Kiroley's Blogs

How to Shop (Without Making a Retailers Life Hell)

Published: Sun 3 Aug, 2008 | 25 Comments
Tags: Shopping Retail Game Sale Job Guide to real life

Section One - Upon Arrival

 

Take a look at the state of the store. How many people are in it? Is it untidy? Usually the amount of people in a store and the general cleanliness will tell you as the customer what your experience is going to be like.

 

A store with little customers and a couple of bored dudes standing at the counter will mean you may not be greeted but the staff will be happy to help you out.

 

A messy store that has a person covering every square metre of the store will generally mean that the staff will be quite busy and may not have the time to serve you. However if you want to buy something they will go through it at double-speed and divided attention towards you as the customer.

 

Be prepared.

 

Section Two - When Browsing Their Goods

 

When wondering around taking a look at the stock try just looking with your eyes. If you feel you need to touch the product to get a better look please be sure to place it back exactly where it was, how it was.

 

If you are approached by a staff member who asks that questions "Hey, can I help it all?" or "Hi, hows it going" respond to them as if you were responding to a friend. Be respectful and say something polite. It will make you feel better and relax the staff member.

 

Section Three - Purchasing

 

When purchasing goods make sure to give the staff member plenty of space to breath, maybe a bit of light conversation to break up the grind. Try not to distract the staff by asking intense questions as for them to process a sale and hold a full-force conversation is quite difficult and stresful.

 

If paying in cash, make sure you have it out first. Don't sit there and count it in front of them, hand them the wad of cash you think will pay for your items and sit back and let the staff member count the cash for you. They will tell you if they're up and down. Also - try to keep your notes straight. A crumpled bunch of $5 notes is quite frustrating to deal with as staff need to unfold and rotate as their is a particular way they need to place the cash into the register.

 

Also - stay away from paying for something with two-hundred ten cent coins. If you have that much metal in your pocket then quickly head to the bank. In the end - it will save your time and a retailers patience.

 

When paying with a card indicate if you sign for it. Generally the staff member will ask you but a heads-up from you gives them time to find a pen. When you are signing for it try to relax if your signature is being closely examined. It's just a security measure and something that must be done.

 

If you are simply paying with a pin, your job is easy! You've just made a retailers life just a bit easier.

 

Section Four - Discounts

 

If you think you deserve a discount for any reason - ask. It doesn't hurt but do not start yelling at the staff if they don't give you one. Also - paying in cash does not guarantee you a discount, in fact, it makes a retailers life worse ( as they have to count every single coin and note at the closing of the store). Just ask and be polite, you never know when a staff member has had a good day and will chuck in a free item.

 

I hope this guide has helped, it will also help your fellow retailers! Remember that they are just doing their job and aren't super-human.

 

Happy shopping!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read all of Kiroley's blogs »» Return to Top