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[Rumblebones]

I've had to turn away a lot of families coming to watch a films for which their children clearly aren't old enough.

The most recent absolute shit show was Deadpool. Had this one family of which the son clearly wasn't old enough.

First they blantantly tried to lie about his age. When they realised I wasn't buying it, the dad argued I should mind my own business and that as the father he knew best and it was his estimation his son was old enough to see the film.

When I asked him if he had seen the film he said no, at which point I asked him how he could possibly know then that his son was old enough? I then had to remind them that I wasn't just enforcing company policy but actual laws. He then angrily demanded a refund so I told him to queue up or phone customer service.

I've had many encounters like that before and since.

 

[Crayon]

Some are just a bit shit and some are absolute hell. If you get a seriously bad one just try somewhere else. Usually takes about two weeks to find out.

 

[Jonogunn]

I worked for a major cell phone company in Canada. It wasn't actually that bad all things considered. I was lucky to have a great team and good managers but helping customers especially difficult ones does suck overall. But no. Not too bad.

 

[LaNaranja]

Yeah retail fucking sucks. I worked back of house after I got my BA and was unable to find work and we were repeatedly made to lift all sorts of heavy shit that was not meant for a single person. I once sarcastically asked what the picture with two people on the box meant and my supervisor simply laughed. :/

I was only there six months (the back half of the year so I got to do holiday) and that was just hell. The worst seeing all the coworkers who had given up on their dreams. A few of them had bachelor's degrees but seemed to have accepted that that was there life now. I am glad that I got out of their as soon as I did.

Anyway, here is a funny video about shitty retail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU-2C8Ec6co

 

[choco-fish]

The problem with my place is that the good hires are absolutely not disposable and should be valued. They rarely get applicants with enough of a passion for the products to convincingly sell them, and when they do those people don't become valued at fucking all. Just as disposable as some random person who doesn't get the products or particularly care about them.

I don't understand how they can pay what they do and expect such a niche, exact sort of person to stay there. Ironically enough, I have become this "ideal" image they want, and I still feel harassed

They have area meetings at my wifes store and all the floor workers are expected to follow a best practice and be polite and friendly to the top managers, however whenever she smiles or says hello they just ignore her or look down at her. They all have brand new gleaming Mercs and BMW's but they can't correlate between where the money is made and how they get paid all that money.

 

[hodayathink]

I've noticed that every retail place seems to have THAT customer. This person isn't necessarily an asshole,although assholish behavior can be a part of it. It's more accurate to say that this person is, through the stresses of life, fundamentally broken. At my old job it was a 50 year old in an electric scooter with chronic pain who would down enough pills to kill an elephant and serve around the aisles loudly singing. At my current one it's a 60 year old woman who lost her husband, is all alone and is desperate for human contact. Both will talk to you nonstop until you fake a call on your radio and run away.

There are days I'd rather spend a half hour talking to that customer than do my job, though. Can't get away with that, but would if I could.

 

[SSReborn]

Currently stuck in this and really want to leave this cycle of retail and general labour it's so draining.

 

[Spinluck]

Working retail sucks balls.

So many stores are so fucking out of touch.

Say what you want, but Walmart seems like the most lax retail place to work.

They don't have to suggest sales and shit, and don't really have to give a fuck. Not saying it's a great job, but it seems to throw out the whole pandering to the customer BS and stay at the top.

 

[RobbieNick]

I've had to turn away a lot of families coming to watch a films for which their children clearly aren't old enough.

The most recent absolute shit show was Deadpool. Had this one family of which the son clearly wasn't old enough.

First they blantantly tried to lie about his age. When they realised I wasn't buying it, the dad argued I should mind my own business and that as the father he knew best and it was his estimation his son was old enough to see the film.

When I asked him if he had seen the film he said no, at which point I asked him how he could possibly know then that his son was old enough? I then had to remind them that I wasn't just enforcing company policy but actual laws. He then angrily demanded a refund so I told him to queue up or phone customer service.

I've had many encounters like that before and since.

??? I'm assuming you worked a movie theater? Even if it's rated R, parents can bring in their kids with permission usually. What country are you from?

 

[Illucio]

Ive been working at Gamestop for 3 weeks now?
Don't want to kill myself, my only complaint is having a huge line of like 4 different preorders I have to tell every customer even if they clearly don't own the system.

Oh and membership cards. Fuck them. At least I don't work at best buy where the membership cards are actually a really good discount and get told by customers to fuck off even though they would be SAVING money if they did. I would shoot myself for people acting that dumb in front of me. When it's a kid being dumb I just shrug it off thinking he or she is just young.

The worst customer I have was this little turd who came in one day and kept asking for made up games just trying to aggravate me.
He came back for me to babysit a week later and I just attacked him with genuine compliments. Long story short I have a terrible kid coming in almost everyday cause he likes me now. The shit this kid says my god. Can't go a minute without yelling out he's going to steal something.

 

[eddievanclaylen]

Maybe even just non corporate retail, where unethical shit is okay.

Required to come in 10 minutes prior to opening time, show up, owner doesn't even have the shop open for employees to come in, usually smoking in the bathroom. We get in, and the guy loses his fucking mind screaming at the top of his lungs, "CAN SOMEONE OPEN THE FUCKING GATE?" Using profanity to describe his disagreement with the ways his employees are is a daily thing by the way. The other day a mystery employee was described as "some fucking idiot" for folding a pair of pants in half rather than thirds.

Bitches about our sales at least 5 times a day. We are taught to basically harass people into buying stuff, using tactics to divert them from stating they just want to look around. All day today he bitched about his profits this year being shit, meanwhile we get shipments of 8 million fucking different bags when we can barely sell one a day. We have a recorded amount of 2000 pairs of a particular brand of pants (literal amount, not my exaggeration, he hand counted them), and this man bitches at us for his profits being bad. Even he regrets the amount of stuff he buys per month, yet still blames the staff for not selling enough.

On top of this, their family clearly profiles black people, trans in particular, regularly insisting they shoplift in packs. Regularly compares their likeness to animals. Found out today he told one of our newer female employees that only the guys can wear company screen printed tees and that women should obviously have more put together outfits (fired this morning btw). This same girl was yelled at for coming to work while sick and coughing, being told she can't be that way around people, even though we don't have enough employees to cover shifts, and they would tell her to come anyway. Oh, and we don't have enough people because the yuppie hipster niche types they want have reasonably paying jobs, and the owners trash any email or resume from someone they suspect is from a bad part of town, or doesn't look the part.

fuck my life. I am ready to dive into traffic. I hate this

Quit this job immediately

 

[madstarr12]

There are legitimate complaints about working at retail. Management was never on the same page, always expected to have things done as if we were two places at once, many times not thinking about what made sense. Many managers simply do not have the temperament to hold that position. Lol. I'm still working at retail until I can find something else while I finish school.

For example, associates on the floor who are called for back-up on registers, stay on the register for over half an hour, then return to the floor, only to be told that the floor is in terrible shape and that they're not doing a good job at keeping it tidy. Well duh idiots, you call them up to registers, which their department will be unattended until they return, what do you expect? Respectfulness from the customers towards the department? Nope.

Customers are also pretty bad, also a bunch of liars. We started a donation program for the JDRF, and the first day it starts, several customers tell me that theyve "already donated". I ask them, "to this store"? And they're like "yeah, a few days ago". Funny, we just started the donations that day, how could they possibly have donated already, before we started? Just a small example of customers being just a bunch of liars.

 

[Kas]

I'm a manager at a fast food place, and I'm really tight with my boss.

My bosses boss scares the shit out of all of us and we freak when we see him.

The funniest thing is that this guy is so normal and nonthreatening looking.

We also get those assholes who will sit in your parking lot and loiter for a good fucking hour when you have a truck coming, that when you tell them to GTFO because if you miss the truck, you're calling the cops.

Then these punk kids decided to peel out and leave a nice burn strip in my drivethrough.

Why? What does this do to me? You're the one who is going to have to replace that transmission.

 

[BKatastrophe]

I've had to turn away a lot of families coming to watch a films for which their children clearly aren't old enough.

The most recent absolute shit show was Deadpool. Had this one family of which the son clearly wasn't old enough.

First they blantantly tried to lie about his age. When they realised I wasn't buying it, the dad argued I should mind my own business and that as the father he knew best and it was his estimation his son was old enough to see the film.

When I asked him if he had seen the film he said no, at which point I asked him how he could possibly know then that his son was old enough? I then had to remind them that I wasn't just enforcing company policy but actual laws. He then angrily demanded a refund so I told him to queue up or phone customer service.

I've had many encounters like that before and since.

From day one anyone could tell DP was gonna get tons of that shit. "But he's a superhero tho!" Nah bruh.

Also usually the underaged can see movies as long as they have an adult with them. Last time I checked, anyways. May be different now.

 

[Subpar Scrub]

One time I was working in the photo lab at CVS, and a customer asked me for a stamp. I told him that we didn't sell them individually, but I could sell him a book of 10, so he threw a handful of change in my face and called me a stupid cocksucker.

Sorry dude, I was tired and really needed that stamp.

On a serious note, I once worked retail at a cheap goods store and was asked if we sell watch batteries. This old guy showed me the battery and I showed him that we sold them in packs of 8 for $2.

He said that he only wanted one and that it was "fucking ridiculous" that he would have to buy so many. Like... What?

I was also asked by a lady if we sold glass replica beehives. When I said no, she said "what the hell? Do you people sell ANYTHING here?!"

People are just fucking stupid. Most are good though, which is nice. I like my current retail job on the weekends, except that I'm not very good at giving advice to customers. Oh well.

 

[triplestation]

I work retail and learned to dodge bullcrap, I'm a total phantom at my job

You have to become a slippery snake like me :^)

 

[MillionVolts]

I'm one of those crazy people who doesn't mind it, though I haven't had any experiences nearly as bad as OPs.... I would quit that job ASAP.

 

[Lupercal]

I'm with the rest OP, quit or get yourself fired asap.

I've had something like this on my last retail job where I worked happily 4 years and miserably 6 months. I quit.
It's not worth the heartache/stress/killing rage.

 

[Herbspiceguy]

I've never worked retail, but when I stroll through shopping area's I can't help but wonder how people working retail keep their sanity.
I think it's the field where you have to deal with the most amount of shit. Then there's the stores where there's hardly any customers.
I have a deep respect for you guys.

 

[Lulubop]

Overnight supervisor at a CvS in Manhattan. Shit is always on tilt.

 

[pswii60]

I worked in retail throughout my college and uni days. When I left uni I went full time for a short while whilst I was looking for another job. My manager was an utter cunt.

But I still remember the joy of handing my notice in and telling him that I had found 'a proper job now so have to leave'. His face was bright red. It was glorious.

That said, my current job/career takes over my life. What I do miss about retail is that fact that when you've finished your shift, you've finished your shift. You can switch off. That must be an amazing feeling but one which is now a distant memory.

 

[Jzero]

I've worked directly with customers at three different locations (restaurants and such) and those already sucked. Having to upsell shit to people sounds like hell, my moral barometer would never let me do a job like that.

Your boss sounds like complete douche though. I walked out of one job two days before my two weeks were up because i also had a douche boss that i could no longer stand.

 

[The_Kid]

I've had to turn away a lot of families coming to watch a films for which their children clearly aren't old enough.

The most recent absolute shit show was Deadpool. Had this one family of which the son clearly wasn't old enough.

First they blantantly tried to lie about his age. When they realised I wasn't buying it, the dad argued I should mind my own business and that as the father he knew best and it was his estimation his son was old enough to see the film.

When I asked him if he had seen the film he said no, at which point I asked him how he could possibly know then that his son was old enough? I then had to remind them that I wasn't just enforcing company policy but actual laws. He then angrily demanded a refund so I told him to queue up or phone customer service.

I've had many encounters like that before and since.

Pretty sure movie rating policies are strictly volumtary by theaters, and there is no legal ramifications for them seeing something, depending on country. Getting a movie rated by the MPAA is entirely voluntary too, although that files under a filmmaker wanting to actually have their movie shown in theaters because they don't typically accept unrated movies.

They're not associated with the government, super secret, and do not really disclose what specifically made them choose a rating, the maker just has to change things and resubmit.

 

[soundscream]

Back to school almost done -> Halloween candy out, costumes going up-> 26 pallets of Christmas shit came in this week......-> prays for sweet release of death. (Rinse and repeat annually)

 

[BKatastrophe]

Back to school almost done -> Halloween candy out, costumes going up-> 26 pallets of Christmas shit came in this week......-> prays for sweet release of death. (Rinse and repeat annually)

Oh god...nonstop Christmas music is only a mere three months away

 

[Supast4r]

I work at cvs and the people I work with are great, the issue is that the customers are so nasty that it's crazy. I had a guy curse me out in front of his young kids because I was following store policy on coupons.

 

[Man God]

Never had a serious problem with customers working retail, it was always management. Twice a direct superior pissed me off to the point where I quit, once it was someone near the high end of the scale. Took all the fun out of working those jobs.

 

[Kintaro]

I work as a manager at a major gaming retailer. Have for almost a decade. This year, its like THEY lost their sanity a bit. I've saved up a ton of money over the years so when the time comes, I'll be ready to move on.

This year is awful though. =(

 

[Jzero]

When I was at McDon's a lady once told to me to lower the price of our ice cream cones. I told her I had no control over that and she said "yes you do. Managers can change prices." I ignored her and sent her on her way

BYE FELICIA!
🖕🖕

 

[AgentLampshade]

And Christmas is coming...

 

[Smokey_Run]

Oh god...nonstop Christmas music is only a mere three months away

The worst. THE WORST.

 

[Lupercal]

People should be forced to work retail for atleast 3 months to see what it's like.
Will be a lot less insane customers.
More idiot bosses though probably.

 

[Supast4r]

People should be forced to work retail for atleast 3 months to see what it's like.
Will be a lot less insane customers.
More idiot bosses though probably.

People should be forced to work one Black Friday

 

[SchrodingerC]

Oh god...nonstop Christmas music is only a mere three months away

Now this is torture when you are forced to listen to the same songs on repeat for 1 1/2 months.

 

[Stasis]

I'm not even sure I understand wtf is going on in your store but I do think I'd gtfo.

Though it really just depends on your age, family, living situation, education level, and other opportunities...

If you don't need this job the solution is simple.

 

[Lupercal]

People should be forced to work one Black Friday

Damn, now that's cold man. Even I haven't suffered through that.
I've done sales periods and stuff (summer/winter) but Black Friday?
I'd call in sick.

 

[Greddleok]

The day when retail jobs are taken by robots will be a great day.

 

[Static Veins]

Worked in retail for 4 years. Loved the people I worked with, hated the job. Horrible customers, soul-destroying repetition and ridiculous targets to hit.

I left 2 weeks ago, start my teacher training for the next year on Tuesday. Current mood; blissful.

Spoiler

Not for long once I start teaching, I'm sure.

 

[Lego Boss]

It's a rite of passage IMHO... every kid needs to work restaurant or retail once in their lives to appreciate the service industry and the value of money.

Yes, this is true. There are upsides to working in the food industry (never worked retail), especially if you are young as there are lots of young and attractive people working there who you spend a great deal of time in close proximity with . . .

And that's just the head chef.

 

[Silent_Ocarina]

I work as a pharmacy student for a Walgreens, and I doubt it's nearly as bad as most retail places, but I still hate it. There is just no satisfaction whatsoever. Interacting with customers is rarely ever pleasant, and the mind-numbing repetition of the job almost makes me wish I didn't do pharmacy. I'm set to graduate in two years, and I'm not sure if I can handle doing this for 40 years. I can't imagine working at a big chain during Christmas or Black Friday.

 

[Hackbert]

I worked in retail throughout my college and uni days. When I left uni I went full time for a short while whilst I was looking for another job. My manager was an utter cunt.

But I still remember the joy of handing my notice in and telling him that I had found 'a proper job now so have to leave'. His face was bright red. It was glorious.

That said, my current job/career takes over my life. What I do miss about retail is that fact that when you've finished your shift, you've finished your shift. You can switch off. That must be an amazing feeling but one which is now a distant memory.

huh... i am second manager of a grocery store in germany. you work from 6 a.m to 4-6 p.m and nope, you take the shit home with you, thinking of stuff to do. but i seem to be a masochist, liking it. i am getting paid qualification course for more right now. maybe i will think of leaving retail after a few years and a broken back XD

 

[choco-fish]

Yes, this is true. There are upsides to working in the food industry (never worked retail), especially if you are young as there are lots of young and attractive people working there who you spend a great deal of time in close proximity with . . .

And that's just the head chef.

Yeah but what about that time a customer put pubes in a meal and complained to you that the kitchen did it?

Food Service industry seems to have a modicum of respect compared to retail, well if you work behind the bar!

 

[Imp the Dimp]

I worked retail for 8 months and it was uneventful and not 10% so bad as the horror stories on the internet led me to believe prior to accepting the job.

 

[BlazingDarkness]

Grown man walks up to me, holding two of the same shirt, different sizes, and asks,
'Which size is smaller, medium or small?'

Yep.

 

[ExigentContact]

Work grocery as a stock manager. I'm on the lucky end of the stick in the sense that I'm full time, but it still sucks. Hope to get out of it soon. Still, I've proven I've got good work ethic and people above me are interested in seeing me advance, so I feel a lot more confident now than I did at the start of this job, which is my first.

Could be worse, but retail and its relatives by nature are a bitch.

 

[WhereAreMahDragonz]

I worked at a liquor store for about a year and yeah...people get mad when you stand between them and booze...

 

[BlazingDarkness]

There's always that customer still swanning about the shop floor 1 minute before you close. as though they've got all the time in the world - then you need to herd them about. Have you people got nowhere better to be?!

Also, this:

 

[Arizato]

Unless you are in serious need of cash or are going to have a real hard time finding a new job then I would suggest just quitting.

I am so tired of the bullshit attitude that life should be all sunshine and roses when you are employed, because there are so many instances where that is nowhere near the truth.

Your health is way more important than your job.

 

[TheChamp]

I work retail and actually enjoy it, its all about having that great team of colleagues around you, sure customers can be shitty but its like 1/50

working in a cinema mostly this is underage kids trying to get into age restricted films

 

[Monocle]

Entitled people are the absolute worst. The thing that always threw me for a loop is the way some customers are so shamelessly rude. Like when their tone drips with impatience and scorn because they see you as an obstacle to the world class service they deserve.

Who the fuck do they think they are? How do they even function in a world that's not specially engineered to cater to their personal whims, if they can't handle a minor delay or a clarifying question? Some adults behave like actual children in grown-up suits. It's astonishing.