Working Retail Sucks!

[Mendoza]

I wasn't able to get a teaching job this semester so i had to go hunting for anything i could find.

The only thing that turned up was a retail cashier job.

I started earlier this week. I have only ever been a teacher and tutor, so this is quite a learning process for me. Still i figured I had to at least try. Can't just do nothing.

The first day was orientation, pretty useless.

Second day i do a lot of shadowing and a tiny amount of computer training. The training had nothing to do with my specific job, just their code of conduct rules. At the end of the day I did a bit of running the register under supervision.

So on day three, a Saturday when the store is utterly packed and every cashier is on deck, they decide i should do one hour of comp training and then man a register solo.

I have literaly had about 30 min of training for ringing up things other than completely normal transactions, so of course i get the gammet of special situations.

By the end of the day ive had to call for help about a dozen times. and somehow get through it.

When i go to end my shift we do the count and found that im over, i have more money than i should. So im written up. I really don't think this is fair cause i was basicly thrown to the sharks. Even the manager writting me up was surprised they put me out on my own.

I ask them for a print out of the manual so i can study the procedures, but they dont have one, and say that they will try to figure something out for it.

So now im thinking this was a mistake.

For those of you out there in this field, what kind of advice can you give me.

This is something so foreign to me, but I want to do the best that i can.

As always any help will be appreciated.

[Hobie-wan]

My first real job was a summer working at Wendy's. I came in my first day and they trained me for an hour on grill and then turned me loose during lunch rush, which was a line all the way to the door for a solid hour. I made mistakes but I didn't crack, so they left me there. Hell, they mad me train someone else a few weeks later. So I know exactly what you mean about being thrown to the wolves.

On a register it is pretty much just practice and make sure you enter everything correctly and the register will tell you the change if you haven't gotten to the pint that you do it automatically in your head. Count the money handed to you twice if necessary and then count up as you pull change from the drawer. My first retail job involving with a register, the special situations didn't come up all that often so again, practice and asking others until you know. Really sucks that they don't have an employee procedure and rules handbook though.

[weaponepsilon]

I have spent years in retail as both lackie and Manager. It sounds like you're working at a big box store like walmart or target, am I right? It is their responsibility to provide access to all regulations and policies to their employees. If they cannot provide anything, then call them on their bullshit. Walmart tried that on me and I fought it tooth and nail. I usually won, but the last time the manager who was a bull dyke got me to quit because I was sick of them after two years. Yeah, if they can't provide to solid reason, IGNORE their threats and suggestions and go up the chain of command. They typically don't want it to go further because they don't want to get their ass chewed. Do not cave, stick to your guns but absolutely be polite and firm. (refer to your teacher training on how to handle that)

[Mendoza]

I have spent years in retail as both lackie and Manager. It sounds like you're working at a big box store like walmart or target, am I right? It is their responsibility to provide access to all regulations and policies to their employees. If they cannot provide anything, then call them on their bullshit. Walmart tried that on me and I fought it tooth and nail. I usually won, but the last time the manager who was a bull dyke got me to quit because I was sick of them after two years. Yeah, if they can't provide to solid reason, IGNORE their threats and suggestions and go up the chain of command. They typically don't want it to go further because they don't want to get their ass chewed. Do not cave, stick to your guns but absolutely be polite and firm. (refer to your teacher training on how to handle that)

Yeah, its big box, but not one of those. Walmart is one place i just cant bring myself to try. Its a regional chain.

I'm going to call in and ask for the manager that hired me to give me pdf access to the manual that tells how to run the register, i can't see how that is an unfair request. Its not like im going to go post it on the net.

Also i need a large print version of the call chart for when I need to call other depts for price inquiries, we have lots of stuff that ends up not having a tag or upc.

I just cant read the one posted at the register with my poor vision.

Hobie: Yeah i think i got too worried about getting people done fast as the lines where wrapping at times and people were getting pretty pissy. I'll be sure to just slow down and go for accuracy, speed be damned.

[AppleQueso]

If my experience with working at Wal-Mart is any indication, most big-box places are managed rather sloppily and you're going to run into a LOT of situations and demands that are just plain nonsensical. Write-ups for situations that shouldn't actually warrant them aren't at all uncommon.

[flojocabron]

OH MAN DONT GET ME STARTED!

I do work for a major retail store. It rhymes with rears.

stores have too many policies to try and save their asses from both customers and workers.

Just hang in there. Take your time and listen and soon you'll get the hang of it. There is a routine involved so once you know it, it gets much easier

And get the hang of it soon, cause the holidays are comming up and you will have to work even harder. Not only handling larger sums of money, but also dealling with angry , weird , or shady customers!

But there are some nice people out there, If you survive your first holiday you'll do fine.

just watchout for your superiors, they can be worse for you. Customers you can deal with, cause they leave. But your supervisors are there to nag at you for:

A: not selling enough things along with the main purchase
B: not asking credit card offers to your customers
C: not telling your customers about the store survey
D: not selling a repair/warranty/replacment plan on the purchase

I can go on with this list but I'll stop there, cause this will become more of a rant on my job!

I've been at my job for five years now, gotten in trouble many times, but they havent kicked me out yet!

[Redifer]

The closest I ever was to retail was working in the box office and concession stand at a movie theater. The techniques and methods will become second-nature rather quick. It's the customers themselves that you will tell stories about. This is not to say that the customer is always wrong... they're not, but some of them can be a bit "special". I quickly ascended to management (which I hated) just so I could run movies. After that I spent the rest of my movie theater days in the projection booth away from all customers. Now projectionists don't need to exist in this day and age with digital movies. Unfortunately managers still do.

I was at Best Buy recently and I was buying something and I wanted to use two rebate cards I got from Verizon ($50 each), a gift card, a credit card (my GF wanted to pay part) and the rest cash. Complicated, yes. I profusely apologized to the cashier for being one of "those" customers and having such a bizarre, complicated method of payment. He laughed and said I wasn't a bad customer. I was very patient because I knew that getting in a huff wouldn't help things. He did need to call for help. It's not the low guys on the totem pole that make Best Buy a shitty place, it's the company itself. That's why I treat the low guys with some respect. Especially at any place that serves food. I'd rather not have my food spat in so I am the nicest customer ever.

[hashiriya1]

I do work for a major retail store. It rhymes with rears.

I worked there before back when I was just out of high school. I hated every minute of it. I commend you for putting up with it for 5 years.

[o.pwuaioc]

I've worked in retail for about 5 years between the ages of 16 and 21. All I have is one word of advice: Leave as soon as you can. Retail sucks donkey balls.

Actually, working at a suburban Blockbuster wasn't so bad, but as soon as I started working at one in the heart of the city (Memphis, TN), I loathed it.

[Xeogred]

On a register it is pretty much just practice and make sure you enter everything correctly and the register will tell you the change if you haven't gotten to the pint that you do it automatically in your head.

Except Quick Trip (big chain of midwest gas stations) registers apparently don't do that. lol, terrible...