Tips From a Cashier/Cashier Rant

the_journeyman

I've worked in a grocery store as a cashier & bagger. I also sold electronics at Circuit City.

I appreciate this list!!!

JM

Laner07

I once worked at an ice cream shop and every night at 5 mins to closing a bus load of campers would show up. After we had already cleaned everything. Of course the campers would make a mess and we'd have to redo everything and usualy end up leaving 2 hours later than we were supposed to.

Ireshgurl

.I totally empathize with a lot of the complaints and try not to be guilty (I NEVER lift heavy things onto the belt, and if I'm behind someone who does it, I'll often tell the person it isn't necessary and that the cashier has a scanning gun -- one jerk actually told me that wasn't true -- but sometimes cashiers make their jobs harder on their own.

...... Actually, I'm a cashier and we don't have scanning guns...... so maybe that "jerk" was telling the truth. I get that kind of response all the time at my work. My thinking is if you can lift it to put it on your basket... guess what? Then you can lift it to put it on my counter because I don't even have the luxury of a revolving belt..... and my counter is sooo small, most people end up putting everything INFRONT of the scanner embedded in the counter.

If your buying clothes that come on hangers, take them off. It takes you no time at all and helps us out a great deal. Also, if you don't take them off, don't fold multiple clothing items in half because it's that much harder and takes that much longer to get them off. We're trying to be quick and efficient for you, don't make our jobs harder please.

One of my pet peeves is when they come into the store to do returns and come up to my register.... and they passed Customer Service along the way. And I have a name tag for a reason. Use it. I'm not your "Honey", "Dear", "Doll", or "Babe".

TheRoadDog

I realize I probably come off like a ***** but... being a cashier changes you. It shows you how people really are, makes you bitter. =p

Since you already realize this, I won't have to point it out. You are in the wrong line of work.

dovesgate

Bump for later

catshark209

I work specialty retail so 99% of my customers are regulars, but every once in a while I get "normal" people in. Anyway, this is my list.
1. I don't care if you are Judge So-and-So's wife, husband, partner, lover, mistress, whatever and you got credit cards and cash falling out everywhere, you WILL NOT, repeat, WILL NOT get special treatment nor will I wait on you before everyone else that has been waiting patiently in line. I cannot stand people that feel entitled to special treatment due to their "VIP" status. Sorry buster...no can do. Yes I know I am the help and below your social standing but you are in MY store.
'
2. I have absolutely no control over what a vendor does with your order once we place it and is out of our hands. Yes they said 5 business days, but if God forbid there are delays in UPS, Fedex, or USPS, then there is nothing I can do. Don't scream at me.

3. My pricing is what it is. Go anywhere else and they charge double for the same service. My regulars don't mind paying. So you can pay it too.

4. If you aren't a cop then don't say you are, I can tell what you are. Yes yes we all know it was a conspiracy and you were set up and it isn't fair you never made it out of the police academy...oh wait look, there's a black helicopter on the roof over there!

LuLuSUPER

*Don't ask me if I'm 'open'. I'm standing right here, my light is on, I'm looking at you, YES I'M OPEN.

I can't tell you how many times your light ISN'T on. I respect it and go wait in a longer line. There are people who pay NO attention to the light and walk right up and start putting their items on the belt. You (generic cashier you) are open but just never bothered to turn on the light. Bugs me when I follow the "rules" when no one else does.

So if you're gonna get snarky when I try to ask politely if you're open, I'm gonna give attitude, as well.

I agree, I only ask to see if you are done with the transaction. Its worse to start piling up gorceries and you gotta go see the manager.

I never have been a cashier but I have been a waitress and the service industry sucks major. Needless to say I got fired EVERY WEEK but they kept taking me back so I did some things right lol!

Skeemer118

Have you ever stopped to think that a customer might...just MIGHT...be trying to be considerate? When I ask "Are you open?" I'm checking to see if you're going on break or not because I know how it feels to have my break taken by a customer. Or maybe you're standing there with a dumb butt look on your face winding your gum around your finger & I have to ask "Are you open?" to snap you back to the reality that a customer is directly in front of you needing your assistance. We all have job annoyances but the bottom line is you're in customer service. If it's that obnoxious become a medical transcriptionist so you can work from home.

:drinker:

phoenixoncemore

Some people are getting so angry about this thread! Don't you ever complain about your job? It's just venting!

Also, for most people being sat on a checkout is not a career choice. I think most people while I was working in the supermarket were either:

1. A student working to pay for their degree (as I was)
2. A new parent doing part time work to make ends meet while the kid/s are young
3. Older, but not ready to retire just yet, doing part time shifts to keep their hand in

So, probably no need for the "You shouldn't have chosen this line of work if that's how you feel" snipes. Mostly you'll find they have little choice.

Just for the sake of balance for my earlier post - I still remember some of my awesome regular customers (and a few irregulars!) who often made up for the downright rude/scary/threatening/creepy/ignorant people. And, I have to admit, after so many years of having to work in customer service - I will not tolerate bad service. However, I do try to make sure I don't do anything to provoke that sort of response.

I just wish everyone treated people how they wish to be treated themselves :flowerforyou:

mnishi

Some of the stuff you mention, however, isn't going to go away just because you change jobs. People will always comment on your weight if, as it appears, you're a full-grown woman who weighs less than the average-sized cocker spaniel. I was shocked when I saw your profile and your pictures. I'm sorry to say that, but it's true. So are the people who go through your line.

I was going to defend the OP but then I looked at her profile. You're 5'5" and your goal weight is 75 lbs? PLEASE PLEASE go see a psychiatrist before you kill yourself.

catshark209

Some people are getting so angry about this thread! Don't you ever complain about your job? It's just venting!

Also, for most people being sat on a checkout is not a career choice. I think most people while I was working in the supermarket were either:

1. A student working to pay for their degree (as I was)
2. A new parent doing part time work to make ends meet while the kid/s are young
3. Older, but not ready to retire just yet, doing part time shifts to keep their hand in

So, probably no need for the "You shouldn't have chosen this line of work if that's how you feel" snipes. Mostly you'll find they have little choice.

Just for the sake of balance for my earlier post - I still remember some of my awesome regular customers (and a few irregulars!) who often made up for the downright rude/scary/threatening/creepy/ignorant people. And, I have to admit, after so many years of having to work in customer service - I will not tolerate bad service. However, I do try to make sure I don't do anything to provoke that sort of response.

I just wish everyone treated people how they wish to be treated themselves :flowerforyou:

Its because we're "the help" and its simply just inappropriate that we have our own thoughts and opinions! The nerve of us!!!!
But yeah, I too do not tolerate bad service...and I don't do anything stupid as a customer either.

Skeemer118

[/quote]

Its because we're "the help" and its simply just inappropriate that we have our own thoughts and opinions! The nerve of us!!!!
But yeah, I too do not tolerate bad service...and I don't do anything stupid as a customer either.
[/quote]

Sure...you've never done anything ridiculous that anyone in customer service would dare speak negatively about... :huh:

Skeemer118

Its because we're "the help" and its simply just inappropriate that we have our own thoughts and opinions! The nerve of us!!!!
But yeah, I too do not tolerate bad service...and I don't do anything stupid as a customer either.

Sure...you've never done anything ridiculous that anyone in customer service would dare speak negatively about... :huh:

ETA: Quotations

amuhlou

I realize I probably come off like a ***** but... being a cashier changes you. It shows you how people really are, makes you bitter. =p

I agree! This definitely brings back memories.

I'd add - *You are not better than me and I am not 'JUST A CASHIER.' You have no right to talk down to me or act better than me. If you would have asked, I would have told you that I am cashiering on the summers between getting a DEGREE. Don't assume you know about me.

And for grocery store cashiers specifically -
*If you pick up a piece of produce, be prepared to remember what it's called because while I know A LOT of items there are still some I'll need to look up. I'm not a walking vegetable dictionary.

* I will have to handle your produce if you mix varieties of the same item in a single bag. They're different items and could be different priced. I try not to take them out of the bag but I might have to. Great example is green bell peppers vs red. Almost always green are per pound while red are by quantity.

* Along the same lines as above, don't try to pull crap with me. I look at the numbers on produce and while peaches and nectarines 'look' the same, they're not. And I know this. If they're in the same bag I will separate them out so you pay for what you actually got.

k8blujay2

*Don't ask me if I'm 'open'. I'm standing right here, my light is on, I'm looking at you, YES I'M OPEN."

I'm sorry (ok not really)... but I feel even worse at making you postpone your break than I do asking you if you are still open... especially, if you are counting money or cleaning up your drawer... Because, when I was working cashier, the only time I would do either of these was when I was fixin' to go on break or leave for the day.

Musikelektronik

No but if I post all the complaints than nobody else will have anything to add. =P I don't know how much it varies. That was just my experience at Target.

Let me suggest, as diplomatically as I can, that you should consider another line of work, if you haven't already. Clearly, you don't have the temperament to work with the public.

Some of the stuff you mention, however, isn't going to go away just because you change jobs. People will always comment on your weight if, as it appears, you're a full-grown woman who weighs less than the average-sized cocker spaniel. I was shocked when I saw your profile and your pictures. I'm sorry to say that, but it's true. So are the people who go through your line.

What you do about that is up to you.

*sighs*

Why did you have to pick on that one thing in the whole of the OP? Needless and rude IMO.

Because her goal weight is 75 lbs. Read her profile. Look at the pictures. You'll understand after you do.

MissTattoo

I think everyone should have to work in some kind of service job once in their lives. I use to work as a cashier and a waitress. It has made me a much better consumer.

rml_16

.I totally empathize with a lot of the complaints and try not to be guilty (I NEVER lift heavy things onto the belt, and if I'm behind someone who does it, I'll often tell the person it isn't necessary and that the cashier has a scanning gun -- one jerk actually told me that wasn't true -- but sometimes cashiers make their jobs harder on their own.

...... Actually, I'm a cashier and we don't have scanning guns...... so maybe that "jerk" was telling the truth. I get that kind of response all the time at my work. My thinking is if you can lift it to put it on your basket... guess what? Then you can lift it to put it on my counter because I don't even have the luxury of a revolving belt..... and my counter is sooo small, most people end up putting everything INFRONT of the scanner embedded in the counter.

If your buying clothes that come on hangers, take them off. It takes you no time at all and helps us out a great deal. Also, if you don't take them off, don't fold multiple clothing items in half because it's that much harder and takes that much longer to get them off. We're trying to be quick and efficient for you, don't make our jobs harder please.

One of my pet peeves is when they come into the store to do returns and come up to my register.... and they passed Customer Service along the way. And I have a name tag for a reason. Use it. I'm not your "Honey", "Dear", "Doll", or "Babe".

He wasn't. It was in Walmart and they have scanning guns there.

catshark209

Its because we're "the help" and its simply just inappropriate that we have our own thoughts and opinions! The nerve of us!!!!
But yeah, I too do not tolerate bad service...and I don't do anything stupid as a customer either.
[/quote]

Sure...you've never done anything ridiculous that anyone in customer service would dare speak negatively about... :huh:
[/quote]

I try to be as considerate as I can.
I am so sorry my post offended you so:laugh:

kaeelle

Just because she has a rant doesn't mean she's not suited for the job. As a person in retail for the past four years, I sympathize and relate with all of these. Working with the general public sucks, in general. However, I loved my retail job. And we get to laugh about all of these behind closed doors.

k8blujay2

*Don't wait till the last five minutes we're open to try and check out. I realize you probably think "oh but I'm just one person" no, your not, because everybody is thinking that. People like you are the reason that we not only close 20 minutes later than we're supposed to, but also the reason that regardless of the fact that I was supposed to get off at 11:30, I now have to stay until 12am to catch up on zoning.

And this happens practically everywhere... this has happened to me in fast food (and if you think it sucks at Target, try it in a food joint after the grill and fryer had just been shut down and started to be cleaned), in library services in college, and even in city government..... So this is just something you better get used to if you want to get a paycheck...

morgansmom02

I actually never thought of grouping my items together on the belt. I usually plop them on the way I take them out of the cart. That is good to know!! I didn't know that you get timed!

Ayeshat

I think everyone should have to work in some kind of service job once in their lives. I use to work as a cashier and a waitress. It has made me a much better consumer.

I totally agree, i work part time at a sushi bar where I'm a waitress/ cashier/ cleaner :-s and tbh just as customers can be rude, so can service people. U get angry at people for asking a simple question like 'are u open' because u've heard it a million times but lookin at it from the customers point of view, its a pretty reasonable question... but u do get some real douches that really wipe the smile off ur face and make u wish u were a bad enough person to spit in their food lol

pen2u

You've got a certain number of hours at work and a specific job description. As long as the tasks fit that description, what does it matter how your time is filled? Tick-tock, done, go home, forget about it 'til your next shift..

Teachers have to take their work home and also deal with disrespect from parents, students, administrators, politicians, etc. They often pay for classroom supplies and clean their own classrooms since budgets have been severely cut.

Sometimes while grading papers and lesson planning on my own time I consider working in retail again, even when I remember the woman who fiercely javelined her child's rental skiis at me over the shop counter because he fell while on the bunny slope. The snow conditions/his lack of skill were my fault, apparently.

jamk1446

I don't think I've ever been rude to a cashier unless they treated me poorly to begin with. HOWEVER, I have talked back to that canned voice at the self checkout - she is totally rude and pushy!! LOL

This is me too! I never have a good experience with those things and a few stores around here don't have express lanes with a cashier anymore, only self checkout, so sometimes they are unavoidable. I've gotten belligerent quite a few times with the virtual cashier.

My biggest frustration is with bagging. I like to use reusable bags but don't always remember them. When I forget, why is it that I buy 10 things but walk out with 15 bags?

thatsnumberwang

Some of the stuff you mention, however, isn't going to go away just because you change jobs. People will always comment on your weight if, as it appears, you're a full-grown woman who weighs less than the average-sized cocker spaniel. I was shocked when I saw your profile and your pictures. I'm sorry to say that, but it's true. So are the people who go through your line.

What you do about that is up to you.

OP has a mental disorder. As sad as it is (and it is very sad - while the rest of us are gaining or maintaining control of our health, she is losing control without realizing it), a bunch of strangers on the internet aren't going to be able to do much about it.

MFPAddict

I think everyone should have to work in some kind of service job once in their lives. I use to work as a cashier and a waitress. It has made me a much better consumer.

Excellent point.

Siannah

makes you bitter.

Yeah, I got that bit. Maybe try to find another job?

treetop57

- Put your money in the cashier's hands. Cashiers don't make you scrape your change off the counter, so don't make them scrape your payment from there either.

I use to accidentally on purpose drop a few coins which makes them scramble to pick it up. Only if they put the money on the counter instead of in my waiting hand.

In some countries it's considered rude to hand someone money. You always put it on the counter, not in their hand. I bet a lot of customers who put their money on the counter are doing so for cultural reasons.

Mrsfullwood

No but if I post all the complaints than nobody else will have anything to add. =P I don't know how much it varies. That was just my experience at Target.

Let me suggest, as diplomatically as I can, that you should consider another line of work, if you haven't already. Clearly, you don't have the temperament to work with the public.

But neither did I at your age. I worked at a 7-11 store from the time I was 15 until I was about 21, I guess. Jesus, I hated people. In fact, I actually wore a button on my 7-11 jacket that said, "I hate people." No kidding. It was my uncle's store and that's the only reason I got away with it, I'm guessing.

Some of the stuff you mention, however, isn't going to go away just because you change jobs. People will always comment on your weight if, as it appears, you're a full-grown woman who weighs less than the average-sized cocker spaniel. I was shocked when I saw your profile and your pictures. I'm sorry to say that, but it's true. So are the people who go through your line.

What you do about that is up to you.

I'm pretty sure she knows that some of the things are not going to go away but maybe she just needed to vent. She can't tell the customer how she really feels so this is her way of doing so.