Retail Hell

So what do you do?  You work in a retail store and someone wants to return something, and every single aspect of the scenario is weird?

The past couple of times I have come in for my shift at the womens' clothing store where I work, the manager has warned me that Corporate has been emailing all the franchises that there have been some fraudulent returns going on.  And I am instructed to report anything "unusual" in regard to a return to a manager.

So, let me give you a description of the shop where I work.  It is on two levels.  There is a downstairs that sells regular Missy sizes.  It has it's own main entrance on the second level of the Plaza where the shop is located.  There is an upstairs that sells Petite sizes.  It has its own outside entrance on the third level of the Plaza.  Not so many people come in that entrance, instead they use the stairs that connect the two floors inside the shop.

A well dressed woman enters the store on the third level, Petites, where I have been stationed to work today.  She approaches the counter and pulls a jacket out of her very large handbag.  No shopping bag, the jacket is stuffed into her purse.  She tells me she wants to return it.  I ask her if she has a receipt.  She blusters, "I bought it RIGHT HERE".  OK.  The jacket has no sales ticket on it.  Why isn't there a sales tag?  The jacket is not from Petites, it is from DOWNSTAIRS.  But she came in the upper level entrance.  Huh?  What's up with that?

So, that is three weird things about the return. 1) she pulls the item out of her *purse*, 2) she had ripped the tag off the garment, and 3) the item comes from the department downstairs, so why is she entering on the upper level and not going to the department where the item came from?

What would you do?  I called the manager on duty and told her I had a weird return.  She came upstairs and told me, "Oh my gosh Nicole.  You totally did the right thing, but I know this woman.  She is a local kook who owns an art gallery in town, and she is so eccentric.  I am sure this is all legit".  Well fine.  The manager says it's ok, so here we go.  I was all set to give her whatever she wanted.

However, the woman ended up going back downstairs to conduct her business with the manager, whom she knew.  She said to the manager, "I sure did get a weird vibe from that woman upstairs" (um, that would have been me).  Then the dumb manager said, "Well, she was suspicious of you because you pulled the item to be returned out of your handbag, it was from a different department, and you didn't have the price tag on the item".

THEN, and you won't believe this....the woman comes stomping back up the stairs yelling "Excuse me?  EXCUSE ME?????"  I said "Yes?", and man, did she ever light into me.  "You thought I STOLE this jacket?  I did NOT steal this jacket.  I have more money than you can ever DREAM of, and I don't need to steal no jackets!!!" 

Well, okey dokey.  We're cool.  The management says you're ok, so why do you feel the need to abuse me for doing my job?  Chill out madam. You are getting every freaking thing you want.

In her defense, the manager is coming after this wacko customer jabbering "Now Maria, don't get upset with Nicole, she was just doing what we told her to do".  Thanks a lot.  I had to listen to this crack pot repeat herself four times before she was satisfied that she had put me in my place.  Plus she kept us almost a half hour after the store had closed.

I know I can't take it personally.  But WHY am I subjecting myself to this sort of thing?  And I thought I was having fun helping women put cute outfits together.

I am having a Life Is Too Short Moment.

Comments

[Connie]

I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. I took a job (for the fun of it) at a local, popular quilt store. It wasn't the customers, but the manager that abused the employees all day long. I'll never know why I stayed so long and allowed the abuse. Take care Nicole.

[Cheryl]

oh my . . . I remember those days of working in retail . . . really kills your spirit . . .

probably why I go way out of my way now to be nice to the sales people in the stores where I shop . . .

I feel your pain, Nicole . . . I'm so glad you're going away this weekend on your quilting retreat . . . it will rejuvenate you . . .

[cockermom]

Lord, I always hated retail when I worked it many years ago and it looks like nothing has changed. Why is it sometimes the ones with the most money are the worse to work with? Seems like the broke people were always so kind and apologetic because they were returning an item...go figure.

[MichelleB]

Ah, retail. I've never had the pleasure. Sounds the manager was the biggest problem.

[Christine Thomas]

I'm sorry for your bad day. I think it was not cool of the manager to tell the customer what you were doing...that was NOT having your back.

And your remark at the end about having a "Life is too short" moment. Soooo true.

[Kathleen]

My first thought upon reading this, was that just because the woman is "known" and has money, doesn't mean she doesn't shoplift. Shoplifters come in all sizes! Sorry for your bad day...and I'm hoping you can talk to your manager about her part in this. Probably not?

[angie/sweetbabies00]

You have to consider the source, If I knew you thought I might have stolen something, I would apologize to you, not yell at you.
I'm sure this woman yells at alot of people. It would not make me feel better to yell at someone. I would say to you, don't be upset, brush it off, but I know It would upset me.
I don't think your managers should have told "on you".
Oh and rich people do steal, it's a thrill for them, Wyonda Ryder.
Take care!

[Kim]

Life is definitely too short to have to deal with people like that. If she has so much money she should have bought YOU a jacket for all of the abuse she dished out to you for doing your job. LOL!

Have a better day. Maybe you should go make something to relieve the stress.

[RC]

Your "manager" had no business saying anything to that woman and then should have stepped in to stop the abuse that woman gave you. I'm sorry you had to deal with that. :(

[Libby]

Oh you just never know what you'll come across when you deal with the public. I worked for a credit union for many years. I had a man at my window that I was very concerned about. I thought he was a 'fast talker' - a way to confuse the teller into exchanging money for different denominations as a way to steal cash. I was so suspicious and extra careful whenever he came in. Over time I learned he was just a really nice, super-friendly guy who ended up being on of my all time favorites. After a number of years, I finally confessed my original assessments and suspicions of him . . . . we had a good laugh *s*

[Chiki]

I'm sorry to hear about your bad day. Don't take it seriously or personaly, it's not worth it. As someone else said before, having money doesn't mean she doesn't shoplift, and certainly it does't mean she's well behaved or classy. I'm sure there're loads of things you can be happy about your job - and life in general! :) Cheer up!

[Lisa D.]

Sorry you had to deal with that rude behavior when you were just doing your job. The fact that your manager wasn't more supportive really irks me. Retail sucks sometimes, although we don't get too many nut jobs at the quilt shop.

[Thelma]

I think we would all agree that you are the richer women in this scenario. I'm guessing your customer does not get the support from her family when she goes home like you get from yours or from friends like you are getting today...hang in there girlfriend!!

[Tricia L.]

Wow! I did the retail thing for about 8 years. I loved it, but there were definitely weird people to deal with. I've caught many shoplifters in my day...the best was people who switched the clothing tags and tried to return a $10 item but the tag said it was $50. ugh!

[Nancy]

Try not to take it personal Nicole. It sounds very suspicious to me and you know, money or no money, she is still suspicious to me! Nancy in WI

[Gretchen]

Nicole, I feel your pain and completely understand. I've worked at Starbucks as a second job for the past 7 years and have lots of crazy stories. I am constantly amazed every day at the rudeness and pettiness of a portion of the population. IMHO, I think retail and/or food service jobs should be mandatory for every person in the country and then maybe people would have better manners and be all around nicer people. Hang in there and just think about quilting instead!!!!

[Christine]

Wow, Nicole, did you bring back memories when I worked at a refunds counter. We once had a mattress brought back..the most disgusting thing you can imagine...and it was, get this, 9 and a half years old!! Just under the warranty deadline...and the customer got a NEW one per my idiot manager. Your situation was incredible, though, but you kept your cool and did the right thing, no matter how wrong the customer was.

[Beth]

Man I hear that and I sure don't miss working retail! I worked in the Sears little boys department back in the 70s and I HATED it. People think they have the right to be abusive because they are the customer, that's BS! Don't take it personal, it's just bothering her because you probably would have loved to given it back to her but you couldn't. I think you need some quilt retail therapy!

[pam]

Oh yeah, know about those. People generally say quilters are nice and I have to agree but at the shop we'd get some really crazy customers.

And Frankie would tell some amazing stories from working at two big upscale retail stores. Having a lot of money sure doesn't insure good manners.

[quiltdivajulie@sefton.info]

You don't have to work retail to end up working for folks who have serious control issues ... trust me (experience from law firms and educational institutions plus a number of volunteer positions in at least 3 states). All that noise was about posturing to make HER feel good (read superior) about herself ~ so very sad, isn't it.

[Candace]

Well for sure she was abusing you to make her own self feel better...it is SO hard not to take this personally, I would have been a puddle of mud after that Nicole! I hope you have a better day today!
Cheers!

[Darlene]

Well, Nicole, I had to leave a comment!

I've worked in the Human Resources field for over 30 years - because I love people. I had a retail needlework shop for 6 years - because I love people. HMMMM - so why did we close the shop because I love people but I don't care for the general public.

Sadly, you had to endure this woman's ire; shame on her!

[amy gayle]

hi nicole!
i am sorry i am much more a lurker....
but i follow your blog daily! your quilts just AMAZE ME!!!
and i love your fun personality!
sorry about the crap you had to take at work!
don't take too much to heart - she sounds quite nutty!
anyhooo...
hope your summer is going great!
kisses and cupcakes,
amy
*

[CJ]

Me thinks she protests too much! I also think the manager was in the wrong here. Ugh, what a day for you though.

[Liz]

You know, they say when you get to heaven you have a life "review". But not your own life... The life of all the others that you "affected".
God will show that lady what she has done!
This thought always seems to calm me down after an episode like that... I too worked retail.
Don't worry, be happy!! hee hee