Retail Etiquette

Today while I was working, I was trying to think of something creative to blog about. I work in retail at Express, so when I had to deal with a crabby customer a light bulb went off. Retail etiquette. Everyone should be aware of the other side, and how it feels to be the seller rather than the shopper. I love working with people and helping them make decisions on putting outfits together, but the moment a customer gets sassy things could get ugly. I try to make each customer's shopping experience as easy and enjoyable as possible. Some customers are friendly and make my job easy, others make me want to curl into a little ball and cry. You would be surprised by some of the horror stories. And of course, "the customer is always right." Yeah, right.

Here are some tips for shoppers as courtesy to us retail workers:

1. Don't snap and us or point like we are children

2. It is not necessary to try on shirts in every single color it comes in

3. While we are ringing you out: don't talk on your cell phone, text, tap your foot, or roll your eyes

4. Don't throw clothes at us

5. It is easier for us to get you a size rather than you get it yourself because we know exactly where it is and won't mess up the pile of clothes like you probably will

6. Although it is considerate to put clothes back after you try them on, we are really just going to refold it anyway so just leave it in the fitting room

7. Don't pick up every single shirt that is folded on a table and put it right back

8. Don't buy something without trying it on and then return it. Save yourself a trip and just try it on in the store

9. Don't hit on us, it's just weird

10. We are there to help you, most of us love our jobs...as long as you are a cooperative customer :)

9 out of 10 people that walk into a store are going to be satisfied and not cause any problems, but there is always that one customer who ruins your day. It is not our fault that you lost your receipt and the shirt you bought went on sale. Store policies are not up to us, and neither are return policies so please don't yell at us if you don't like them. Working in retail is a fun and entertaining job. There are many days I leave laughing because of something a customer said, and it is used as the joke everyone tells that day. For example today, a man came in and bought a pair of boxers and after he bought them he asked if he could have a fitting room to put them on. It makes me wonder, was he not wearing anything in the first place or what caused this customer to need another pair of boxers? So it's not all bad, but these suggestions are just helpful hints to shoppers to make my life (and many others) easier.