Advice on working Retail/Customer Service

[Azriel Nightshade]

Evening! I'm currently looking of a job and most of my potential places of employment involve talking to and helping customers, think places like JC Penny and Best Buy. I'm a somewhat introverted person and if I actually got a chance to work at any of these places it'd be the first real job I've ever had. So, does anyone have any advice, tips or just interesting experiences working retail? ( i think thats the right term for it)

 

[staika]

For one make sure you know just about everything about the shit your selling because christ do some people ask a lot of questions about everything. Also be prepared for the massive amount of bullshit that people do and that can range from asking questions that don't have anything to do with the store to my personal favorite trying to barter with you which is actually quite funny.

As for me I've worked at my dad's friend's beer distributor for about a year now and I don't drink beer or know anything about beer so I had to ask a lot of stupid questions to my boss and my dad so I could regurgitate it to the retarded customers who want to know everything about everything. also pray that you aren't going to become "That" employee as my boss puts it, and if your "that" employee every strange and bad thing happens to you and I know from experience because I am "that" employee.

 

[Tallim]

No matter how much you might get wound up , or angry never lose it on the shop floor.

"It's my first day" can work for about 2 weeks if you are careful.

 

[twistedmic]

If you have a choice of where to work, do not choose to work at Wal-Mart. From my own personal experience, and from the experiences of friends and family, Wal-Mart will try to fuck you over at nearly every opportunity possible, from work hours to vacation time and even health care benefits eligibility. They'll also try to shoehorn you into what ever position that they want, regardless of your preferences and keep you there, unless you have a medical issue that can get you out of it.
Other than that, just try to stay calm and polite with customers, even if they turn into raging assholes. If one asks you about something that's not in your department, let them know that you don't know enough about that department or item and that you'll get someone to help them (and actually try to find someone, don't just say that to get away).

 

[DevilWithaHalo]

Evening! I'm currently looking of a job and most of my potential places of employment involve talking to and helping customers, think places like JC Penny and Best Buy. I'm a somewhat introverted person and if I actually got a chance to work at any of these places it'd be the first real job I've ever had. So, does anyone have any advice, tips or just interesting experiences working retail? ( i think thats the right term for it)

1. Everything is not your fault, even if people say it is.
2. Happily accept responsibility for things that actually are your fault and takes steps to correct the problem.
3. Always smile and be polite, even to the screamers (defend yourself as required).
4. Admit you don't know something when you don't, but offer to help them find someone that does.
5. Make eye contact, stand up strait, speak clearly, offer your assistance and let others know you're available to assist.
6. Never take anything personally, people are just mad at the situation, not you.
7. Have something you can do to blow off steam after work, never during, even on a lunch break.

Follow those steps and you'll get employee of the month followed quickly by a promotion so you never have to work retail again!

 

[KarmaTheAlligator]

If you're asked something that you don't know about due to being new, direct the customer to someone who does know, and then take the first opportunity to learn it yourself. Always remember those tricky questions and find out the answers ASAP.

 

[bdcjacko]

Now I used to work as a waiter back in the day, so it isn't exactly the same. But just be ready for people to treat you like shit because they think they are better than you. It happens, let it roll off your back or take up smoking, either one works.

 

[DJDarque]

Talk to people. Try to listen to your coworkers talk to customers if you have the chance. Knowing about what you sell is also important, but when you learn the most is from helping people. Don't be afraid to say "I don't know the answer, but let's find out, shall we?" The most important thing is always look busy. You'll get to a point where you can knock out the work they give you in no time, but if you don't stay busy they're going to get upset and pile more and more work on you. Lastly, even if you're upset about something be polite.

 

[Azriel Nightshade]

Thanks for all the answers. I really appreciate it!

 

[thejackyl]

No matter how much you might get wound up , or angry never lose it on the shop floor.

"It's my first day" can work for about 2 weeks if you are careful.

Only 2 weeks? I've worked as a cashier for 3 years, and that line still works for me.

1. Everything is not your fault, even if people say it is.
2. Happily accept responsibility for things that actually are your fault and takes steps to correct the problem.
3. Always smile and be polite, even to the screamers (defend yourself as required).
4. Admit you don't know something when you don't, but offer to help them find someone that does.
5. Make eye contact, stand up strait, speak clearly, offer your assistance and let others know you're available to assist.
6. Never take anything personally, people are just mad at the situation, not you.
7. Have something you can do to blow off steam after work, never during, even on a lunch break.

The only one I don't necessarily agree with. Since I get 3 breaks on an average day, having something to blow off steam at those points is a pretty good idea. Than again, I'm the kind of person who, if I bottled it up for the 9 hours I was working, would probably end up in a fight over something.

Also, I will add:
Despite what they may think, the customer is NOT always right. More often than not the people who use that excuse are trying to rip you (the store) off. But never accuse them.

Listen to the customer:
One of my friends worked at a Best Buy, and had a customer looking for a certain MP3 player, that they were sold out of. The customer said that he only wanted that one kind, my friend ignored that and tried to sell him an iPod. The customer never came back, and actually wrote to the store complaining about him.

When a customer doesn't have a clue, help them:
Had a customer return a DVD player and a handful of Blu-Ray movies claiming that none of them worked. (Regular DVD players don't play Blu-Ray), I saw this and explained what the problem was. They felt stupid, but thanked me. Ended up exchanging the player for the right one, and kept the movies, and did some more shopping.

There are some people you CAN NOT please:
Sometimes they want free stuff, most of the time they just want someone to vent to. But no matter what you will always have a customer who no matter how well you do your job, will not be satisfied. You could probably offer him a free blowjob and some cake and they'd still be pissed off.

One such example is the customer I had about a year ago, who brought their cart up to my belt. And then proceeded to ***** at me for not doing my job. They wanted me to unload, ring up, bag, and reload their groceries. (it's not our job to unload and reload groceries). And even after that she bitched because I "was going too slow". After she left, I decided to check my Items per Hour, and it was up to 927. Before she went through my line it was around 700. She was in my line for maybe 20 minutes...

I think that's all.

 

[cathou]

Never loose patience. Staying calm at all cost is the best way to survive in retail. An angry customer can only get angrier if you seems to be angry too. It doesnt mean they are right, but always talk to them politely.

Some people dont see the cashier/sale person as a real person, i think some of them see you as little robot with no feeling or personal emotion, so dont take all they say personal.