The Salesclerk is Also Right: Respect Your Customer Service Representative

There is something to be said for a clean retail shopping experience, complete with friendly salespeople and a great sale. However, if you are the sales force behind that experience, chances are you don't quite view it that way. Or you did, until you had to wait on Him. Or Her. Or Them. The customer from Hell. You know who you are, and you know what you do.

Well, I have to tell you, your salesclerks have had enough! It is insane the amount of abuse received during a regular day at work. So, in honor of those truly caring, truly helpful, and truly harried customer service representatives, I share with you, Mr. and Mrs. Customer, some things you really need to know before you hit the mall again.

Don't assume we don't see you.

Chances are we have you in our sights. However, if we are with another customer, have an armful of clothing, or are just trying to finish a quick task handed down from management, we can't get to you. Not yet. If after a simple eye contact and a full two minutes of idleness, you can then assume your salesclerk's head is up their, well, you know. Move on and find another clerk. Under normal circumstances, if you can wait just a minute or two, you will receive a proper greeting and help in picking out that sweater for your mother.

We are not your babysitter.

This is probably a salesclerk's biggest complaint. Just because you can't see them, don't assume your kids are sitting together by your shopping bags, peacefully waiting for you to head to the next store. While rambunctious children are naturally loud and active, there is no reason for a salesclerk to have to pick up a tornado of broken and dropped items throughout an entire department. We can't help you in the dressing room, ring up a customer, and keep your children from harming themselves and the merchandise. Unless we are a member of management, we generally can't tell you to take your heathens and beat it. But I promise you, we sure do wish we could.

If that outfit looks bad to you, it probably looks bad on you.

I have found that generally, most of us will try to help you look your best. If something doesn't fit right, or isn't your best color, we will try to find you something better. However, if you insist on buying something that is truly and honestly hideous or doesn't fit, there is no reason to return it and blame the clerk. You ultimately buy your items, and we are just trying to do our job and help. Wait a few minutes before checkout to be sure you want the items, or get a second opinion from another store employee.

Our store is our pride, but it did not get dropped from Heaven this clean.

While it's only natural for a store to become messy by the end of the day, there is no reason you should become a total slob just because it is not your home. Some of the worst customers I have ever waited on would leave the dressing room full of clothes (way past the 5 item limit) just dropped on the floor. Others would leave a mini Chernobyl in the restrooms (which we have to clean also, unless you work in a huge department store), and wonder why we get a bit snippy after we've been exposed to your worst behavior. As a customer, you deserve a great sales experience and a clean store, and if you would just behave like an adult, you may actually get your wish.

No one cares how much you spend, if you treat us like crap.

Except for maybe corporate headquarters, being a big spender will not get you better service if you are a jerk. Name dropping, threats, and general rudeness for a small mistake or just because you can, make not a bit of difference to the folks at the bottom of the totem pole. Yeah, the salesclerks and managers. Us little people. While we can't tell you how much we wish you would take your credit card and hit the road, ruining the day of a hardworking guy or gal just for the fun of it really is a low thing to do. You may never know it, from your service (or you might if we are on our way out, and if you encounter such an employee, you can rest assured you will be on their blog the next day) but you are an ass. A really big one. And we plan to tell everyone we know.

Most of us are just trying to make a living.

For some reason, certain customers think that it is totally acceptable to belittle and boss a salesclerk, because it is their right. Well, it's not. Most folks in retail sales are supporting families, sick kids and trying to pay their way through college. Stop for a minute and wonder just how much fun it would be to wait on rude people all day for not much above minimum wage. It's not like their paychecks are being spent on their mansions in Rome. Get a clue, act your age, and respect the everyday customer service worker. Without them, you can't reach that pair of jeans on the top shelf, can't find out just how horrendous that dress looks on you, and you can't truly have a complete shopping experience. And to you, those brave souls who set the sales, sweep the floors, and wrap the gifts for all customers, nice and not so nice, keep smiling. That might be a mystery shopper you are waiting on.