When will people learn? When a store, like my lovely Target, has policies, EVERYONE has to follow them. If we grant an exception for you, we have to grant an exception to everyone and therefore defeats the purpose of the policy in the first place.
So this Canadian woman comes up to Guest Service and says, "I'm from Winnipeg and I need an adjustment." You agree that her being from Winnipeg has nothing to do with anything, right? Ok. So I look at her receipt and it's dated 1/10/07. That's FAR past our 14 day adjustment window. "I'm sorry but we only do adjustments within 14 days," I tell her. Apparently I flipped the bitch switch. She says, "I'm from Canada, I don't get down here often." They all say that. Too bad the policy behind me and I don't care. I apologize again and tell her that we have the same policy for everyone. "So a manager wouldn't do this for me? I'm from Canada, and it's $40 cheaper, and don't get down here often." No, the manager won't do anything for you. They can't. Plus, the item was $80 originally and that would be a clearance price, and we don't do adjustments on clearance prices ever. After I tell her no for the umpteenth time, she finally leaves.
But the exception train doesn't leave the station just yet. A little old lady comes up to Guest Service with an inflatable mattress. No receipt, she tells me it was a gift. I check it out and we still carry it and it's $24.99. Well, as all of you may know by now, without a receipt everything over $10 must be exchanged for one item from the same department for equal or greater value. She doesn't want any of it. She starts bitching about how she doesn't need anything from back there and just wants a giftcard. And then I reiterate the policy, and she just stares at me. I love when people do this because they think by staring at me and not saying anything, that I will "crumble under the pressure." I end up just finding it funny, so I just stare back. I can stand here all day. She eventually starts up again and I tell her there's not much I can do, and so she gives me a death stare and leaves.
Every day is an adventure.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Elaboration
If that's even a real word...
Anyways, I was asked about the ranking system at Target. So here goes...
Bascially all the piddly jobs (aka me) are level 1s. And pretty much everyone higher is designated as level 3s, but there is still some orginization. Directly above the level 1s are the Team Leads, and those supervise various departments and this is where the head cashiers would fit in. They are technically called GSTLs (Guest Service Team Leads) but that's too fancy for my store apparently. And then above them are the LODs (Leader on Duty) or they are also called execs. They oversee clusters of departments. For example, a jewelry level 1 reports to the jewelry team lead who reports to the Softlines exec/LOD. And then all the LODs report to the Store Team Lead.
So in my store we call the Team Leads "supervisors" and the LODs "managers" even though the names are interchangeable.
I hope this makes some sort of sense, otherwise you may just have to get a job at Target to understand. ;) If not, ask me specifically what you need to know, and hopefully I can answer it without being confusing. Hopefully.
Anyways, I was asked about the ranking system at Target. So here goes...
Bascially all the piddly jobs (aka me) are level 1s. And pretty much everyone higher is designated as level 3s, but there is still some orginization. Directly above the level 1s are the Team Leads, and those supervise various departments and this is where the head cashiers would fit in. They are technically called GSTLs (Guest Service Team Leads) but that's too fancy for my store apparently. And then above them are the LODs (Leader on Duty) or they are also called execs. They oversee clusters of departments. For example, a jewelry level 1 reports to the jewelry team lead who reports to the Softlines exec/LOD. And then all the LODs report to the Store Team Lead.
So in my store we call the Team Leads "supervisors" and the LODs "managers" even though the names are interchangeable.
I hope this makes some sort of sense, otherwise you may just have to get a job at Target to understand. ;) If not, ask me specifically what you need to know, and hopefully I can answer it without being confusing. Hopefully.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Because We Do It In The Backroom
I'm so sick of people claiming it's "our" fault something is defective.
Case in point: Some guy comes in with a TV series on DVD and he's bitching that he didn't get the 'information' booklet in it. So I tell him he can go grab another one and we'll exchange it. Well he brings up another one and we open it up and that one doesn't have it either. So he grabs another one...same thing. He goes into this tirade about "this is how you screw people out of money, you don't give them the full product" and apparently this is why Target's prices are so low. I kept telling him that is was probably a manufacturer flaw BECAUSE WE DON'T MAKE SHIT IN THE BACKROOM! We don't package shit, we don't manufacture shit, and we don't monkey around with the products. Well this guy was so angry that he just wanted a return and went "somewhere that can be trusted."
When will people learn? We sell it, we don't make it.
Case in point: Some guy comes in with a TV series on DVD and he's bitching that he didn't get the 'information' booklet in it. So I tell him he can go grab another one and we'll exchange it. Well he brings up another one and we open it up and that one doesn't have it either. So he grabs another one...same thing. He goes into this tirade about "this is how you screw people out of money, you don't give them the full product" and apparently this is why Target's prices are so low. I kept telling him that is was probably a manufacturer flaw BECAUSE WE DON'T MAKE SHIT IN THE BACKROOM! We don't package shit, we don't manufacture shit, and we don't monkey around with the products. Well this guy was so angry that he just wanted a return and went "somewhere that can be trusted."
When will people learn? We sell it, we don't make it.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Satan's Fury Made a Pitstop
And I experienced the wrath...
So here I am at Guest Service being helpful and "Fast, Fun, and Friendly" and up comes this woman. If I only knew what I was in for. So she starts going OFF about "all of the cashiers are stuck-up, rude, snotty" and other stuff and how they never say hi, thanks, the total, or how are you. She goes off on ME saying that there needs to be a follow-up with misbehaved cashiers and blah blah blah. The whole time, I'm just looking at her and keep saying, "Do you want me to call up a supervisor?" She keeps telling me no, that nothing ever gets resolved that way and that I should pass it along. I keep offering to call a supervisor but the bitch doesn't want one. So she finally places the blame on me (of course) and leaves. Ok, I hate agressive confrontation so my adrenaline was PUMPING and I could have hit her. So after she leaves we go and talk to the cashier, and we find out it's one of the nicest casheirs we have, and she said that she did say hi and all that jazz. And we believe her because I don't think that cashier has a mean bone in her body. But, if you are going to complain, but don't want to do anything about it, then WHY bother? I'm not going to "pass it on" when you yourself don't want to speak to a manager about it. No, fuck that. I'm the same level as the cashiers and shit, I'm even a cashier some days, so I'm not going to pass it on. I have NEVER seen a cashier at my store be rude to a guest for no reason.
So after talking about her with everyone, I realize this wasn't the first time she graced our presence. Apparently, she has been in before but told that she would not be helped unless she stopped with the name-calling. It's like having Dennis in a female form.
Earlier in the afternoon, there was this kid who wanted me to page someone for him. It was like Petey and Bougues or something. So I lean down to do it and he asks if he can do it himself. Not even being nice, I look at him and tell him no. I also ask for their ACTUAL names, but he doesn't give. So I page them and the kid still stands there STARING at the loadspeaker as if he's going to grab it and say something. So I stand right next to it and help other people. Thank god his friends came up or else he would have grabbed it. But honestly, why are people so shocked when I tell them they can't use it? We have no way of controlling what someone else says over a STORE FULL OF PEOPLE. If you want to use the damn thing so badly, get a fucking job here. And I'd train you in and beat you upside the head.
I wish we had a punching bag back behind Guest Service. I cannot wait until I quit...providing I get into my program. My fingers are quadruple crossed.
So here I am at Guest Service being helpful and "Fast, Fun, and Friendly" and up comes this woman. If I only knew what I was in for. So she starts going OFF about "all of the cashiers are stuck-up, rude, snotty" and other stuff and how they never say hi, thanks, the total, or how are you. She goes off on ME saying that there needs to be a follow-up with misbehaved cashiers and blah blah blah. The whole time, I'm just looking at her and keep saying, "Do you want me to call up a supervisor?" She keeps telling me no, that nothing ever gets resolved that way and that I should pass it along. I keep offering to call a supervisor but the bitch doesn't want one. So she finally places the blame on me (of course) and leaves. Ok, I hate agressive confrontation so my adrenaline was PUMPING and I could have hit her. So after she leaves we go and talk to the cashier, and we find out it's one of the nicest casheirs we have, and she said that she did say hi and all that jazz. And we believe her because I don't think that cashier has a mean bone in her body. But, if you are going to complain, but don't want to do anything about it, then WHY bother? I'm not going to "pass it on" when you yourself don't want to speak to a manager about it. No, fuck that. I'm the same level as the cashiers and shit, I'm even a cashier some days, so I'm not going to pass it on. I have NEVER seen a cashier at my store be rude to a guest for no reason.
So after talking about her with everyone, I realize this wasn't the first time she graced our presence. Apparently, she has been in before but told that she would not be helped unless she stopped with the name-calling. It's like having Dennis in a female form.
Earlier in the afternoon, there was this kid who wanted me to page someone for him. It was like Petey and Bougues or something. So I lean down to do it and he asks if he can do it himself. Not even being nice, I look at him and tell him no. I also ask for their ACTUAL names, but he doesn't give. So I page them and the kid still stands there STARING at the loadspeaker as if he's going to grab it and say something. So I stand right next to it and help other people. Thank god his friends came up or else he would have grabbed it. But honestly, why are people so shocked when I tell them they can't use it? We have no way of controlling what someone else says over a STORE FULL OF PEOPLE. If you want to use the damn thing so badly, get a fucking job here. And I'd train you in and beat you upside the head.
I wish we had a punching bag back behind Guest Service. I cannot wait until I quit...providing I get into my program. My fingers are quadruple crossed.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Blah Kind Of Day
Well, I trained and did head cashiering. It was relatively quiet and so I did about 4 or 5 actual head cashier things and the rest was just me putting carts away and bagging. How fun.
But, the fun came when our registry kiosks went down. It was a nationwide thing. But still people bitched and bitched because it was 'our' fault. We put out of order signs on the 3 kiosks we have, but people still asked, "They're all out of order?" No you dumb shit we just love hanging signs up and pissing people off. Some people even asked if we could look them up on our computers...ah no. But the way people were acting was scary. People were bitching, "Well it was a total waste of time coming in here!" Ok, fine, but THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO. We didn't do it. We can't fix it. It's out of our hands. Thank god I wasn't actually working at Guest Service for my whole shift because I don't think I could take it. People get worked up over the smallest shit.
Well, 2:30-close Guest Service tonight and I hope the kiosks are fixed, and I'm sure they will be, but you never know. We are probably going to be there late tonight which I am not looking forward to.
But, the fun came when our registry kiosks went down. It was a nationwide thing. But still people bitched and bitched because it was 'our' fault. We put out of order signs on the 3 kiosks we have, but people still asked, "They're all out of order?" No you dumb shit we just love hanging signs up and pissing people off. Some people even asked if we could look them up on our computers...ah no. But the way people were acting was scary. People were bitching, "Well it was a total waste of time coming in here!" Ok, fine, but THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO. We didn't do it. We can't fix it. It's out of our hands. Thank god I wasn't actually working at Guest Service for my whole shift because I don't think I could take it. People get worked up over the smallest shit.
Well, 2:30-close Guest Service tonight and I hope the kiosks are fixed, and I'm sure they will be, but you never know. We are probably going to be there late tonight which I am not looking forward to.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
This Should Be Interesting
So Wednesday was a SLOW night and I didn't train so there was 2 of us at Guest Service... We barely needed one person, but I'm fun and made it fun so it wasn't too bad, just boring.
But upon arrival to work, I was bombarded with my 'itinerary' for Friday when I work. So from 12-1 I'm at Guest Service, then 1-3 I'm training, then 3-7 I'm the mid-head cashier. So yeah. It's especially interesting because I'll be the head cashier (or GSTL for the Targeteers) when I wasn't properly hired nor trained nor paid to do the position, AND it's pretty much illegal in the Target sense. I'll be doing the work of my supervisor for the pay of a peon like me. As I said, it should be interesting. Oh believe me, I know what to do, but still... And if Target sees this and wants to go on the warpath, Be. My. Guest. I don't mind because I'm still going to be with another GSTL and I doubt they'll give me keys to get change, so I'll pretty much be doing nothing. And I know I should care because I'm being 'taken advantage of' but at this point I don't care. Que sera, sera.
Training, oh training. What would I do without it? Oh yeah, help guests. Maybe I do like training more than I let on. ;) Although we do get interrupted quite often. What people don't understand about a group of red and khaki standing around ONE register while the light is OFF and clearly hear me talking about the fucking system is beyond me, but yes I can call someone to find out about your cabinet that you're going to buy.
Well I pretty much work my ass off this whole weekend, closing Saturday (we should be there FOREVER) and then cashiering on Saunday. Love my life right now...
Oh, and a big thank you for "Behind the Counter" for linking me on their page. They are also linked on my page, and I HIGHLY reccommend a viewing. Very funny and relatable stuff. Just don't forget about me. ;)
But upon arrival to work, I was bombarded with my 'itinerary' for Friday when I work. So from 12-1 I'm at Guest Service, then 1-3 I'm training, then 3-7 I'm the mid-head cashier. So yeah. It's especially interesting because I'll be the head cashier (or GSTL for the Targeteers) when I wasn't properly hired nor trained nor paid to do the position, AND it's pretty much illegal in the Target sense. I'll be doing the work of my supervisor for the pay of a peon like me. As I said, it should be interesting. Oh believe me, I know what to do, but still... And if Target sees this and wants to go on the warpath, Be. My. Guest. I don't mind because I'm still going to be with another GSTL and I doubt they'll give me keys to get change, so I'll pretty much be doing nothing. And I know I should care because I'm being 'taken advantage of' but at this point I don't care. Que sera, sera.
Training, oh training. What would I do without it? Oh yeah, help guests. Maybe I do like training more than I let on. ;) Although we do get interrupted quite often. What people don't understand about a group of red and khaki standing around ONE register while the light is OFF and clearly hear me talking about the fucking system is beyond me, but yes I can call someone to find out about your cabinet that you're going to buy.
Well I pretty much work my ass off this whole weekend, closing Saturday (we should be there FOREVER) and then cashiering on Saunday. Love my life right now...
Oh, and a big thank you for "Behind the Counter" for linking me on their page. They are also linked on my page, and I HIGHLY reccommend a viewing. Very funny and relatable stuff. Just don't forget about me. ;)
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Here It Goes Again
So after having this past weekend off, I'm about to get thrown back into the swing of things at the Target.
Like every Wednesday night, I'm training new people how to cashier. I can train someone in on Target's POS (Point of sale, or piece of shit sometimes) in under 2 hours. The system is just too easy, but it never fails that we have the 'deer in the headlights' look whenever I train. I don't blame them, it IS a lot of information and they are nervous, I know I was.
But next Wednesday (Valentine's Day) I'm training too. Could we not have taken a week off for the sake of the 'holiday'? I mean who wants to get hired somewhere and then end up cashier-training on Valentine's Day. I, myself, don't care because there's no one waiting for me when I get home, but for others, come on. "Oh I'd love to take you out for dinner, but I'm cashier training tonight at Target." That would be great to hear. Maybe I'll let them have candy or something. haha
Well, I finally got scheduled for a cashier shift. After about 3 months of only Guest Service shifts, I get thrown back into cashiering. Oh joy. So I'll get to enjoy the day long backaches once again, and stupid people that can't decide which transaction to put their Snickers bar on. And people that argue with what the price is, how to bag something, and then take forever to pay. I just can't wait.
Well, I suppose I better get ready for work and get ready for more of the same with training tonight.
Like every Wednesday night, I'm training new people how to cashier. I can train someone in on Target's POS (Point of sale, or piece of shit sometimes) in under 2 hours. The system is just too easy, but it never fails that we have the 'deer in the headlights' look whenever I train. I don't blame them, it IS a lot of information and they are nervous, I know I was.
But next Wednesday (Valentine's Day) I'm training too. Could we not have taken a week off for the sake of the 'holiday'? I mean who wants to get hired somewhere and then end up cashier-training on Valentine's Day. I, myself, don't care because there's no one waiting for me when I get home, but for others, come on. "Oh I'd love to take you out for dinner, but I'm cashier training tonight at Target." That would be great to hear. Maybe I'll let them have candy or something. haha
Well, I finally got scheduled for a cashier shift. After about 3 months of only Guest Service shifts, I get thrown back into cashiering. Oh joy. So I'll get to enjoy the day long backaches once again, and stupid people that can't decide which transaction to put their Snickers bar on. And people that argue with what the price is, how to bag something, and then take forever to pay. I just can't wait.
Well, I suppose I better get ready for work and get ready for more of the same with training tonight.
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