Why do retail cashiers do this?

Question

Why do people who work at cash registers insist on putting the coin change on TOP of the receipt in your hand? This is a VERY annoying habit. The coin slides around and you drop it trying to slide the receipt out from under it. Or, you have to crumple the whole mess up in your hand and shove it in your pocket or purse. Do they teach you this in training so the customer WILL drop the change and you get to keep it or something?
What is the big deal about handing the coin over FIRST?

I'm so annoyed by this I've taken to pulling my hand away quickly before they can drop the change on the receipt and they end up dropping the change themselves.

I realized this is petty but it's such a simple thing to change and it really makes more sense to not do it. So, people who work in retail...WHY on earth do you do this? Please explain!

Wow....some of you are a bit cranky tonight! I was just asking because I'm curious and had some time to kill online.

I worked at a bank for 7 years, a few years at a fast food restaurant, a year or two in retail clothing sales. I was NEVER taught to put receipt in the customer's hand and then pile the coin change on top.
No, it's not a big deal and yes, I have many other more important things to think about. I just thought this might be a bit thought provoking and I was interested to hear what other people's experiences were. Lighten up! It's only Yahoo, not the peace talks.

final comment. I posted this question because this happens to me all the time in the drive up at MacDonald's. Maybe someone who works at MacDonald's can explain this?

Oh, and thank you to al those who kindly suggested that I use my other hand to remove the receipt. Kind of hard to do when you're DRIVING and seatbelted in. And why should I? Why can't the cashier simply hand me the receipt with the bills instead? It's baffling to me. It's not my job to make the cashiers job easier for them.

Answer 1

They are trained to do that because it minimizes contact with the customers hand.

Also when people get the money first they put it away and waste time before getting the receipt. Every second counts.

Answer 2

I didn't read through all the other responses, so this might be a repeat answer. And it's not really an answer, just more musing along with you!
If cashiers were taught to count back change *correctly* (you know: start with your actual total, then count up to the amount you gave them. . .) then they *would* give the change back first. It is so rare that I have a cashier who knows how to count back change. And I'll admit, I wasn't taught to, either, until I'd been in retail for several years! Cashiers rely way too much on the register to tell them how much to give back, and then on the occasion that the system is down, trying to figure out what the change back should be is absolute TORTURE, both for the cashier and the unfortunate customer.
I have worked at McD's, in retail for several years, and a bank, and I try not to let this bug me too much, but there are times. . . And how about when they don't even greet you, because they're too busy talking to the next cashier over???

Answer 3

When I cashiered I either handed the customer the receipt seperate or I put it in with the merchandise. I hate getting the receipt with my change. I'll deliberately hold up the line to seperate the receipt from the change, stick the bills in my wallet and put the change in the pocket. Many times I need the receipt for tax purposes for my business and I don't want it all crumpled up.

Answer 4

The receipt is generally handed first. If you're stupid enough to NOT move it to the other hand, that's your problem.
It's a big deal because some companies have a policy that you MUST give the customer their receipt. There are many a+sholes out there who will grab their change and run. So.... We give them the receipt BEFORE the change and they have no choice but to take it.

**When you're at the drive up window, you're not actually MOVING, and seat belts don't keep you from moving your right hand across your body.

Answer 5

Not all cashiers do this. Possibly this is just the custom where you live, or the stores you frequent.

I have been a cashier off and on over the years and ALWAYS hand the coins first then count out the bills.

It would be easy to request the coins first.

Answer 6

Interesting question. I spent nearly 40 years in sales and customer service. Almost none of these people ever do. To make things even more annoying Many times I have gone way out of my way to help many of these people get what they want. I don't mean just a single face to face in store meeting. Extended projects lasting over a period of weeks. Usually it comes out the same way. Not so much as a thank you. Getting back to your question. This is the reason that this happens. People are either born with style or they are not. Its not something that can be taught. I am sorry to say that it is just something that you have to expect and live with in business. Just pick up your pay check and forget it. Don't get me wrong though. Even though your hard work and kindness is not acknowledged the right thing is to still do your best. Hope that I was able to help. Happily Retired Bob Post Script Its OK to curse them out in your mind just make sure you mouth is closed when you do it.

Answer 7

I have had a couple of cashier jobs and if you really think about it, it makes more sense to put your change on TOP of the receipt because the change weighs more and your receipt won't fall off. When I go shopping that's what I prefer. Never heard of anyone making this much of a big deal about it.

Answer 8

This annoys me as well, I usually just shove the receipt in my purse or the carrier bag then take the change after.
Oh yeah n im trying to get a job as 1 so ill remember not to do that.

Answer 9

Because that's how they're holding it. The register tells the cashier the amount of change to give, say $4.51. So they take the "4" out of the drawer first, then the "50," then the "1."

Answer 10

If this is the worst thing that you have to worry about in the day you should consider yourself lucky.

Making so little as a cashier, it is not worth someone trying to indignify a you over something as petty as change. If you pull that sort of stunt, don't be surprised if someone someday looks at you condescendingly as you pick up the change you just dropped, and silently gloats as you get mad.

Hope you rethink this....really, its not worth getting upset over.

Oh - and the reason why older cashiers give change before paper is because they were counting back change mentally in thier heads.....registers now do this bit of work. So perhaps you can blame "technology".