What does "Closed" mean to you?

[Mr. Laser Beam]

And as I said in my post above a closed check-lane is another enitity entirely. For some checkers there's a 30 minute process of counting the drawer, there's also other lines that that customer can go in. If a checker just helped people until no more came in their line they'd never leave on time because people would just keep coming.

This.

If one of our lanes isn't open, there's a reason. Either we don't have enough checkers, or somebody's on break or sick, or there's a technical problem. We don't shut down lanes just to spite people. We don't exactly have money to burn to hire 100 checkers for every day. We have to make do with what we have.

Fortunately, though, we have a whole separate department for counting down drawers. So our checkers don't have to do that. And we don't make people stay late, either (we are not allowed to do that, and neither is anyone else for that matter). If a checker is off, then we shut the lane down (unless there's a replacement handy). End of story.

 

[TheLonelySquire]

Is your skull made of osmium?

If someone "comes in the door before a specific time" they WILL get served. The argument is that those customers are arrogant, self-centered and oblivious to the concept that those working in the establishment are people too and may be delayed or put-off by their last-minute shopping.

I say again, I spent 45-minutes after work once to help a customer who came in at the "last minute." 45-minutes that I could've spent at home relaxing before being back-in at work eight hours later. I did it because, yeah, it's my job to give the customer the best service possible. But it is STILL annoying that that customer came in at the last possible minute, had me dirty equipment and go through a huge pain in the ass ordeal because they couldn't shop during more regular business hours.

And as I said in my post above a closed check-lane is another enitity entirely. For some checkers there's a 30 minute process of counting the drawer, there's also other lines that that customer can go in. If a checker just helped people until no more came in their line they'd never leave on time because people would just keep coming.

This isn't about not wanting to help people, this is about people (customers) not being aware that service employees are people too and that they want to go home on time and walking in the door five minutes before close and wandering around a store picking your nose before leaving without buying anything isn't doing anyone any favors and just delaying someone from getting to go home. Likely STILL some time after the customer has left to do closing duties.

We've seen people post here about dining customers who've hug out as the last diners well after employees have cleaned up and are just sitting there watching people drink, chat, and take up space. It's a restaurant, not your living room. Sitting there is delaying people from finishing their work and going home.

Stop and think about other people once in a while. If you walk in to a store five-til-close just dilly-dally around -or to go into a complicated procedure of setting up a phone- you're delaying the end of someone's day. Yeah, every job has these hang-ups and I willing to be that those people don't smile and think it's great to have to work longer than scheduled. They're probably annoyed too.

It just happens in office jobs it happens because a boss is an asshole with no understanding of employees' needs and desires to go home, or in the case of medical profession sudden emergencies/accident.

In my line it work? It happens because people are self-centered assholes.

Trekker, sure there are inconsiderate consumers out there. Many of them. Personally I would try and not set up a cell phone at closing time because I do understand people working there may have a life.

However, if I really needed it and I got in the door 30 seconds before closing time, I'm getting that transaction done if at all possible. The clerks obligation to satisfy the consumer and fulfill his job obligation outweighs his right to leave.

Yeah fuck 'em. Sure they'll could get a right up or fired for being over their schedule, so long as you get what YOU want.

But if you have the policy to back you up then there shouldn't be a problem

It shouldn't be it is. "You're making that up, theres no such thing..." or "I've been shopping here <insert bullshit number of years>, that doesn't apply to ME!"

If a retail clerk gets fired for being over their schedule they are ignoring store policy. In that case they should be written up or fired.

And yes, if it's between my need as a consumer and their want to go home, they can leave when their work is completed. Provided that is the company policy.

 

[SeerSGB]

And as I said in my post above a closed check-lane is another enitity entirely. For some checkers there's a 30 minute process of counting the drawer, there's also other lines that that customer can go in. If a checker just helped people until no more came in their line they'd never leave on time because people would just keep coming.

This.

If one of our lanes isn't open, there's a reason. Either we don't have enough checkers, or somebody's on break or sick, or there's a technical problem. We don't shut down lanes just to spite people. We don't exactly have money to burn to hire 100 checkers for every day. We have to make do with what we have.

Fortunately, though, we have a whole separate department for counting down drawers. So our checkers don't have to do that. And we don't make people stay late, either (we are not allowed to do that, and neither is anyone else for that matter). If a checker is off, then we shut the lane down (unless there's a replacement handy). End of story.

Don't you know that's all a lie and that you shut down lines just to make people wait longer and spend more money

People seem to think that floor grunts in retail actually have input or a say in the decesion making process. Oh you do, just be ready to clear your locker after the CSM, AM, or GM find out about it and rip you a new asshole over breaking procedure, being over scheduled hours, or bitching about "loss prevention" cause you were in the store past closing longer than scheduled with a person that may or may not be a customer.

If a retail clerk gets fired for being over their schedule they are ignoring store policy. In that case they should be written up or fired.

And yes, if it's between my need as a consumer and their want to go home, they can leave when their work is completed. Provided that is the company policy.

Then you can't say "well they should stay and tend to the customer". Cause sticking to policy means: Doors locked at the posted time, drawers counted and safed within whatever the specified timeframe is. And if you're a customer and you come in at 1 minute till closed, then they have the right to tell you "Sorry, but that'll take longer than I'm scheduled to be here for, good bye"

 

[Garrovick]

And there is a reason that they continue to build Wall Marts as fast as they can, where ever they can. There are three almost with in walking distance from me. And all three are always busy.

 

[TheLonelySquire]

And as I said in my post above a closed check-lane is another enitity entirely. For some checkers there's a 30 minute process of counting the drawer, there's also other lines that that customer can go in. If a checker just helped people until no more came in their line they'd never leave on time because people would just keep coming.

This.

If one of our lanes isn't open, there's a reason. Either we don't have enough checkers, or somebody's on break or sick, or there's a technical problem. We don't shut down lanes just to spite people. We don't exactly have money to burn to hire 100 checkers for every day. We have to make do with what we have.

Fortunately, though, we have a whole separate department for counting down drawers. So our checkers don't have to do that. And we don't make people stay late, either (we are not allowed to do that, and neither is anyone else for that matter). If a checker is off, then we shut the lane down (unless there's a replacement handy). End of story.

Don't you know that's all a lie and that you shut down lines just to make people wait longer and spend more money

People seem to think that floor grunts in retail actually have input or a say in the decesion making process. Oh you do, just be ready to clear your locker after the CSM, AM, or GM find out about it and rip you a new asshole over breaking procedure, being over scheduled hours, or bitching about "loss prevention" cause you were in the store past closing longer than scheduled with a person that may or may not be a customer.

If a retail clerk gets fired for being over their schedule they are ignoring store policy. In that case they should be written up or fired.

And yes, if it's between my need as a consumer and their want to go home, they can leave when their work is completed. Provided that is the company policy.

Then you can't say "well they should stay and tend to the customer". Cause sticking to policy means: Doors locked at the posted time, drawers counted and safed withing whatever the specified timeframe is. And if you're a customer and you come in at 1 minute till closed, then they have the right to tell you "Sorry, but that'll take longer than I'm scheduled to be here for, good bye"

I said that if the policy calls for them to take care of all the customers that's what they should do. If it doesn't then too bad for the customer.

The folks that I have a problem with are the ones that whine and complain when they are required to stay and take care of the customers. Their personal lives are secondary at that point to the business at hand. If there is an emergency then the manager can get another clerk to cover or do it himself.

 

[Trekker4747]

Why is my personal life secondary to someone's consumer needs at nine o'clock at night?

 

[Tiberius Jim]

This.

If one of our lanes isn't open, there's a reason. Either we don't have enough checkers, or somebody's on break or sick, or there's a technical problem. We don't shut down lanes just to spite people. We don't exactly have money to burn to hire 100 checkers for every day. We have to make do with what we have.

Fortunately, though, we have a whole separate department for counting down drawers. So our checkers don't have to do that. And we don't make people stay late, either (we are not allowed to do that, and neither is anyone else for that matter). If a checker is off, then we shut the lane down (unless there's a replacement handy). End of story.

Don't you know that's all a lie and that you shut down lines just to make people wait longer and spend more money

People seem to think that floor grunts in retail actually have input or a say in the decesion making process. Oh you do, just be ready to clear your locker after the CSM, AM, or GM find out about it and rip you a new asshole over breaking procedure, being over scheduled hours, or bitching about "loss prevention" cause you were in the store past closing longer than scheduled with a person that may or may not be a customer.

If a retail clerk gets fired for being over their schedule they are ignoring store policy. In that case they should be written up or fired.

And yes, if it's between my need as a consumer and their want to go home, they can leave when their work is completed. Provided that is the company policy.

Then you can't say "well they should stay and tend to the customer". Cause sticking to policy means: Doors locked at the posted time, drawers counted and safed withing whatever the specified timeframe is. And if you're a customer and you come in at 1 minute till closed, then they have the right to tell you "Sorry, but that'll take longer than I'm scheduled to be here for, good bye"

I said that if the policy calls for them to take care of all the customers that's what they should do. If it doesn't then too bad for the customer.

The folks that I have a problem with are the ones that whine and complain when they are required to stay and take care of the customers. Their personal lives are secondary at that point to the business at hand. If there is an emergency then the manager can get another clerk to cover or do it himself.

Fuck. That. I don't get paid enough to put my getting-me-through-college job as a priority over my personal life, which often includes doing school work that will get me my degree that will get me the hell out of that job.

This is the exact problem. These late-night customers see us as inferior people. We are the secondary to their primary. If everyone treated others as equals in a retail environment, this wouldn't be a problem. Why is that so much to ask for? We're all people, we're just on different sides of a counter.

 

[TheLonelySquire]

Why is my personal life secondary to someone's consumer needs at nine o'clock at night?

Because you are on the clock.

 

[Davros]

Two standards have to be met in order for the customer to be right.

1.They have to actually be right
2.They have to treat the staff with respect

The second standard is more important than the first.

 

[TheLonelySquire]

Don't you know that's all a lie and that you shut down lines just to make people wait longer and spend more money

People seem to think that floor grunts in retail actually have input or a say in the decesion making process. Oh you do, just be ready to clear your locker after the CSM, AM, or GM find out about it and rip you a new asshole over breaking procedure, being over scheduled hours, or bitching about "loss prevention" cause you were in the store past closing longer than scheduled with a person that may or may not be a customer.

Then you can't say "well they should stay and tend to the customer". Cause sticking to policy means: Doors locked at the posted time, drawers counted and safed withing whatever the specified timeframe is. And if you're a customer and you come in at 1 minute till closed, then they have the right to tell you "Sorry, but that'll take longer than I'm scheduled to be here for, good bye"

I said that if the policy calls for them to take care of all the customers that's what they should do. If it doesn't then too bad for the customer.

The folks that I have a problem with are the ones that whine and complain when they are required to stay and take care of the customers. Their personal lives are secondary at that point to the business at hand. If there is an emergency then the manager can get another clerk to cover or do it himself.

Fuck. That. I don't get paid enough to put my getting-me-through-college job as a priority over my personal life, which often includes doing school work that will get me my degree that will get me the hell out of that job.

This is the exact problem. These late-night customers see us as inferior people. We are the secondary to their primary. If everyone treated others as equals in a retail environment, this wouldn't be a problem. Why is that so much to ask for? We're all people, we're just on different sides of a counter.

Then, with all due respect, you shouldn't be working in a retail environment if the policy is such that these customers are to be taken care of. If the policy is such that you can ask them to leave and not help them, there you go.

And in a retail setting you are there to help them. They are not there to help you. Doesn't make you inferior.

 

[Davros]

And in a retail setting you are there to help them. They are not there to help you. Doesn't make you inferior.

It doesn't stop people from acting like the staff is.

 

[TheLonelySquire]

And in a retail setting you are there to help them. They are not there to help you. Doesn't make you inferior.

It doesn't stop people from acting like the staff is.

Then the management should throw them out of the store. And there are a high % of clerks that either don't know what they're talking about or don't care what they're talking about. Works both ways.

 

[Davros]

Then the management should throw them out of the store. And there are a high % of clerks that either don't know what they're talking about or don't care what they're talking about. Works both ways.

Sometimes the management isn't there, and the clerks are far more likely to know what they are talking about than the customer and often the manager as well. It is the clerks who do the actual work that makes the place run.

 

[TheLonelySquire]

Then the management should throw them out of the store. And there are a high % of clerks that either don't know what they're talking about or don't care what they're talking about. Works both ways.

Sometimes the management isn't there, and the clerks are far more likely to know what they are talking about than the customer and often the manager as well. It is the clerks who do the actual work that makes the place run.

There should always be someone in the store in a position of responsibiility.

Not this customer.

I agree with your last point.

 

[Davros]

Then the management should throw them out of the store. And there are a high % of clerks that either don't know what they're talking about or don't care what they're talking about. Works both ways.

Sometimes the management isn't there, and the clerks are far more likely to know what they are talking about than the customer and often the manager as well. It is the clerks who do the actual work that makes the place run.

There should always be someone in the store in a position of responsibiility.

Not this customer.

I agree with your last point.

Places like 7-11 they are not about to pay for management on the graveyard shift.

 

[Scout101]

then the clerk would be that person "in charge", wouldn't they? There's probably also a number to call when there's a problem...

 

[Trekker4747]

Then the management should throw them out of the store. And there are a high % of clerks that either don't know what they're talking about or don't care what they're talking about. Works both ways.

Sometimes the management isn't there, and the clerks are far more likely to know what they are talking about than the customer and often the manager as well. It is the clerks who do the actual work that makes the place run.

A customer insisted at me once that I had an item we were out of stock on -as of matter of fact it was discontinued- and that was lying to him. He raved, cursed, and waved me off. His fists were clenched so I'm also reasonably sure he wanted to punch me. I was polite and courteous the whole time. Minutes later, sure enough, he coming back to me with a manager in tow.

I then had to explain to the manager that the item was out of stock and that it was dicontinued from the warehouse and that I offered to order it in but it'd be a two-week wait for us to get it. Even with the manager there this didn't satisfy the coustomer who insisted we were lying to him because he had been in another store -of a different company- recently and THEY had the item. The guy didn't seem to understand that our warehouse stopped carrying the item -not that the manufacturer had stopped making it- obviously that othe place's warehouse is keeping it.

Apparently, I was told my him, that all stroes use the same warehouses and that I don't know what I'm talking about, nor does my rep at the warehouse.

Sometimes, it's a wonder to me that I don't smoke, drink, or do drugs.

 

[Kirk's_Tights]

Doesn't matter if you are closing in a minute or two, the customer isn't "wrong" for walking in and deciding, as annoying as it is, to start doing some shopping or browsing. My mom used to be a manager at a bunch of clothing stores in the mall and people would always walk in a few minutes before closing time but there isn't much you can really do about it. They are the customer, if they want something, that is a sale.


I don't understand why the general public doesn't understand closing times and doesn't understand that these people have lives and want to go home after an 8 -13 hour day of work. It's annoying but, technically, they did walk in before the actual closing time. Just gotta put up with it.

Worst job I ever had was as a cashier at a grocery store. One guy came in and had a coupon for like 50 cents off of peas and it was expired so I told him it was no good anymore and he threw his groceries down and walked out. Over $200 worth of groceries this guy decided to leave behind just because he couldn't get 50 cents off of a bag of peas.


I hate society sometimes.

 

[TheLonelySquire]

Doesn't matter if you are closing in a minute or two, the customer isn't "wrong" for walking in and deciding, as annoying as it is, to start doing some shopping or browsing. My mom used to be a manager at a bunch of clothing stores in the mall and people would always walk in a few minutes before closing time but there isn't much you can really do about it. They are the customer, if they want something, that is a sale.


I don't understand why the general public doesn't understand closing times and doesn't understand that these people have lives and want to go home after an 8 -13 hour day of work. It's annoying but, technically, they did walk in before the actual closing time. Just gotta put up with it.

Worst job I ever had was as a cashier at a grocery store. One guy came in and had a coupon for like 50 cents off of peas and it was expired so I told him it was no good anymore and he threw his groceries down and walked out. Over $200 worth of groceries this guy decided to leave behind just because he couldn't get 50 cents off of a bag of peas.


I hate society sometimes.

Did you try to appease him?

 

[Amaris]

^ Oh God that was terrible!


J.