In the spirit of July 4th, some true American retail stories from the weekend

Jul 3, 2016 8:15 PM

echomur

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32346

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1244

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110

This never, EVER works. All you're doing is holding up my rather full line and making yourself (and me for refusing you repeatedly) look bad. I don't care if you turn 21 tomorrow, the law is the law is the law. I'm not losing my job so you can get drunk on the fourth.

My store cashes payroll checks and only payroll checks for customers as a courtesy. We do not cash any other types of checks. Arguing with me isn't going to change that. Talking to the manager isn't going to change that. It's company policy, not store policy, and we can't do anything about that.

When the register tells me your card has a 'generic decline' on it, no matter how many times you slide it, it isn't going to work. The funds are not going to magically appear, your card isn't going to magically get accepted. Again, all you're doing is holding up my rather full line.

This one got me yelled at by three more customers. Ring up the items, one item rings at full price and the customer is adamant that it's on sale. Check the ad paper, not there, check the shelf, no tag, check all the end caps (those displays on the end of the aisles) nothing. Finally get back to my register to tell the customer it isn't on sale. "Oh. I have to get it anyway." Five minutes I'll never get back.

Don't ever do this to a cashier, especially if they're closing. They have been there all day, dealing with customers, and it's time for them to go home. They don't want to spend another ten minutes ringing up your $500 order because you couldn't get to the store on time. But after a ten hour shift, on my feet, there they were. Waiting. And then they pounced the moment the announcement was made.

I am not going to let you walk out of the store with $5 of extra product no matter what you say. I know it's only $5, but it's also my job. Some would say 'you should trust people more', but after 11 years of customer service experience, I'm just cynical enough to know that the moment I do something like this is the moment the person proves all my cynicisms right.

But for the people who are nice, patient, and have an understanding that this is a very busy and stressful time of year, my thanks to you. You make this job worthwhile.

I have definitely have had more items that where labeled on sale that where not in the register than the other way around.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

+1 for complaining about assholes on a site full of assholes.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

I work in retail and we dont close but alcohol sales are like that. "Its only one minute past..." "then you're 2 minutes too late sorry."

9 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

So ring them up, be an adult. That never bothered me when I was working retail.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

I go back and forth about this. On one hand you sound like a whiny jackass who has a job so shut it and on the other, people are assholes.

9 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 2

So would you rather the person w/ two carts to just leave them and go home?

9 years ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 1

Managed a retail office supply, all of this and then some. People are bastard flavored bastards coated in special bastard sauce.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

So.....the customer ISN'T always right???

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

#1 question: where's the bathroom? After telling them, some common answers: of course it is! - it didn't used to be there! -

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

It's on the other side at the other store! - why did you move it? - why is it over there? - thanks.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I had a super market stay open once so I could get milk. I ran the aisles to get the milk and thanked them profusely. THANKS AGAIN GUYS

9 years ago | Likes 22 Dislikes 0

See, and that's fine! Anyone who DOESN'T do that is an ass. It's the people who go "Oh I just need milk!" and spend 20 minutes buying extra.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Not only that but those drawers still need counting.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 2

Sympathize with a lot of this. But CC do often say declined and go through if you swipe it again.

9 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

Somebody hates her job.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I'm sorry I get off work at 11:30 and your store closes at 12.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

You forgot "but I'm a customer" which is supposed to excuse their self centered jackass behavior

9 years ago | Likes 20 Dislikes 1

I work for the city, unfortunately, it is an excuse

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It comes from the bullshit mantra 'the customer is always right' which actually doesn't exist in my field thankfully

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

You don't want to get paid for 10 minutes for a $500 sale? You're a terrible employee.

9 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 5

When I worked at the state, you got paid for your marked shift and not a minute longer. Of course, we closed at 2100 (1700 on Sunday).

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You're way too salty about a shitty job. Your expectations of ppl are way too high.

9 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 7

Exactly. Worked in retail for 2 years, you get used to people. When you take the job, you know it's awful. If you're just gonna bitch (1/2)

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

about it, don't apply for the job. Just go home. (2/2)

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I've been on the other end of the sale thing a few times. Except it was on sale, it just wasn't in their computer.

9 years ago | Likes 33 Dislikes 1

I take a picture of sign and have it handy to show at register.. I've been a cashier b4 so I know the pain.

9 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

Good idea and I've done this before when getting something expensive. Not usually a viable suggestion while grocery shopping tho.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I have had this happen a few times. And it's worth it to go and check, which is why I always check.

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 4

Yep, often the cashier knows the problem since you weren't the first to bring it up

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

As someone who works in customer service, this person sounds like they give shitty customer service.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

What exactly sounded like bad customer service?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Guy in front of me had 20 times. The lane was for 8-11. He ends up barking ar the cashier and other customers... "how was I supposed to know

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

this is a pretty shitty post

9 years ago | Likes 20 Dislikes 5

no shit, woes of a millenial seasonal employee or something

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 5

Millenial? Seasonal? You didn't actually read it, did you? 11 years in this job, honey.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 3

The law is the law is the law. You gotta understand that.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Some laws are archaic and are no longer followed. In Scotland you can't be drunk and own a cow. Not all laws are created equal.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

In america, you can get drunk with a cow, you gotta 21 though.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

In Alaska it is illegal to get drunk in a bar and remain on the premises yet that law isn't followed. Again not all laws are followed.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You act like your time is way too precious to waste on customers when you're probably a hourly cashier.

9 years ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 12

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9 years ago (deleted Sep 19, 2017 4:09 PM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

I worked in retail for over 5 years. I was hourly so I seriously don't get why people are like, "omg this customer is wasting my time."

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I think the original commenter seems like the person that leaves meat and dairy on the selves then walks away. (That dose happen)

9 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 3

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9 years ago (deleted Sep 19, 2017 4:09 PM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

I work nights now to get away from customers like that

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

The next time im at teh grocery store, Ill remember "im here for the checkout clerk"

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 6

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9 years ago (deleted Sep 14, 2017 1:02 AM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

because were here for you

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

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9 years ago (deleted Sep 14, 2017 3:46 AM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

Im guessing you are one of those people who think mcdonalds clerks should get tipped.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

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9 years ago (deleted Sep 14, 2017 3:46 AM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

Idk what kinda retail you work at but if the store closes at11 and there's a guy with product, where I work we let them purchase their items

9 years ago | Likes 53 Dislikes 5

I hated when my ppl complained about that. You're not leaving at 11 anyway. We got shit to clean. Ring them up and Stfu.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Sometimes it's not up to the store; licensing laws for booze or Sunday trading laws (uk)

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

They didn't say they turned them away. Just that it was annoying when people did it

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Someone isn't a loser because of their job. They are a loser because of their attitude at that job.

9 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 2

Boom.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Could be a permit thing because of liquor sales.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Of course they let them purchase the items. Op still has to help the customer, but hates them while does my it

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

Yea but op is acting like it's the customer's fault. Not everyone keeps track of the time, at least they checked out after hearing the call.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 3

if the op doesn't like working till 11 then close at 11. maybe the customer is there cause that is their only time off.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Used to work 2nd shift. Was lucky to be anywhere before midnight.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Last week I snapped when a certain brand of half n half STILL had no price on the shelf - for like 3 months! WTF. Handed one to the 1/

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

cashier and made a passionate speech hoping it could get fixed. Dairy guy has ONE JOB right? It's a store where you expect to sell 2/

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

stuff right? Poor lady, her eyes got kinda big. Probly thought I was about to mass murder everyone in the store. 3/3

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Actually I'm not done people. Two days later, STILL NO PRICE.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Yes, I know cashiers don't do the pricing in the dairy section. They do know who the manager is though.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

I've spoken to my new manager at my store now for 2 weeks trying to get shit fixed, or for her to teach me how to fix said shit. Nothing.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I'm on both sides of this. Yes, they know who the manager is--and will probably get chewed out for nagging the manager about this. Just 1/2

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Did retail for a few years. Can confirm all of these are accurate.

9 years ago | Likes 20 Dislikes 5

Question: I've assumed it was normal not to go into a store 20-30 minutes before it closes. Is this not common?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

As hours wind down, less checkers are available to ring you up. Self-Checkout is open. The cart fulls 2min before closing are just like 1/2

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

2/2 someone coming into a restaurant 2min before closing and ordering a 30 minute cooked meal. It's not wrong it's just rude as fuck.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Back when I worked in retail, a $500 order was the only way we didn't hate someone for keeping us after closing. Looked good to the boss.

9 years ago | Likes 84 Dislikes 1

At 2am, our POS disallows any food or drink to be ordered. Can't do shit about it

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Honistly i busted my ass working cashier for my boss. He didnt give two shits what i did as long as i wasnt exceeding my alocated time.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

And they still need food and were penalty there a while. I think the 11 years of service OP states has created cynicism.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Sometimes people need understanding. Most people that don't care about closing times are assholes

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

You beat me to it. OP needs another job.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

As another retail slave, nah. People need to respect closing times more. People assume that just cuz theyre already in they can stay forever

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

End up spending 5 dollars. I've been there 10 hours, I want to go home too. Closing times exist for a reason, not so u can ignore them. (3)

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I closed, wander around for almost 10 minutes asking random questions about stuff (its a fucking gas station convenience store)and only (2)

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

While I agree that someone coming up RIGHT at closing isn't something to be upset over, just tonight I had someone come in 1 minute before(1

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Nowadays the boss gets mad if we stay past our scheduled hours. How time have changed.

9 years ago | Likes 29 Dislikes 6

It was only a few years ago. May just be because we were a small independent store instead of part of a chain.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

Nah. For us it was a few years ago that the bosses didn't mind as well. Then the bosses changed.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 4

Definitely this. Small businesses love margin, and personnel costs are lower, so the profit on a ten minutes to ring 500 is sexy.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

And did they ever love their 30% margin. Their business practices haven't evolved in decades and they can't figure out why it's in decline.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

#5 Suck it up, buttercup. If they've been in the store and come to check out once you announce it, they're fine. If they take forever (1)

9 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 5

coming in right before close or lollygag after you've made the announcement, sure...be annoyed. (2)

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 3

We make four announcements every five minutes from 10:40 onward. If we only made the one announcement it wouldn't chafe so much.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 3

And? You made it sound like they came to check out when you closed. That's not bad at all.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 5

That is what happened though. Happened all the time at my last job, ppl would wait until literally 10:59 to get to the tills. While I (1)

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Didn't always mind, it, the nights where 5 or 6 people decided to do that sucked. Her point was they make multiple announcements and (2)

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

People still don't come up until they finally say "Hey we're closed, bring all your shit to the tills". (3)

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Yeah, that's not a problem if they're still shopping until then. If you get that bent out of shape over a 5 min trasnaction, it's your (1)

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

left to do. Otherwise clean something while your customer buying $500 worth of product is shopping. It's called customer service for a (3)

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

reason. (4)

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

At that job, that was all that was left at that point. Floor staff would literally feign straightening stuff since it was all done until (1)

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Her payday (5 days later). All said and done that transaction ring up took 20 minutes ON TOP of the 30 she spent after closing. (6)

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Shopping after closing, ringing it all up for her, then her realizing she didn't actually have 500 dollars and asking us to hold it until(5)

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

5 dollars, but you still spent an extra 10+ minutes wandering around? Fuck off. Also, 500 dollars of product in most stores is not a (3)

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

"5 minute transaction". I know, because at that job I was referring to, we had a woman get 500 dollars of product after spending 30 mins (4)

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Tills were counted, and then as soon as that was done it was home time. If it's 500 dollars? No fucking problem, stay til 12. When it's (2)

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I've actually had my credit card get accepted after it was declined the first time.

9 years ago | Likes 459 Dislikes 1

I feel like this should be "work stories from a seasonal employee". Especially considering seasonal usually works the lines.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Ditto

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

All the bloody time. Swipe that bugger again please the money is there.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

That happened to me too! That's when my bank decided to let me go overdrawn for trying again.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It depends entirely on the type of decline. There are more than 70 reasons for a decline, and some of them will accept shortly after.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

My card gets declined at least once a week but I still have more then enough got the product

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I've had to have them do the old plastic bag trick. My old CC strip was all jacked up. Multiple swipes won't hurt anyone.

9 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

I worked at Taco Bell, had to wrap cards in receipts occasionally. Yechh.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

All the time. Visa security is getting outta hand.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

True, if it gives a "time out" error, then it was likely an issue with the connection, if you get a decline code, the bank said no.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yup, my card takes like 3 tries or I have to swipe it, it's just getting old and I need a new one.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

My debit card will do this at certain places. I have to be like "Swipe it twice"

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I had it happen to me one time, manager came over "Is that a mastercard? This registers been having trouble with mastercards all day."(cont)

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Moved one register over, worked fine, didnt make any sense, but whatever. Gave me 5% off since i was on the phone with my bank for 10 min.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

It can happen if the mag strip is getting worn/distorted. I've also had new chip-capable readers refuse to take my debit card no matter what

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Me too, in the past week.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Same here. It's usually something I caused like fat fingering my pin or trying to use my credit card as debit out of habit

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Had mine declined one time and then the guy behind me had his declined too. Gee, I guess your machine is down...

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

As a former liquor store clerk from the PCLB, we run it twice as a matter of courtesy.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yeah. I can confirm. CS with Whole Foods. Sometimes you swipe a few times and it works. Especially "generic declines". Insufficient funds 1/

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

2/ won't appear but unknown declines will. Also, it does suck for the last minute customers but it's just part of the job. Man up.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

No dice if declined twice.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

A lot of the time it's a problem with the lines. But the terminals will give a 'connection failure' message rather than a decline.

9 years ago | Likes 168 Dislikes 27

That sounds like your specific system. A lot of POS systems do not work like that. The customers are probably used to giving it another try

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Back in the day, Wachovia debit cards had f'd up mag strips and would need need to be run 2-4x before they read and transmitted correctly.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Always swipe thrice. Always.

9 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

I get a notification on my phone when my card it declined. I can almost always resolve it with a click or two and then the card will work.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Not necessarily. Several times I had reswiped "declined" cards for them to work the second time. Though I think our machines were a bit old.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Happened all the time at my old job. I always had to stop people from leaving when they'd assume it'd go through first time

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I've had customers have cards been declined. It says declined, and when I swipe it again it works. Not always, but sometimes

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Depends on the machine. Mine at my work usually takes two tries but policy says we do it 3, then manual, then ask for alternative payment

9 years ago | Likes 28 Dislikes 0

That's the one thing I really like about our machines. The messages are clear on what the issue is. :D

9 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 5

Or it was just a shitty swipe. Or the strip is shitty. Or they swiped but they have a chip. Lots of reasons really.

9 years ago | Likes 56 Dislikes 15

Ten years retail exp. The only time I've ever had a declined card work a second time is if the cust. entered their PIN wrong the first time

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Also people selecting the wrong account on a single account card

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

If the strip is bad, it won't slide. If the swipe is bad, it doesn't register the slide. We don't use chips yet. So not really.

9 years ago | Likes 65 Dislikes 22

Why don't they just stop making strip ones? Is there an advantage over chip and pin except like 10 seconds?

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

More places accept strip as not everywhere in the world has transferred to chip

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0