I didn't make the Rules

Return policies are put in place so that the employees handling the returns can't be blamed for theft or the people returning the products can't be blamed for theft. While doing a return, employees have great access to the register to take out a lot of money or credit themselves with a "bonus." Clients/guests/customers (whichever) also have an opportunity to walk through the store pick up an item then return it. So, the companies designed specific rules and procedures to head off possible incidents of theft.

Of course, no one understands this.

At Bath and Body Works, I can do returns at the register. At Target, I worked at "Guest Services", which handled returns and exchanges and any other possible problem that people couldn't handle. At Bath and Body Works, the return policy isn't crazy, people usually don't get upset enough to yell and scream, maybe just huff and puff through the whole transaction. At Target, I would get yelled and or another form of verbal abuse at least once a shift. (Talk about healthy work environment.)

The Target policy was very strict, if I didn't follow every letter of the policy I could get fired for theft. Guests, that's what they were called at Target, would be appalled if I asked for a receipt. The policy states that there were no returns after 90 days. The top of the receipt said the same thing. Yet, people would be shocked when I told them the news and showed them on the receipt. They would stomp out of the store like a 5 -year -old and vow never to return to the store. I would see them next week. That's just one reoccurring example.

The thing is, in middle of the yelling and anger that they were letting off on me, it never occured to them that I didn't make the rules. What did they think: I was a 16 -year-old teen executive that climbed to the top of the corporate ladder, made up this new policy , then decided to work at a local store just so I can get yelled at. Please, a little bit of thinking would be nice before you start to yell.

I have Hands

I work as a cashier sometimes. I get to do the whole, "did you find everything," "you get a better deal if you do this," "thank you for shopping with us and have a nice day." Its not bad, people usually appreciate it when I help them get a better deal.

However, most of the time the cashier position is the most abusive. I say abusive because that's where I have been yelled at and treated rudely. Oh, just to clarify, its not my managers, they are sweethearts that take over when the going gets to a point where I might commit murder. The abuse comes from the clients/customers/guests, whichever you prefer to call them.

The other day I was cashiering, the whole transaction went off without a hitch, except when it can time to pay. I stuck my hand out because she was paying with cash; however, the client put the money on the counter 2mm away from my hand. She didn't nicely place the money on the counter either, she purposefully placed it on the counter as to say I didn't deserve the money in my hand.

I can understand placing the money on the counter if I'm not paying attention. But when I make eye contact and put my hand out, I do deserve some decency. I don't work in the red light district where money can be thrown at me.

As Stephanie Tanner would say (yes this is a Full House reference) "How Rude!"

This is were it starts

I started this blog for my online journalism class. However, the topic came to me when I was at work and I was treated badly by a customer.

After working in retail for over 5 years, I realized that people don't know how to treat people in retail. I have experienced many things from being yelled to completely being ignored. We might work for a big company that is only after your money, but we as employees should be treated well because we are only trying to help and make sure we don't get in trouble.

From a retailers point of view, all hope is lost for humanity.