You’re in college and you need extra money to spend. You went and got a retail job at your local mall or shopping plaza. But did you know what you just got yourself into? Here are twelve things every retail employee knows to be true.
1. You Become Addicted to Caffeine
The baristas at Starbucks or the workers at Dunkin Donuts will know you on a first name basis because you go there and order the same French Vanilla medium coffee with a splash of skim milk and two sugars. You need to be alive when working retail and coffee will help you stay alive.
2. You Can Get Called In on Your Day Off
Go ahead and relax, but be on your toes because you might get that call that your coworker called out and they need you.
3. You Will Hate the Holiday Season
The constant Christmas music and the rush of customers coming to you asking for your help. UGH!
4. Clopening Shifts are not Fun!
Is sleep too much to ask for?
5. You Will Want to Purchase Everything
Employee discount for the win!
6. You KNOW the Annoying Customers
The frequent returners, the ones that come in 5 minutes before close, the ones that come back to price adjust.
7. When You See Said Customers, You Want to Run
But you can’t!
8. When A Customer Changes Their Mind You Die A Little Inside
“No I don’t want that anymore.” “I don’t want to pay cash, can I pay with check instead?”
9. There Are Customers Who Will Spend $100 to get $20 Off
This is a real thing!
10. Your Smile Turns On and Off
Sometimes you don’t want to smile, but you don’t want to come off as rude.
11. The Phrases Go-Backs, Shipment and Garbage Run Will Haunt You Forever!
We cry every single time.
12. You Appreciate the After Holiday Lull
No one comes into the store for hours, so you just take selifes and read magazines. Ahh the life!