Why do people get mad at cashiers and threaten to not shop there?

Question

It hasn't happened to me, but someone has gotten angry at me because of the prices. But honestly, why do I care if your not going to shop there or not. I still get my paycheck on friday, and if by some wierd chance that you have some major impact on the store and it closes down, I just quit. It's not like I have money tied into the store. I never got that, and if anything, your doing me a favor. One less customer to wait on.

Answer 1

It's not easy being the front line pawn.  But if the business cares, you should be passing along to management how often you get these types of complaints.  And it is your chance to deflect their comments to be diplomatic and sound like it you and them against the enemy.  Something like, "I don't set prices and didn't really notice.  I'll pass your comments on to the manager."  Many people will feel validated by this, and you the hero.

Like you said, a cut in customers and you are out of a job.  And if it doesn't phase you, maybe if more and more disgruntled customers yell at you every day, you might decide to quit even sooner.  - Thus the desired result even quicker as the place lacks customers and employees.

Answer 2

haha i know i remember when i used to work in retail and people used to get pissed at ME, a salesperson, about policies and costs I really have no control over. some people are honestly just dumb and they like to think they are of some kind of importance to the world. i used to work in a high-end store, so it was really bad. people came in there thinking they were the S**t. just ignore those people who cares. :)

Answer 3

And with that attitude you demonstrate yourself to be part of the problem they are complaining about....

Answer 4

Because they think you're dumb enough not to realize what you've realized.

Answer 5

I think they hope that you have some power or influence on management. LOL. I've worked in retail and know how hard it is. You have some real jerks as customers and then you have the sweetest people. It was awful when I worked as a cashier in a grocery store. I ended up leaving. That's when some of the nicest customers said they were really sorry to see me go and they didn't want me to go because they said I was so nice. I have had to wait on the real jerks that just make you yell and say, I quit. I've had the insults. People make all kinds of judgments and assumptions about you when you work in a grocery store. I just laughed to myself because me and my coworkers were all college students. I came from a wealthy town but some people would say I was from a poor town. I would correct them and they would leave with their tail between their legs. Don't assume. Ask.

Retail is he..  It really is. You get lousy hours, lousy supervisors, lousy customers (wonderful customers but not enough of them or so it seems), and unstable hours with horrible pay. The owners of the store were rude and obnoxious. I got in a verbal tirade with one of them. I was leaving anyway. I found her to be abusive so I basically called her on it. She didn't do anything. Customers aren't always right. They are just frustrated. The best thing you can do is to empathize. Don't argue and if it gets out of hand then call in a supervisor or manager. You can only do so much. But just listen. I understand and I'm sorry that you feel this way. If I get the opportunity then I will relay what you said to my manager. It's not like you can tell your manager every time someone says something like this. You have a job to do. You could even keep a pad and tell them to write their complaints there and you'll pass it on.  

Answer 6

Welcome to the wonderful world of retail h**l.

People need someeone to blame and the cashiers is always the one to hear their bitching. Ignore them. I hated being a cashier and I'm glad I quit. Now I work for a call center.

Answer 7

I know, as if as a cashier you're gonna call the CEO of the company and give him a firm talking-to and change they way the company does things. I'm all about customer service but I have no patience for misdirected frustration and people who are rude just because they are in a situation where they can be.  

Answer 8

I spent a great deal of my early working life working at gas stations. When the price hit $1.35 per gallon, one elderly gentleman told me I was going to h**l!

You are a "face" for people to take their frustration out on. It is easier to pick on a cashier, who isn't able to stand up for themselves (because if you Do stand up for yourself you risk losing your job), than pick up the phone to call or a pen to write corporate offices about what they really think.

It is instant gratification for them to yell at you. It does no real good other than making themselves look like asses in front of you, but psychologically it makes them feel like they "stood up to the man!"

I spent a lot of nights after work crying for being yelled at until I realized their anger is misguided. After that I just thought it was funny.

Answer 9

It would make more sense for the upset customer to ask to speak to a manager, or to write a letter to a corporate office. It's too bad that cashiers aren't given more incentive to actually care about their jobs. Higher pay... benefits... something.  

Answer 10

Yep - your right - people with your attitude drive people from shopping there so the store makes less money so you do not get a raise and if it carries on the store goes broke and everyone looses their jobs - oh that's why people get mad - people like you!!!

Answer 11

You are a model employee.....what if airline pilots thought like that....If I crash the plane they'll buy a new one,,,less people for me to fly around....or doctors even..."If all my patients die..I'll get to go golfing more"....fortunately...cashiering is a lowly position with low pay...so when you don't do your job....it has no real effect on society.