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I want to quit my First Job

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Wereroku

Member
Hey just keep at it. Most people know you aren't upselling collectors cups just because you like them. Also first jobs almost always suck. Just keep working and get a year or two under you belt then apply for a better one. This is good practice on how to deal with stuff you don't enjoy doing.
 

Angry Grimace

Two cannibals are eating a clown. One turns to the other and says "does something taste funny to you?"
Upselling works, though. They don't tell you to do that just to humiliate you.
 
Why do you care so much about a canned "Would you like the collector's cup?" They know you have to ask, you're not legitimately bothering anyone.

It's creepy that Coke has park secret shoppers, though.

I worked as a secret shopper doing a ton of chain restaurant and fast food shops. You have to be saying that shit, or else the mystery shopper WILL note it. They'll also get your name and physical description. So good luck keeping your job.

My first job was as a dishwasher at a restaurant. I burned my hands, cut myself, stunk like trash every day, but I did it because it was a job and I needed money. You need to ask people if they want a collector's cup? Grow a pair and do it.

Guess what? You need to upsell to a credit or debit card working at Target.
 

Treefrog

Member
I worked at an amusement park during high school and college. Very similar situation to yours. Whenever we had a big push to sell an item, I just did not do that thing. No one seemed to notice.

It's just a low level gig. Have fun and keep the customers happy.
 

I'm an expert

Formerly worldrevolution. The only reason I am nice to anyone else is to avoid being banned.
I thought it became common knowledge circa 2005 that working there sucked ass.

Working at Software Etc. was a prestigious position. Working at EB games was a good stepping stone. Working at Funco/Gamestop/Walmart is how we punish you for not doing well on standardized tests.
 
Working at Software Etc. was a prestigious position. Working at EB games was a good stepping stone. Working at Funco/Gamestop/Walmart is how we punish you for not doing well on standardized tests.

Haha, I bought my PS1 at FuncoLand. Used to look up to dudes who worked there.
 

Starviper

Member
It's not that bad, dude.. Just upsell and roll with it. Doesn't matter if they don't want it. Who cares if you're upselling? It's your job, just do it until you can start a new one. Quitting is a black mark on your job history.
 

Renta

Banned
Haha yeah they go crazy over those sports bottles if you're not upselling them. They just want coca cola to keep giving them dick.

When I worked there, I was in warehouse. The worst I had to worry about was the food stands being dumb about their orders. That and wheeling all that shit through the park.
 

IISANDERII

Member
So, I took a job at Six Flags in March after my sister's friend told me how they were a great place to start. I was homeschooled all my life, and got next to no social interaction. I figured you know what? I'm throwing myself right out into the middle of thousands of people. Forced social interaction, if you will.

And it was kind of working. I'm a Food Service Cashier, so there's a lot of talking. I was actually getting along with people, I could see that I'm actually not the non-social person I always thought. Also, the people are generally pretty cool.

But here's the kicker. The job sucks. Now. Why now, but not before? Because I've been introduced into the beautiful world of up selling some of our products. And my introduction was a Supervisor I'm going to be under again today. She stands in the back of the (small) building all day and, in a droning voice pretty much CHANTS, "UPSELL OUR SOUVENIR BOTTLES. Ask EVERY guest if they want a bottle. There are Coke Shoppers in the park, and we won't be happy if you miss one. Even if they have a bottle, ask if they want another."

I quote un-quote confronted her about it. Completely level-headed and no annoyance or anger to speak of, I told her that I won't even shop at stores if I'm being upsold every time I come up to the window. She basically told me I have to do it anyways because we want the rewards from Corporate for up selling to a Coke shopper (undercover people who work for Coca-Cola), tough luck. In her own words, "You're or practicing on guests for when a Coke Shop does come around."

I guess the confrontation must have really bugged her though, because she now takes any annoyance or anger out on me. She needs someone to yell at? Me. Someone screwed up? She tries to pin it on me.

But it was just two days working with her. I've been back with those I MUCH prefer since. We can change that to preferred. These people are all forcing the upsell stuff down my throat now. And I can't, GAF. It sounds pitiful that I'd want to quit over such a thing, but this is no GameStop where you can be the cool employee who still does his job yet doesn't parrot pre-order, get our card ad infinitum. If I don't do this stupid suggestive upsell on every friggin' purchase I actually risk termination.

I've been told my multiple Supervisors that I'm a great employee, and it has only been two months. I've been asked to be a permanent member of three different restraunts in the park (I'm Reserve, so I get put all over), and I've also been asked by three Supervisors in the Cart Operations division to be permanent with them.

I know I can do my job. But wow. I can't be a parrot robot. I don't want to be the employee guests (understandably) dislike with incessant advertising and shoving words down them.

The pay is also minimum wage, and I don't get overtime due to loopholes. Not even on my 46 hour work week I just got out of.

I don't want to be out of a job. I'd actually love to be an On Floor Associate at Target. It's where I first applied, but I got turned down before an Interview because I was new, had no experience. And I'm putting in another application today. But I feel like I may be doing something rash here.

I'd love to elaborate and clarify, as the thread looks more like a venting outlet right now, but I'm leaving right now to work for a full day under the droning Supervisor. I'll respond to any posts when I get back. I just really don't know if I'm jumping the gun here.
So why can't you transfer over to one of those other departments that expressed interest in you?

Also, does upselling really work? I really hate it so i avoid places like gamespot so now they get zero money from somebody like me.
 

Dice

Pokémon Parentage Conspiracy Theorist
I'd actually love to be an On Floor Associate at Target.
No you don't. Target has some of the worst management policies ever. They are so passive-aggressive they aren't even allowed to tell you what they want you to do, they have to ask if you can help with something. You never know which request takes priority over which (favors vs commands) when multiple people ask for help. If you're doing something wrong, they can't tell you. It becomes clear you're being compared to the vague other but it can never be said. If you do bring up issues directly, you just get weird run-around talk that avoids the issue and tries to reassure you that everyone is treated the same, even if it had nothing to do with treatment (because they assume you're using indirect language, too). It doesn't take off any pressure, but creates a ridiculous environment where nobody can be honest with each other and you only have a feeling you need to do/be something that is never clearly specified. Target thinks this creates an environment of positivity, but really it's more like some 1984 nightmare.
 

BPoole

Member
So why can't you transfer over to one of those other departments that expressed interest in you?

Also, does upselling really work? I really hate it so i avoid places like gamespot so now they get zero money from somebody like me.
It works on some people. At the reetaurant I used to work at, we had cookies and brownies at the counter that were a dollar each? Just asking ”would you like some brownies or cookies? They're just a dollar" would definitely drive sales, especially when you have parents with kids and the kids catch wind of it and start begging their parent. If the parent has multiple kids, now theyre buying 2+ and all we had to do was ask a simple question.

We would buy a tray of 24 brownies for $8, so the money added up pretty quick.
 

highrider

Banned
Try to remember that you are there to advance whatever sales agenda your boss gives you. It's not really about you or what you are comfortable doing, you are there to make your boss's life easier. It seems like common sense, but it took me quite a while to figure that out lol. If you have skills, then you can be you a bit, but six flags concessions, not so much.
 

nowarning

Member
Retail sucks but up selling can be quite easy and it does work, it depends how much they let you deviate from the script and how natural it sounds, you can tell when someone is reading the same shit they say to everyone else and it can put people off, me included.

Unfortunately it's not your position to tell your supervisor what you think is better etc. you're just there to do as you're told, so I guess you can either stick it out or find something else.
 

andycapps

Member
As much as retail sucks, the decisions you're making are so trivial that you may even look back in fondness (in some ways) one day. I'd say hang in there a while longer but try to work on how you do the upsell so you can make it as painless for you and the customer as possible.

This thread reminds me of Adventureland.
 

esms

Member
Suck it up.

My first job was robotic (food service/prep). Just enjoy the people that are around you and bang it out.

Funnily enough, I got looks and an interview from a dude in charge of hiring at a law firm during college because of my food service experience. Trust me when I say you're gaining skills you don't even know you're gaining, and smart people will notice that down the line.
 

mackattk

Member
Its a shitty entry level retail job. Go start applying at other places and ditch six flags when you can. Just be aware that upselling has only gotten more popular as time went on, and that you will probably be having to upsell in your next retail job as well. I agree its shitty, but it is what it is. I used to work at Blockbuster and absolutely loved the job, great customers, coworkers, and had fun while doing it. Then the upselling started and turned it to shit.
 

kunonabi

Member
Here's a pro tip. Just do the job the way you want too until they fire you. Are you upselling? Lie and say you are. Who gives a fuck? What do they owe you? They are paying you minimum wage. Professionalism and skill is for jobs where employers don't treat their employees like shit.

Except they aren't treating him like shit they're asking him to do his damn job.
 

Freshmaker

I am Korean.
The pay is also minimum wage, and I don't get overtime due to loopholes. Not even on my 46 hour work week I just got out of.

What loopholes?

Upselling is pretty common in retail. If you dislike it there though, start filling out applications, and get a different job.
 

Lemaitre

Banned
OP needs to make a marginal cost/utility table. OP just resign. I'm sure you would be able to find a much better position relatively quickly. You just need to explore more job options.
 

dcassell

Banned
Retail sucks, sales is worse. Be happy you didn't get hooked into the Vector Marketing/Cutco game. Then upselling is the LEAST annoying thing you have to do. Theme parks are the worst for this kind of stuff, I can imagine. But as others have stated, Target will be no better. Retail is retail.
 

zeemumu

Member
This is basically what happens when you work in any retail or some specific food service locations.

For food service, it's usually upselling whatever new limited time food item they have ("would you like to try our *insert burger title here*?"). Some people take it well, and either say yes or a polite no. Others get in your face about it as if you were doing this purely of your own accord instead of being forced to by your supervisor.

In retail, it feels a little worse because it's usually some type of credit card or subscription. So not only do you have to convince them that they need another credit card or subscription, you have to convince them to take up some of their time filling out the information for one. On top of that, while they're filling it out, the people in line behind them are getting antsy, which kinda dissuades you from asking when you have a line because you don't want an angry mob on you. I'm still in my first job while I'm in college and while it helped me grow thick skin, it's stressful as hell trying to push credit cards with high interest rates to people who most likely do not need them.

No you don't. Target has some of the worst management policies ever. They are so passive-aggressive they aren't even allowed to tell you what they want you to do, they have to ask if you can help with something. You never know which request takes priority over which (favors vs commands) when multiple people ask for help. If you're doing something wrong, they can't tell you. It becomes clear you're being compared to the vague other but it can never be said. If you do bring up issues directly, you just get weird run-around talk that avoids the issue and tries to reassure you that everyone is treated the same, even if it had nothing to do with treatment (because they assume you're using indirect language, too). It doesn't take off any pressure, but creates a ridiculous environment where nobody can be honest with each other and you only have a feeling you need to do/be something that is never clearly specified. Target thinks this creates an environment of positivity, but really it's more like some 1984 nightmare.

If Target is 1984 then Walmart is Mad Max.
 

flkraven

Member
Search for another job. Don't quit this one until you have a different one. The worst thing to have to explain to a future employer is gaps in employment, and quitting because of pressure from management is not a good explanation.
 
don't know what you two are yammering on about

Edit: I kinda get where you two are coming from in that real-world is crap and you need to learn to bulldoze through it. But in those situations, the salary can take away some of the sting. Here, you are getting paid minimum wage.

Now, I'm not telling these kids to work retail their entire lives. But quitting over something so ridiculously small -- one person in a recent thread called being forced to stand behind a register and offer an upsell to be "soul-sucking" or some such nonsense -- is an indication that someone has zero life experience and a quite unrealistic view.

Jobs are going to suck, first jobs especially so. Not because the first job is terrible, it's because work sucks! Get used to it! Use that first crumby retail job as motivation to go to school, ignore all those weak-minded people telling you to "do what you love" (even if your major is a one-way ticket back to retail) and find a major (or a trade) that will translate to a real actual job making real actual money. Bonus points if it's doing something you really, actually like (just don't kid yourself).
 

t26

Member
Welcome to the real world. There will probably be something you hate about your job at every level
 

dskillzhtown

keep your strippers out of my American football
As much as retail sucks, the decisions you're making are so trivial that you may even look back in fondness (in some ways) one day. I'd say hang in there a while longer but try to work on how you do the upsell so you can make it as painless for you and the customer as possible.

This thread reminds me of Adventureland.

Yes. The OP is going to look back on this job wishing he could go back in time years from now. My first job was in retail, but in addition to upsells I had to do cashier duties, stocking, displays, and cleaning (including bathrooms). I did it for about a year until I found something else. It's better than nothing and honestly though I hated it, it built some character and didn't start a bad trend of running away when things got bad.

Welcome to the real world. There will probably be something you hate about your job at every level

This too.
 

entremet

Member
Your first job is gotta suck.

Welcome to the real world. Let that motivate you to get skills and education for better jobs.
 

Kite

Member
OP not trying to be too big of a dick, but that is seriously some baby stuff. You are in retail, your job is to sell stuff, and your boss wants you to try and sell more stuff. What is the big deal? I know a few posters on gaf like to get outraged at the whole gamestop selling their membership card thing but most people just tune upsellers out. It's no big deal.

If something this small is stressing you out, just wait until you get a real job. When I was in the military I've had to ruin people's weekends/holidays by having to order junior soldiers to show up for staff duty. I had to write the paperwork that kicked one of my best friends out of the Army when he popped hot for smoking weed on a piss test. And my scummiest most hateful moments pale in comparisons to many other people's. Seriously suck it up, it's only upselling. People tune you out and no one cares, lie about it if it really bothers you.
 

Nekofrog

Banned
OP, come on.

If the worst thing about your job is that you have to ask if someone wants a bottle, what's the big deal?

Perspective, man. You're never going to see these people again. You're not going to be their friend.
 
All retail is like this. If you work at Target/Best Buy/CVS/a supermarket, be prepared to ask each and every customer if they have a Target/Best Buy/CVS/supermarket card and if they don't, if they'd like to sign up today.

Your job is not to worry about the discomfort of customers. It's not to be the cool guy. It's to do your job and make money. That's the extent of working retail.

There are people who get annoyed at being upsold. Just know that most people don't see it as a big deal, and your personal opinion on the practice really doesn't mean a lot. Most people just say "no thanks" and move on with their day. Some people buy the upsold item. If they never asked, they'd never upsell.

I'd take Randolph Freelander's advice. You're very rarely going to find a minimum wage job where you get to call the shots or do what you love. Endure the awkwardness, get some experience, move on up in the world.

Edit: And the GAF/Gamestop employee thing is one of the most annoying ongoing complaints I've seen on this site since I've joined. You walk up to the register, you tell them what game you want, you pay money, you leave. If they ask you to preorder or get a GS card or get a used copy or a limited edition or a Game Informer sub, just say no thanks. If they tell you that the game you want or your console of choice is lame, you say "whatever" and keep it moving. That can't force you to stay and talk to them. They shouldn't be able to drag you into a fanboy war. One person's opinion shouldn't enrage you. You're the consumer. You hold all the power. A transaction is only as long as you wish it to be. The stories people post here fuming about how they were "mistreated" by GS employees who dared to tell them about upcoming games always make me laugh.
 

thefit

Member
Looks like you are having no issue adjusting to being around the positive side of social interaction but trouble dealing with the negative/hard reality of work/world life. You mention you can move to other positions try that but don't be surprised if you find the ugly in that too its just how it is. I would stick with it your going to realize one day that rather than trying to fight policy at work wich everyone else is following you will instead have to learn to flow with it and still come out of it with a soul. Its also just a part time job and you are expendable quitting is also not going to ruin your future career prospects. Welcome to the workforce.
 

water_wendi

Water is not wet!
If you really want to quit do it the smart way and find another job before leaving. If you can give notice great, its your first job. If you cant give notice no worries, its your first job.
 

captive

Joe Six-Pack: posting for the common man
If you've only been there since March you might want to hang on a little longer. You don't want the only thing on your resume to be one 3 month gig. Future employers may (probably will) look at that as a sign of a lack of commitment.

People barely give a crap about job hoppers in the corporate environment. I don't think anyone is going to give a shit about OP leaving retail after a few months.



Though I would recommend keeping the job until you have another job.
 

KyleP29

Member
I've been told my multiple Supervisors that I'm a great employee, and it has only been two months. I've been asked to be a permanent member of three different restraunts in the park (I'm Reserve, so I get put all over), and I've also been asked by three Supervisors in the Cart Operations division to be permanent with them.


I don't want to be out of a job. I'd actually love to be an On Floor Associate at Target. It's where I first applied, but I got turned down before an Interview because I was new, had no experience. And I'm putting in another application today. But I feel like I may be doing something rash here.

I haven't been to a six flags in quite some time but by restaurants do you mean an actual sit down one or just a different food hut? If the former why not work those connections and become a permanent member of one of those, or even in the cart operations. If they like you enough to want you to work for them all the time and aren't on you like that one supervisor then id say it is worth going to them and see if they can help you work the strings to join them.

And don't be fooled that any other retail job is going to be better on up selling something. Every store will have something they really want you to push and remind you that you need to do it every time because their secret shopper service will be in and they need to score well on it. And if you have to work the front you'll have the usual push and pressure to ask about a membership card or credit card. It's not something you are going to be able to escape.

Also, if you do get an interview elsewhere be prepared to explain why your looking for a new job so quickly. And no, telling them you didn't like the pressure of being asked to upsell is not going to cut it.

My advice, tick it out for the rest of the summer, get on permanently with a crew you like, then either next summer look elsewhere if your still unhappy or if you work during the school year use that as a reason to "find something more accommodating"
 
Don't worry about it OP, probably a good experience to have a shitty job, get your pay, go home and be a kid.

Upselling is annoying. One of my earlier jobs was in restaurants, Chili's, one of the big chains, and we always had to upsell our crappy presidente margaritas which came in the fancy shake plastic cups and were $3 more. I just did it because I didn't care. Some people were happy to try something a little different than just the house Rita, but 60-70% just politely said no and that was it. It was moderately fun to try to come up with your own slogans to hock the drinks, but end of the day, who cares. Worst thing that happens is your manager tells you your'e not selling enough Tweety Bird or SuperMan mugs are your pre-shift meeting.

Retail at Six Flags. It is what it is. The margins are probably pretty slim at your average amusement park, so if they can get an extra $2 out of a customer, and then get a small corporate bonus on top of that, it'll make a different for that park or that manager, etc. Do your time and then if you get the Target job you want, go for it. Realize, though, there will be annoying things about Target too. Otherwise stick it out at Six Flags and keep applying where ever, if a better job comes along, go for it. Nobody cares if you're a teenager and you job hop from one of these jobs to another.

Edit: And the GAF/Gamestop employee thing is one of the most annoying ongoing complaints I've seen on this site since I've joined. You walk up to the register, you tell them what game you want, you pay money, you leave. If they ask you to preorder or get a GS card or get a used copy or a limited edition or a Game Informer sub, just say no thanks. If they tell you that the game you want or your console of choice is lame, you say "whatever" and keep it moving. That can't force you to stay and talk to them. They shouldn't be able to drag you into a fanboy war. One person's opinion shouldn't enrage you. You're the consumer. You hold all the power. A transaction is only as long as you wish it to be. The stories people post here fuming about how they were "mistreated" by GS employees who dared to tell them about upcoming games always make me laugh.

I'm with you on the upselling at GameStop, but I have had a GameStop employee refuse to sell me the new version of a game -- Buzz! The Trivia Quiz show game for PS3 -- and insist on me buying the used one. I didn't want the used one, I wanted the new one (it comes with custom controllers and I'd rather just pay the extra $20 or w/e for the new one). I don't argue with clerks or even entertain them... but in this case he actually argued with me about it, and said "wow, I wish I had your money breh." And I wanted to leave but GameStop was the only store that sold it in the area... kind of a niche game. He, absolutely, would not sell me the new one even thought that's what I wanted and they had it in stock. So. I was like fuck this, and relented, Okay, I'll buy the used one. I buy it, go home, open it, and they sold me the wrong game... The Previous year's game. They were practically the same box year over year, except the new one had newer trivia than the old one which was a year or two old at that point.

I was pretty pissed about that and don't shop at GameStop anymore. This was like 2010 maybe. He was also wearing just a wife beater shirt and his buddy was standing next to the counter with him.
 
If you really don't like it, don't feel ashamed to quit. It's your first job, you tried it, got it's not for you and now look for something else. Don't know how in US, but none of my employers gave me shit for my 3-months long first job. It's not like you're forty and jobhopping constantly.
However good rule to live by is to secure next job before leaving the current one. You never know how long you will be unemployed.
 
I'm with you on the upselling at GameStop, but I have had a GameStop employee refuse to sell me the new version of a game -- Buzz! The Trivia Quiz show game for PS3 -- and insist on me buying the used one. I didn't want the used one, I wanted the new one (it comes with custom controllers and I'd rather just pay the extra $20 or w/e for the new one). I don't argue with clerks or even entertain them... but in this case he actually argued with me about it, and said "wow, I wish I had your money breh." And I wanted to leave but GameStop was the only store that sold it in the area... kind of a niche game. He, absolutely, would not sell me the new one even thought that's what I wanted and they had it in stock. So. I was like fuck this, and relented, Okay, I'll buy the used one. I buy it, go home, open it, and they sold me the wrong game... The Previous year's game. They were practically the same box year over year, except the new one had newer trivia than the old one which was a year or two old at that point.

I was pretty pissed about that and don't shop at GameStop anymore. This was like 2010 maybe. He was also wearing just a wife beater shirt and his buddy was standing next to the counter with him.

This is the part when you find out who his district manager and have a little chat with them about it.

What a rude little shit.
 
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