I have always done my best to be kind, respectful, and understanding when I speak with those in retail and in customer service. I have never been one to berate customer service representatives and I do my best not to get an attitude with them because in a way I am them. I worked in customer service related jobs for a total of about 2 years, so I understand what it's like to be yelled at and told I don't know what I'm doing. But at some point, you have to stop avoiding stepping on people's toes and like Nike says, "Just do it."
Early September was my breaking point. The point where I was once again checking on the status of an order placed on August 2nd that still hadn't shipped despite the promise that I would have it by September 7th (despite already being two weeks behind schedule). Then I was told they would ship by the end of the day on September 15th at the absolute latest. When, on September 19th, I still hadn't heard a word about my stuff I made yet another call to the company and was told again (you can probably picture my eyes rolling) that they weren't ready yet but would be shipping "anytime." What tomfoolery.
At that point, I was so fed up that I just spit out, "Well you know what? I was told I would have them by August 25th, then by September 7th, then by September 17th, and I still don't have my stuff. I was promised that it would ship by the end of the day on the 15th and the latest and it didn't." The more I spoke of my problems and explained that I needed these items for an event the first week of september and didn't have them and I had another event coming up on Friday and I needed to know whether I was going to have to spend more money on a dress so I could have something to wear, the more angry I got. The lady on the end of the line, Bless her heart, was telling me that "Audrey, we do not know when the items will ship exactly but if you'll give me a moment I'll speak with the production manager and see where we're at." yeah. right. I've heard that before. finally she came back on the phone and told me they would be here by Friday.
So finally, after having waited weeks longer than I should have to receive shipping notification I finally did. and my items will be here tomorrow morning. After reading at least twenty other customer's complaints of how they ordered items back at the beginning of august and even end of july I hate to think of how long it would've taken for me to get them had I not grown a back bone and gotten rid of the sweet kind voice rather than using my "you're pissing me off and dangerously close to me demanding to speak to your manager voice."
So, in conclusion sometimes you have to be slightly rude and pushier than normal to get results, and shocker! it CAN be done without using profanity and berating people. All you have to do is "man up" and be prepared to request kindly, but firmly, that your items be shipped as soon as possible and as quickly as possible.
Even when the customer service stinks it is important to be kind and understanding as much as possible because from my experience with retail, you always remember 2 types of customers. The ones who scream at you and berate you and your manager, and the ones who are kind, understanding, and empathetic because they understand that everyone has bad days. Something that retail workers (at least I did) will remember and appreciate are the customers who use their manners. I'm willing to bet that the more polite you are and the more you make an effort to talk to the employee assisting you rather than at them the more likely they are to help you out.
So this new year, please please please be kind to retail employees and understand that they're people too and have lives to live as well.
Even though Christmas is over, the retail workers are still working tons of hours and having to miss spending time with their families so that they can help you.
