I have now officially made it 2.5 months of working in the retail world… I have had many experiences over that time that I have just have to share… Some funny, some sad but definitely keep me on my toes.
Some of what I have heard:
- Do you work here? – Working in the golf department, wearing golf attire, with my “Dick’s Sporting Goods Badge and radio with headphones on in the golf department… My initial thought usually is I only dress like this to get my giggles out of folks.
- How are these balls? – I only pause and that that question sit for awhile. It usually is followed with a laugh from the customer or they correct themselves with clarification of “golf” balls.
- Will this club help my golf game? Always a loaded question. I know that Dick’s Sporting Goods wants to sell clubs. I start off with, “how is your golf game?” Customer usually says something like, “Terrible or bad.” I always follow up with, “It can’t hurt.” Then we discuss…
- And the jokes about the name – Dick’s Sporting Goods. Not going to list them. It should only take you one second before you come up with one…
Some of the stuff you see or have to deal with:
- I love Friday nights. It is the most interesting time to be working. When the movies let out I normally get lots of teenagers that just have to come over to Dick’s to have some fun with sporting goods. With my department, we have the putting green and golf simulator.
- The number of guys that take their “dates” to Dick’s is wrong. The putting green to show off your “skills” – really!
- The simulator draws plenty of attention. Of course it is usually turned off, but the teenagers still try to sneak in to hit a few.. The other day, I had 10 teenage boys attempt to use the simulator. When I confronted them, one was trying to turn it on. One was on the right handed tee box with club in hand ready to hit. One was on the left side setting up to hit it right handed. Two more were standing within striking distance of the 2 waiting to hit.
- I asked, “what’s up?”
- The one attempting to turn it on says, “don’t worry, we are just going to have some fun.”
- I say, “sorry but this is not open right now. It is turned off and is only for customers that are purchasing a club.”
- Again the one attempting to turn it on says, “I will turn this on, we will be hitting and you can’t stop us.”
- My next comment is almost my last. “You’re sadly mistaken. I can stop you. In fact, I must ask you to leave the store.”
- His next comment really was the topper. “Just chill the f*ck out!”
- I follow with, “Get out now!”
- Dick’s has an ice rink close by their store. We don’t sell any ice hockey stuff, but do have some street hockey equipment. One weekend they had a hockey tournament and some of the teenage players must have been dropped off to the mall. So, they came to Dick’s. Again the golf simulator was the main attraction. When I told them it was only for customers purchasing a club, one player decided to tell me he was interested to trying a club. I said, “not a problem. Is your parent close by?” He says, “no.” I said, “without them present you are not allowed to use simulator.” He follows with, “you are stupid. I should be able to do what I want.” My response is just, “Sorry.”
I worry about the youth of today! Maybe my memory is really bad. I just don’t remember being like that when I was their age. Maybe it was the fear of my parents finding out if I acted that way. Times change and sometimes not for the better.
The number one question by far that I get is.. “Where are the bathrooms located?” If I had a nickel for every time I get question – I would definitely be making much more than my hourly rate.
Image via – Copyright: nastia / 123RF Stock Photo
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