Someone told me working here would help me get over my public speaking and social anxiety but i swear i think its made it worse. I was ok with greeting people but now that I know about secret shoppers its made it worse. Like I feel more paranoid so it actually makes me want to avoid people. It doesn't help either when most people seem more interested in shopping than talking. I try to say hi and half act like "what do you want?" I think I could deal with that. I just rather have not been made known about these undercover shoppers.
Not sure if you are on any type of medication for your anxiety or not. But I think that is potentially a first step to help you with it as well. Because I can tell you now. Mystery shoppers are going to be the least of your anxiety worries. In particular when you have super gossipy or petty associates.
But in regards to handling customers, my approach is usually to start with something simple. I don't try and do what my DH does. Where he goes in seeking out a whole conversation with people. I just start out if it's morning or afternoon, I say Good Morning etc. to them. And if they need help, they usually elaborate on what they need. And therein I can take them in the direction of what they are looking for or ask someone that might have an answer if I don't. And once we find the item, they thank me and I wish them a good rest of their shopping experience.
I'll admit I'm not usually the most chattiest person when I meet with peeps face to face. So try and keep it as short and simple as possible. So I look at it as a gift vs. being a curse when customers are more into their shopping than talking. As I can stay on top of my work that way and keeps me out of conversations where someone is revealing really uber personal info to me at times.
But yea, I just say take on handling customers in small doses at first. Then a little bit more at a time and before long you won't feel so nervous with customers. Rather they are mystery shoppers or not.
Like the person above said, customers, especially mystery shoppers, who are generally very friendly and easygoing, are the least of your worries. Your coworkers who act like high schoolers will be the worst. There are plenty of them too.
Man, this is why I love being on the freight (grocery night) crew. Minimal interaction with customers because we're closed for 6 of the 8 hours that I'm there. Maybe consider looking into throwing freight if you can handle graveyards.
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You had an employee bbq yesterday? Thanks for telling the night crew...
This is random, FreightBoss, but i just saw your signature... in my old store our dairy manager would actually come in early in the morning to bring food in to the night crew on nights there was an employee event like a bbq.
This is random, FreightBoss, but i just saw your signature... in my old store our dairy manager would actually come in early in the morning to bring food in to the night crew on nights there was an employee event like a bbq.
That is actually really awesome that a manager would have enough foresight to do something like that.
work in dairy. bit chilly in the cooler, but surely nicer than a freezer. my marketplace has 24 milk racks total, so filling those takes at least a half hour. no customers, of you are willing to toss a few tons lol
