Working in retail can be fun but at the same time, a lot of hard work just like with any other job. There are many things that happen in the retail world that you might not even think about at first. Some retail jobs can be just miserable all together but others can be fantastic. It’s important to research and learn about retail before you decide to find a job that involves retail. This way you will be prepared for whatever might come your way.
Here are 10 Crazy Reasons Why Working In Retail Is Difficult
10. Having to deal with customer returns
There are some customers who buy things that they really don’t need then return it later. Others get gifts that they don’t want and return them. The reason as to why a customer returns something is endless. However, there are a couple of things to note about when they bring back something. They might be frustrated that they are simply having to come back and return it. Just remember that the customer is always right and that can make it difficult.
9. Secret shoppers can provide false information on surveys
These days something that people in retail have to worry are secret shoppers. Before I go any further let me just say that not all secret shoppers are bad. You have your good and bad ones. However, some secret shoppers can make answers on the survey you give them and that can put your job in jeopardy. It might not even matter how you treated them. Anyone can become a secret shopper. Personally I don’t think it’s fair that a survey might be what causes a person to lose their job.
8. You might have to work on weekends and on the holidays
Alright, to make this one fair you could get stuck with this on any job. However, in retail there is a higher chance you might end up having to work on the weekends and during the holidays. It doesn’t even matter if you tried to take the time off. Often times people love to shop more during the weekends and on the holidays. This is why you would be needed. If you’re in a commission retail job then working on the weekends might benefit you.
7. Having to hold things for customers
Some customers might come up short on money or not have enough to cover for what they have in the cart. They will claim they’ll be back tomorrow but never show. Some stores have limits as to how long you can hold things for customers when others don’t. If you’re thinking about going into retail be sure to find out how long you can hold onto things for customers.
6. You might not only have to work on the weekends but could end up doing double shifts
Again, this could happen at any job but more so in retail. They might have you pulling double shifts which means you might not get much sleep. There are a few reasons as to why they might have you do this. One might be because someone else called in or two, they could be short on staff anyway. Another reason is because you’re in high demand. If it becomes too much and you know other people can help out then you might end up having to say something.
5. Some customers won’t believe that you have everything out on the floor
You might end up having to go back and forth from the back to prove that everything is out on the floor. Some costumers will still argue saying that they know for sure that stuff is in the back. If they start to make too much of a fuss and won’t believe you then you might need to call the manager for help. The person might not even believe the manager but just remember, then it’s out of your hands at that point.
4. Out of date registers
There are some places that might not be up to date on their registers. The register might ring a lot or either be slow. The new registers can even cause problems. You might find the customers getting upset over this and just simply leave the store and leave their cart to you. Breathe. At least you know that having register problems was not your fault.
3. Someone will eventually complain about the price
Eventually you’ll have someone complain about the price. They’ll try to see if you can change the price. They might even go as far as complaining to the manager about the price. They might yell and make a big fuss because the price is too high for them. Another thing is they might try to negotiate the price down. The price is out of your hands and you might just have to remind them thought they might not accept it.
2. Those parents who yell loud at their kids or let them do anything in the store
By the end of the day you’re exhausted but then you look around. You suddenly remember the child running in the store without the parent telling them to stop. The store is a disaster because of that one kid. You might even have a bad headache if you’ve had to deal with other parents who yelled at their kids throughout the store but still didn’t really stop their behavior.
1. 10 more minutes left to closing and they come in anyway
You can announce that the store has 10 or 5 minutes left before closing but that doesn’t them from coming in. No matter how much you announce it they might end up still shopping. You might have to get a manager to come out and see about having them leave the store. You might also find yourself going home very late because of them coming in at the last minute.
Conclusion
Whatever job you have you’ll find that there are ups and downs with it. Just do your best and try your best to put the costumer first, even if they don’t deserve it.