This past summer I spent quite a bit of time working at a 24/7 convenience store in my hometown. I’m not going to say it was rough, but it was definitely a growing experience. There were angry and inebriated people up at all hours trying to buy anything from milk to moisturizers, so I’ve had my fair share of customer service experience at various levels of exhaustion. I have gathered a few key guidelines when it comes to shopping at a convenience store. So, if you’re thinking about making a late-night run to your corner-store, please read this first.
Dear Convenience store shopper,
I would like to, as per the requirements of my job, thank you for choosing to shop at (insert name of store). Now, I have a few pointers.
First, please, please, please… try not to use big bills. Especially late at night, this can cause so many issues. Cash registers are thinned after dark and a manager will have to run for change if you use a bill bigger than $20. This leads to a whole process of rebalancing drawers… Where did you even get that large of a bill?
Second, no one cares what you purchase. Let me rephrase that, the cashier is not phased by whatever you choose to purchase at the store. This is mostly in reference to the purchase of menstrual products or contraceptive. The cashier in front of you is a “seasoned professional” and has rung up so many people with similar purchases already that day. It’s absolutely not a big deal. So, please, spare your bank account and don’t try to go grocery shopping to cover up the purchase that has you blushing the minute we scan it. We aren’t making any faces!
Third, if a coupon doesn’t scan, it doesn’t scan. I don’t have a magic button to give you a more cleanly printed coupon. At 2 am, there is not much I can do to help you there. Please, just check to be sure that the numbers are legible if you absolutely want me to type in a long code for 10% off your purchase of a candy bar. Piles and piles of coupons are a sight we dread.
Fourth, we know where nearly every item is. If we’re not working with someone, the job is rather dull and we would likely love the opportunity to talk to someone about anything besides the all-important double bagging decision. This store is our domain and we’ve had to memorize every corner for our job, please say hi and ask for some help. We also get brownie points with our manager for helping someone on the floor of the store. I swear it’s not the matrix it may seem like late at night.
Thank you for listening to my advice about general courtesy at your local convenience store. They’re quick and easy little stops for the candy or box of cereal you really need especially late at night, and I definitely have a new appreciation for the efforts of the “cleaning fairies,” my coworkers and I, who work the graveyard shifts at these stores.
Sincerely,
The ex-cashier