How to piss a shop assistant off...

jill_valentine

On that note - re: Customer approaching. I am obliged to approach every customer within 30 seconds of them walking through the door. I hate it, you hate, I'm sorry, but it must be done.

I'll ask you if you're alright there, and if you have any questions. If you don't and just want to browse, that's cool, just say you're fine. I don't mind. I promise I won't bother you again, and I'm not going to follow you round. If I do ask you more than once, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. It doesn't mean we think you're going to rob the place or anything, we just want you to know that we are available to answer any questions you might have. Just so you know. If we ask you if you're alright, and you are, that's fine by us.

plein de force

smurfy89 wrote: »

Well it's company policy, so the shop assistants will have to ask everyone... especially if there is a supervisor/ management hanging around the till :P

i see
but does the company seriously expect an 18 year old will be part of the clubcard scheme?

OPENROAD

jill_valentine wrote: »

On that note - re: Customer approaching. I am obliged to approach every customer within 30 seconds of them walking through the door. I hate it, you hate, I'm sorry, but it must be done.

I'll ask you if you're alright there, and if you have any questions. If you don't and just want to browse, that's cool, just say you're fine. I don't mind. I promise I won't bother you again, and I'm not going to follow you round. If I do ask you more than once, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. It doesn't mean we think you're going to rob the place or anything, we just want you to know that we are available to answer any questions you might have. Just so you know. If we ask you if you're alright, and you are, that's fine by us.

I actually don't mind it,and I think your approach is excellent, very refreshing actually, in my own experience I find that I'm rarely approached to ask if I would like any help in stores here compared to say in London where your approach is taken.

smurfy89

plein de force wrote: »

i see
but does the company seriously expect an 18 year old will be part of the clubcard scheme?

Yep... I don't .. but they do! Ha.
Once you get into a routine of asking customers the same questions that you have to ask everyone it's kind of hard to stop! Generally you can tell who is going to have one and who won't.. the younger guys and the old farmer men never have them.. but I sometimes cant help asking

ordinary_girl

plein de force wrote: »

i see
but does the company seriously expect an 18 year old will be part of the clubcard scheme?

I'm 18 and have a Tesco clubcard

Frisbee

Moaning when I charge you 22c for a bag or saying: "Ah, your not gonna charge me for the bag are you?"

It's been several years at this stage people, you should know by now that you get charged for bags.

Mr Velo

jill_valentine wrote: »

This attitude drives me mad. We're paid to facilitate your transaction on behalf of our employer. They get your money, you get your goods/services. That's fine.

We are not paid to take abuse from you because your day is bad or you can't bothered. It is not my job to make you feel better about your place in the world by playing whipping boy. That is not our function, and you shouldn't expect us to take it. We probably will, because we probably have to, but that doesn't make it alright.

Courtesy costs nothing, and not showing the slightest bit of it to somebody just because "they work here" is testament to poor character. I am no less deserving of a minimum degree of basic decency than anybody else. I love my job, but the sheer rudeness that otherwise normal, functional people exhibit to retail staff - consciously and unconsciously, and on a daily basis - defies belief sometimes.

Well said.

Cheeky_gal

Sunday night, in the garage, a woman who looked at least early 30's was asked to produce ID for skins .. LOL .. by a black fella.

Convo went like this..

Shop assistant: I'll need to see some ID miss?
Her: Are you having a laugh? I'm 29
Shop assistant: ID please
Her: Are you serious?? I don't even have ID on me!
Shop assistant: Then I can't serve you I'm afraid.
Her: Well yano what you can **** off with your ID ye pr*ck.
Shop assistant: You f*ck off miss :mad:

Everyone in the que was shocked and spoke up to him telling him how rude he was and how ridiculous. It was so weird

Reganio 2

It changes everything now that we know he is black.

mikemac

They were both out of line.
And the customer swore first, people have been removed from shops for less

Cheeky_gal

Cheeky_gal wrote: »

Sunday night, in the garage, a woman who looked at least early 30's was asked to produce ID for skins .. LOL .. by a black fella.

Convo went like this..

Shop assistant: I'll need to see some ID miss?
Her: Are you having a laugh? I'm 29
Shop assistant: ID please
Her: Are you serious?? I don't even have ID on me!
Shop assistant: Then I can't serve you I'm afraid.
Her: Well yano what you can **** off with your ID ye pr*ck.
Shop assistant: You f*ck off miss :mad:

Everyone in the que was shocked and spoke up to him telling him how rude he was and how ridiculous. It was so weird

Eh, I'm not overly PC, but what does him being a black fella have to do with anything? Good on him for telling her to f*ck off back. I know how annoying it is to be asked for ID when you're way over 18, but it doesn't justify abusing an employee.

PrincessLola

plein de force wrote: »

i see
but does the company seriously expect an 18 year old will be part of the clubcard scheme?

No, but it's nothing to do with you. Try to understand that when we ask you we don't actually give a f*ck whether you have a clubcard or not, we just don't want to get in trouble. Our supervisers/ managers take it very seriously and drill it into us that we have to ask or else...:rolleyes:
Besides, there have been a few times where I have forgotten to ask for a clubcard and the customer has thrown a tantrum, "you're stupid" "you should have asked" blah, blah, blah...

And for the people complaining we scan too slow, I've been yelled at by old ladies for scanning too fast, they accuse me of trying to rush them and confuse them. You can't win.

BTW if a customer has a small/ newborn baby/ toddler I forgive them of everything because babies are cute:pac:

johnny_ultimate

Fact: as a shop monkey assistant for two years now, I go out of my way to be courteous to customers. Most of them are fine and dandy, hand over their money, receive their goods in exchange, and we depart with a thank you or similar simple exchange.

However, when a customer walks in, complaining or enquiring about our lack of - and I quote - "Mega-Porn" section (which raises more questions than I'm willing to google), or an elderly lady comes in complaining to me, and then customers, and then customers in the shop next door about the service charge on credit (which I by no means agree to, but am utterly powerless to do anything about), I do get irked. And as much as I try to hold my composure, a friendly rant to the other employees is usually on the cards. However, when a customer comes up and acts like a complete ass because we don't have a DVD in stock, making snidey, snark comments that make you temporarily lose faith in humanity , then you really do have to wonder why people go out of their way to make the minimum wage lackie feel like crap.

Note: The events depicted in this post are fictitious. Any similarity to any person living or dead is merely coincidental.

eightyfish

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

snark comments that make you temporarily lose faith in humanity

If you want your faith restored read this thread.

irelandrover

Cheeky_gal wrote: »

Sunday night, in the garage, a woman who looked at least early 30's was asked to produce ID for skins .. LOL .. by a black fella.

Convo went like this..

Shop assistant: I'll need to see some ID miss?
Her: Are you having a laugh? I'm 29
Shop assistant: ID please
Her: Are you serious?? I don't even have ID on me!
Shop assistant: Then I can't serve you I'm afraid.
Her: Well yano what you can **** off with your ID ye pr*ck.
Shop assistant: You f*ck off miss :mad:

Everyone in the que was shocked and spoke up to him telling him how rude he was and how ridiculous. It was so weird

i love the way he was nice and polite after he told her to f*ck off, by calling her miss, and she cursed at him first. Why did noone tell her how rude she was?

Cheeky_gal

irelandrover wrote: »

i love the way he was nice and polite after he told her to f*ck off, by calling her miss, and she cursed at him first. Why did noone tell her how rude she was?

Because everyone sided with her, your man was an ar*ehole, who ID's a fully grown woman!? If anything that in itself is rude, I'm with her on this one :cool:

ynul31f47k6b59

I don't mind shop assistants, I used to work in a job dealing with the public, and while most people are nice, there would be a few awkward ones who would just treat you like rubbish and assume that you knew what they were talking about, all the while making NO sense.

What I do hate, is this:

Me, standing at checkout, loading groceries onto belt.
Assistant 1: So, did ya see the state of him t'other night?
Assistant 2: (on other till) Jaysus, yeah, did ya put the pictures on Facebook?
Assistant 1: Ah ****e no, should I? He'll go mad.
Me: Can I have a bag please?
Assistant 1 doesn't even turn her head, sticks her fingers into her gob and pulls out a bag, throwing it on top of groceries. Goes back to conversation about hilarious night out and how everyone was soooooo loooocccked and how she can't wait to finish her shift.
Assistant 2 moans about her break and how she's on for a longer shift.

It makes me want to scream "Look at me!!! Look at me!!! I'm paying your wages, pay attention to me!!!" and throw a toddler-sized tantrum.

Frisbee

Cheeky_gal wrote: »

Because everyone sided with her, your man was an ar*ehole, who ID's a fully grown woman!? If anything that in itself is rude, I'm with her on this one :cool:

You know you can lose your job and the shop can be closed for up to 5 days as well as fined several thousand euro for serving someone underage?

I've ID'd people in their 30's before, some people just look very young, and you can usually keep her sweet by acting like it's complimentary that you though she was so young.

When older people get sarky with me when I ID them I just tell them that I have to and getting in a strop won't get them anywhere whereas if someone is mannerly about it I'll have no problem serving them.

the_syco

Cheeky_gal wrote: »

Because everyone sided with her, your man was an ar*ehole, who ID's a fully grown woman!? If anything that in itself is rude, I'm with her on this one :cool:

Who? Someone who wants to keep their job. BTW, was yer wan a "howie ya"? If someone gets massively offended when ID'ed, it usually means that they're underage. Old wans chuckle, and pull out some form of ID.

Cheeky_gal

the_syco wrote: »

Who? Someone who wants to keep their job. BTW, was yer wan a "howie ya"? If someone gets massively offended when ID'ed, it usually means that they're underage. Old wans chuckle, and pull out some form of ID.

Yeah I'd imagine she was from tallaght clondalkin darndale finglas etc. abouts ..

Pat1405

get a new job dude

gravityisalie

Frisbee wrote: »

You know you can lose your job and the shop can be closed for up to 5 days as well as fined several thousand euro for serving someone underage?

I've ID'd people in their 30's before, some people just look very young, and you can usually keep her sweet by acting like it's complimentary that you though she was so young.

When older people get sarky with me when I ID them I just tell them that I have to and getting in a strop won't get them anywhere whereas if someone is mannerly about it I'll have no problem serving them.

i'm 28 and still get asked for ID , its not that hard to carry with you and only takes a second to show , if someone is just doing their job then wtf is the problem ?

Orla K

Frisbee wrote: »

You know you can lose your job and the shop can be closed for up to 5 days as well as fined several thousand euro for serving someone underage?

I've ID'd people in their 30's before, some people just look very young, and you can usually keep her sweet by acting like it's complimentary that you though she was so young.

When older people get sarky with me when I ID them I just tell them that I have to and getting in a strop won't get them anywhere whereas if someone is mannerly about it I'll have no problem serving them.

But according to the post she was looked for id because she was buying skins, you do not id to buy little bits of paper. Id is only for alcohol and tobacco.

jill_valentine

For those of you who don't believe these kinds of customers can possibly be so dementedly self-absorbed, I'd encourage you to check out the first post in this thread:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055606735

mikemac

I remember that thread, eventually got locked from all the deserved abuse the OP got for their silliness.

But, but "These recessionary times" mean they will do anything I want like take money out of a float to give to me:rolleyes:

There was one point from that thread though, I would like Lidl to introduce baskets. But it's not a deal breaker, just a minor request

veryangryman

The Agogo wrote: »

Is it really asking much for you to wash your clothes and body at frequent occasions. It's especially revolting when the smell is transferred to the money (but a laugh is had at giving it to the next customer ha ha!)

I used to spray this smelly old guy when he wasnt looking. And of course the above also.

GREAT thread. 10/10 - well done son

ynul31f47k6b59

jill_valentine wrote: »

For those of you who don't believe these kinds of customers can possibly be so dementedly self-absorbed, I'd encourage you to check out the first post in this thread:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055606735

Jill, that is mental. As I mentioned, the only thing that really, really does my head in is when the assistants talk to each other and ignore the customer. It makes me want to scream. Anything else - well, I just think that if the customer's friendly, then the assistant will be friendly. If the assistant's snotty, I won't be back. Simples.:)

Unfortunately, the kind of mentality shown by the woman in that trolley post is very much alive and well, I don't want to go too OT here but I worked in a particular department a few years ago that meant I was dealing with...*best way to put this*... firstly, men who did NOT want to deal with a woman, and secondly, a particular group of people who wanted something there and then that I could not provide - refusing to fill out forms, and ranting and raving and cursing.

I also once worked for a few months on a desk in a department that processed parking fines. Note: I said processed, as in take the payment. I did not, as some of them thought, actually go out and stick the bloody thing on your window.

When that didn't turn me into a raging alcoholic, nothing will.

Motley Crue

I think it's incredibly horrible how many people actually smell, this is something I can't get over, I don't understand how some people just can't take a wash every morning and make sure they face the day with clean clothes and underwear. Some exceptions can be made, obviously, for those homeless and sleeping rough...but seriously, teenagers smelling of urine, in this day and age.

Turpentine

Orla K wrote: »

But according to the post she was looked for id because she was buying skins, you do not id to buy little bits of paper. Id is only for alcohol and tobacco.

You have to be over 18 to buy tobacco and tobacco related paraphernalia, which includes skins and filters. Not a lot of people seem to know that.

ordinary_girl

PrincessLola wrote: »

And for the people complaining we scan too slow, I've been yelled at by old ladies for scanning too fast, they accuse me of trying to rush them and confuse them. You can't win.

People actually complain about that?! I've never had that issue, the only time scanning items is 'too slow' is when I'm using the self service checkout As a matter of interest, how long does it take for shop assistants to know where the bar codes are on everything? It'd take me ages if I worked on a till!

blogga

The Agogo wrote: »

Just to give boardsies some methods of getting on the nerves of shopworkers (of which I am one) throughout Ireland:

This is the equivalent of taping a "kick me" sign to yourself isn't it?

jill_valentine

Rest_Energy wrote: »

People actually complain about that?! I've never had that issue, the only time scanning items is 'too slow' is when I'm using the self service checkout

This also goes for 1c coins. Give people their 1c coin, and they will literally throw it back in your face. Don't, and get the head eaten off you by somebody carrying Brown Thomas bags. Lose/Lose.

Fukuyama

Rest_Energy wrote: »

As a matter of interest, how long does it take for shop assistants to know where the bar codes are on everything? It'd take me ages if I worked on a till!

You kind of get used to most items. In supermarkets, there are about 50 items that you'll get all the time. Things like milk, bread, tins, pizza etc... so you know most products that will be in a few peoples shops.

The rest you either see, or when trying to scan it, just flip it 180 and it will normally scan. I hardly ever 'look' for barcodes.

Orla K

Turpentine wrote: »

You have to be over 18 to buy tobacco and tobacco related paraphernalia, which includes skins and filters. Not a lot of people seem to know that.

Not paraphernalia, products but then this would have been a few years ago when afew of us working a shop were talking about it. (To be honest I don't care enough to check up on it now, you may be right or not I don't think it really matters)

The Agogo

veryangryman wrote: »

I used to spray this smelly old guy when he wasnt looking. And of course the above also.

GREAT thread. 10/10 - well done son

I lolled so hard that I nearly rofled:pac:

Blobby George

Frisbee wrote: »

I've ID'd people in their 30's before

Gotta love these barmen. Usually carrying a hefty chip from being ID'd themselves. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

The Agogo

When I worked in America, you had to ID everyone: young, old, unborn....EVERYONE

Fukuyama

Blobby George wrote: »

Gotta love these barmen. Usually carrying a hefty chip from being ID'd themselves. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

In fairness, I've ID'd thirty year olds before... Sometimes they look very young! Its always women though because they wear make-up etc... and it kind of throws you off.

With guys its fairly easy to tell once they're past 20-21...

lil_lisa

I have worked in retail (petrol stations, supermarkets and video stores) for 7 years and I have been a customer for as long as I could see over the counter (15 years give or take). I have been living in the US for almost two years now and it's such a culture shock when I go back home. Strangely enough, I miss how everywhere, restaurants, clothes shops, petrol stations, even the cheapest dirtiest places, make sure every customer is acknowledged when they walk through the door.

I miss the smiles from behind the counter, and although they don't really care, I miss the chit-chat, "How is your day going today?; Oh this is a lovely sweater!". I miss the feeling in a store that they actually WANT me to buy something and not feel like I'm a nuisance and taking up their time because if I decide to buy something they might actually have to do work.

On the other hand, I miss customer in front of me responding to the chit-chat with the person behind the counter and maybe even inviting me into the conversation. I miss customers being polite and having a positive attitude about the convenience of the store they are in or the product they are buying. I miss the smile given back from the customer to the person behind the counter as they acknowledge this stranger who will be in their life for the next few minutes and instead of sending out bad karma, they release good vibes, even if they're having a s****y day.

I am completely generalising on the worst of the worst in both situations. I have been that horrible customer who will glare at you for not doing your job faster because I have to get home to watch my shows or get to the next store before it closes.
I have been the shop assistant who gave you a dirty look or grunted because you made me do a bit extra work or keep the store open five minutes late.

For all of this, I apologise. But I do not believe it is either the customer's or assistant's fault for either situation. I believe it is our attitude as a whole in this country towards all types of retail. Maybe it's because of the hangover we have, or the lack of sunshine this morning, whatever it is, it leaves much to be desired.

Maybe we can fix it, maybe we can't, but from now on, how about we try!

Trigger007

This is a really easy one, if a customer/shop assistant is rude to you, be rude back, if they throw the money at you, throw it back, if they ask a stupid question, ask one back!

I have worked in a shop before for long enough and know what its like, sarcasm kept me goin, if customers dont say thanks or even acknowledge you're there, make sure you tell them to have a super fab day, with a big wave or thumbs up as they leave the shop! Might make you seem like your just out of a straight jacket but funny and if there's a q, the rest will get the joke as these rude people are in their minority! Always made me laugh anyway!

On the other hand it really drives me made when shop assistants ignore you and continue chatting to their mate on the next till, no greeting what so ever - in this case after they have put through most of your shopping, just walk away! It might be inconvenient to you but so worth it, and more than likely they'll have to clear their checkout.

Life is too short to get mad so just have a laugh instead! :cool:

xkariex

Standing at the counter and saying i want that !! Can't read yere minds at least read the freaking sign !!

People who treat you as if you are a lesser person and should wait on them .. ! And stop pawing the bread in bakerys it's disgusting use the gloves or a bag like come on thats just mank !! !

xkariex

Rest_Energy wrote: »

People actually complain about that?! I've never had that issue, the only time scanning items is 'too slow' is when I'm using the self service checkout As a matter of interest, how long does it take for shop assistants to know where the bar codes are on everything? It'd take me ages if I worked on a till!

The scanner picks up the barcode automatically most of the time. Plus you get used to it after scanning hundreds of items !!

gravityisalie

gravityisalie wrote: »

i'm 28 and still get asked for ID , its not that hard to carry with you and only takes a second to show , if someone is just doing their job then wtf is the problem ?

I don't have any ID to carry with me
It always puzzles me

xkariex

PrincessLola wrote: »

Note to customers: You do realise that the teenage cashier on minimum wage doesn't actually have any control over the pricing of goods? You realise that right? right?

I think what alot of you need to realize is that we (well at my shop anyway) are given shifts of up to ten hours.
It's not OK to treat us like part of the woodwork: fling coins and notes at us, yap away on the phone with your backs turned, dump a load of change on the counter demmand we pick out ten euro from it and then get angry when we don't pick out the right assortment change.:mad: (yes that has happened)

I've had a man demmand I go across the shop to get him another chicken and then have the nerve to tell me I'm holding everyone in the que up. Excuse me??:mad:

Isn't ot head wrecking or im late for the bus well why didnt you come in sooner and shop and stop getting me to get you stuff half way through your transaction !!!

xkariex

jill_valentine wrote: »

This attitude drives me mad. We're paid to facilitate your transaction on behalf of our employer. They get your money, you get your goods/services. That's fine.

We are not paid to take abuse from you because your day is bad or you can't bothered. It is not my job to make you feel better about your place in the world by playing whipping boy. That is not our function, and you shouldn't expect us to take it. We probably will, because we probably have to, but that doesn't make it alright.

Courtesy costs nothing, and not showing the slightest bit of it to somebody just because "they work here" is testament to poor character. I am no less deserving of a minimum degree of basic decency than anybody else. I love my job, but the sheer rudeness that otherwise normal, functional people exhibit to retail staff - consciously and unconsciously, and on a daily basis - defies belief sometimes.

Well said !:)

DerekDGoldfish

Dean0088 wrote: »

In fairness, I've ID'd thirty year olds before... Sometimes they look very young! Its always women though because they wear make-up etc... and it kind of throws you off.

With guys its fairly easy to tell once they're past 20-21...

Well most of the time ive only recently stoped being Id' all the time, ive been Id's at the cinima when I was 25 and when I was 24 I often got charged the child fare on the bus(under 16) until I started getting bus tickets to avoid the hassle.

A V A

have to say its not the shop assistants fault if they they dont think your 18 and you dont have id shoudlnt turn around and gie them abuse

DerekDGoldfish

A V A wrote: »

have to say its not the shop assistants fault if they they dont think your 18 and you dont have id shoudlnt turn around and gie them abuse

I dont underand why its so much hassle to carry ID just shove it in your wallet for when its needed, still hate being asked though

punchdrunk

as a sales assistant (and a very good one at that) I take pride in my work and always say please & thank you I enjoy conversation with customers because myself and the other two lads in the shop ran out of interesting things ages ago!,I love a chat with customers
but every day at the very least twice
the selfishness & ignorance of the people of Dublin (and not just the irish ones) make me so mad I have to bite my lip :mad:

Agogo I feel your pain

A V A

DerekDGoldfish wrote: »

I dont underand why its so much hassle to carry ID just shove it in your wallet for when its needed, still hate being asked though

ye id put in me wallet if i fcuking got my gardar id , i still havent got mine and i sent away for it the april before last