The realm of retail employment is wide. I happen to be employed in a company that places a significant emphasis on sales and numbers, in addition to customer service. I can understand why some people view people who work in sales as people who lie and mislead, but I can assure you that not all of us utilize shady business practices. There are still good guys in sales out there.
1. We care about more than numbers.
Numbers
We are there to help you, regardless of whatever goals we are expected to meet. Sometimes the numbers we are expected to meet can seem rather high. Despite that, not everyone who works in sales is willing to provide false information to consumers in order to make a quick buck.
2. Not all of us will try to take advantage of you.
Scam
You may have heard stories of sales associates that will lie and mislead customers for the sake of improving their sales numbers or in some cases their commission. I would like to tell you that not all sales associates are like that. I would rather provide you with the right information and save you money instead of try to take advantage of you for the sake of having good numbers. I would also like people to treat me with the same kind of dignity and try to save me some money.
3. We would like to be treated like human beings.
People
I am not sure why some people treat retail employees as something less than human beings. There is no reason for that. It is one thing to not be the most friendly person in the world, as we all have our off days. However, it is a completely other thing to straight up act like a jerk. How hard is it to not talk on the phone with your friend about some nonsense while I am trying to process a transaction for you? My job is difficult enough as it is.
4. Doing those surveys on your receipts are not a waste of time.
Surveys
I admit that I personally do not take many receipt surveys because I either forget, accidentally throw the receipt out, or am simply too lazy. I can understand why someone would opt to not do a survey. I can say honestly that doing the surveys on my store's receipts are more beneficial than you may realize. You can provide helpful feedback that is indeed taken seriously. In my company, if a store receives enough good surveys, they attain a level that distinguishes them from other store locations and receive more collectible items to sell. Surveys also help us, especially when we are not having a good week numbers wise.
