To think this is ridiculous

[Sparkly212]

DS (18) works in retail at the weekends. He has had a hard time since he got This job last summer with his new manager who started a few months ago and another bitchy two faced colleague who thinks she is better than everyone else and who outshines herself to make her look the best.

Anyway, I’ll not get into that, DS has been told by his manager that as soon as a customer enters the shop, he needs to approach the customer and ask them if they’d like any help. AIBU to find this ridiculous?

I know myself that when I go to shops I don’t like the staff annoying me as soon as I come in, I’d expect them to give me a minute or two and if I’m still there and haven’t approached the staff myself, I’d have expected them to ask me if I’m okay and if I need any help.

DS’ manager has told DS that it is unacceptable to leave a customer for a minute or two when they come in as they may feel ignored and then leave. Yes nobody should ignore a customer - but is it really necessary to hassle a customer as soon as they enter? Surely that would piss them off more?

donkeys years ago (shaky voice here!) I worked in a small family department store - the manager told me NEVER ask "can I help you?" rather wait a bit watch what they are looking at & start a conversation - say something like "I have always liked that - have you seen x or its in xyz colour too," admire their taste - or just chat to them & then introduce the stock you think they might be interested in - be casual & DO NOT PUSH that's how to scare people off.

Ds is 19, and has been working in the same place since he was 16, alongside 6th form and uni. I could tell you the bare minimum about his job- he goes, he does it, he listens, he’s been promoted twice and now the manager when he is in. He would die of shame if I started interfering in his job!

YABU. I dont think it has anything to do with the personality of colleagues or management, I get that in a lot of shops and some people know what they are looking for so saves them time. Plus if it's the business policy then why is it a problem?

We were told to do this 20 years ago. Part of the training was that we were to approach every customer and check if they needed help.

Totally normal, especially in the big chain places.

*The only one doing any bullying was the OP's son, who was messaging a new starter to tell them he thinks his colleague is a bitch.

He'd better pray those messages have been deleted.*

Good catch @WorraLiberty

As the employee's mum and not the retail manager, it doesn't really matter what you think!

Has this thread gone the way you expected, OP?

I only came on here to say that I HATE when I go into a store wanting to buy something/spend money and I get ignored for several minutes even when I’m trying to make eye contact/get attention: it’s really irritating!

Quite right, gossiping and bitching about staff at the shop where your son works is your job OP, and what's more they they ought to be damn grateful you are prepared to do it for free and on your own time.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

The shops that do this tend to be where the assistants are paid based on sales rather than salaries (in he main)

I’ve worked for two retailers and we were made to do this and our salaries were not based on sales.

@Doubletrouble99
No one is going to say” no thanks, I’m just looking” to that

I would! Doesn’t matter how it’s said, I don’t want to be harassed as soon as I walk into a shop.

CBA to read all of this, but the manager is not going to be able to hear what he says to a customer when they arrive. I was taught you should never say 'Can I help you' because the answer is nearly always No, which is a very bad start.

In his position I would just say something along the lines of 'Good morning/afternoon, please feel free to browse and if you need anything just ask'. His colleagues will see that he has approached and interacted with the customer and all will be well.

Maybe he also needs to find a new job.

your kid is going to end up us one of those employees who will always be able to run the company better than 'management' but never quite reach those dizzy heights himself

I absolutely despise being badgered by staff as soon as I enter a shop, I have been know to turn around and leave BUT your son doesn't need to have an opinion.
He needs to do the job and as he is told like the rest of us or he will be fired.

I have an 18yo who works part-time in retail.

He does as HQ requests and approaches customers even though it's not very British to do so. Shops are often owned by foreign conglomerates (say American) who like a more proactive approach.

I think it's weird that you are so angry in his behalf. He's 18 and most jobs come up with dickish colleagues.

The shop he works at has a member of staff at the door who will hand you a basket and greet you which isn't to my taste but I suck it up.

Why are you so invested in his work situation. Technically, he’s a man, stop babying him.

I’m too British, I hate being approached in shops! The other day I told someone I was just looking and they stood in silence next to me. Fuck off!! Having said this, you’re getting too involved and DS should just do as he’s told. Can’t quite see the relevance of the bitchy colleague in all this....

OMG, how do you guys cope in Next? There's always someone just inside the door asking, 'is there anything I can help you with today?'

I usually say, 'no thanks, I'm just browsing.' but sometimes I might be looking for a specific thing, so I ask about that.

It's hardly the Spanish Inquisition is it? I mean, you EXPECT the assistants in Next.....

I hope you're not encouraging your son to complain and gossip about these women, calling them bitches with him. What kind of man are you trying to raise?

Just let him get on with his job and if he doesn't like retail suggest he gets a different one ffs.

.... hold on. From your other thread, DS works in Argos. I've NEVER been approached in Argos. Bizarre!

I really don’t like to feel harassed while shopping though I do like to greeted with a good morning or afternoon. That saying, your son should do what his manager says. I would never interfere or get involved in my child’s work for something so trivial.

Op you sound a bit too involved in your son's job! This is probably one of the first "adult" things in his life and I think you might need to step out of mum mode just a little bit...

As for the approaching customers thing, I have worked in retail before and been told I must ask everything customer if they need help. I know that customers don't like it but it's part of the job unfortunately. I made my own compromise where I'd give eye contact and nod at/greet a customer, just to make them aware of my presence, but not ask them if they needed help unless they looked like they actually needed help. That seemed to satisfy my managers.

It's a weekend job he won't even remember in a couple of years. Don't get over-invested.

The shops that do this tend to be where the assistants are paid based on sales rather than salaries (in he main)

I've worked as a sales assistant for three different shops where I've had to do this, on nmw, no sales commission. One was a higher end department store, one was a shop along the lines of the works, so a discount cheapy kind of shop and the other was somewhere in the middle. I think it's fairly common practice in all of retail, though whether it happens in a specific branch will depend mostly on the store manager.

He will have to do it if it is shop policy, but I hate it too. Makes me want to leave the shop if I'm harassed by staff the second I go in!