Archived "I'm sorry, I'm off the clock"

[Barcode]

hit your addtl assistance button a ton of times, and just tell them someones on the way and walk away. thats what i do.

if no one responds, the problem isn't you, its the GSTL/GSA or rest of the team.

 

[pzychopopgroove]

I'm brand new at Target, currently a cashier, and a recurring problem I seem to have is guests lining up when nearing the end of my shift. When I have a small line of people and need to clock out, I turn my light off, but people keep lining up. Within reason, I'll usually help additional guests, but there comes a time where I need to draw the line; and, at that point, they invariably get angry at me.

The other day, for example, I alerted a couple as they were walking up that I couldn't help them, though I'd be happy to help them find another lane that can, but they just wasn't good enough for them. They asked if anyone was coming to take my place, and I told them I'd check. However, being unable to find a GSTL/GSA/anyone at all, at the time, I came back and told them that I wasn't sure if someone was coming or not, and once again offered to help them find another lane. They then asked: "OH, so you expect us to just drop this stuff, and buy it at Wal-Mart, instead? Is that it?"

I told them: "No, I expect you to find another lane, because I can't help you."

Was I in the wrong, here? I've always detected a hint of urgency in regards to getting people off of the clock, but after clocking out I was told by an ETL that, for future reference, I should stick around and "help that last guest or two, unless I'm nearing my fifth hour."

No, guests are just ************ing assholes.

 

[lovecats]

I had turned out my light today and was taking care of my last guest. A lady walked up on her cell and just started putting things on the belt before I could get her attention. Then she couldn't find a coupon she wanted to use. Found it so I had to do a Fix it Fast. I ended up clocking out 5 minutes late. And I had other people come up and start to get in line and I kept tellling them I was closed. I do get to go home you know.:bye:

 

[mrknownothing]

No, guests are just ************ing assholes.

This.

 

[uncorporated]

Just put your trash bin on the belt. =3

@TM26 Earthquake: You weren't in the wrong since you weren't given any direction previously. It wasn't your fault, someone should have been around. If you don't mind staying around a few minutes, then listen to what they say for now on and stay. But then make sure they fix your schedule if you stay over more than 14 minutes. But they really can't even make you stay over, let alone just expect you to stay over without supervision or given the OK to stay.

I really haven't had too many problems with guests, other than just blatant lack of intelligence. The worst I got was some lady flipping out over a Xmas tree, in which case I was just like "Yeah, that's bs" and walked away. If I'm off the clock, I usually don't have as much of a problem tbh, since I'm not running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to get things done in an imaginary time set. But I'm not walking across the store, I'll point you the way or describe the location. And I'm not your personal shopper, especially off the clock. If people are rude, just walk away, it's as simple as that.

Like someone else said, just get yourself a light jacket or something that you can slip on during breaks if it's that bad. Gotsta cover up those nazi colors. If someone still tries stopping you, just look at them funny and keep shopping. Most of the time I think it's the way you carry yourself that gives it away. Just put on the highly confused look that they wear all the time.

This.

You beat me to it lol.

 

[Blucto]

I've got a few different color (not red) hoodies that I wear to work just for the purpose of breaks. Throw one on, sometimes play around on my cell phone as I walk, haven't been bothered yet.

Different topic but one thing I've noticed is the times a guest has a question that I'm not sure of the answer are the times I'm without a walkie and PDA.....weird

 

[redeye58]

I had turned out my light today and was taking care of my last guest. A lady walked up on her cell and just started putting things on the belt before I could get her attention.

Yeh, THAT'S an old ploy: they know your light is off but they'll do the 'distracted' thing so that if you DO point out that you're closed, they'll make a big stink about having to move all their crap to another lane, hoping you'll just give in & take 'one more person'.
Problem is, as soon as you take them, 3 more get in line behind THEM!
The best thing is to walk away quietly & let them look like the idiot they are.

 

[Ajax11]

But then make sure they fix your schedule if you stay over more than 14 minutes. But they really can't even make you stay over, let alone just expect you to stay over without supervision or given the OK to stay.

It's actually down to 4 minutes now before you are considered WPS. I am constantly having to adjust times for people that are more than 5 minutes late, it's no fun at all.

 

[commiecorvus]

You can always make Spot out to be the bad guy (though you don't want to be overheard by the E's).
Just say "I'm sorry I can't ring you up (or show you where something is etc.) because if I do 'the company will give me a coaching (let the customer decide what that means in the scheme of things).

 

[FrontEndKnowItAll]

You can always make Spot out to be the bad guy (though you don't want to be overheard by the E's).
Just say "I'm sorry I can't ring you up (or show you where something is etc.) because if I do 'the company will give me a coaching (let the customer decide what that means in the scheme of things).

I would say something like "I would love to assist you in a fast, fun, and friendly manner, however, if I were to assist you I would be placed on a CCA for deliberately circumventing company policy, and both state and federal labor laws. Therefore I would like to ask you to refrain from requesting my services until such time has arrived that I am receiving compensation for my labor and efforts." <turn and silently walk away>


I imagine that would get a few blank stares!

 

[commiecorvus]

I would say something like "I would love to assist you in a fast, fun, and friendly manner, however, if I were to assist you I would be placed on a CCA for deliberately circumventing company policy, and both state and federal labor laws. Therefore I would like to ask you to refrain from requesting my services until such time has arrived that I am receiving compensation for my labor and efforts." <turn and silently walk away>


I imagine that would get a few blank stares!

So much better than mine.
You sir, are the winner.

 

[3LetterDevil]

I was at a DIFFERENT Target yesterday before work (had just gone for a medical procedure near a different one) and was asked where something was. I was in sweatpants and a t-shirt (okay, it happened to be red). When I told the person I didn't know (didn't even get out that I didn't work there and that store is laid out COMPLETELY different than ours), she looked at me and said "Well, you work here, don't you?" I said "No, I'm sorry I don't". She said "Well, I KNOW I've seen you here and you're wearing a red shirt!" I just kind of grabbed at the leg of my sweatpants and said "I don't think they'd take too kindly to me wearing my sweatpants to work...haha" and walked away...

I'll be damned if she didn't come to the pharmacy later to pick up a prescription :facepalm:

 

[shepardofthecarts]

aw i hate the lane light issue there have been times when i turn my light off and guests still line up. then there are the ones who look up see that its off, look at me and say "are you open" man sometimes i wanna say nope sorry and make a beeline for the breakroom shouting see ya sucker hahaha.

The views expressed in this post are mine, not those of Target Corporation or any of its affiliates.

 

[redeye58]

She said "Well, I KNOW I've seen you here and you're wearing a red shirt!" I just kind of grabbed at the leg of my sweatpants and said "I don't think they'd take too kindly to me wearing my sweatpants to work...haha" and walked away...

I'll be damned if she didn't come to the pharmacy later to pick up a prescription :facepalm:

As if we just live here all the f!@#ing time & never have a day off....

 

[lovecats]

As if we just live here all the f!@#ing time & never have a day off....

My husband's cousin's granddaughter once told her grandmother, "That's Kathy, She lives at Target." She was 2 at the time.

 

[3LetterDevil]

As if we just live here all the f!@#ing time & never have a day off....

But I wasn't in MY store the first time! I was in a store about 30 minutes away, no makeup, hair in a ponytail, glasses on, etc. I guess we're all part of a secret, nomadic, gypsy tribe that travels from store to store :girl_hide:

 

[Hekinsieden]

I have a nice gray hoodie that I toss on when I go on my break if I'm going to be out in the store. I feel like Clark Kent and giggle at the fact that the guests don't know I'm really TARGET TEAM MEMBER MAN!

 

[Backtohardlines]

I have a nice gray hoodie that I toss on when I go on my break if I'm going to be out in the store. I feel like Clark Kent and giggle at the fact that the guests don't know I'm really TARGET TEAM MEMBER MAN!

LOL I wish I could hide. Because our store is really the only shopping in the area, we have a lot of regulars. Plus I live 5 minutes away so it's my place for regular shopping too. Most of the time, the regulars know that Im not supposed to answer questions if I'm on break, so they'll let me be, but I had one guest that went completely ape because I politely said "i'm sorry, I'm on my break and I can't help but I can get you someone that can or you could look at the pharmacy hours sign" ( they wanted to know WHY the pharmacy was closed in the middle of the day) Apparently, I was rude by saying that and target is just dumb for letting pharmacists take lunch. Luckily, my ETL saw what happened and stood up for me.

 

[redeye58]

Manners & civility seem to have gone the way of the rotary dial phone....

 

[Backtohardlines]

Manners & civility seem to have gone the way of the rotary dial phone....

Very true, Redeye! On a good note, I had some wonderful guests today 🙂 I love some of my older guests, I had a lovely lady who just couldn't reach a lamp shade. When I got it down for her, she told me of how she got a lamp for free and was so appreciative that I listened. Those are the guests that make my day.

 

[redeye58]

Those folk are my favs, too, mkt tm. They're part of a generation that appreciates such a small task in a big way.

 

[dustbunny]

A team member and I were standing around the exit talking after the end of our shift. We were both quite obviously not working. ( Purses, no name tags, etc. ) This guest just stood there and stared at us for about 5 minutes before rudely exclaiming, "Excuse me! I need some help"

We both just look over at him and responded, "I'm sorry but we're not working right now."

I just had to shake my head.

 

[Megaparsec]

LOL I wish I could hide. Because our store is really the only shopping in the area, we have a lot of regulars. Plus I live 5 minutes away so it's my place for regular shopping too. Most of the time, the regulars know that Im not supposed to answer questions if I'm on break, so they'll let me be, but I had one guest that went completely ape because I politely said "i'm sorry, I'm on my break and I can't help but I can get you someone that can or you could look at the pharmacy hours sign" ( they wanted to know WHY the pharmacy was closed in the middle of the day) Apparently, I was rude by saying that and target is just dumb for letting pharmacists take lunch. Luckily, my ETL saw what happened and stood up for me.

Because it saves so much more time to give them that long sentence (or physically escort them to find another TM) than to say "They're on lunch?"

 

[Backtohardlines]

Because it saves so much more time to give them that long sentence (or physically escort them to find another TM) than to say "They're on lunch?"

If the ETL wasn't standing within hearing... yeah I would have said that, but huddle that morning was all about our breaks are sacred, yada, yada, yada so trying to do the right thing.

 

[mrknownothing]

Manners & civility seem to have gone the way of the rotary dial phone....

More like party lines and the abacus. I actually still have a rotary phone in my house.