Have you ever yelled at a retail worker?

Question

I work in retail, as a cashier. So naturally I'm sometimes the only worker that the people who shop where I work come in contact with. And if they're having a bad day, they want to tell me... as if I have some psychology degree or want to listen to what they have to say. (I genuinely don't care what happens in their lives, but I pretend to anyway.) 

Anyway, getting yelled at has become a near daily experience. Not by my bosses, but by the customers. So far it's pretty much only been over having to ID people for alcohol sales. (My state is SUPER strict about it, and no way am I losing my job for not IDing someone). Anyway, most of the time, people are down with it. They just reach pull out their ID, hand it over, NO ISSUE. But sometimes, even if the person HAS their ID, they just don't WANT to show it. And they for some reason always think like it's my PERSONAL decision to make them take one second out of their day to look at their ID. So anyway, yeah, I get yelled at a lot for that. As do literally ALL the other cashiers. For the most part we're all pretty desensitized to it. (though occasionally someone from another department will come down to help on the registers, and when they get yelled at for it they genuinely look concerned, and freaked out, where as the regular cashiers, we just kinda stand there like "Mkay, you're yelling, I'll just stand here till you shut up and leave". 

Naturally these people look ridiculous standing there yelling at someone who has literally no control over anything in the store. But how many of you gagers have actually yelled at a retail worker?

lyannamormont · Accepted Answer

Yes I did once at Forever 21...

I purchased a ton of things, including two cross-over bags. One of them apparently they forgot to remove the white security chain. I noticed that the night. So the next day, I went there and I explained the situation and I showed the receipt I purchased it.

She blamed me on trying to steal the bag (how stupid is she? I showed the receipt...)

Then she started saying that she cannot remove the security chain I should have noticed that yesterday... I tried to calm down.. But she was being a bitch, and she started talking about the return policy. I am like WTH I am not returning it, I am kindly requesting you to remove the security chain...

So I had to yell at her and ask her if she is stupid to read the receipt and understand what I told her... Her manager came, listened to me, checked the receipt and the product, and apologized thousand times and she finally removed the chain.

Relentless_Hippie · Accepted Answer

I have not because yelling is painful but most importantly that's just rude and disrespectful. I've worked as a customer service representative and had to deal with difficult customers all the time. Now I have a different job but I still have difficult customers from time to time. People like that think they're better than you simply because of your job title. Some people make it an effort to ruin other people's day because they're utterly miserable in their own lives. I'd never treat another human being like that especially since all they're trying to do is their job. I treat everyone with the utmost respect. From the janitor, to the McDonald's cashier, to the CEO. It doesn't matter what position you're in, you're still a person.

WildButterfly · Accepted Answer

No. That's not the type of person I am. I don't act rude to someone on their job & make their day suck. Another reason why is because I worked as a cashier before so I know what it's like to deal with people with terrible attitudes. I wouldn't tolerate anyone yelling at me though, like what's the worst that can happen? I get fired? Ok well, there's other jobs. If it's affecting u (I know u said ur desensitized but u did write about it on here) then u should look around for another job then give them ur two weeks notice when u land the job.

Hidden_P · Accepted Answer

Nope. I've expressed frustration when they haven't done their jobs - being a fellow cashier until recently I was understanding in 99.9% of situations but I knew when I was being bullshitted and I didn't back down.

MrOracle · Accepted Answer

I have, but not for an obvious policy (and security) issue that I know they have no control over. The only times I've ever yelled is when they were either giving abysmal customer service or were incredibly rude directly to me. It takes a lot to get me upset normally.

On the other hand, I've given a few cashiers and managers "the look" and that was enough for them to know I was seriously pissed and that they needed to get their act together - and they did.

But I *also* make it a point to ask for a manager when someone has been especially helpful and let their manager know how much I appreciated their help. Exceptional behavior, good or bad, should be noted. Routine behavior is routine, and doesn't need special attention paid to it in my opinion.

Eugene · Accepted Answer

I didn't yelled, but I did call one "dumb bitch" before leaving.

The point was she asked me for some form of ID when I was buying cigarettes (didn't know I look THAT young), so I gave her one (ID card) that proves I'm way over 18, but she refused to sell cigarettes because... document passed expiration date!

When I pointed out that regardless if it's expired or not, it doesn't change my date of birth, for a second there was a look of confusion and realization of her stupidity on her face, but then she again said she won't sell them, saying that she's still not convinced I'm over 18 (do I really look that young?).

I said out loud "what a dumb bitch" and left.

Wheeeee · Answer

I have but only because the grocery employee was rude on the phone when I was doing a pick up. First issue, they charged our card before confirming we received anything because they “thought” we were there. I looked at the emailed receipt and told them to just refund our order because they only fulfilled 8 out of 30 items which I wish they would have called and told me that…. and because they completed the transaction before we picked anything up they told me we would have to go in and get a refund, they can’t do it over the phone. The girl who made the mistake never apologized or admitted their error (I would have been understanding if they would have admitted it…) and tried blaming us for their mistake, which made zero sense. I yelled at her and called her a bitch because she laughed at me on the phone after I said I was going to complain to corporate. I have no regrets, she needs to find a new job because she took no responsibility for her mistake. My husband went in and got out money back. If I would have gone in the store I don’t know what would have happened. Unacceptable.

goldfinch23 · Answer

I haven't but some policies in the UK are so dumb. Quite often I'm doing my shopping in Aldi. Because they trying to save money on wages, they hiring as cashiers people under 18. But these people are not allowed to sell alcohol. There are 6 tills in our Aldi. Several times already happened that on 5 tills were these young cashiers and all of them in the same moment needed manager's approval for selling alcohol. Can you imagine how long does it takes? Especially on Friday or Saturday when most people buying alcohol. I still don't get this kind of stupid behaviour and why shops are allowed hire people under 18 on this kind of positions. So this makes me upset, but I know it's not cashiers fault, neither manager's fault.

Spiorad_Aisce · Answer

No I control myself - Taking your mood out on an innocent is the lowest of the low especially if they are obliged to stand there and take it - Funnily enough I was stopping over in O'Hare airport, Chicago for the first time in my 30s and was getting my ID checked everytime I bought a drink, I was thrilled that I looked that young until maybe the third drink when I realised everyone was carded, bummer.

Nothanks700 · Answer

I'd probably only yell if they fired off a gun I was buying or something. Other than that, there's not much to tell about. I might get upset in my own head of the cashier is an ass though. I was a cashier in high school, you don't have to have a constant grin on your face, but do not literally make my day worse. Most rational people realize ID laws are strict; if they don't that's there problem

LaFemmeFatale · Answer

Hmm I get extremely angry when someone yells at the worker (no matter what kind of work they do).
I liked one guy in the university then I saw that he yelled at the security police and I lost all of my respect to that guy.
I hate when someone yells at the worker who they consider to be in the lower class than them. That's something I will never do no matter where I am in the life.

This_is_my_username · Answer

No it's not the retail workers fault that they have to enforce rules that are given to them in the guidelines. People are just annoying like that. They want someone to yell at and you become the target. As for me. I don't yell at retail workers. They like many people are doing their job. If by any means they are being rude or have bad customer service then I'll contact their manager. Easy peasy.

RJGraveyTrain · Answer

No, I'm not a fucking asshole who yells at people who are just trying to do their jobs who have ZERO control over the shit they wanna complain about. I have bitched out people who tried bitching at retail workers, fuck those people.

Anonymous · Answer

Just once. I felt really bad, but this worker at Bath & Body kept getting all in my personal space and trying to push items on me when I came in for just one thing that hasn't been delivered yet despite being advertised. I felt so horrible after, but her continual presence and closeness wigged me out for a moment.

Keepcalm89 · Answer

I work in retail. Haha I seen how frustrated people come in and vent their frustrations at some of us and it's not cool. Nobody wants to go through that. Don't be rude to them, they some work long or sometimes short shifts to make ends meet and they don't deserve that.

vishna · Answer

No, but I'm VERY ashamed to say I once threw a hissy fit in a Taco Bell. I felt terrible after, and that was my one and only try at being a baby (in public).

Anonymous · Answer

I never would because I worked in retail for a decade. I was lucky I wasn't on checkouts but a manager on the floor and if they were too rude, I would walk away and let them scream at the food instead. Idiots, get a life

EmpatheticLady · Answer

No, I haven't. I don't want to make an ass out of myself for something that the workers cannot control. They don't want to be yelled at as much as the customer doesn't want to be upset, hah.

teawrecks · Answer

I worked retail for 5 years, I would and have never.

guyngals · Answer

Not yelled but been yelled at. Also when I refuse to negotiate on the price. If it comes to €16.25, that's what you have to pay; saying you only have €15.00 is white noise.

I sympathise. But working in a shop allows you to see all sides of life.

akadatank44 · Answer

Never even if my life seems to be falling apart. If she or he asks me how my day is going I'll just be like I've had better days but going home soon! Lol.

Dred1614 · Answer

I did once. I was 17 at the time, and I was driving my disabled grandmother to the grocery store. She was 78 years old at the time and the cashier asked for her ID because she bought a bottle of wine. I was pretty damn pissed.

electromagnetic · Answer

Nah. I'm more of a help myself shopper. Usually when I go into a store I know what I want, grab it and leave.

LordBlakeh · Answer

It's the way cashiers ask for IDs, drop the attitude and ask nicely it is a much more positive experience for both of us than angerly barking for my ID.

Waffles731 · Answer

Having worked retail, No, these people are doing an extremely stressful job and I've no desire to add to it

DisastrousQu33n · Answer

No i haven't, and never would. It isn't fair, they just work there, their life is hard enough without me taking my problems out on them

Have you ever yelled at a retail worker?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Have you ever yelled at a retail worker?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.