The best job for a bookworm is to work in a bookstore. Lucky for me, I have been working as a bookseller at Barnes & Noble for almost 3 years. These are the top 6 things to know when walking into a bookstore as a customer.
1. Know the title and/or author of what you're looking for.
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My biggest pet peeve as a bookseller is a customer who walks in with a specific book in mind but with no idea of the title or author. So many people come in with the mindset of getting help to look for a book, but then only know that the book is blue. Do you know how many blue books there are out there?
2. Be Patient.
Our systems are not as fast as the newest iPhones out there so it may take us a few minutes to pull up what you are looking for especially if you do not know exactly what it is you're looking for.
3. Personal Space.
I cannot tell you how many people walk into my store and get so close that they're almost standing on top of me just to ask a question. I have perfectly well-working ears, I do not need you to be on top of me. Please keep my personal space in mind and take a step back.
4. Be nice to cashiers.
If cashiers turn you down for some reason, whether it be a return you're trying to make or get a price matched, please do not give us attitude. I have better things to do with my life than to turn you down for my own personal pleasure. Obviously, If I am saying no, it is company policy and me being only a cashier can do nothing about those policies.
5. Do not give a bookseller suggestions on how to change up the store.
Too many times, upset customers have told me something should change whether it came to the pricing on the books or how we do returns. Again, do I look like the CEO of the company? I can only work with the rules that are given to me; sorry if they do not meet your standards.
6. Closing time means closing time.
Our store hours are not a suggestion. They are placed strategically all over the place so that customers know exactly when to get the heck out. So when managers start making the closing announcements half hour to forty-five minutes in advance please make your final selections in a timely manner and leave so we can close the store and get home ourselves.
Don't get me wrong, I love my job. I love books, and I love being a bookseller where I can find out all about new books. The customers that walk into the store and know exaclty what they want are my favorite because they are usually really interested in what they're looking for.
