving them your zip code?

Honestly, I don't know why it bugs me. It bugs me. I do not want. I do not want to buy clothes with advertising on it. I do not want car dealerships stickering up my car. I do not want a $15 warranty on my tires unless you will sell me it for just one tire (thats right bitches... I only want one... and you get to guess which one when I get a flat) I do not want to opt out of a survey every time I go to a register. Get off my berkeleying lawn.

Does the online place ask for your zip code? Honestly I agree, I don't want to fill out surveys or give my cell #, when I purchase a widget, and I don't. But I don't abuse some poor clerk over it with a bad attitude either. Lighten up Francis.

I do like your tactic on the tires though...

Zomby woof wrote: They always ask for my phone number when I return something. I think it's Lowe's that asks for it when you buy "so you will be able to return it". I never give my number, and that's what I always tell them. If they persist, and sometimes they really do, then I ask them for their number. When they won't give it to me, I ask them why? It usually stops there.

Part of the reasoning for this is due to loss prevention. If something is returned, the manager gets a report the next day ( most retail stores do this). This shows what was returned, who returned it, and why.If the item was not found after it was returned, the customer gets a phone call from the store asking if everything went well during their visit,etc, etc. If the customer did not return the item, then they investigate internally and sometimes cashiers are the ones doing the 'fake return' to pocket the cash. Just a way to cover eveyones asses.

I work in retail and I dislike it. I don't hate it because it does have it's plusses like any other job. I hate going into other places and being asked for add on sales. No, I just want to pay for my crap and get the heck outta the store.

I flipped at a lady who was standing in line in front of me at KMart the week before x-mas because she spent 15 minutes at the checkout buying two items. The items were on sale, but didn't ring up at the sale price, then she didn't have the correct rewards card, then she grabbed the wrong credit card..grrr. This made me a shiny happy person. I had 3 items, no rewards cards, and I was paying cash.30 seconds after I put what I was buying on the counter,I had receipt in hand and was walking to my car.

I try not to shop anywhere anymore.

I always get stuck in that line too

I know stores also track who returns what, and will start to refuse returns to some serial returners

While I was at Lowe's waiting for a special order pickup a gentleman came up to the customer service desk wanting to return a gallon of paint. The lid of the can was rusty and he did not have a receipt. The girl behind the counter kept her cool as this guy kept insisting he bought the paint there three months ago and lost the receipt. Then he insisted on talking to the store manager. Same manager I had a conversation with a few minutes earlier.

Manager heard what the guy had to say then explained to the gentleman that they haven't carried that line of paint in over three years and he cannot take it back. The guy was still mad and started lecturing the manager that if he wanted to have good customer service that he would just take the paint back, after all that's what Sears and Home Depot do (I'm fairly certain they don't).

The manager kept the same even tone the whole time and explained that he can't take a product that they haven't sold in over 3 years then try and sell that product to another customer. That it would be a disservice to the other customer and for the gentleman to have a nice day.

I wasn't expecting a theater production while waiting but was impressed that both the girl behind the counter and manager kept their cool while this guy was getting agitated that he couldn't pull one over on them.

Used to work for RadioShack and yes, they go as far as to role play to make sure we ask additional questions. Unless you are getting a warranty, never give up any personal information. They will use it and sell it.

I've been out of that business for almost four years now. My part time job at the surplus store allows me the same type of work but no stupid questions. We don't have warranties, hell we barely have a return policy.

Most of those guys don't want to ask you those questions. The guys who do, just stay away from them.

N Sperlo wrote: Used to work for RadioShack and yes, they go as far as to role play to make sure we ask additional questions. Unless you are getting a warranty, never give up any personal information. They will use it and sell it.

yup, the Shack is notorious for that. When they ask I just tell em ya already have my info, if they persist I repeat it in pitbull voice.