Shopping Etiquette 101

Before I jump into today's lesson in shopping, I need to talk about a couple observations in shopping.

In today's society we are so used to running to a Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and the like when we need to pick up a few items here and there pointing and clicking online, that we have forgotten what it is like shopping in a place where there are associates to serve the customer face to face. I can not tell you how often it seems as if customers are surprised and frankly a bit apprehensive when they walk into the store I work at and are acknowledged.
Here are some quick tips to remember to take the edge off shopping in a customer service environment, so you do not look like a deer in headlights or come off as rude; They are not always nice, but I guarantee that your next shopping experience will be way better than the last.

1. When going shopping, GET OFF OF THE PHONE!!!- If you think that it is rude for the associate to talk to you while you are on the phone, I promise you the associate thinks that it is rude for you to want their attention while you are talking to someone else. When you get to the door of the store you plan on shopping in let your caller know that you have to call them right back so you can focus.

2. When acknowledged by an associate LISTEN to what they are saying and answer accordingly. "Welcome to______" does not elicit "No, I do not need any help" as a reply, instead go with a simple "Thank You", "Hi", or "Hello". Starting the shopping relationship off on the right foot gets you ALOT farther than treating the associate, who is also a person, like they do not exist. No response is just as bad if not worse, no one likes to be ignored.

3. When asked "What it is you are shopping for?" or "What brings you in today?", it is okay to actually tell the associate. The associate has been trained to find out what you want and get you there as painlessly as possible as well as let you know how, where, and when to use it. Saying just looking just makes the associates job more painful because they have to go through a series of questions to find out what you need and if they can not do it trust me you will be passed off to someone who can. Plus, it saves you time looking confused when you do not see the item in the same location it was last time you stopped by.

4. Killing time??? Please do not do it in a small specialty shop and chains, especially if you really have no intention of buying anything at all. Many of these have goals that they are expected to reach everyday, week, month and quarter, including conversion. Conversion is the percentage derived from the number of people that enter a store versus the number of transactions that a store has. If you walk into or walk in and out in and out waiting for your friend to get a prescription filled next door, the conversion for the store goes down. That is why at certain times and stores the associates are really really REALLY interested in you making that purchase right now, today.

5. People people people, when a company gets rid of a product/item they usually do it for good reason... to keep the business afloat. Now if it happened to be your favorite then you should do two things 1. contact the company... not your local store and find out why and if you can still get it and 2. Try something new. It's free to try and it never hurts to update your style. I love the 80's but I can not wear day-glow shoes forever. Just remember that it is not the manager or associates fault.

6. Create a separate email account for coupons and promotions from companies so you are always in the know and can get those freebies and discounts. I set one up signed up for email and received coupons for free products within a few days!!! This way you keep them out of your personal daily email, but still get the perks, and everyone loves perks. At many stores the more you use your coupons and/give your email/ phone number the more or more tailored the coupons are to you. No one is going to take the time out to call you, who has that time?

7. READ the fine print or ask questions. There is almost always a stipulation to any deal. However, it is usually listed right there on the same sign as the deal only in smaller print or those same associates that we spoke of earlier will explain it to you... if you ask.

8. FINE PRINT... stores in chains do not make up pricing. So getting angry with the associate that explained it to you, the cashier that is ringing you up or the manager is not going to help at all. if you do not like the pricing policies (also applies to return/ exchange policies) contact corporate they have the final say in those matters.

9. Stores want to sell you things. They want you to put your money in them. They DO NOT hoard things in the back so that you can not buy it. Associates have to make their purchases at the beginning or end of their shift or if they get to clock out for break. When someone goes to the back to look for an item that may not have made it to the floor but comes back empty handed... it is not there. Many stores will look up the item at another store if possible for you, just ask.

10. Just ask. This applies to all aspects of life. You will never know unless you ask, so just go ahead and do it.

This is just 10 in a list of 1000's so stay tuned.
Take these with you and shop better.