I love the holiday season. The bustle at the mall, trying to find a place to park, all the people milling around and checking out the latest and greatest products. Fun stuff! But, I hate people that pester me to buy something when that’s exactly what I’m trying to do.
“No, thank you. I’m STILL just looking!” <----I seriously shouldn't have to utter this line within the 1st 3.5 minutes of entering any store.
As soon as we get to the mall, Perry has to go to the bathroom. Closest to JC Penney, we walk toward the big “RESTROOM” sign. I figure I’ll browse for the short time he’s gone. Then, I spot PJs on sale — Liz Claiborne brand for really cheap and I have nothing to do…so I pick up the color I want and head to the register. The line wasn’t extremely long, but the wait was. Perry was already back and standing in line with me to hear the conversation once I got to the clerk and found out why it took the person in front of me forever to pay for her purchase.
Clerk: Did you find everything you need?
Me: I did. Thanks.
Clerk: How would you like to pay for your purchase?
Me — as I’m standing with cash outstretched: Cash. (Der.)
Clerk: Would you like to pay with your Penny’s card?
Me: No, cash.
Her: Do you have a JC Penny card?
Me: Yes.
Clerk — pointing to scratch off tickets on the counter: If you pay with your credit card, you get to scratch off one of these tickets for a savings.
Me: No, I want to pay with cash.
Clerk: (with a pouty face) Ok.
Clerk: (with a fake smile) Do you have an email address? We’d love to send you specials and our updates.
Me: (knowing I have my email rules set to trash their daily ads already) I JUST WANT TO BUY A PAIR OF PAJAMAS!!
Me to Perry: Let’s get the Hell out of here!!!!
If you think I’ll be going back to Pennys at the Greentree Mall between now and Christmas, I’ll tell you right now — the answer is NO! What if they run the best sale on the planet? NO! How about if they give PJ’s away? NO!
When will retailers learn that providing employees with a PUSHY script is NOT what increases their sales?