Three Things a Dollar Store Employee Will Never Tell You; Even Though They Want To

First person - Without saying any names, I work at one of the more recognized dollar stores popping up all over the US. While my co-workers and I are grateful for your business, which allows us our positions in the first place, there are a few things I'd bring up to you, were it not likely to get me fired. How can I say I care about my customers, if I don't share some things which I know will help everyone?

You're actually often paying more for food. Every once in awhile, a clearance item, or manufacturer's over-run on production means a really good deal on a certain food item. This is great, when it happens, but those deals are few and far between.

While $1 sounds cheap on the face of things, just a bit of simple analysis will show you're paying more per serving, than if you shop for canned goods and other food items at grocery stores. Read those labels, too. There's a huge difference between orange juice, and "orange drink."

This isn't always a negative. Sometimes it's worth paying a tiny bit more, just to save yourself the trip to another store. But, in all honesty, buying all of your weekly groceries at a dollar store will not bring you the biggest bang for your buck.

We're not allowed to socialize or talk politics/religion while on the clock. Please don't get me fired. Sometimes customers tell us we're a bit unfriendly because we don't join into a lot of conversations with them. It's not that we don't enjoy talking to people, it's the topic of the discussion we're required to avoid.

I respect your right to your religious or political beliefs. But just because you have a right to your opinion, doesn't mean everybody else has to have a right to it, too. While I'd love to go into some of it with you, on my own time, my company has certain requirements of me while I'm being paid.

Also, see that customer behind you in line? While you're standing there, asking me why I don't accept your invitation to church, or what I think about the latest political debate or any other various philosophical cans-of-worms, you're holding them up too. Might their time be just as precious as yours?

Later, when they complain to my boss about how long it took them to get through my line, do you think they'll mention it was your fault? No, probably not. Even if they do, the boss will only hear that I did something wrong. It's a genuine damned-if-I-do and damned-if-I-don't scenario for me. So please don't put me in that situation. It's not very fair of you.

It doesn't cost extra to grab a basket. I get a smile from the customers carrying arm-loads around, ten minutes after declining a basket I offer. But it's those folks who pile everything on the checkout counter and then run off to finish their shopping who only make the job more difficult.

This makes the counter crowded for the other customers. Take a wild guess who gets in trouble when the other customers complain about how sloppy the checkout counter is? Not only are the baskets free to use when you're here, I'll be glad to grab it for you if you want.

If any of my readers happen to also be employed at any of the dollar store types of businesses around America, I'd love to hear from you in the comments below. Shy of being abusive, what would you let the general public know, if you could do so anonymously? Here's your chance.