Everyone has certain things they do when shopping. Whether it is hitting up your favorite stores first, making sure you say hi to the greeter, or making sure to check out everything in the store, there is always something.
As a retail worker, here are 11 things that are the biggest "don't dos" while shopping:
1. DON'T interrupt the cashier when they have a customer.
Yes, I understand you need something, but it is rude to interrupt the cashier when they are with another customer. Please wait until you see that the cashier is done ringing up. Customers have interrupted me to get a fitting room or a price check. One, there is nearly always someone in the fitting room that can open the door and you should check first. I am not doing a price check while there is a line of customers. Two, get another associate or please wait.
2. DON'T ask the cashier to go over all the list prices if you have more than 20 items.
You should look at the price of the item you are buying before you get it. I promise you it is NEARLY always right. Especially if there is the same product over and over again on the same shelf. If there is something you are unsure, I am always happy to help. There is also another way— LOOK AT THE PIN-PAD. The pin-pad in front of you will hold all the prices and the item it is for.
3. DON'T be on the phone when you are with the cashier.
We have a list of questions to ask you. It is our job to make sure those questions are answered. I can't tell you the amount of times that customers get upset because they were on the phone and they ended up not paying attention to a discount we were offering or if they forgot to tell us they don't want a certain item. That is not our fault. That person can wait, we can't and will move on to the next person in the line. Stop being rude.
4. DON'T start an argument if something doesn't go your way.
"The customer is always right" is utter crap. It is just a saying to make you guys feel better. You guys are almost always wrong. We know how to do our jobs, and, granted, there are times where you are right, but that falls in the less likely category. If we call a manager, most of the time they say the same thing we do. Sometimes, they will give you whatever you ask for if not to only shut you up to be honest.
5. DON'T mess up folded clothes when you clearly see an associate folding them.
This should be self explanatory. I will judge you on how you handle folded clothes. If you throw them around, I am going to assume your house looks like that and think you are a slob.
6. DON'T interrupt us in the middle of our credit card monologue.
We hate it as much as you guys do, but we HAVE to do it. We get in trouble if we don't pitch it, and I always get a lecture if I don't mention it three times. Just please let us get through it and then just smile and say yes or no. We aren't going to get mad at you for saying no, but we will get mad for being rude.
7. DON'T leave the fitting room a mess.
Put the clothes you tried on either on the rack if it needs to be hung or on the table if folded. Like I said during number 5, I will judge you based on how you leave the fitting room. It is awful to clean up after you guys.
8. DON'T let your kids run around.
I understand that you can't leave them home, but playing in the racks is dangerous. I put some of those together and understand that it can as easily come apart. Playing in the racks is very dangerous, and you need to stop letting your kids do so. Do not let them run around either. Associates are running around and the kids can trip and fall into something. Also, do not let your kids play with jewelry, it gets tangled and we have to damage it out because we can't get it untangled. We end up losing money.
9. DON'T sit on the displays.
Like come on guys. I am not talking about little kids funnily enough. I find mostly adults sitting on displays, and I have to constantly tell them they can't sit there. Customers need access to items or associates need to fix the displays. There are chairs and couches somewhere in the mall. Go there.
10. DON'T throw trash everywhere.
Do you know how many times I have found chicken nuggets, candy, donuts, drinks, etc. all over the floor? Like, gross. I am definitely judging you because it is like a pig sty.
11. DON'T come in the store if it is five minutes to closing.
Now you are being intentionally rude. Most people do not buy anything and I actually have no idea why they would walk in a store when it is almost closing time. If you know what you want and only take like two minutes, then we are happy you are there. I have had customers walk in and mess everything up. Everything that was folded is all messed up and all the racks have clothes hanging off the hangers. Like what? Who raised you? Get out my store please, so I can clean up and go home.
Respect the store and the workers. Trust me, if you are friendly with us, we will friendly back.
