Shopping with Grace

Posted by Christian St John in Faithblogs | 3 comments

I have just finished reading a blog by one of my friends in which he complained at the customer service he received at a recent visit to a big box store. I feel his dilemma. I too have had crappy service at the big box stores at this time of year and I swore I’d never go back… but I keep slipping as the deals are too good

The thing is, we’ve probably all had the privilege of shopping at Christmastime and when anyone does this they need to remember a few things:

1. It’s Christmastime – When it’s Christmastime, box stores (well, any store in the city) tend to get very, very busy. As such the whole store becomes like a school… one staff member for every thirty to forty customers (school = pupils). As such can we really complain if things take a while longer and it’s a more frustrating and painful experience (that’s why I predominately shop online… no cues and waiting around, unless of course I forget my Verified by Visa number).

2. Seasonal staff – At this time of year we must remember that in box stores over half of the staff members are college students looking to make some extra cash. As such they often don’t know the system and the way it works with customers, and sometimes they don’t care too much either. As I said, they’re not there for a career change… just to make some money. Another thing to remember is that many of these poor staff members often don’t even get time for breaks or lunch at this time of year.

3. Stressed out sales associates – “I want this!” “I want that!” “What do you mean there’s none left!” As a parent I get stressed out when my three kids are demanding. Times that by ten or more, add in the fact that your not dealing with kids, but mainly adults who can think they are all in the right acting all arrogant and rude, sprinkle in a lot of the I’m the customer so I’m always right mentality, and you can begin to see what many of the sales associates go through at this time of year. Is it surprising when they sometimes go postal?

4. Pushy, spot jumping customers – I was in a post office the other day and the line backed out through the door. Obviously. as a good member of society (at least I think so) I went to the back of the line and waited my turn. However, a woman, who must have thought it her birthright to do so, walked right passed the line and went straight to the front of the line. I, as well as everyone else, couldn’t believe what we had just witnessed, especially since she pushed in front of an old lady with walking frame who had been waiting for about twenty minutes. Being a Brit I had to say something and as a result I got the woman sent to the back of the line… which was right behind me (she proceeded to stare daggers into the back of my head for about fifteen minutes while muttering something under her breath which made her sound like Smeagol ). The thing is, if another person spot jumps say something… don’t get mad get even (okay I’m joking). But really, say something.

5. It’s Christmastime… show some grace – Remember not to get too upset at this time of cheer. I find it’s all too easy to get angry at this time of year when shopping, that’s another reason why I shop mainly online. But when faced with a sea of faces and stressed out sales assistants remember the golden rule of shopping with grace: that God loves the college student looking to make some money, the stressed out sales associate, the rude customers who spot jump, and even us when our patience runs thin and we loose it!

Keeping it real and Hardcore!

Christian St John M.Div, BChM, ACS
December, 2009