tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13603835.post2214436388021469150..comments2021-05-10T13:26:38.240-07:00Comments on Retail Record: Confidential to GeorgeRetail Recorderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08708266905087248367noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13603835.post-48320416620215993282006-10-21T02:00:00.000-07:002006-10-21T02:00:00.000-07:00Hi again.
With all those situations you mentioned...Hi again.<br /><br />With all those situations you mentioned, people generally being very nasty and crazy and violent, you are quite correct. I have not had such experiences.<br /><br />Believe it or not, we live in the same universe. I'm in Melbourne. Melbourne has the lowest per capita crime rate of all major cities in Australia, which probably has a relatively lower crime rate than the U.S. So yes, it's quite safe, and generally pleasant.<br /><br />And you are most sincerely welcome to come over here and start up a retail business. Why don't you? I think you would like it. <br /><br />You most probably would not take my last suggestion seriously, but herein lies the issue: You feel you are trapped, powerless, and a victim to all the nastiness that unfolds. This is not so! You could quit that job and find a better one. I would if I was surrounded by such relentless unpleasantness as you describe. <br /><br />To respond to your responses:<br /><br />1) With regards to the life story issue, you say she "WOULD NOT ALLOW" you to leave. I don't really know what this means. Did she physically restrain you? Did she have a gun? If not, then just simply turn your back and walk away. She won't be any more pissed off than she ultimately ended up, and you would have avoided making other customers wait. The net effect would have been better than just standing there. You may be thinking that you couldn't possible be "that rude", but standing there bubbling with impotent impatience, yawning and the like amounts to the same thing, just a less honest and more cowardly way to show it. <br /><br />2) A store where the sales people have the attitude that people are cheap time-wasters if they don't make a purchase of a particular amount in a particular time-frame, well, that's going to be a self-fulfilling prophecy more often than not.<br /><br />3) Nowhere in your job description does it say you have to be a miserable sod that treats customers with utter contempt. I'm a little surprised, from all the whackos you describe I'd imagine that a person who simply cracks a lame joke would be welcome in comparison.<br /><br />4) Sure, I'll say it: Yours is bigger than mine ;) But you've just given two very good reasons WHY you can't tend to late customers - a horrendous computer system and store rules that you don't decide. (I had assumed you could make the rules, being the manager). So what's the problem? As in, why are you getting peeved at people coming late? You just explain to them what you've explained to me. <br /><br />Do you think people should already know about all security procedures and bizarre computer systems? If so then you're labouring under a misconception. Can you simply not be bothered to explain it to them? You're in retail, you must have worked out by now that it entails say the same things over and over again.<br /><br />I have made my own judgement about your suitability for your job, and that is you're clearly unhappy and carrying far too much of a chip on your shoulder to handle customer interactions in a positive way. I'm surprised that you continue, since you don't like it, and it's made you so cynical.<br /><br />Venting is one thing, but creating a collossal blog full of bitterness, bile, resentment and frustration is in indicator that you should stop. <br /><br />Seriously, think about the move to Melbourne. It's a really nice place. As a matter of fact an american lady has just started a bookshop in my street. She's really nice and I chat with her frequently. She brought her husband and three kids over with her from Iowa a few years back, and used to be a lawyer. Perhaps she escaped from a high-pressure job filled with unpleasantness....? So can you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13603835.post-157794702088085702006-10-19T18:47:00.000-07:002006-10-19T18:47:00.000-07:00what neal said!what neal said!caramaenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06424093087905485630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13603835.post-29277779255252222592006-10-19T13:58:00.000-07:002006-10-19T13:58:00.000-07:00Anyone who has worked in the retail/services indus...Anyone who has worked in the retail/services industry knows the things you put up with.<br /><br />Although I cannot say I share every experience you have blogged about, I can relate to almost every situation. And I'm sure most of the people who are reading your blog relate as well, and see the humor.<br /><br />I rarely blogged about the good customers (back when I worked in retail) not because there weren't any, but because (like you said) it doesn't make for good reading... That doesn't mean that they're not there, but what would you rather read about: A man who pulls into a gas station with a flaming car? or the woman who tipped me well for helping he put air in her tires?<br /><br />I think your stories are humorous, and I believe neurotic customers get the service they deserve.nealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04119990546041773598noreply@blogger.com