darkSpyro

I posted this elsewhere but thought its be good to post here a it's own thing. Anyone else who has inside info as such please share. Every store is different but they all have certain ways of making sure lazy employees have to do their job. Also shipment schedules and such would be nice too. My contribution is for target. Now it's what I learned working their last year but it still applies. I have a few friends still working there.
Quote:

When I worked at target last year skylanders came in randomly. Season time shipments come almost everyday but skylanders come in different. Thru FedEx/ups. So the electronics person doesn't get em til like 10am. Then unless the shelves are empty or the employee takes an interest (like I did last year) they just stick em in the back.
For target employees always make them use the hand held to check the back and make sure they show you that it shows 0. If it shows some but they say they aren't different from what's out tell them to recheck or if they're really being asses tell em to bring you out the box. If they don't listen or are just impossible go to guest services and ask to speak to the L.O.D. That's the management type person on duty. I garuntee they'll help you.

I've learned from Target that their inventory doesn't differentiate Skylanders characters, it pulls them as one generic item. Whereas the Giants, it's individual numbers. Although they are usually good at going to check. Wal-Mart however, ask the entertainment area managers to check...I got lucky and had the ability to search boxes.

At least you had SOME managers that cared. My walmart got people that either don't always work in the department so they never know anything or just flat out don't care. Toys r us and target has been my best score so far. I haven't bought anything giant related yet at walmart.

EB Games in Aus preorder anything Skylanders-related you would like that is on their system- that is all...

I miss EB Games

If someone is working in retail they shouldn't be giving you attitude at all. When you're dealing with people all day you need to be the kind of person that is happy to be in that customer service position.

Wow, so much entitlement in this thread.

Quote: UncleBob

Wow, so much entitlement in this thread.

I don't think it's wrong at all to want employees at your choice of store to actually help you. I know a lot of people who'd LOVE to have a job at a department store, but they can't and instead we get people who really are only half-assing it.

Wow, UncleBob chimes in again for no reason.

Quote: spyroflame0487

Quote: UncleBob

Wow, so much entitlement in this thread.

I don't think it's wrong at all to want employees at your choice of store to actually help you. I know a lot of people who'd LOVE to have a job at a department store, but they can't and instead we get people who really are only half-assing it.

^this

I found the best way to deal with such employees is to simply walk away and spend your money in another store that treats you well or just pay online for your items. There is no need to get ratty at a staff member for simply not knowing the latest product. It's just a job to them

Quote: Alliana

If someone is working in retail they shouldn't be giving you attitude at all. When you're dealing with people all day you need to be the kind of person that is happy to be in that customer service position.

only time i give attitude on the job is when a guest is being exceptionally rude lol otherwise i at least attempt to help

Quote: Buzzthebatgirl

I found the best way to deal with such employees is to simply walk away and spend your money in another store that treats you well or just pay online for your items. There is no need to get ratty at a staff member for simply not knowing the latest product. It's just a job to them

Never said to get crappy with them. Just certain phrases and knowing who to go to if you don't get the help you should goes a long way.
Also "just a job" is an excuse. I'm not asking detail for stuff, just for them to do their job. They're job is to know the product or refer me to someone who does. Customer service.

Quote: ace

Quote: Alliana

If someone is working in retail they shouldn't be giving you attitude at all. When you're dealing with people all day you need to be the kind of person that is happy to be in that customer service position.

only time i give attitude on the job is when a guest is being exceptionally rude lol otherwise i at least attempt to help

Hmmm, exceptionally rude.... yep, been there. Just last week I told a seedy character who was telling me off in a very crude manner to get out and not come back. The problem; I wouldn't return something without a receipt, simply because our computer system won't let me.

Maybe that employee who "refuses to care" has already checked the handheld device five minutes earlier when another over-zealous kid came in demanding an inventory check. It would get old real fast. The key is to engage them in conversation to get as much info as possible, and then see if they have any way of checking in the back. If you come off as demanding and aggressive anyone would be less helpful.

And you also need to consider the very likely possibility that the employee does not share your desire about adding Granite Crusher to your toy collection (or whatever other toy you are asking about).

Quote: Himewad

Maybe that employee who "refuses to care" has already checked the handheld device five minutes earlier when another over-zealous kid came in demanding an inventory check. It would get old real fast. The key is to engage them in conversation to get as much info as possible, and then see if they have any way of checking in the back. If you come off as demanding and aggressive anyone would be less helpful.

And you also need to consider the very likely possibility that the employee does not share your desire about adding Granite Crusher to your toy collection (or whatever other toy you are asking about).

Ok but assuming I wasn't demanding or aggressive what would it hurt to show me on the handheld? Nothing. Also I'm talking about the employee who doesn't care. You can tell the difference in someone who has checked and who is just shrugging you off.
On your final point, it's their job to care about the customer. If they don't want to then step aside and let someone who cares about customers have a crack at it.

I was there last year. I know how it is. When a 10 year old girl comes up to you with hope in her eyes to ask if there's any whirlwinds, you go thru the handheld even if you did it 5 mins ago. You treat every customer like its your only one of the day. Hell, I even got on my coworkers in electronics about this. Ya know what the good ones did? Listened, took an interest, and did everything they could. The target handhelds can tell if there's any at other area stores. We called those stores for the customer. My coworkers would ask me if I've seen zook or zap at some other store cause they knew I hunted em. If a customer came that found something at Walmart or tru we took note and told others. It's about customer service.

If you don't want the info I've provided then don't use it. I'm just trying to help. I know for a fact there are stores that have new stuff in the back but just don't take the initiative to care.

sooooo.....why don't you work there any more punch? just a seasonal job??

Quote: ThePunchPopFizz

Ok but assuming I wasn't demanding or aggressive what would it hurt to show me on the handheld? Nothing.

Incorrect.

I can't speak for all major retailers, but I do know that the handheld screen can display all kinds of information, like how many are on order (*not* the arrival date), rate of sale, profit/markup information, etc., etc.

This information is proprietary and none of your business.

If the employee says there are none in the back, why does everyone assume the employee is lying and out to get you? Maybe, just maybe when it comes to one of the hottest, best selling products of the year A) The store really is selling them and Why would the store keep something they're selling so well in the back? You can't sell it from the back room.

The store does not keep them. The manager and to some extent, the employees want them selling. One single cheeked ***hole keeps them in the back to buy them on break and sell them on ebay.

Quote: gamecocksc17

sooooo.....why don't you work there any more punch? just a seasonal job??

Denied promised promotion then offered store management elsewhere

Quote: UncleBob

Quote: ThePunchPopFizz

Ok but assuming I wasn't demanding or aggressive what would it hurt to show me on the handheld? Nothing.

Incorrect.

I can't speak for all major retailers, but I do know that the handheld screen can display all kinds of information, like how many are on order (*not* the arrival date), rate of sale, profit/markup information, etc., etc.

This information is proprietary and none of your business.

If the employee says there are none in the back, why does everyone assume the employee is lying and out to get you? Maybe, just maybe when it comes to one of the hottest, best selling products of the year A) The store really is selling them and Why would the store keep something they're selling so well in the back? You can't sell it from the back room.

Again I'm speaking of one retailer, target. I know what their screen says. We are encouraged to show the guest if they wish to have more proof.

The Kmart in the next town over has ZERO Skylanders out. The employee said, and I quote "All the skylanders are in the back because we don't have the display up yet". So the game has been out since Oct. 21 and they have yet to put the display up. They also told me they have many boxes in the back. So Unclebob, you tell me how are they selling it from the back? And why are they keeping something that sells so well in the back?

Quote: czs716

The Kmart in the next town over has ZERO Skylanders out. The employee said, and I quote "All the skylanders are in the back because we don't have the display up yet". So the game has been out since Oct. 21 and they have yet to put the display up. They also told me they have many boxes in the back. So Unclebob, you tell me how are they selling it from the back? And why are they keeping something that sells so well in the back?

Nevermind, you're correct.

This one Kmart location (Kmart, of course, being the absolute most successful and best retailer in the world) is the perfect example of how every single store in the USA works.

So, everyone - go bug the minimum wage floor jockeys at your local retailers. They're hiding all the Skylanders in the back room. If they say "No.", they're lying. I suggest calling the police and getting them involved.

Quote: ThePunchPopFizz

Again I'm speaking of one retailer, target. I know what their screen says. We are encouraged to show the guest if they wish to have more proof.

Quote: ThePunchPopFizz

Denied promised promotion

Well, there you have it folks. A former employee who was unable to advance said it, so it must be true...

Quote: UncleBob

Quote: czs716

The Kmart in the next town over has ZERO Skylanders out. The employee said, and I quote "All the skylanders are in the back because we don't have the display up yet". So the game has been out since Oct. 21 and they have yet to put the display up. They also told me they have many boxes in the back. So Unclebob, you tell me how are they selling it from the back? And why are they keeping something that sells so well in the back?

Nevermind, you're correct.

This one Kmart location (Kmart, of course, being the absolute most successful and best retailer in the world) is the perfect example of how every single store in the USA works.

So, everyone - go bug the minimum wage floor jockeys at your local retailers. They're hiding all the Skylanders in the back room. If they say "No.", they're lying. I suggest calling the police and getting them involved.

Quote: ThePunchPopFizz

Again I'm speaking of one retailer, target. I know what their screen says. We are encouraged to show the guest if they wish to have more proof.

Quote: ThePunchPopFizz

Denied promised promotion

Well, there you have it folks. A former employee who was unable to advance said it, so it must be true...

Wow. This topic got outta hand. I never dammed any employee. I was just trying to put out some info for when you get mistreated by lazy employees. I actually used this the other day for a friend and they got the flashwing the employee said wasn't back there. Never meant to have this be a general attack of all retailers. Sorry to anyone I've offended about this. Seriously. Not what I meant to do. Closing the topic.