Great Customer Ettiquite

Just yesterday, I was talking to one of the ladies I work with about some of the rude, idiotic things that people do. After working in good old Walmart for about fifteen years, she's seen coustomers of all shapes, sizes and temperments, and was quick to share some of her best stories. She concluded our conversation by saying that she believed that everyone should have to work in retail for AT LEAST six months, so they could see what we "Go Through". Now, I realize that forcing the entire population to do their time in a checkout line isn't realistic so, I decided to make a sort of, how to guide concerning the proper way to act once you enter any kind of store:

Five important things to remember to be a successful customer! :

1. It's not MY fault if you are having a bad day! : If a customer comes into the store where I am working, I truly hope that they are happy and healthy, and are having a good shopping experience. If someone is upset or sick, or lost or whatever, I really do feel bad; however, unless I am the one who broke your heart, or ticked you off, or gave you the swine flu... it is not MY fault if you are unhappy. Therefore, when I greet you with a smile and a hello, the least you can do is show some respect. I have a bad day every once in a while too, you wouldn't like it if I took it out on you, do the same for me!
2. I do not make the rules where I work, and I am not in charge of setting prices, or deciding which products we carry: Just today I had to deal with a customer who was angry because Walmart didn't carrry the product that he wanted to buy. Now, this man later apologized for being rude, but 9 times out of 10 that dosen't happen. Listen, I understand that times are tough, and no one wants to pay 10 bucks for a bag of dirt. If it were up to me, everything would just be free, and we would all have everything we needed. But its NOT up to me, and its not up to anyone who works in my particular store either. So, if you come in and find that your favorite laundry soap has gone up by 10 cents, you really have no right to yell at me about it. As far as the rules go, Yes I have to have a bar code, no I can't sell you damaged goods for half price, and If you want to return something, I can't personally do it for you. I understand that your life is busy, but I kind of like my Job, and I'm not about to lose it just because I broke the rules to make your life a little easier.
3. If I make a mistake... It dosen't mean I'm out to get you: I know, sometimes I make a little mistake that costs you a couple of extra minutes of your time standing in line, and I truly apolozige, I really do. But, here is the thing. I come to work, and I try my best. I don't expect you to be perfect, so I'm not sure why you think that I need to be perfect. You can bet that If I've made a big enough of a mistke to cost you more than a minute of your time, than I am more embarassed than you are angry. If you came up to me, and I was rude to you, or if I was breaking your stuff, or calling your baby ugly... well then you can get angry. But, If I accidently push the wrong button, is that really something to pop off about? I have never made a mistake that has cost anyone money, nor have I made a mistake that has gotten anyone hurt. Be thankful that I care enough to do my best to fix the mistake, so that you can be on your merry way!
4. Just because I work in a store, dosen't mean I know the location, function or price of every item in stock: This is a big one... a customer comes up, and askes me what type of oil a certin mower uses... I have a couple of options. A.) I can go help him try to read the box, or the manal to try to find the anwser. or B.) I can ask my co workers if they know the answer. Either option may take a little time. But hey, when I got hired to work in Lawn and Garden, they didn't exactally install a micro chip into my brain containing all things related to grass, mulch and flowers. I mean, if you, the expert, don't know the answer, then how am I supposed to? Also, I haven't gotten around to memorzing the entire layout of the store which makes it hard to know where every product is kept. That being said, I would be happy to help any customer find what they are looking for, but if I don't lead you right to where you need to be, don't act like I'm stupid!
5. I have a job to do, and that job is not to be your babysitter or your servant: My job requires me to do a lot of different things on a daily basis. My first priority is always to help my customers, and I sincerely try to do the best I can at that, however, I can only be at one place at a time. If I am three isles away on the top rung of a ten foot ladder, sometimes I just can't see you waiting ever so patiently at the cash register. If I see someone headed that way, I automatically go to make sure they don't need my help, and I check often to make sure everyone is being taken care of, but It's just not possible for me to know the exact moment that you are ready to be checked out. If you go to the register and I am not there, and if you are in a hurry, or just think that I haven't seen you, well the solution is simple.... come tell me! I would much rather you come and politely ask me if I can check you out, than have you huff and puff at me because you had to stand there while I made a 45 second sprint to the register.

BONUS: Here is a simple rule of thumb while shoping in any store. Treat others they way you would like to be treated. Put yourself in the shoes of those who are there to help you. When in doubt, be polite. Trust me you will get much better service if you are friendly and respectful!!!