What was your first job?
- Thread starter greenfreak
- Start date
unclehobart
New Member
Its not so much snakes... but rather poisonous snakes with rather nasty temperments.Professur said:
Altron
Well-Known Member
$8.50/hr, non-commissioned sales at Circuit City, started ~6 weeks ago. Income tax sucks. I pay $1.35/hr to the government so that they can steal my constitutional rights.
The job is alright. Better than flipping burgers or bagging groceries. The general public is so stupid and argumentative that it sometimes makes my job a bitch to do.
"Show me where your Xbox controllers on sale are."
"All of our Xbox controllers are right over here, sir."
"WHAT THE FUCK!!! THIS IS FULL FUCKING PRICE!!! NONE OF THIS SHIT IS ON SALE!!!"
About 3 hours ago...
"Do you have March of the Penguins?"
"All of our new releases are on this shelf, ma'am. Were you unable to find it? I could look it up on the computer if it wasn't on the shelf."
"I didn't look... you're supposed to know where it is... horrible salesman... *stomps off*"
This happened about a week ago, while I was talking to another customer in a different department. The bitch interrupted my sale to ask me questions abou t the next department. As a salesman, I should know the products that I sell, which are CRT TVs and DVD players. Contrary to popular belief, I do not know the location, price, and how many we have in stock for every single product in the entire fucking store off the top of my head.
Then, about four days ago, I was filling in for somebody as a cashier. It was late and there were no customers so I was just chilling. The nice lady who does all the financial stuff for the store came over to take some cash out of the registers, because they fill up with cash very quickly and need some taken out and moved to the vault 3-4 times a day. She took like $1300 from my register, then started taking some out of the adjoining register. The March of the Penguins bitch came up and started yelling at the payroll lady because she was unhappy with one of the computer salesman.
bitch: "The salesman didn't make eye contact, I was signing up for the credit card and he didn't give me the right forms to sign... ... I demand a formal apology from them with you present"
payroll lady: "I'm not a manager, so I can't make the salesman apologize to you, but you can talk to-"
bitch: "I want a formal apology RIGHT NOW!!!"
At which point the bitch proceeded to yell at the payroll lady, who didn't do anything to her. The payroll lady tried to reason with her, but she kept going on. Finally the store director came up and started talking to her. The conversation lasted a good half hour and ended with the director having to give the bitch a sizable discount on a large purchase. I was really pissed off, because
a) Judging by how she had treated me previously, she was greatly exxagerrating what happened with the computer salesman. I know everyone in the computer department, and not one would act like that.
b) She yelled at random people who caused her no harm.
c) She forced the store director, who is a cool dude, into giving her a discount and an apology.
d) It proved that by being an asshole and bitching to people, you can get ahead in life.
Then, the next day, I see her again, with a girl maybe 7 years old. The girl is off looking at something and the bitch is all "Get over here RIGHT NOW, we're leaving", yelling at her own daughter for no reason other than the daughter got distracted by one of our TVs or something.
I sooooo wanted to punch her in the face, but I didn't.
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, XMAS MUSIC. There's a radio in the back on one of those stacks of boxes in the high shelves lining the walls at a height of about 7 feet. It's a tiny clock radio, turned all the way up, playing only xmas music. 7+ hours a day. We hatesss it, my precious.
The job is alright. Better than flipping burgers or bagging groceries. The general public is so stupid and argumentative that it sometimes makes my job a bitch to do.
"Show me where your Xbox controllers on sale are."
"All of our Xbox controllers are right over here, sir."
"WHAT THE FUCK!!! THIS IS FULL FUCKING PRICE!!! NONE OF THIS SHIT IS ON SALE!!!"
About 3 hours ago...
"Do you have March of the Penguins?"
"All of our new releases are on this shelf, ma'am. Were you unable to find it? I could look it up on the computer if it wasn't on the shelf."
"I didn't look... you're supposed to know where it is... horrible salesman... *stomps off*"
This happened about a week ago, while I was talking to another customer in a different department. The bitch interrupted my sale to ask me questions abou t the next department. As a salesman, I should know the products that I sell, which are CRT TVs and DVD players. Contrary to popular belief, I do not know the location, price, and how many we have in stock for every single product in the entire fucking store off the top of my head.
Then, about four days ago, I was filling in for somebody as a cashier. It was late and there were no customers so I was just chilling. The nice lady who does all the financial stuff for the store came over to take some cash out of the registers, because they fill up with cash very quickly and need some taken out and moved to the vault 3-4 times a day. She took like $1300 from my register, then started taking some out of the adjoining register. The March of the Penguins bitch came up and started yelling at the payroll lady because she was unhappy with one of the computer salesman.
bitch: "The salesman didn't make eye contact, I was signing up for the credit card and he didn't give me the right forms to sign... ... I demand a formal apology from them with you present"
payroll lady: "I'm not a manager, so I can't make the salesman apologize to you, but you can talk to-"
bitch: "I want a formal apology RIGHT NOW!!!"
At which point the bitch proceeded to yell at the payroll lady, who didn't do anything to her. The payroll lady tried to reason with her, but she kept going on. Finally the store director came up and started talking to her. The conversation lasted a good half hour and ended with the director having to give the bitch a sizable discount on a large purchase. I was really pissed off, because
a) Judging by how she had treated me previously, she was greatly exxagerrating what happened with the computer salesman. I know everyone in the computer department, and not one would act like that.
b) She yelled at random people who caused her no harm.
c) She forced the store director, who is a cool dude, into giving her a discount and an apology.
d) It proved that by being an asshole and bitching to people, you can get ahead in life.
Then, the next day, I see her again, with a girl maybe 7 years old. The girl is off looking at something and the bitch is all "Get over here RIGHT NOW, we're leaving", yelling at her own daughter for no reason other than the daughter got distracted by one of our TVs or something.
I sooooo wanted to punch her in the face, but I didn't.
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, XMAS MUSIC. There's a radio in the back on one of those stacks of boxes in the high shelves lining the walls at a height of about 7 feet. It's a tiny clock radio, turned all the way up, playing only xmas music. 7+ hours a day. We hatesss it, my precious.
Glazed, or creme-filled? 
Gato_Solo
Out-freaking-standing OTC member
Altron said:
I am the NCOIC of dayshift in the passenger terminal, and I deal with retirees all the time. Most of them are okay, but you also get a few that are chronic complainers. They complain when they don't get on a flight...and I have to explain that we are not a scheduled airline, our schedule is subject to change without prior notice, and that they are flying Space A (Space Available), which means that cargo has priority. I do all of this with a smile, with courtesy, and with respect. I don't act rude, I don't resent the fact that they are upset, and I don't treat them with anything less than I expect to be treated. That's the difference between customer service and just putting in your time. Now here's the best part...all of our flights are free. The only thing you pay for is your meal...which is a paltry $3.50. If I see somebody in dire straights, I'll sometimes go out of pocket and buy them a meal. I don't do it for accolades, either.
greenfreak
New Member
I wouldn't say that that's the best route to take in your whole life but often times, that's the only way to get satisfaction from a store or vendor. It used to embarrass me when my mother would do it. She would start out calm and cordial but if she felt she was being slighted, she had no problem throwing a fit and sharing her experience with others in the store. You know what? It doesn't embarrass me anymore. Because it's my opinion that good customer service and "the customer is always right" is almost non-existant anymore. So if I have to be a fucking bitch to get what I deserve, I will. I don't do it just to see how far I can go, I only want what's right. It's sad and I wish I didn't have to do it, but I will.Altron said:
Sometimes that doesn't work either though. And that's when you go online and bad-mouth them to everyone you can. I've done that to Tiger Direct with the BBB, my blog, opinion sites, resellerratings.com, MySimon.com, etc.
I feel for you Alt, I really do. I've been there. It's these jobs that will make you want to strive for something better. We've all had shitty circumstances but you'll get better jobs. In the meantime, make the most out of what you're given and do it with work integrity. You may or may not be recognized for it but at least you'll have your own pride.
Inkara1
Well-Known Member
The problem with "the customer is always right" is that always following that will put you out of business eventually. Customers will push the limits. Guaranteed. That's not to say customer service should go out the window... just that there has to be a line drawn somewhere. I personally would have asked Altron's customer to leave the store.
Altron
Well-Known Member
But what the customers don't understand is that they can get the same if not better results by being nice instead of bitching. The employees do have some input in how customers are treated. Customers who are nice leave the store much better off than assholes.
For example, we have this karaoke machine that is discontiuned, out of stock. In situations like that, we will sell the floor model as open box. A lady really liked it and treated me with respect, so when I got the manager to move it to open box, I made sure that it was a good price, like 30% off, and I got the manager to include a floor model microphone on the open box details. Now, had that person been an asshole, there would be no microphone and they would be lucky to get 10% off.
It works the same way with everything. We keep the game systems in the back. Nice customers get the best one I can find. With assholes, I go out of my way to find a very banged up and dirty box. I've even heard conversations like this in the warehouse:
Salesman: "Can you get ________ TV?"
Warehouse guy: "I've got two, is the customer someone you like?"
Salesman: "Well they did bitch about __________"
Warehouse guy: "Alright, I got a really dirty and busted up box, I'll give them that one."
For example, we have this karaoke machine that is discontiuned, out of stock. In situations like that, we will sell the floor model as open box. A lady really liked it and treated me with respect, so when I got the manager to move it to open box, I made sure that it was a good price, like 30% off, and I got the manager to include a floor model microphone on the open box details. Now, had that person been an asshole, there would be no microphone and they would be lucky to get 10% off.
It works the same way with everything. We keep the game systems in the back. Nice customers get the best one I can find. With assholes, I go out of my way to find a very banged up and dirty box. I've even heard conversations like this in the warehouse:
Salesman: "Can you get ________ TV?"
Warehouse guy: "I've got two, is the customer someone you like?"
Salesman: "Well they did bitch about __________"
Warehouse guy: "Alright, I got a really dirty and busted up box, I'll give them that one."
ekahs retsam
New Member
Spot said:
Two companies went out of business. I quit several of them and temp jobs just end (no one really gets fired or quits, it just ends).
SouthernN'Proud
Southern Discomfort
greenfreak said:
Sorry, I lost this thread for a few days...
I'm trying to get on with the state department of mental health/mental retardation as an investigator. Much better pay, much closer to what I went to school for, and much fewer meth addicts.
TexasRaceLady
Active Member
I look like the piker in this bunch. Didn't have a job until I was in college, and then, it was only at Christmas --- working in the Gift Wrap department.
After I graduated, I started teaching --- end of list.
Altron, if you want to see bitchy customers, try dealing with a 7th grader's mom who suspects you "don't like my son/daughter." LOL
After I graduated, I started teaching --- end of list.
Altron, if you want to see bitchy customers, try dealing with a 7th grader's mom who suspects you "don't like my son/daughter." LOL
AlphaTroll
New Member
My first actual job was at 17 when I got a temp (vacation) job as a bank teller, before that I did some babysitting, housesitting and so on.
Worked in just about every department in the branch, from Tellers to Enquiries, Back Office (General Ledgers), Reports (where we get credit ratings for clients) and even switchboard once in a while. Ended up as the Regional Manager's assistant at 21 (I'd gone from temp to contract to permanent in 3 years, which was cool considering most people get stuck on 6 month contracts, which get renewed at the discretion of the bank). While at the Regional head office I also worked with budgets, training etc etc. Eventually quit 'cos I was leaving the country (and then ended up staying).
After that I worked as an office manager & draughtsperson for a land surveyor - I loved doing the maps, diagrams and plans! It was something completely new and challenging. Unfortunately it was a temp position and I was only filling in for the regular lady who was on maternity leave.
After that I worked in insurance for a while...and almost killed myself within a month.
I am now working for a company that works with attornys re property transfers and development - interestig stuff, but dealing with a bunch on whinging legal secretaries and attorneys can be rather trying at times.
Worked in just about every department in the branch, from Tellers to Enquiries, Back Office (General Ledgers), Reports (where we get credit ratings for clients) and even switchboard once in a while. Ended up as the Regional Manager's assistant at 21 (I'd gone from temp to contract to permanent in 3 years, which was cool considering most people get stuck on 6 month contracts, which get renewed at the discretion of the bank). While at the Regional head office I also worked with budgets, training etc etc. Eventually quit 'cos I was leaving the country (and then ended up staying).
After that I worked as an office manager & draughtsperson for a land surveyor - I loved doing the maps, diagrams and plans! It was something completely new and challenging. Unfortunately it was a temp position and I was only filling in for the regular lady who was on maternity leave.
After that I worked in insurance for a while...and almost killed myself within a month.
I am now working for a company that works with attornys re property transfers and development - interestig stuff, but dealing with a bunch on whinging legal secretaries and attorneys can be rather trying at times.
