Retail Workers Union

[Drakow]

That last sentence is Overlord worthy, SR. Aaand I've never worked retail so I can't exactly contribute anything worthwhile, sorry! I mean the only thing I can mention is that I'm polite to people who work retail. Well, I'm polite to people in general in the real world. Crazy I know.

[Shining Raichu]

Perhaps retail is making me bitter and providing me with Overlord potential?

[CarefulWetPaint]

Originally Posted by Shining Raichu

Perhaps retail is making me bitter and providing me with Overlord potential?

Retail does tend to make people cynical.. But when you see sick people coughing in their hands and they then go to give you money you definitely think.. "Wtf? You're not about to give me that are you? Are you selfish enough to contaminant my whole till/register with your diseases and infect other unlucky customers later? FOR SHAME ON YOU!"

Hate people like that.

Also people that want to have a long conversation with you while theirs people waiting behind them yet you dont want to be rude so you just try and end the conversation but they keep going? Ugh hate those people!

[Captain Fabio]

Originally Posted by Shining Raichu

Perhaps retail is making me bitter and providing me with Overlord potential?

It certainly made me pretty annoyed at the worst of times, that is for sure! XD

[Jorah]

Originally Posted by Shining Raichu

ANYWAY that's not the point. What happened to me was: a woman coughed into her hand, then reached into her wallet and pulled a $50 note out of it and handed it to me.

I ****ing hate people that do that.

If you are coughing, I don't want you anywhere near me, and I certainly don't want to be touching anything you have been touching. As I see it, if you cough once in my vicinity at work, you forfeit the right to pay cash. You get your card out and you swipe it in the goddamn machine so that we do not touch any of the same things. Filthy disease-ridden pigs.

Oh yes, that is completely disgusting. I have people who put their loyalty card in their mouth, then hand it to me. Wtf, that is absolutely disgusting, I give them a revolted look when they do that, but I can't refuse them.

[vaporeon7]

One thing that really annoys me about my job is how customers misread or ignore the small print and then complain and claim that we're a bunch of tricky crooks, out to get their money when it is their fault for not being able to read it in the first place. Also when they say they're going to report us for false advertising because something mis-scans or a sign fell down...

[Shining Raichu]

Originally Posted by CarefulWetPaint

Also people that want to have a long conversation with you while theirs people waiting behind them yet you dont want to be rude so you just try and end the conversation but they keep going? Ugh hate those people!

Yes! I hate those people too, but at the very least you can say they're being friendly, which kind of cancels out the annoyance a little bit. The ones that annoy me more than that are the ones that stand there sorting themselves out at the counter while there are a line of people behind them. They stand there, putting their coins and notes in the separate compartments of their wallets, putting their wallets in their handbags, picking up their items - every so often putting them in the backpacks they bring - before they finally shuffle off, leaving you and the next customer feeling a little frustrated.

Originally Posted by vaporeon7

One thing that really annoys me about my job is how customers misread or ignore the small print and then complain and claim that we're a bunch of tricky crooks, out to get their money when it is their fault for not being able to read it in the first place. Also when they say they're going to report us for false advertising because something mis-scans or a sign fell down...

I had one of these just last week. He brought a case of beer to the counter that was $45, but it had been on special for $34 the previous week. When I said it was $45, he gave me this affronted look and said, "No, it's $34!" then pointed to the one sign that nobody ever looks at, which was coincidentally the one sign we had forgotten to change back to the regular price.

So because he saw that, we had to give it to him for $34, which is fine. But then he kept going on about it, seeming to think that we the staff were conspiring to rip him off. He asked me, "how many people have you gotten with that one today?" I laughed, figuring he was joking, but he was deadly serious and made that incredibly clear until he left.

He didn't seem to understand the reality of what was going on; so once I'd had enough with the happy pretense I dropped my voice and said "The actual price is $45. We forgot to change one of the signs and you noticed it, so you get it cheaper. Congratulations."

I'm still not sure the deluded prick believed me.

[Barrels]

Hello! Joining! Also, curious as to whether we count as a real union yet - can we call a strike if we feel like it? (Not a namby-pamby Aussie strike, Andy, a proper British right-hook to the teeth. That kind of strike. That gets people's attention.) I have a feeling we could improve lives the world over, and Mr Google has just informed me very kindly that not only is our right to form protected by federal law, but that all we need in order to do so is a Union Authorisation Card. So if someone could Photoshop one of those toot-sweet, it'd be much appreciated. >:)

And my do I have stories to share with you all. Somehow, using the skinniest skin of my teeth, I managed to claw my way out of retail a while back, but my time there left deep scars I doubt will ever properly heal. Like the purple vomit, for one thing. In a food shop. Purple vomit. Properly genuinely. Here's how the conversation went:

ME: Um. Uh. I don't want to - could you - seriously, what is that?
BOSSMAN: *grunting* WHAT?
ME: That. That purplish stuff. The stuff that looks like the accidental progeny of a disgruntled tub of couscous and a suicidal beetroot. What is it?
BOSSMAN: WHAT? *grunts heavily* ME NEVER NOTICED. ME NOT CARE. NOW GO IN FRIDGE.
ME: The fridge?! Oh, sir, please. I'll do anything. I'll navigate the heinous delivery backlog or lick the greasy hair out of your face. I'll even get those Christmas wrapping paper tubes out of the staff toilet where, as you so wisely reasoned at the time, 'THEY NOT MIND COS IN PLASTIC'. Just not the fridge. Not the fridge.
BOSSMAN: *booms* FRIDGE!!!
ME: *scurries* Yessirofcoursesirwhurreveryousaysir!

And then of course I have to go and lock myself in the vile contraption. I felt like a bullied polar bear. Surrounded by yoghurt - hateful, sickly, beige, out-of-date yoghurt. I still shiver reflexively whenever this advert comes on. (But that advert's terrifying enough anyway, I suppose.)

...That's just the tip of the iceberg, so I won't inflict any more on you, despite the wonderful feeling of relief that's just swept over me. Oh, it's good to emote. My system feels cleaner already.

[Sector Revenge]

I'd join. I don't work or have a job and I probably won't until I move south this summer and so on. Although my uncle is trying to get me a job for parking cars at this Drag Raceway a couple blocks down from me. :X But if I misunderstood this and went off topic with this, please let me know. Sorry if I did!

But my mom tend to have many interesting stories about working at Meijer's. They have a union. She's been working there for 7 years now, as a cashier. I mean literally, once a week she shares something new that happens at work that makes her want to quit lol

So they had new scheduling manager, or however you want to call them. The longer you work at Meijer's the earliest you go in to work right? Well they are moving schedules around and my mom has to work one day a week, 2nd shift. Usually she goes in at around 10-12 in the morning to until 3-5 during the day and comes home. Now one day a week, she goes in at around 2-3PM during the day and gets off 8-10PM. All complicated, but they are hiring at Meijer's right now is the reason for the complicated scheduling. Why? They are suppose to be remodeling, and I guess they hired massive amount of people to work as cashiers. But they only get 14 hours a week? That's because they are hired for after remodeling. Why are they hiring before remodeling? Can't they wait until after or near completion of the remodeling? I don't get it, because they haven't even started yet! Plus, the way the union sounds, I would hate to work there myself. I prefer WalMart any day even though they screwed me over for hiring me. :\

Uhh if I get anymore interesting stories by my mom, I'll be sure to share!

Another is- Fake ill days. My mom always get called in, just like her last job, to replace the sick cashiers. But want to know something? My mom is friends with most of them on Facebook, and when she gets home later that night or the day after, she sees them posting status about "Fun day at Kalahari(Indoor Water Park), Cedar Point(Amusement Park) today was amazing, etc" And they aren't even 10 minutes from Meijers either! My mom gets really irritated that it always happen to her, all the time. But it does seem sickening to see that people call in fake sick to get their vacation days instead, literally, like 3 times a month and my mom has to work in their place everytime. Why not spend your vacation days on the days off?? I don't get people. My mom doesn't even take days off like that for her grand kid's birthday parties!

[aRedMoon]

I work at Kohl's. At the return desk.

Says enough, eh?


(I am also a manager-in-training in Barnes & Noble.)

FML

[CarefulWetPaint]

Originally Posted by aRedMoon

I work at Kohl's. At the return desk.

Says enough, eh?


(I am also a manager-in-training in Barnes & Noble.)

FML

Returns desk? Oh how I pity you. People coming in to return things are the worst. They always argue about something irrelevant to the item they bring in and say its your fault it broke/didn't work/ was to small/ was to big. UGH those people suck. Or the, "Actually the person didn't like this one can I change it for a different one.". *Shakes fist angrily*

[Shining Raichu]

Welcome Barrels, Sector Revenge and aRedMoon :D

Originally Posted by Barrels

Hello! Joining! Also, curious as to whether we count as a real union yet - can we call a strike if we feel like it? (Not a namby-pamby Aussie strike, Andy, a proper British right-hook to the teeth. That kind of strike. That gets people's attention.) I have a feeling we could improve lives the world over, and Mr Google has just informed me very kindly that not only is our right to form protected by federal law, but that all we need in order to do so is a Union Authorisation Card. So if someone could Photoshop one of those toot-sweet, it'd be much appreciated.

And my do I have stories to share with you all. Somehow, using the skinniest skin of my teeth, I managed to claw my way out of retail a while back, but my time there left deep scars I doubt will ever properly heal. Like the purple vomit, for one thing. In a food shop. Purple vomit. Properly genuinely. Here's how the conversation went:

ME: Um. Uh. I don't want to - could you - seriously, what is that?
BOSSMAN: *grunting* WHAT?
ME: That. That purplish stuff. The stuff that looks like the accidental progeny of a disgruntled tub of couscous and a suicidal beetroot. What is it?
BOSSMAN: WHAT? *grunts heavily* ME NEVER NOTICED. ME NOT CARE. NOW GO IN FRIDGE.
ME: The fridge?! Oh, sir, please. I'll do anything. I'll navigate the heinous delivery backlog or lick the greasy hair out of your face. I'll even get those Christmas wrapping paper tubes out of the staff toilet where, as you so wisely reasoned at the time, 'THEY NOT MIND COS IN PLASTIC'. Just not the fridge. Not the fridge.
BOSSMAN: *booms* FRIDGE!!!
ME: *scurries* Yessirofcoursesirwhurreveryousaysir!

And then of course I have to go and lock myself in the vile contraption. I felt like a bullied polar bear. Surrounded by yoghurt - hateful, sickly, beige, out-of-date yoghurt. I still shiver reflexively whenever this advert comes on. (But that advert's terrifying enough anyway, I suppose.)

...That's just the tip of the iceberg, so I won't inflict any more on you, despite the wonderful feeling of relief that's just swept over me. Oh, it's good to emote. My system feels cleaner already.

LMAO. Dude, I wasn't kidding, not even in the slightest, when I told you you had to be a writer or I'd smash your kneecaps so that you'd have no other option. Legit, you are the funniest person I have ever met and I don't think even a case of life in a wheelchair would put an end to your out-of-this-world levels of humour.

Also, what is a namby-pamby Aussie strike? I've never come across an Australian strike so I have no idea how they compare to the British ones

Originally Posted by Sector Revenge

My mom always get called her, just like her last job, to replace the sick cashiers. But want to know something? My mom is friends with most of them on Facebook, and when she gets home later that night or the day after, she sees them posting status about "Fun day at Kalahari(Indoor Water Park), Cedar Point(Amusement Park) today was amazing, etc" And they aren't even 10 minutes from Meijers either!

This happens to me too. Where I work there are only five people, and since I have the least contracted hours I'm always the one called to do extra shifts if somebody has taken the day off for 'sickness'. Usually I don't care in the slightest because I am three years into a passionate love affair with money and I love the euphoric feeling when my paycheck is larger than anticipated, but every so often it annoys the crap out of me when I have to work a Friday night where I had plans just because someone is "sick" only to find out later that they had so much fun with their plans. It's so damn selfish.

[Patchisou Yutohru]

I used to work at CVS for about six months back from October 2009 to April 2010. I left because my boss was a dick and only gave me four hours every other week. I start retail work again next Saturday at RiteAid. I don't have any stories or anything like that about the horrors of working retail, because I generally found working in retail to be somewhat enjoyable and where I live most people who go there are pretty polite and patient people. Though there was a cranky old bat that came in one day asking me for medicine (because as a store clerk in the front of the store, pharmacy is something I am expected to know a thing or two about with what the pharmacy being a different part of the store and all) most appropriate for whatever problem she was having (I forget what it was).

[CarefulWetPaint]

Originally Posted by Patchisou Yutohru

I used to work at CVS for about six months back from October 2009 to April 2010. I left because my boss was a dick and only gave me four hours every other week. I start retail work again next Saturday at RiteAid. I don't have any stories or anything like that about the horrors of working retail, because I generally found working in retail to be somewhat enjoyable and where I live most people who go there are pretty polite and patient people. Though there was a cranky old bat that came in one day asking me for medicine (because as a store clerk in the front of the store, pharmacy is something I am expected to know a thing or two about with what the pharmacy being a different part of the store and all) most appropriate for whatever problem she was having (I forget what it was).

Sorry this is a rant about stupid customers/experience club only you cant join..

Just kidding! Welcome! I hope you have some terrible experiences soon that you can tell us about so we can all share the pain. xD
Its funny how people think because you're behind a desk or in front of a cash register you know everything about everything in the store. (stupid people -.-')

Another one from me:

A lady came in a bought something for 12 dollars and gave me a 20 dollar note. I give her back 8 dollars change and she just stands there and looks at me. After 10 seconds she asks me wheres the rest of her change and Im like.. "I gave you all your change?"
She replies with "No, I gave you a 50$ note. Wheres the rest of my change?"
"No lady.. you gave me a 20$ note.. you gave me this note right here, I only have one fifty in the register and that's from the person before you."
"NO I GAVE YOU A 50$ NOTE WHERES THE REST OF MY CHANGE. I KNOW I DID!"
"You still have a fifty dollar note in your wallet ma'am, you went to give it to me then put it back and gave me a 20$ instead."
"Thats just not true stop trying to steal my money I gave you 50$"

This went on for a few more minutes until I got the ****s and told her I'll count the till if you want and prove to you that you gave me a 20$ note.
After that she just made a few noise and said "Don't worry about it but I did give you a 50$ note." Then she left as I repeated, no you didnt.

Ugh that was a frustrating experience.

[Jorah]

Originally Posted by Sector Revenge

Another is- Fake ill days. My mom always get called in, just like her last job, to replace the sick cashiers. But want to know something? My mom is friends with most of them on Facebook, and when she gets home later that night or the day after, she sees them posting status about "Fun day at Kalahari(Indoor Water Park), Cedar Point(Amusement Park) today was amazing, etc" And they aren't even 10 minutes from Meijers either! My mom gets really irritated that it always happen to her, all the time. But it does seem sickening to see that people call in fake sick to get their vacation days instead, literally, like 3 times a month and my mom has to work in their place everytime. Why not spend your vacation days on the days off?? I don't get people. My mom doesn't even take days off like that for her grand kid's birthday parties!

Wow, this could pretty much not happen in British supermarkets because they're so strict everytime you call in sick they don't believe you :/ We have to have meetings with managers just for taking one day off, second time in a year you get "counselling" from them, third time in a year you get a disciplinary. This means that people often go in sick handling food...

[Shining Raichu]

Hey Nick welcome! I'm so happy for you that you got a new job! :D and yeah, as Tom said, you'll have a bunch of stories for us before you know it. I think you were incredibly lucky at your last job; it isn't until you work in retail (or restaurants, so I hear) that you realise just how much people can suck sometimes. I never usually have any problems either unless it's Friday or Saturday night when the young people come in.

Originally Posted by CarefulWetPaint

"Thats just not true stop trying to steal my mother I gave you 50$"

You... were trying to steal her mother? XD

[CarefulWetPaint]

Originally Posted by Shining Raichu

You... were trying to steal her mother? XD

What's it to ya? But seriously I never typed that >.>

Ever had anyone come into your place of work at 9 in the morning smoking and drinking? I have, she was about 50 as well (At least thats what she looked) Needless to say, I was worried for my life.

[Harlequin]

Originally Posted by CarefulWetPaint

Ever had anyone come into your place of work at 9 in the morning smoking and drinking?

What, other than my boss? No. (Who may I add started doing this a week after I started working for him)

[vaporeon7]

Originally Posted by CarefulWetPaint

Ever had anyone come into your place of work at 9 in the morning smoking and drinking?

I've had people come in smelling strongly of cigarettes and even some with half-smoked cigarettes tucked behind their ear like a journalist with a pen.

[Barrels]

Originally Posted by Shining Raichu

Also, what is a namby-pamby Aussie strike? I've never come across an Australian strike so I have no idea how they compare to the British ones

Neither have I. In truth, I only characterised your strikes as such out of a sense of intense pride and nationalism. (LOL JOKE. We have a certain David Cameron in charge at the moment. I need say no more.) But rest assured, in any kind of strike-off, I'd blind you with my startlingly developed ability to slouch around doing nothing. UNION JACKS ETC

Originally Posted by Harlequin

What, other than my boss? No. (Who may I add started doing this a week after I started working for him)

Perhaps these two things are connected. Was he a pleasant, happy, outgoing family man with 2.5 kids, a mortgage and a hat before you began working for him? Did his smile slowly fade as Monday dragged into Tuesday? Did his carefully brushed hair become gradually more dishevelled as Tuesday became Wednesday? Did he mournfully weigh a packet of cigarettes in one hand as you left the shop on Thursday? And then, finally, arrive roaringly drunk with his own cloud of smoke on Friday morning? I see it all so clearly now.

SHAME ON YOU MADAM, SHAME ON YOU.
i am kidding honest

[CarefulWetPaint]

Originally Posted by Harlequin

What, other than my boss? No. (Who may I add started doing this a week after I started working for him)

Maybe he just didn't know any other way of handling such an attractive younger employee who he couldn't fire.. :D

@Barrels
You are a very very entertaining character indeed! Very happy you have joined the club indeed! You spin words well word smith, I dub thee "Archmage of Word Wizardry Barrels".

Also has anyone who works in convenience stores had someone take something from the bottom of a stack and made the whole stack come crashing down?

[Shining Raichu]

Originally Posted by CarefulWetPaint

Ever had anyone come into your place of work at 9 in the morning smoking and drinking?

Uh hello, liquor store worker right here

Originally Posted by Harlequin

What, other than my boss? No. (Who may I add started doing this a week after I started working for him)

Originally Posted by Barrels

Perhaps these two things are connected. Was he a pleasant, happy, outgoing family man with 2.5 kids, a mortgage and a hat before you began working for him? Did his smile slowly fade as Monday dragged into Tuesday? Did his carefully brushed hair become gradually more dishevelled as Tuesday became Wednesday? Did he mournfully weigh a packet of cigarettes in one hand as you left the shop on Thursday? And then, finally, arrive roaringly drunk with his own cloud of smoke on Friday morning? I see it all so clearly now.

Barrels is joking, but in all seriousness that timing does seem oddly coincidental

[Razer302]

I hate having to work in retail. My shop has been arm robbed twice so far this year. I was there both times aswell, and tgreatened countless times after iding someone. But I do love a lot of the customer interaction, thats about only reason I'm still there.

[Shining Raichu]

Hey, welcome! You've... been held at gun point twice? Are you OK? How on earth do you deal with that? I think I'd just fall apart!

[vaporeon7]

I don't think I could cope with being at gunpoint either tbh. But I'm lucky, I work in a store, in the mall, near a jewellery shop, so they would probably hold that place up instead.