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13+ Things Your Salesclerk Won’t Tell You

Salesclerks give us the scoop on what really goes on at retail stores.

By Michelle Crouch from Reader's Digest | December 2010/January 2011
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1. If a good customer buys a dress, I'll hang it up for her and put it in a nice plastic bag. But if you've been rude to me, I'll smush it into a bag that's too small.

2. Sure, I’ll put that sweater on hold for you. But most of the time, you don’t come back. So don’t blame me if I sell it to someone else.


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3. Even though I seem friendly, I'm not your friend. Please don't take me hostage with your small talk.

4. I won’t ask a yes-or-no question like “Can I help you?” Instead, it’s always an open-ended “What can I help you find today?”

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5. It is way tacky to buy placemats, use them for your party, then return them to the store. At least wipe off the food crumbs first.

6. My pet peeve? Customers who paw through a stack of shirts. Now I’ve got to spend 15 minutes board-folding that whole pile again.

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7. This is not a garage sale. I can't give you a lower price just because you haggle.

8. Even though most of us don’t work on commission, sometimes we’re given a sales goal for each customer. If we meet it consistently, we’ll get bonuses and, eventually, a promotion. So when I tell you about a pair of earrings that would go perfectly with that sweater, I might have an ulterior motive.

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9. If you start to throw a fit in front of other customers because I won't take a return, I'll probably give in and offer your money back. But I really want to kick your tush.

10. After you buy something, keep your receipt and pay attention. Most mainstream retailers promise a refund if the item goes on sale within a certain number of days after you buy it. Websites like priceprotectr.com track the prices of hundreds of products from retailers such as Best Buy, Amazon, and Sears.

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11. Need me? Don't wave like you're hailing a cab, whistle, yell across the store or stand in front of the fitting room waiting for it to magically open. Just ask nicely.

12. When you ask me if something looks good on you and I suggest a different style, take the hint.

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13. The greeters who welcome you to our store aren’t really there to greet you. If we look you in the eye as you’re coming and going, you’re less likely to shoplift.

14. Most shoplifters aren't the people you'd expect. They're great customers who come in all the time, buy a lot of stuff, and are really nice to you. I guess they're thinking, 'I'm a good customer, I deserve a little something.'

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15. Our store sends out a birthday coupon to customers on our mailing list. When people redeem it, I often say "Happy Birthday" as they walk away. Sometimes the customer will say "you too." I know it's because they aren't really listening, but that cracks me up.

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16. If you call the store to ask if we have an item and we don't, don't ask me where you can get it. I have no idea.

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17. If you don't know a store's hours, call. We hate the people who come in five minutes before we close and want to shop for a whole wardrobe.

18. Plenty of stores have great prices on Black Friday, but mine isn’t one of them. Still, you line up and wait for us to open.

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19. Some of us will tell you anything to make the sale. Especially if you haven't been nice.

20. Please don’t tell the cashier no one was helping you after I brought you six different sweaters in the fitting room. It’s rude.

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21. I don't understand parents who give their children some merchandise to keep them occupied, then when the child destroys it, the parents just stick it on some random shelf and don't say anything. How is that different from stealing or vandalism?

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22. Literally everyone who returns anything broken claims it broke the first time they used it, no matter when they purchased it. Um, yeah right.

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23. If you want some extra attention or you need something special, call ahead and see if the store will let you make an appointment for a private visit. In a lot of stores, especially upscale ones, clerks are willing to open a little early or stay there a little late for a loyal customer.


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24. I just spent an hour putting that display up. So if you want to try something on, ask for help. Don't grab a pole and leave a naked mannequin on the floor.

25. New merchandise goes at the front of the store, bargains at the back. The endcaps on the back side of aisles at Target, for instance, usually have items 15 to 75 percent off. If you want a deal, try to figure out when your favorite retailer does its markdowns. Some do them on Thursdays or Fridays, others at the end of the month.


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26. We do a lot more than unlock fitting rooms. We scrub the bathrooms, Windex the mirrors, dust the shelves, answer the phone, and clean up after our customers. And that includes two-year-olds.

27. What is it about fitting rooms that brings out the worst in people? You stick gum to the walls and even leave dirty diapers in there.

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28. Everything gets marked down eventually. Watch and wait for the discount, then pounce.

29. With savings clubs, e-mail deals, coupons, Internet discount codes, and other incentives, fewer and fewer people are paying full price.

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30. Outlet stores likely sell special outlet merchandise, and it's not the deal you expect.

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31. If I'm $200 from my sales goal and having a tough day, and you ask me if it's going to be cheaper tomorrow, I may lie.

32. Many retailers count the shoppers who come in, then calculate the percentage who actually buy something. If I don’t “convert” enough browsers to buyers, I hear from my district manager.

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Your Comments

  • William Rafti

    #16 is dead wrong. I’ve often gotten great advice on where to get something from similar stores.

    • ges

       Yes, and the store that knows or at least makes a suggestion encourages me to keep calling & visiting them.
      This is a pretty silly list anyway.

    • Trisha Bowman

      Exactly, that is called “customer service”… and you can actually steer them AWAY from a competitor and to a business who you know will return the favor later. 

    • coconutcrazy

      It depends on the item.

  • Charity

    #6: Isn’t that your job?

  • Anonymous

     #4 It’s not “Can I help you?” it’s “May I help you?”. “How can I help you” always gets better results.
    #5 We always checked what came back. If it had crumbs we didn’t take it back.
    #6 When I worked in retail we folded them whether you pawed through them or not. Always shift the stock around to make it look different.
    #8 Exactly right. It’s all about the $$ out the door. “Yes Ma’am, that hat is you.” most often means “You need a new outfit to go with that.”
    #9 If you’re respectful but firm I’ll offer your money back. If you whine I’ll make you take store credit.
    #16 I’ll recommend places where you can get something we don’t carry. That brings you back to us.
    #18 Black Friday is all about the shopping, the chance to get a deal. Don’t take it so seriously, of course the customer is looking for a better price.
    #22 That’s why there’s a return department. Get over it. They bought something and it broke. It doesn’t matter if it’s the first time.
    #25 No, bargains are on endcaps and at the front of the store. That’s called “suggestive selling”. The idea is to get you to buy on impulse.
    #27 Is this so hard to figure out?
    #31 Never ask “Will it be cheaper tomorrow?” Who does that? Ask when the next sale is scheduled.

    • PJ

      #25 depends on the store.

      #31: Asking when the next sale is irks me.  I probably don’t know.  My manager may not even know.  

    • CAROLYNMUNRO

      I FIND WHERE I SHOP THE CLERKS ARE SO NICE AND OFTEN WILL TELL ME WHEN IT WILL GO ON SALE WHEN THEY KNOW

    • CAROLYNMUNRO

      I FIND WHERE I SHOP THE CLERKS ARE SO NICE AND OFTEN WILL TELL ME WHEN IT WILL GO ON SALE WHEN THEY KNOW

  • Marie

    The sales clerks consulted for this article don’t deserve their jobs.  I know it’s a difficult occupation, but the attitudes in this piece are awful.  Too many good employees who care about the job they do and the public they serve are out of work and really deserve to have these jobs.

    • Anonymous

      I’m with you Marie!  This list is petty and condescending.  The author should spend more time looking for a job where he/she doesn’t come into contact with other people and less time writing snarky articles that just make him/her look bitter and lazy.  I loved working in retail!

    • Laura Russell

      Ok, I work in retail and I have to agree with these complaints (not all of them). Everyone that has a job, whether it’s in retail or not, has something bad to say about it, whether it’s their boss or people they work with, or YES the customers. So if you’re a customer in a store, try to be civil and don’t piss off the salespeople or do anything to bring attention to yourself. The customer isn’t always right. That saying is just a selfish way to get selfish customers to get their way because they are little children. So please back us retail workers and appreciate us. Without us, you wouldn’t be able to buy stuff in stores.

  • jb

    I agree with William and Ges 

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1015714659 Jennifer L Westbrooks

    Lol, 15 isn’t true! I have often said “you too” to a cashier, but it’s not because I’m not listening, it’s because I want to be polite. hahaha

    • PJ

      “You too” is a reflex reply.  Brian Regan (a stand up comic) did a sketch on it.  

  • Boodyracgek

    this is dumb and not even accurate

  • Boodyracgek

    this is dumb and not even accurate

  • BAK

    #5 If you buy something and use it don’t lie to me and tell me you didn’t wear/use.  Just be honest, I’ll likely ask some questions about why you’re returning it and maybe we can work out a deal because of defect, an exchange or store credit.  However, under no circumstances am I going to give you your money back unless it broke within a few uses.  How can I tell?  Trust me I can, I work with this merchandise everyday.  If I can’t tell I will take your word, I’d rather have a happy customer when it is within my power.
    #9  Don’t throw a fit or yell at me when I can’t give you your return because you wore something/used something and just didn’t like it.  I offered you the options my company allows me to, ie. store credit, exchange, when something is now unsalable.  I don’t make the decisions, some random person I’ve never met does, so don’t take it out on me I enforce it because I need this job.  Chances are, if you are polite to me and there is something else I can do for you I will, if you are rude I will not.  I might not be able to give you your money back but I may be able to give you a discount on your replacement purchase.  
    Oh, and by the way, when you ask for the manager…I am the manager at that moment.  My manager doesn’t want to deal with a grouchy customer either.

  • lauran789

    #6 REALLY bothers me..it’s your job..get over it.

  • ichiro

    about not going through t shirt stacks…I’ll admit some people do pointlessly trash the displays with no attempt to put them back nicely is annoying. But on the other hand how else do i look at them much less buy one? Some people notice I’m going through shirts and some will insist that I don’t  trouble myself with it because they have to do it pretty frequently and they always have their certain ways of folding 

    this isn’t really directed at you but more the many inept,lazy, or rude workers whom I regularly come across. There’s a million hard working, considerate, and highly skilled workers that for one reason or another struggle to find steady work or enough hours at min. wage that would gladly take 

    I have never had a position as a sales clerk, but have plenty of friends that have or work slow front desk positions and they say worst parts is the boredom. Although the stress of a high paced work environment does really wear away at you, I found it was nice to be able to just clock in at 6 am, and work non-stop(except breaks and lunch)  and before i knew it i’d get off at 3 and if i wasn’t too tired I’d have a good chunk of the day left for whatever.

  • Jb5660

    The one about customers coming in 5 min. before close and expecting to spend all kinds of time – I’ll tell you what, I’ll show up at your house 5 min. before you have to leave and expect lunch – how’s that sound?

  • CAROLYNMUNRO

    i can’t imagine wearing something then taking it back, i was in retail and i know it hapens 

    one time i was at a wedding . the next day this womaN BROUGHT HER DRESS BACK, SAID IT DIDN’T FIT. I SAID OH I SAW YOU AT “” THE WEDDING IT LOOKED NICE ON YOU. SHE GRABBED IT AND RAN EMBARSSED I AM SURE

  • CAROLYNMUNRO

    i can’t imagine wearing something then taking it back, i was in retail and i know it hapens 

    one time i was at a wedding . the next day this womaN BROUGHT HER DRESS BACK, SAID IT DIDN’T FIT. I SAID OH I SAW YOU AT “” THE WEDDING IT LOOKED NICE ON YOU. SHE GRABBED IT AND RAN EMBARSSED I AM SURE

  • MarMar

    I understand that fixing a pile of shirts that has been shuffled through can be annoying, but for some reason the size I need always seems impossible to find, so it can take a lot of looking. I always try my best to be neat and put anything back that is out of place, but I know most people don’t. Maybe if the piles were smaller or separated by size rather than color it wouldn’t be such a mess. Just a thought.

  • http://www.facebook.com/taryn.swain1 Taryn Bryant

    #7 is wrong. You can get a discount under certain circumstances in many department stores. If there is a flaw or if there has been a sale recently and you bought it just before the sale many stores will refund the difference with your receipt.

  • Sammy

    That is exactly why I make most of my purchases online. I don’t have to put up with the snarky and condescending attitudes of the store clerks outlined in this article. When brick and mortar stores start closing up, then these clerks wont have to be bothered with customers that aren’t “nice” to them.

  • Nothanks

    You’re in customer service.  If you can’t roll with the absurdity that sometimes accompanies people, pick a field where you don’t have to interact with them.  Otherwise suck it up and be happy you have a job because the customer isn’t there to care what you feel or think.

    • Nothanks

      (And I generally get great customer service without either side having to kiss each other’s rear!)

  • Julie Davids

    “6. My pet peeve? Customers who paw through a stack of shirts. Now I’ve got to spend 15 minutes board-folding that whole pile again ” <– You know what my pet peeve is? Having to paw through a stack of shirts to find the size I need, rather than having them organized, so I can instantly find what I'm working for. Another pet peeve of mine? After spending 18 months as an emergency, combat nurse in Iraq, elbows deep into the bodies of young kids, hearing someone like you tell me what a peeve it is to have to refold shirts. Get another job, if folding shirts is too much work for you. 

  • willy Beans

    #6 is called doing your job.

  • willy Beans

    23. If you want some extra attention or you need something special, call ahead and see if the store will let you make an appointment for a private visit. In a lot of stores, especially upscale ones, clerks are willing to open a little early or stay there a little late for a loyal customer.
    Then they must not have security then.

  • Nik Nefsik

    Yes, some of these complaints are quite ridiculous, but some are valid. The ones that are valid, like #11, are the precise reason why there are some nasty comments on this article. People who don’t work in retail don’t understand what it’s like and treat retail workers like dirt. We know it doesn’t take a lot of education, intelligence, or skill to do this job. We are often times here because of circumstances. Maybe we needed to find a job to support our children after losing another job and retail was the best (or only) option. And maybe, just maybe, that Target or Michaels or Petsmart employee was a Korean translator for the United States Navy and could blow you out of the water intellectually. Don’t judge a book by its retail employee cover.