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[MrChocolate]

You are lucky OP, at least you have a choice.
I can't even quit my job. Shit sucks. If I quit, it will be a stain on my resume, and it will follow me for the rest of my career. /end rant

 

[ChaosZeroX]

Theme parks usually have a high turnover. They don't care whether or not they keep you. Get out of retail ASAP. You can find another workplace.

 

[kiunchbb]

Do what your supervisor tell you to do, you can give your feedback and concern, and if they reject your idea, back off. You know what, most of the stupid idea is coming from the supervisor of your supervisor, so there are nothing he/she can do about it. You just need to cooperate to help the supervisor do their job.

I don't know how's the job market in your area, but if you are in the US, it is usually a bad idea to quit a job before finding another. If possible, I would just transfer to another division (like the restaurant or cart division you mentioned), considering how your current supervisor already have something against you.

 

[Dice]

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.

Yep, I would have called corporate right in front of his face. What a fucktard. You don't stop people from buying what they want to buy.

 

[The Albatross]

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.

Yep, I absolutely should have. Instead I think I just made passive aggressive posts about it on Gaf and sent them a message on Twitter that was never replied to.

Interestingly, I didn't go back to GameStop until 2015 when they were the only store to have the New Nintendo 3DS XL in my area. So, I bought it, and bought Super Mario 3D Land. Get home, power it up, plug in Super Mario 3D Land... Start the game, and there's a game save already on it. Thought to myself "that's weird." Then realized that they sold me a used game for the new game price.

This was a different GameStop, same city though. Reported it on Twitter again this time, and actually GameStop corporate was good about it and offered to refund me the game if I sent it in. I didn't really end up caring in the end.

 

[Archpath1]

Ps youll have to "upsellpromote" the target card.
If you work at target, Just saying, though it could be a nicer Environment

 

[pikablu]

Youll have to upsell at any retail job. Just become a mindless drone with no personality. It's what the corporation prefers.

 

[xXJonoXx]

I always wondered why the past year I went to Six Flags they constantly asked me if I wanted another Souvenir Bottle even though me and my friend clearly already had one, and just wanted a free refill. Always wondered who the hell says yes, like "sure I'd love another bottle, I already have one here, but I'll take another." because he can't say no. I imagine him trying to get onto a ride and having to deal with putting 75 bottles off to the side.

 

[DoktorEvil]

Youll have to upsell at any retail job. Just become a mindless drone with no personality. It's what the corporation prefers.

To piggyback off of this: you are there to fulfill a purpose, a job, and to be paid for it. Nothing more, nothing less.

If you can't learn to take direction, how are you expected to lead people?

If you want a job with autonomy, find one with autonomy. Do not expect it to be handed to you.

 

[BearPawB]

Upselling is part of the job.
The sooner you just learn to say the words the less painful it is for everyone.

no one cares if you ask. they will just say no

 

[Red Mage]

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.

If it's his first job, just don't list it.

 

[lewisgone]

I would just do the upsell. You're working in a theme park for minimum wage, do it for as long as you have to and don't make waves. It's a huge corporation and your views on upselling aren't going to change any business strategies. If you disagree with that that's fine, but my advice would be to detach personal responsibility from the decisions the company makes. If you work hard and do the crummy upsells and noone wants the tacky souvenir cups, at least you tried. If people buy them, don't feel guilty, because they'd just get someone else in to do your job if you didn't want to do it.

I'm willing to bet those "cool" Gamestop employees you come across experience the exact same pressures you are experiencing. I'm sure some people have stories of employees who don't give a fuck and get away with it for years but in general that isn't the case.

And I have a feeling things aren't too different at Target. In fact, upselling-wise I have a feeling it could be worse - but I'm sure there's someone here who has experience with that. Just a warning.

If it's his first job, just don't list it.

I found my first job tough to get, and extremely valuable in getting my next couple of jobs. It gives you something to talk about in interviews, proper references, and a boatload of transferable skills. Even if the OP left tomorrow, I would suggest he list the job. Some dodgy story about why he left is far less damning than no work experience.

 

[Killah]

Six Flags was my first job several years ago before I graduated high school, I worked in the games section. I hated it and quit after three months of working. The supervisors treated everyone like shit and they expect you to put up with it.

I remember on two occasions they wouldn't send me home even though I caught a fever in the scorching hot sun, told me to "deal with it". On the other they had me sitting in the pouring rain for 20 minutes until someone came to close the game down. Even got written up once for "taking a 45 minute break" even though they did a surprise audit on me which took 15 minutes.

 

[Faiz]

I don't want to be the employee guests (understandably) dislike with incessant advertising and shoving words down them

Don't worry, you won't be. They'll be in the park all/most of the day and have this upsell suggested multiple times by multiple people. Every time they go to buy a drink/food, they'll get the upsell. You won't be THE employee they dislike, they'll dislike the whole faceless lot of you.

IF they even think twice about it. I think a lot of people are so accustomed to that kind of upsell they just say "no thanks" and everyone moves on with their business.

 

[DrGonzo615]

Retail is a cesspool of bullshit like that, Target would not be any better (I know, that was my first job).

Seriously get out of retail, it sucks, theres no real future for 90% of the people there and you will grow an overwhelming sense of disdain for the general public.

 

[Bubba T]

Eh, I worked at McDonalds for nearly 4 years before I quit for good. A good thing about there is that they let me take a leave of absence to work another job, which was cool. But it was tireless, thankless work.

I've worked one form of retail my entire working career (retail banking as the latest). Although I work for a credit union now, they have started to encorporate salesly tactics in buying add on products.

Sales will be a part of your life in one way or another. Get used to it now, because it's not going away.

 

[Marjorine]

I worked crappy jobs in high school and college. I feel your pain to an extent, but I really enjoyed making money.

When they order a Coke can't you just say "Do you want the souvenir cup?" That doesn't even feel like upselling, IMO. It's like someone walking into Gamestop and asking for Mortal Kombat and asking if they want the regular or deluxe edition.

 

[FinalStageBoss]

Find something else. I've never had to work retail but if it sucks as much as people say I sure as hell wouldn't just stay there and "suck it up".

 

[ChrisD]

So I read every reply on the first page, I'll respond to the main points brought up in those.

I'm eighteen, and I plan on College in the autumn after the job winds down. I applied for four other places, but Six Flags were the only ones that responded.

When I say quit, I don't mean quit working entirely. I'm in this until I get something else. There's no way I'd drop my only job, no matter how much it annoys me, unless something else that's concrete was lined up. Very important tidbit to leave out of the OP, sorry. >.>

Why the upsell bugs me so much that I'd even entertain switching jobs is that I actually really like the people here. I'm also having to interact with others, and I always, always upsell on my own accord when someone is buying a soda. But now that the Coke Shops are in the park, everyone I liked working under are constantly over everyone about our $22 bottles. We're specifically told that if someone comes up for a complimentary water cup (Texas is stupid hot) we're to try and push the bottle. They're getting a free water cup over a bottle of water for a reason. But sure, let me ask if they want a $22 purchase along with the free stuff.

When I brought up the Gamestop thing, it was because there's one specific store and one employee in particular that I will ALWAYS go to. He knows his "regulars", he won't push pre-orders on games he knows they're not interested in, and he communicates very well with every guest. There's also another location I will never shop at, because the employees there all push the stuff hard. So much that it drove a customer for good. It's a small loss for a company, but it's a loss nonetheless.

I know that the thread definitely came off as a vent. It really was; it was nowhere near as clear as I'd like. So bullet points (err, one big point) for clarification of thread:


-I'm looking for other jobs, but I'm not quitting until I get one. The job I have is really great but Corporate undercover has flipped the entire job from Cashier to Advertisement Salesperson. I just don't know if moving jobs in three months will effect me in the long run in other, greater endeavors. I'm not special needs kid who can't do what real world requires, but I feel I'm annoying my guests when before I had some cool conversations with them. Now the lines I have to give turn them off from doing any talking.


Edit: The supervisors asking me to be permanent are all in foods, not other departments. And I have put in a request for permanence with the small cart operations. Three weeks ago. It was supposed to be a two week thing and I'd be a perm member with them. I'm still waiting. I've even brought it up again.

The no overtime loophole is that I don't work for some amount of months, so they don't do it. Don't ask, I'm not sure, either. I thought it was like... a law. Work over 40, get overtime. I don't know, man.

 

[The Albatross]

To answer a big worry, switching jobs when you're 17 or whatever is not going to harm your chances of employment for the future, but a word of advice: Stick with the current job, the biggest problem of you having to upsell because management wants you to is a problem with just about every job you're going to get when you're young. It's best to stick through it and try to upsell these stupid cups, because working is about compromising what you want to do for what someone else wants you to do... this is a good age to feel yourself out.

 

[way more]

 

[Rafterman]

Can't wait for the follow up thread where the Op misses his days at the theme park after working at Target for a couple of weeks. Seriously? Target? Awful place to work, and the only time I've actually walked out of a job mid-shift. There are thousands of better low end jobs out there.

 

[ChrisD]

Can't wait for the follow up thread where the Op misses his days at the theme park after working at Target for a couple of weeks. Seriously? Target? Awful place to work, and the only time I've actually walked out of a job mid-shift. There are thousands of better low end jobs out there.

Either our store isn't as bad (keyword being as; no job isn't going to be a field of roses), or the employees put on one awesome persona. Everybody actually seems to enjoy themselves. Very friendly as well.

I've been told by another friend that Target is not good, much because of what was said in this thread about management. But they were at a different store; one that I really don't care for. I can see why they'd dislike it. I don't know, nothing said here is re-assuring.

My brother-in-law swears by QuikTrip being an excellent place to work. Lots of benefits, minimum wage there is like $8.25, and the hours are actually sensible. [I tack an hour and a half onto my quitting time when I see my schedule, because I always reach it. Management is slow.] And it would be more in line with what I'm already doing. Not a full store, but not just foods and stuff, either.

 

[overcast]

You should definitely try getting another job lined up before you quit this one man.

 

[SegaShack]

OP, we can relate. My first job was at Six Flags as well. I worked in the Parking Lot there for about 8 months. My co workers were great and the tasks themselves were easy, but lots of guests would make things hard. It also didn't help that we would be outside all day with no shade or anything, so I would either have heat exhaustion, or if it was Dec/Jan I would be freezing (corporate wouldn't allow us to wear extra jackets).

Now 8 months is actually a pretty long time for there as the turn around rate is huge. I stayed because I didn't know where else to go or have much options at that point. But when spring break was approaching (and I knew it would be hectic), I put in my 2 weeks notice. When I did so I felt incredibly guilty and irresponsible. However, after a week or so of not working there my blinders were off and I realized how much better off I was by not being at that place.

OP, use this as your first job experience and move on like everyone else. You will be happy you did. Literally any job is less stressful than Six Flags.

 

[Ultimadrago]

I work at a certain popular consumer electronics store, so I know that feel. I've thankfully just got a new job that doesn't require me to interact with every random shithead that comes off the street, so I'm grateful for that. Never retail again after this.

Sales floor retail seems even worse than standard retail. You are treated like commission workers, but don't get any commission. The same "Gung ho, Hoorah, Upsell more!" bullshit sticks around day after day.

 

[StanleyStutters]

I work as a bank teller and I love it, but I have to try and move auto loans, credit cards, etc. I was really uncomfortable at first when it came to asking people if they wanted products, but it got a lot better. I'd say >99% of people either say maybe, politely reject, or accept the sale. <1% will get annoyed or frustrated, but then they leave and it's over.

Without work experience, most jobs you'll get will have doing some form of sales. If it is something you don't think you can get through, you could maybe apply for entry-level office work or try manual labor.

 

[Davidfoundation]

Replace six flags with gamestop same thing. I was a great employee but goddamn I sounded like a ducking parrot after a couple of hours.

 

[ChrisD]

You should definitely try getting another job lined up before you quit this one man.

Noted in the OP now. I'm new at this whole real world thing, but not that new.

Sales floor retail seems even worse than standard retail. You are treated like commission workers, but don't get any commission. The same "Gung ho, Hoorah, Upsell more!" bullshit sticks around day after day.

...I also just noticed that I've been using the wrong position here. I want to be a stocker. Like, where you're in the backroom but still coming onto the floor to put everything on the shelves neat and tidy. So, not the guy who gets called over the radio every two minutes. I don't know why the frick sales floor was what I've been writing down. I just love that it would be manual labor mixed in with interaction.

 

[fritolay]

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.

Well, why would you put that on your resume then. If you do then I would question your resume anyway.

 

[hokahey]

Get used to it OP. You will have to do shit you don't like at every job. And it's those that buck up and do it, and do it well, that have opportunities to make more money. I make good money, and it's only because I do whatever bullshit is asked of me better than the people around me whining about it. Plain and simple.

 

[AnAnole]

Just quit. I never put up with retail nonsense. I quit two weeks into my shitty minimum wage job working concessions at a movie theater and it hasn't held me back one bit. Try and develop some valuable skills -- there are tons of free available resources -- and you will forever be able to avoid retail hell. The "stick with it no matter what" attitude is the reason minimum wage workers are treated like disposable pieces of shit in this country.

 

[yursnhere]

People are saying 'get out of retail', but this kind of thing is going to happen in any job you have; your boss is going to ask you to do things you don't want to do and you kinda have to suck it up and do it.

As far as first jobs go, this sounds like a relatively easy and fun one. The worst part is asking your customers if they want a souvenir cup? That's really not hard to do in the big scheme of things. Also, it will get easier to do with time. I have terrible social anxiety but somehow I started working in banking/sales and I am a top performer. I don't love it-- being in sales is hard for me, but I'd rather get out of my comfort zone in order to perform well, vs not performing well and having my boss yell at me.

Even if you decide to quit, you should at least stay a few more months so people won't look at your resume and think you are not committed to your jobs.

 

[breadtruck]

Up-selling souvenir coke bottles is better than moping up the barf on the rides.

See, not so bad anymore, is it.

 

[Gobias]

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.

Working at Target sucks too, OP. I don't know what you're expecting.