Why I did it? I don't know. I really don't know what I was thinking. I wasn't thinking, that's the problem. I was tired, I was confused. And my small brain tends to shoot first and ask questions later when it gets overwhelmed.
There was some sellotape that I was using to affix a sign on a broken Uscan robot. While I was trying to do that, several customers came to me for help. So I put the scissors and tape down and went to help them. While I was helping one customer, I saw this guy go up to the broken Uscan robot and I think he was shuffling around his items or something. I still had to help the other customers. So after all the customers were helped, I decide to go back to fixing the sign. But then I don't see the tape that I left there.
But I do see that guy go to an open robot to checkout. Here's where my stupidity comes in. I go up to him and say these words, "Excuse me, did you take the tape that was over there?" Wow, why did I say that? Why?!
He immediately goes on the offensive and responds, "now why would you think that? Huh? Why would you think that?" Oh, boy. Just when you think I couldn't get any dumber. I say to him, "well you were over on that machine." He gets even more defensive. "Do you see the tape on here? What you wanna do? Huh? You wanna search me?" Then he raises his hands after raising his voice, with this very serious look of aggression on his face.
I immediately stop talking and then I backed away. The guy then left, luckily, without causing a scene. It wasn't until a minute later, after processing what just happened, that I began looking for the tape after considering that maybe, just maybe, this guy did not take the tape. Lo and behold, the tape was on top of another Uscan robot, and I'm pretty damn sure I was the one who put it there.
Don't feel bad. I feel like I go through this about everyday in bakery when I'm working out the back stock tall boys. As it's like as soon as you push one of them out there on the floor and are OBVIOUSLY putting the back stock out on the tables. Then turn your back to help someone. There is another customer that is coming up and checking out the tall boy. Obviously looking to grab something off of there and some actually do at times. But, I have to hurry back over to the tall boy and do that awkward dance of, "are you looking for the markdowns?" pretty much in a tone implying that they are doing something wrong/about to accuse them of something by reaching for stuff on the back stock cart. And then they they do the awkward answer of "oh just looking" or "I was looking forever for these particular cookies(when the over grown table(2 of them now since the 16 count are buy one get one free)"of cookies is right behind them or right in front of them.
And even though, I know it is just as much my fault at times for pulling out more than one tall boy at a time, to get more than one worked out. But at times, I feel customers do some somewhat shady stuff at times too that make their behavior rather questionable at times. I mean even if you did misplace the tape and didn't quite have your sign up. Why would he even go over there if he saw that the sign was going to be put up over there? Could have even asked what was wrong with it and then moved on to the next after you told him. But as he didn't do that, and was appearing some what shady, I don't blame you for thinking what you did.
You can bet they called and complained about you. You can expect a good talking to when you report for your next shift, that is if you still have a job.
Good luck. If someone accused me of stealing, I'd be dropping the f-bo left and right. Your lucky it didn't escalate further. And you better or at he doesn't turn you in.
You can bet they called and complained about you. You can expect a good talking to when you report for your next shift, that is if you still have a job.
Don't feel bad. I feel like I go through this about everyday in bakery when I'm working out the back stock tall boys. As it's like as soon as you push one of them out there on the floor and are OBVIOUSLY putting the back stock out on the tables. Then turn your back to help someone. There is another customer that is coming up and checking out the tall boy. Obviously looking to grab something off of there and some actually do at times. But, I have to hurry back over to the tall boy and do that awkward dance of, "are you looking for the markdowns?" pretty much in a tone implying that they are doing something wrong/about to accuse them of something by reaching for stuff on the back stock cart. And then they they do the awkward answer of "oh just looking" or "I was looking forever for these particular cookies(when the over grown table(2 of them now since the 16 count are buy one get one free)"of cookies is right behind them or right in front of them.
And even though, I know it is just as much my fault at times for pulling out more than one tall boy at a time, to get more than one worked out. But at times, I feel customers do some somewhat shady stuff at times too that make their behavior rather questionable at times. I mean even if you did misplace the tape and didn't quite have your sign up. Why would he even go over there if he saw that the sign was going to be put up over there? Could have even asked what was wrong with it and then moved on to the next after you told him..
Wow, those are some ballsy customers.
Bakerchick25 wrote:
But as he didn't do that, and was appearing some what shady, I don't blame you for thinking what you did.
Well, I think he was just putting his stuff down to rest as he was on the phone and the other robots were being used. But thanks for the vote of confidence. See, you have cause for thinking those customers might be up to no good with the bakery items.
Me, I should have known better. It's a roll of tape, who cares if he took it cause there's plenty more. Also, I should have remembered that it's LP's job to confront people about stealing. I think I actually thought he might have taken it by mistake, as I've seen customers do mindless things like that. Some even go up to a Uscan robot and try to scan their stuff even though the screen says "Closed" in big letters and its light is off. Yeah, that's what I was thinking. It's just the words didn't come out right, and then his reaction had me like a deer caught in headlights, which didn't help the situation at all. I'm horrible at thinking on my feet.
You can bet they called and complained about you. You can expect a good talking to when you report for your next shift, that is if you still have a job.
Hold on, so one complaint like that is enough to get me fired?
Don't feel bad. I feel like I go through this about everyday in bakery when I'm working out the back stock tall boys. As it's like as soon as you push one of them out there on the floor and are OBVIOUSLY putting the back stock out on the tables. Then turn your back to help someone. There is another customer that is coming up and checking out the tall boy. Obviously looking to grab something off of there and some actually do at times. But, I have to hurry back over to the tall boy and do that awkward dance of, "are you looking for the markdowns?" pretty much in a tone implying that they are doing something wrong/about to accuse them of something by reaching for stuff on the back stock cart. And then they they do the awkward answer of "oh just looking" or "I was looking forever for these particular cookies(when the over grown table(2 of them now since the 16 count are buy one get one free)"of cookies is right behind them or right in front of them.
And even though, I know it is just as much my fault at times for pulling out more than one tall boy at a time, to get more than one worked out. But at times, I feel customers do some somewhat shady stuff at times too that make their behavior rather questionable at times. I mean even if you did misplace the tape and didn't quite have your sign up. Why would he even go over there if he saw that the sign was going to be put up over there? Could have even asked what was wrong with it and then moved on to the next after you told him..
Wow, those are some ballsy customers.
Bakerchick25 wrote:
But as he didn't do that, and was appearing some what shady, I don't blame you for thinking what you did.
Well, I think he was just putting his stuff down to rest as he was on the phone and the other robots were being used. But thanks for the vote of confidence. See, you have cause for thinking those customers might be up to no good with the bakery items.
Me, I should have known better. It's a roll of tape, who cares if he took it cause there's plenty more. Also, I should have remembered that it's LP's job to confront people about stealing. I think I actually thought he might have taken it by mistake, as I've seen customers do mindless things like that. Some even go up to a Uscan robot and try to scan their stuff even though the screen says "Closed" in big letters and its light is off. Yeah, that's what I was thinking. It's just the words didn't come out right, and then his reaction had me like a deer caught in headlights, which didn't help the situation at all. I'm horrible at thinking on my feet.
Oh I've seen ballsier. When they thought no one was looking, the girlfriend of this young couple, pretty much reached up over our bagel display and grabbed off some of the rolls from the cart that was already well off the floor and behind the counter along the wall where we keep them. Now I could have said something but as it was later in the night and I already was behind on some things, I let it go. But if we really do have more live cameras than the "dummy" ones. Then, I hope someone on the front end or maybe one of the managers said something to them on the way out.
No problem on the vote of confidence. Just one of those live and learn moments. And when something happens kind of quickly, it's kind of one of those "fight or flight" moments. However, working in retail, kind of have to learn to translate that response into something more helpful, so it doesn't seem like we are overly accusing someone of something they are or aren't doing. And actually maintaining control of the situation. You'll get there, as I think we all have to every once in a while. Although I admit, I still want to karate chop a few customers that reach out for stuff on my back stock tall boys. Not very conducive to fresh and friendly, I know. But would make me feel better sometimes, lol.
However, working in retail, kind of have to learn to translate that response into something more helpful, so it doesn't seem like we are overly accusing someone of something they are or aren't doing. And actually maintaining control of the situation.
In fact, I've been replaying that event over in my mind, and a few corrections on my part that I could have said would probably have diffused the situation. One such phrase I think I should have said in in response would have been, "sorry sir, you know what, I am mistaken. I think somebody else took it and not you. I do apologize, sir."
Bakerchick25 wrote:
Not very conducive to fresh and friendly, I know. But would make me feel better sometimes, lol.
