Overheard while in line

[Minou]

Okay... let me give you the transcript and the situation:

In line at Ricki's to pay for something. Two cashiers with customers at the counter. Other staff wandering the store. Four other customers in line, two of us with babies in strollers. One cashier busy doing what seemed like a return and an explanation of the pants loyalty card program. A middle-aged woman wearing baggy pants and running shoes at the other cashier. The tone of the cashier like a person trying to sell the excitement of broccoli to a three year old, and at a volume level appropriate to staff at a nursing home.

Cashier: "Oh, these are the perfect pants! Weren't they just the perfect pants! Didn't they fit incredibly? Aren't they slimming? They're our best pants ever! Did you try them on?"

Woman: Oh, yes, I think they'll work.

Cashier: Oh, I know you'll be back to get more... they're just perfect! Oh, and look at these two gorgeous t-shirts! Red and brown! Such incredible colours on you!

Woman: Mmmm... they're very nice.

Cashier: And all the jewellery is now 50% off today, just for YOU!" Do you want to buy some jewellery? Look -- that whole rack over there! It's all 50% off!

Woman: What's my total?

Cashier: It's $93.00 right now... such a great price for these three great items! I know! I'll go and pick out some jewellery that I think you'll like! Just a minute!

****

Cashier: Look, we have these earrings with the black stones, and these dangly ones with the red -- I KNOW you like red! Am I right? Am I right? And we have these purple ones...

Woman: Umm... I don't think so...

Cashier: Oh, just a second! I'll get some others! Look! Bracelets! Look at these beautiful bracelets with all of the stones around them! These would go so well with the earrings as well!

Woman: Umm... maybe this one.

Cashier: Oh, the purple one? You like purple? Good choice! It's such a beautiful colour! It goes with everything!

Woman: I guess so...

Cashier: Okay, your total is now $103.xx. Is there anything else you need? A jacket or sweater, maybe?

Woman: Maybe...

Cashier: Oh, you're just so cute... just adorable. I'll pick something out from you. I think I know your taste and what you would like. Just a minute... come with me...

And we were all still in line.

[misstarbender]

Lol!!!!!

[nicolthepickle]

Wow, funny to read, but the poor lady was probably trying to figure out a nice way to say no.
And all those people in line!
Do they get commission?

[Shwa Girl]

Minou, you describe the scene so well. I can just picture it. LOL.

[GracieAnne]

That's odd, I don't believe they get commission. I buy things there all the time and have never tried to have a cashier upsale me before.

[Chantel]

They're probably being pushed hard to upsell now. It's not yet Christmas, and with the season change I'm assuming most women who might shop there are out buying for their kids for back to school, not for themselves. It's too early to REALLY start hawking the fall clothes at people either, since it's still so warm.

They're probably being pressed like crazy to keep sales up in the slump. I feel bad for people who are stuck in a situation where a salesperson is pressuring them and they don't know how to say no. I always feel awkward saying no as well.

[jessep13]

lol! too funny!

[wolfwoman]

While funny to us readers, I would feel sorry for the poor lady who coudn'tn say no. I on the other hand have no problem turning on the PMSed button if necessary

[Minou]

While funny to us readers, I would feel sorry for the poor lady who coudn'tn say no. I on the other hand have no problem turning on the PMSed button if necessary

My PMSed button was quivering just listening to it.

[sweet sparrow]

It sounds like a sitcom episode of the 90s.... like Friends or Ellen. I miss those shows.

[ssbean]

That would have made me crazy! Commission I wonder!?!

[Natalka]

Boy, that's nuts. I would have shut her down - no caving for me.

[matty's mom]

Oh, such bad upselling! The poor customer. Now that the customer has been put in such a difficult situation, it wouldn't surprise me if she doesn't return. She may want to, but finds that every time she goes in, the salesperson is there- so she won't shop. I used to have a district manager like that... she didn't last long .

[VeeVee]

That's odd, I don't believe they get commission. I buy things there all the time and have never tried to have a cashier upsale me before.

No they don't get commission but every employee has a sales target they must meet daily and usual retail policy is every customer should leave with 2 or more items. This employee seems like she was trying to reach her quota for the month lol I know when I worked retail the employee that met her quota for the month did receive a small bonus

[Giddymonkey]

My PMSed button was quivering just listening to it.

Mine too! I have been known to just leave items on the counter and walk out of the store with nothing if a salesperson won't stop.

I was in Thyme Maternity once, bought two shirts ($80?!?!?) and the lady tried to get me to spend another $10 so that I could recieve a $25 off card for next time. I said no thanks because the card was only good if you spend at least $100 on your next purchase and I only need these two shirts. She insisted that it would be a good deal because for only $10 more, I would save $25, except that she wasn't paying attention to the fact that in order to save $25 I would have to spend the $10 and then another $75 OOP to get the deal and all I needed were these two shirts. Eventually I told her to ring my purchase through or I was leaving... she did.