Must stores insist on turning checkout lines into sign ups for various cards, clubs and other deals?

[CreekDog]

i swear I get in line and it's as if people are having the cashier file their tax return.

i guess the stores require them to ask customers if said customer wants to "join whatever..." or "get whatever... or "join whatever and save...".

woe to the person behind them in line. :banghead:

(EDITED TO SAY: this is NOT a complaint about cashiers. they are just doing their jobs)

[gristy]

1. my bike shop asks me for some kind of membership number

I say no. Then they ask me for my first name. I say no again. They finally give up and ring up the purchase.

[CreekDog]

3. remember the Seinfeld where he bought batteries and they asked for his address?

(back when they did that)

they just about needed a reboot when he refused to give it to them.

[bliss_eternal]

12. There's a few places that still ask my zip...

...or area code for phone number. :shrug:

[LibDemAlways]

15. One time my dad was paying cash for something

at Sears and the cashier asked for his name and address. He refused, and when she became insistent he replied, "John Smith, 100 Main Street." She diligently took the information, and handed him the receipt saying, "Have a nice day, Mr. Smith" without any hint that she knew it was bogus.

[rurallib]

17. I usually pay cash. If they ask for info, I refuse

and point out I am paying cash. If they ask again, I refuse, say I am paying cash and if they ask again I will leave. I have had cashiers ask me once more about three times, resulting in a sales loss and merchandise to restock. As a matter of fact I made a small purchase ($5) today and had to go through this charade. We went two rounds before she would take my cash.

[bliss_eternal]

2. Unfortunately, yes.

I dislike it, too. I used to work in retail (at least 15 years ago) and in the major dept. stores it was required. Sales associates were pressured with quotas (for opening new charge accounts w/customers). Associates not meeting these quotas were almost always written up. They could lose their jobs for it.

I suspect it's one (of the many)reasons retail has such a high turn over of employees, and are so frequently under staffed.

[CreekDog]

4. horrendous but i am not surprised

also not surprised that many retailers use something other than customer service to decide whether to fire people.

[bliss_eternal]

10. Isn't it insane?

I was terminated by a restaurant chain, for not meeting their "shoppers report" requirements. (Whole other awful story) Long story short, it had nothing to do with the customer service, or my ability to assist people. I didn't "upsell" on a category (I worked busy lunches when customers were usually pressed for time).

When you've worked the customer service industry for any length of time you get a feel for when people want help, and when they want to be left alone. Usually letting people know you are available suffices.

Stores, restaurants, and corporations that undermine the professionalism of employees with ridiculous, robotic requirements to incessantly solicit people to obnoxious degrees, deserve to fail (as far as I'm concerned).

[HopeFor2006]

6. My experience in retail was a little better.

We were not punished if we didn't meet our quotas, but we were rewarded for every new application- even with cash during the holiday season. For someone in a low paying job $5.00 per application can mean a lot.

[bliss_eternal]

8. That's great!

I'm sure that little extra came in handy!

I think it varies from one place to the next how strict they are regarding enforcement.

When I was employed by a smaller retail chain (mall store), there were sales goals and quotas, but none for charge cards. There were no negative consequences if associates didn't meet sales quotas.

[bemildred]

5. Shop somewhere else. Stop buying stuff. Complain.

I mean I know what you are on about this, but talk does nothing. The employees, bless their little hearts, are just doing their job, following orders, so there is little point in going off on them.

[CreekDog]

7. i didn't go off on them.

not even close.

[bemildred]

9. Good.

:thumbsup:

Mostly, when this sort of thing annoys me, I don't go back. It's a compromise, but it's one I can live with. I don't want to spend my life addressing this sort of issue, trying to straighten this sort of thing out, it's more a symptom than a cause, and it means useless and demeaning weasels are in control of your life.

[bliss_eternal]

11. It also pays to tell someone...

Companies aren't going to know their overly solicitious crap turns people off, or people feel hassled when they just want to get in and out--unless customers tell them so...and then stop shopping with them.

[bemildred]

13. Generally speaking, I don't think the companies care what I think.

They care a bit what I will put up with, but my convenience does not matter unless I will walk away. So I get right to the point. But I don't have a problem with people that complain either. I just don't think it's right to annoy the serfs.

[bliss_eternal]

14. That's not what I meant.

When I take my business away from a company, I make an effort to inform someone "higher up", not the employees that are just doing their jobs. I write a letter to the company, call their customer service line (when they have one), etc.

Taking my business away without telling anyone "why" doesn't make any difference. Telling them why I'm taking my business away sometimes makes a difference. If not for me, maybe for future consumers. It's worth the risk of my time to inform them.

[bemildred]

16. Good luck to you. I wish you well.

Your desire to help these companies straighten themselves out is truly compassionate and generous. I'm not that good.

[bliss_eternal]

18. LOL!

You're very kind to say that. I don't know if it's "because I'm good"--haha, or anything like that. Having worked retail, my heart goes out to those that need to earn a living in that field. I believe they deserve better, as do we as consumers.

[Berry Cool]

19. It is so frustrating.

I know the poor store clerks can't help it--they'll probably be fired if they don't try to pitch me and their performance may be evaluated according to their success. I blame the management who has decided it's such a brilliant way to make money to not permit a soul to just go into your store and buy something without being hit up for a credit card, loyalty card, etc.