Or at least, be nicer about it.
There are a lot of reasons that I don't really like my job. A lot of the problems I had with my job originally have sorted themselves out the longer I've worked there. But. This post is mainly to complain about my job. So. If you're tired of me complaining or you work retail and you LOVE it(please see some help), then read no further.
I'm a Sales Associate at Forever 21. Not just any Forever 21, but a HUGE one. The one from back home is about a quarter of the size of this place. And there's another one in town as well that's still about a quarter of the size. I mean, this place is HUGE. The size of the place is one of the reasons I don't like my job. But. The main reason my job drives me up the wall is the people.
If you're one of these people, just stop.
1. The "I need this off the mannequin right now" people. Okay. I understand that you desperately want that shirt with a picture of a cat on it. But there are rules I have to follow. So can you hold on to your horses for like, 10 minutes while I follow protocol and get the shirt for you?
2. "Now you need to come find me!!" This bugs me so much. I spent forever undressing and redressing a mannequin for you, and now you've disappeared? Don't get mad if I put it on a rack and you come asking for it in 30 minutes and someone else snatched it up.
3. "Actually, I don't want this." You don't have to buy everything you pick up. But if you're gonna make a big hassel out of getting those overalls, and then you change your mind? I'm gonna be peeved. Especially if you throw a stink and you're rude.
4. "What do you mean you can't take that off the mannequin in the window?" Okay. There are a few rules, and I have to follow them. And one such rule is that there are not allowed to be naked mannequins in the window, even for a short period of time. So if you want a jacket that's on a mannequin facing the window, you're out of luck. Find a similar one.
5. "I just bought this upstairs, but I want to return it now." REALLY!? You know that now I have to wait 5 minutes for a manager to come downstairs and authorize this return, and you don't get money back. You want an exchange? Why didn't you finish your shopping before you checked out?
6. "I just bought this, but there's a small rip right here. Find me a new one to exchange it with." There have been instances where seriously half the associates are combing the store, looking for a stupid leather dress in a size small because we only have one left because yours wasn't adequate and someone misfiled it. Seriously. Either take the 10% discount for the damage, or look for the new dress yourself. That rip was tiny. Invest in a sewing machine.
7. "Can you order that for me online?" No. I can't.
8. "Are you sure you don't have any left? I think there's probably more. Are you really sure?" Yes. I just checked the inventory. That pair of boots is the last pair. Take it or leave it.
9. "Why can't I take this pair of earrings into the dressing room?!" Why can't you shut up.
10. "Only 6 items? Really?" Look, I'm not saying you can't try them on. Just put them on the back of the door and swap them out. It's not a big deal. You just have to open the door in a minute. Chill.
11. "Can my friend come in the dressing room with me? Please? Just this once?" No. I don't know what ya'll are gonna do, but no. There's one next door. Snap chat each other from separate rooms or sumthin.
12. "Can you have them send this same item over from another store so I can pick it up at this store?" Uhm...no.
13. "I brought 50 items into the dressing room and I'm not gonna buy a single one." Thanks. I wanted to reorganize all of that. Thank you so much.
14. "I just wanted to try these on for fun." Okay. Seriously. If you are going to try on THAT MUCH STUFF on a SATURDAY, please just buy it. Please.
15. "Find this item." Do you have the SKU code for me? No? Okay. Well, find this item yourself. I don't even know if this store carries it. Because we don't have the code.
16. "Here are 50 pictures of items my daughter wants me to buy. Find them. It's okay if they're not exact." If it's so okay if they're not the exact item, why won't you accept this other shirt that's almost identical? You're the straight male here. Come on. You don't even know what a peplum is. Just take the shirt. I searched 20 minutes for it.
17. "Is there anyway I could get a room right next to my friend?" I'd like to say yes. But seeing as there are no fitting rooms open next to each other, I'm gonna have to say no.
18. "So, I saw this shirt at H&M...and I was hoping you'd have it." Does this look like H&M?
19. Also, people. We're not your personal shoppers. We each have different styles. We don't know you. So if you ask me to find a shirt that will go with a specific pair of pants, I can tell you what I would pair with it. If you don't like that, then I'm sorry.
20. WE ARE PEOPLE TOO. Before I worked retail, I kinda viewed Sales Associates as objects. It happens. You don't know them or their lives. They're just random people with fake smiles trying to convince you to buy stuff. I get it. I've been in your shoes. But we're just trying to make ends meet and this is the only place that would hire us so would you please stop yelling because I can't find that earring?
21. Please don't look at me like that when I ask you if you'd like to get a $1.80 cami when you're checking out. I'm kinda obligated to ask. Just say no, give me money, and you can go on your merry little way and get a cami elsewhere.
22. Does it look like I'm a model? No. I shop in the Basics section of this store. It's where I get my spandex shorts and my t shirts. If you want advice on yoga pants and basic denim, I'm your girl. You want advice on bandeau's and acid wash jeans? Look elsewhere, like, I dunno, the girl who works in that section.
23. I've mentioned that the store is HUGE. I don't know the EXACT LOCATION OF EVERY SHIRT. We may get lucky occasionally and I'll know exactly where the slutty black dress with the cutouts is, but 9 times out of 10 I'm gonna have to ask multiple other sales associates for help, and chances are that you're gonna have to search for it too.
24. I'm a SALES Associate. So please don't take any advice I say seriously. It's my JOB to make you buy stuff. If my boss notices that I make a lot of sales, I get scheduled more, my paycheck gets bigger, and I'll move up in the food chain. So, unless you're my friend, the chances of me LOVING that sweater are about 50%. No, of course those leggings look GREAT on you. Yeah, I DEFINITELY buy all my jackets a size too big, don't even worry about it. Yup, I have one of these headbands in every color and I wear them ALLLL the time. Come on people. I'm sorry for lying to you but that's sorta my job. Our word is not law.
25. Just smile. Be nice. Seriously, there are some people who come into work and they compliment me on something and they're super sweet and they're an overall nice customer and I remember those customers and they make me happy. I could list specifics even, of customers that I've loved, because they were so great. If you're nice and all that, I will gladly walk around with you and make small talk while I help you search for the red fur vest you want for who knows why. Just be nice about it.
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