"Hurricane Harvey" part 2--hit this morn at 4 am.

[the ringo kid]

Hurricane Harvey II, a 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake, a Tsunami, and the Kraken were unleashed at the same time, as of 4 am this morning. The parking lot was full when I arrived-at about 3:45-people standing outside shivering-staring at us as we walked in.

Right at 4 am-hell was unleashed upon us poor unsuspecting employees. By 4:02 or so--all register lines were already backed up with long lines. People were running into each other-shouting and with clenched fists ready to rumble. Carts were a crashing into each other-some even tipping over and spilling into the aisles-and a few people even reached down-and took things off the floor for themselves!!! Well-not really..

However-I did have one non-English-speaking person try a classic switcheroo-one an item that normally sold for $300-minus tax-for $99-minus tax. He was all chirping and smiling thinking he was going to get a steal of a deal. What he really did was-switched the sign from the real item for sale-to another look-alike-item that was priced at $700-minus tax-trying to get it for $600-off-minus tax. Well, I busted him at his attempt-as I was armed with--sale catalog, black Friday specials sheet with pictures, register with kinda-working online book-SKU numbers etx.

He was happily chirping away till I scanned the item and it came out to about $760-including the tax. He quickly went from smiling to frowning and to angrily chirping away with hands moving about and eyebrows almost touching together enough to knit a sweater.

My line was backing up even more and he was making a scene hoping id give in and he'd get his was. Like Manila John Basilone (I stood my ground and no-he didn't get his way-nor the over $600 dollar discount he THOUGHT he was going to get.

He however, was allowed (by a manager) the chance to "redeem" himself and buy the exact item in the ad-which he begrudgingly did. Also, when he noticed a 6 ft several inches tall officer and our LPO guy staring with steely and beady eyes at him, he started behaving.

The only other problem that happened in my line-was caused by a head cashier that wasn't paying attention to details-and forced me to sell a wheeled four drawer tool chest for the price of a wheeled one drawer chest--which is about a $200 dollar diff.

 

[DeathGrip]

Ha. You got me with that title. Then I laughed at your best written story yet.

Cheers and Happy Holidays.

 

[snubbyfan]

Yet another reason I preferred working in warehouses and factories.
Dealing with the general public wore me out.

 

[walkin jack]

The only thing worse than going shopping on Black Friday would have to be WORKING in one of those big box stores. Carl, I hope you got out with out any serious injuries...

 

[Abbynormal]

I had a similar occurrence at K-Mart today. A woman who seemed to be my SO's youngest sister's "Psychotic Twin" first tried to scam K-Mart's buy online and pickup at store. Saying she ordered two toys and was billed for it and only got one. Store manager had to be called (after head cashier and Asst. Mgr.) all explained and showed her the receipt showing she was only charged for one.

Then she raised hell that the sweatshirt and sweatpants were $5.99/each, because the sign said $5.99 shirt AND pants. Her argument was the sign said shirt AND pants NOT shirt OR pants. Again, head cashier, Asst Mgr and Store Mgr had to try to placate her.

But she still then went back loudly arguing on the E order deal, which morphed into the AND/OR sign and that she wasn't getting the proper discounts.

Anyhow, I wasted an hour of my life listening and waiting on a Pyschjob that should be commited delaying my day.

The worst part was the Store Mgr opening up more checkout lanes, but because I was behind Pyschothing, everyone behind me was able to scramble to the newly opened lanes and I was stuck behind Pyschothing for an hour.

My only revenge was when she couldn't remember her old phone number for the K-Mart points and was searching her cell phone for the old number.

"I said LOUDLY: If I was your cell phone, I would have had an early
out of warranty failure because of having to deal with you" She gave me an ugly look and flipped me off while everyone behind me laughed at her!

 

[rwsmith]

When I did it......

Yet another reason I preferred working in warehouses and factories.
Dealing with the general public wore me out.

When I did work with public, I enjoyed it, but after that stint I never wanted to do it again. My son is learning his lesson at the Adidas Outlet store.

 

[Frank46]

Reminds me why I stay at home during black friday and cyber monday. I'm getting grouchy in my old age and can't tolerate people running around with their shopping carts. most days I can't even tolerate me. Frank

 

[S&WsRsweet]

It's funny you mentioned hurricane in your title as I use to work in a retail outlet in a beach town and you haven't seen crazy until you see people go hurricane crazy..

 

[Muss Muggins]

I spent the day yesterday watching college basketball and football. Two great wins for Mizzou. The wife and daughter, on the other hand, I think are still shopping . . .

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Reminds me why I stay at home during black friday and cyber monday. I'm getting grouchy in my old age and can't tolerate people running around with their shopping carts. most days I can't even tolerate me. Frank

Frank you can always run over to the Wal Mart and practice your spanish

 

[the ringo kid]

Ha. You got me with that title. Then I laughed at your best written story yet.

Cheers and Happy Holidays.

Heh heh, Cheers and Christmas wishes.

I wanted to get a few laughs. I did the same when people approached with their stuff by going into a football Linebacker pose with both arms in the defensive mode-clenched fists and teeth barred. I had the crowds laughing-which disarmed most of them.

I did get physically tired a little-but not as much as i'd thought I would be. Now ive heard-from a few "Alte Hares" that Christmas will be tougher.

 

[the ringo kid]

Yet another reason I preferred working in warehouses and factories.
Dealing with the general public wore me out.

I'd say that about 99.99% of them are good to work with-just always that one person that has to be difficult. Today-I had nobody difficult in my line-though another "gentleman from the extreme south of the border" was being difficult with one of the female cashier right across from me. She is Hispanic-doesn't speak a lick of Spanish--I actually speak more than she does-but not enough to help. I did lapse into my very Schlecht and veri limited German automatically-when he started chirping at me.

 

[the ringo kid]

The only thing worse than going shopping on Black Friday would have to be WORKING in one of those big box stores. Carl, I hope you got out with out any serious injuries...

I did, but Sandy was waiting to jump all over me when I got home. I "earned" her claws into my right middle finger because she'd run out of food-and also smelled the BBQ plate i'd come home with from work. I hadn't tended to her fast enough I guess? Then in the midst of changing out of my monkey suit (work clothes-which are all black) I earned more scratches on my lower legs-because I hadn't redressed fast enough to suit Cujo's (Sandy's) fancy.

BTW--THIS is what I'm figuring Sandy will grow to look like if she continues down the path her kitten instincts are taking her:

 

[the ringo kid]

It's funny you mentioned hurricane in your title as I use to work in a retail outlet in a beach town and you haven't seen crazy until you see people go hurricane crazy..

Back in late 2009, I was still living in Austin. I took the bus to WM on Black Friday-late morning missing the wild tribes in action. I got to WM around 10 or 11 AM. It literally looked like a hurricane had swept through the store. There was paper and other trash strewn about-most shelves were bare. I went only to buy DvDs-found only two that were left that were on sale and of interest--nothing else left. I think I spent about $5 bucks. I said "never again" as a customer.

 

[the ringo kid]

BTW, today was actually worse--just a shorter shift.

 

[Frank46]

Caj, thanks but no thanks. Too many crazies running around both at wally world and on the roads this time of year. My wife a best friend literally started shopping late Thanksgiving night years ago. Usually came home loaded down with bags, packages and boxes. Since moving down here about 22 years ago that did come to a halt. Frank

 

[The Big D]

A good Black Friday tale.

I don’t like Lowe’s usually due to a bad experience buying a washing machine recently but must shop there as we have no Home Depot. (Actually prefer local hardware stores but they don’t have certain items needed.)

Want a fire pit for upcoming Christmas party and had id’d the one I wanted a few weeks ago. Just had not bought it yet.

Lo and behold, the very one I desired was on sale at Lowe’s. Regularly $79.; Black Friday deal $29.

Got there a bit behind schedule; all stock was gone but display unit was there. Asked if I could buy it. THE ANSWER WAS YES! More than a bit surprised but very happy.

So saved $50. plus don’t have to assemble.

PS: Why don’t they call it ‘Green’ Friday for all the money spent?

Be safe.

 

[the ringo kid]

Not that I'm personally bashing Lowes--I get a LOT of complaints from customers about the store here in Corpus-plus the one rebuilding in Aransas Pass? because the managers and many of their employees have a bad attitude and towards customers. Sadly, I'm also starting to hear that about a Home Depot store-located on S.P.I.D.--which isn't my store. They are about 5 miles away from mine.

 

[Frank46]

I liken the shopping craze starting on Black Friday to "the thundering herd". Glad I either ask the wife what she wants, she gets it or I give her the money. Too darn old to be around crowds anymore, that and screaming kids. Frank

 

[BC38]

I wouldn't go near a retail outlet on black Friday under any circumstances, even if I weren't stuck at work that day.