Shopping Etiquette 101

Speaking from one who is often on both sides of the counter, people really need to learn the proper way to behave as a customer. So that's what this blog is going to be all about. What brought this on? Glad you asked. Over the holiday season I worked a lot of hours and came in contact with a lot of customers, sadly most of them were beyond rude. One would normally expect this during that time, so much for good cheer and joy. However, not much has seemed to change since then. I hope this is not a constant state of the customers, because trust me, the people standing behind the counter don't get paid enough to deal with it. I know we are facing hard times and people don't have money, but since when was that an excuse to behave ugly? So that being said, let's dive right on into Shannon's Shopping Etiquette.

1. Never raise your voice. No one ever deserves to be yelled at by you when they are simply doing their job. EVER! I can't even count how many times I've been yelled at by following our store's policy. Does the policy suck sometimes? Oh yea I would be upset too, but don't ever yell at the sales associate. You will get a better response from them and they will be more willing to fix it, if you just remain calm and ask them about it. If they can't do anything, don't get all snappy, just politely ask for the manager and they might have the power to help you resolve your issues. Remember, NEVER yell. This is a big no no. If you do yell, I guarantee if you were in my line you would be going home unhappy. The way we see it is that we are better losing you as a customer than having to deal with you being rude and inconsiderate, we don't get paid enough to deal with yelling customers.

2. Never return seasonal items after the holiday has passed. You missed it. Most stores (with the exception of ours) will take back seasonal items several days BEFORE the holiday, never after. I've never seen a store that will return a Christmas item after Christmas. It's just how retail does business. Don't get mad, you should have returned it when you knew you didn't need it. Otherwise look at your receipt and I guarantee you will find those little words "All sales final on seasonal merchandise." Does it suck? Yea, but no store out there would make money if they took back stuff after the holiday. I can see it now, like an ornament and use it just to return it after Christmas. Not everyone is like that, but some are. I know the bad people ruin it for all of us, but such is the way things go. At this point when you are standing in line and you were told you can't return your Valentine mug you decided not to give your hunny, refer back to #1.

3. Read a coupon BEFORE trying to use it. Coupons are the best marketing trick in the book. Want to know why? Because they get you in the store, make you spend money you wouldn't have spent if you didn't get that coupon, they usually have all sorts of exclusions, and in the long run you can't use them anyways. That's what a coupon is supposed to do. Don't be mad at the sales associate, they didn't make the coupon. In this case refer to #1, politely ask for corporates phone number, and talk to the people who actually made the coupon. (They may or may not be able/willing to help you.) Make sure you always, always, always check the expiration date before going shopping.

4. Put that cell phone down! While shopping if you have to answer your cell phone do one of two things, exit the store or talk in an inside voice. No one wants to hear your conversation. If you have to shop and talk, that's fine, but make sure you hang up BEFORE you get to the register. The only thing more rude than talking on a phone while checking out is #1. Trust me, the sales associate will not speak to you if you are on the phone. I know I don't.

5. Have your coupons and wallet out or at the top of your purse before you get to the regsiter. There is nothing more rude to OTHER customers than someone who is taking their precious time and holding up a line, except for maybe someone who is talking way too loud on their cell phone. When you are all disorganized you are annoying the people behind you and the person in front of you. Know where things are and be prepared.

6. Don't tell the sales associate how to do their job. Chances are they know how to do it very well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people say "That is 50% off." Yes, I know. If you watch the item and it doesn't ring up at the price you thought it was, simply ask the sales associate (NICELY) if it rang up 50% off. Don't assume they are stupid and don't know anything, they are probably smarter than you. For example, our computers at work don't automatically take off the sales price, we have to key it in so it is easier for us to ring up all the sale stuff and then do a transaction discount instead of doing each item individually. Don't flip out and accuse before you know what's going on. If by chance you catch that it didn't ring up and it was on sale after leaving the store, go back in and refer to #1. Be persistant, but polite always.

7. Don't EVER treat the sales associate like they are beneath you. They are working to pay their bills which are every bit as real as yours. Some are students, people in between jobs, people who are looking for something better, retired people who just need something to do, or people who just like working retail. Be nice and polite. They are people and deserve to be treated well, not like dirt beneath your feet. We don't get paid enough to deal with condescending people. Do you think this is what most of them want to do for the rest of their lives? I can say for the majority of us, no.

There you have the basic steps to becoming a better customer. Oh yes I know sometimes it's the sales associates who are the rude ones, but if you had to deal with people who do all of the above, wouldn't you be in a bad mood. Trust me, if we fix the attitude of the customer, the sales associate will soon follow. Thank you for joining me for Shopping Etiquette 101. Be on the look out, a Shopping Etiquette 102 just might be necessary.

I will leave you with an adorable Bella picture.