- We're deep into the
holiday season, and there's record spending on the horizon. - But before you go check off your gift list, we asked a
retail worker which habits you should break.
The holiday season is in full swing, with record spending on the horizon. However, before you head out to finish checking off your list of gifts to buy for loved ones, there are certain habits you should break if you want to be a great customer and enjoy an easy shopping experience.
We asked Bennett Heyn, a 21-year-old Ohio State student, blogger, and retail-store employee, what he wishes shoppers wouldn't do while at the store this holiday season. Here's what he said.
Don't go through the self-checkout line if you're going to slow it down
"Sometimes people shop in the self-checkout with 20 items, and they end up holding up the line by scanning slowly. I would recommend just going through the regular lane instead.
"Recently, I was working a weekend evening when it was busy, and the self-checkout line was growing. One person was taking a super long time when checking out a lot of items and other customers were getting mad. It's just an inconsiderate thing to do when the store is that busy."
Avoid interrupting a worker if they're talking to another customer
"This is more of a courtesy to both the team member and the other customer, but if I'm talking to a customer, just wait patiently until I'm done helping the first person. Interrupting just slows everything down and makes things more difficult."
Abide by stores' dressing room policies
"Realistically, customers should only try on the store's maximum number of items at one time. One time, a customer tried to bring 10 items into the dressing room. I told them once that was against our policy, and they ignored me. When I told them again, they got so upset that they threw some of the clothes on the ground angrily outside the changing room.
"We don't like making customers mad, but it's our job to enforce the store's rules, so it makes our jobs a lot easier when you follow them."
On the topic of dressing rooms, don't make a mess
"Once customers are done trying on items, they should return the items either to the floor or to a designated return rack — it helps us during a busy shopping season when we already have a lot to do to keep the store running smoothly."
When shopping, try to prevent young children or infants from creating a disturbance
"We see a lot of kids throwing tantrums or crying, and it creates stress for everyone — from the child and the parent to staff and other shoppers. There was also a time where I was working and found a little girl crying and unattended, so I had to use the PA system to help her find her mom."
Don't bring or eat food in the bathroom
"Though this one is uncommon, it shockingly still happens from time to time — and it often leaves some kind of mess. It's also not hygienic."
Use the store's website to check the status of your online orders
"Don't ask the in-store employees about your online purchases. It's likely we won't know what you're referring to and will have to direct you to someone else, or send you back to the website, which is frustrating for both of us."
Don't try to return items without a receipt
"Every store is different, so check the store's return policy, but trying to return something without a receipt is usually not a good idea. If you buy something you're not sure about, keep the receipt just in case you need to make a return."
Don't leave your shopping cart anywhere besides the designated cart return
"Leaving your cart where it's not supposed to be in the parking lot can lead to other people's vehicles being damaged. I've had a couple of people who have come in after shopping to complain that their car was either swiped by a shopping cart or to let us know they hit a shopping cart while backing out."