What as a customer does a cashier do that irritates you!?

Question

I am a cashier, and have answered questions about what customers do that annoy me. Now tell me what cashiers do that annoys you. Maybe if we both read these lists, we can both improve the customer service.

I am going to try and explain why some ( myself included) count back the change the way they do. I personally do not count it back from the point of sale. I will count back the change, example, you get 54 cents back. i will count it out as such, here is 25, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54.) and than the bills in the same manner if you are due any. The reason i do this, is because, i assume you know what change you get back, and do not want to insult your intelligence by going through the whole process like we were in 3rd grade and learning how to count.
To just hand it back with no counting at all would be rude. Now, as a customer, please do not hand me money that you have wadded up in your sweaty pants. That is just gross and if the money is wadded up, i than have to take the time to straighten it up. Lets work together on this.

Another top complaint i can see so far is cashiers talking to other people while ringing you up. If the other person is a friend and they are carrying on a personal conversation, than yes, this is rude. If they are talking to someone that works with them, than perhaps one or the other had a question that needed answered for them to do their job. If they are talking to another customer, did the customer come up and ask them a question? If so, the cashier should answer them. I know it may seem rude, but some customers actually interrupt to ask someone a question, and it is our job to answer it. Try to keep these things in mind when you shop, and perhaps because you know the reasons for some things, you will be a bit more patient with the cashiers. For my part, i will keep in mind that you want my undivided attention, and will do my best to provide it.

In response to mhchicetawn. If a customer is still shopping while you are still in line to check out, this is Not the cashiers fault. The customer says they forgot something, already has most of their stuff rang up, and we can't finish their sale until they get back. This is the customers fault. They are the rude one that is causing the hold up, not your cashier.

In response to egking_mph. I am sorry some cashiers act like you are making their life miserable while you are checking out. That is just bad customer service. Perhaps though they have had to pick up several heavy items that day, and their backs are starting to hurt. No excuse for treating you this way, just a possible explanation. Perhaps you could leave the dog food in your cart, and have the cashier scan it with his/her hand scanner if she has one, or, some brands have a pull off upc code, and you could simply pull it off and hand it to her. Doing that will make it easier on you, and the cashier. Most belts sit pretty high, and to pick up large items and get them through a small place is taxing at best. We can help each other out here.

Answer 1

Cashiers ought not talk with their fellow employees when cashing someone out. Full attention needs to be given to the customer and his/her order. What a good cashier you must be!

Answer 2

Well, I've been there so I guess I expect them to do their jobs (I know it's not that hard). Side conversations are annoying, and personal phone calls while they're ringing me up is aggravating (I had a guy yesterday who was on his cell phone while working). I really hate it when employees just stand at the counter (on break) or are folding when the line is long, and don't open a register. I know *why* they don't / can't open a register, but it would be nice if they'd acknowledge the line or just do their folding work elsewhere. Mostly it drives me crazy when you know the person hanging out is the manager - they should find a way to either look busy or open a darn register.

One thing I really hate and I know its not the cashier's fault is when they keep pushing a stinkin' credit card at me. I know they have to ask, but when I say no and they keep trying to find out why I don't want one it kind of makes me angry.

Answer 3

I've been on both sides of this and I'd say it's generally the customer's that usualy forget how to treat another human being just doing his or her job. Here's my list to move things along for the people in line:

1) Don't flirt or tell bad jokes to the cashier. They're not there as eye candy (this is big at banks as most men seem to think the ladies behind the glass are somehow for sale). I generally give them a "Hey, how's it goin" if they say hello.

2) For Godsakes, stay off the cell phone, PDA and retarded looking bluetooth borg peices. 2 minutes won't kill you to breifly interact with another human being.

3) Shooping costs money, so have some form of payment in hand before it's rung up. Don't roll your eyes, swear, act surprized that it's not free and suddenly go routing through your purse, pocket or wallet as if you somehow forgot that stuff isn't free.

4) 10 items or less means...10 items or less.

5) We all know smoking will kill you, so be a little less selective about the brand you us to expidite your lungs turning black and raising all our health insurance rates. Grab a pack at the local liquore store along with your scratch tickets and Old Thompson.

6) Take those shades off, Elwood. Nothing like trying to look someone in the eye when they stare back like an off Broadway version of the Terminator. Besides, if you're trying to rip someone off, the first thing they look at in the video tapes is that person wearing sunglasses.

7) If you can't speak english, bring someone who can.

Cashiers:

1) Give a crap. Yeah, its a summer or part time job for most, but see if you can help someone out.

2) If you don't know where something is, try to find someone who does. Again, a little effort goes a long way.

Have fun!

Answer 4

I find it most annoying when cashiers can't make change without the help of a machine. I also find
it irritating when I have to wait while the cashier carries on a conversation with a boyfriend/girlfriend, co-worker etc.
A cashier who gripes about the job while ringing up my purchases also irritates me. I enjoy chatting with the cashiers while they ring me up
and even involve the people behind me. Makes
time go faster and makes the experience more
enjoyable. The fact that you wish to improve is
great. You must be an asset to the company you work for.

Answer 5

The silliest thing that I have noticed about this generation of cashiers is the way that they return change.

What financial or retail college taught them to cup the paper money lengthwise, then drip the coins out onto the paper as if it were a little tray? WHO TAUGHT THEM THIS STUPID TRICK?

If it matters to you and others, try this....
give the change back first, so that they can place it in their pocket or purse. Then, count the bills from that point to add up to the bill that they paid with earlier.
Example: $6.21 puchase from a $20 bill.
.79 cents makes $7, then count the singles...8, 9, 10 - (then a $10 bill) and ten makes 20. That shows the customer that you are honest, conscientious about a fair transaction and that you can count!
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE...paper money is not a tray for the coins. I cannot put this in my wallet or pocket this way, don't slow me down just to look cute.

Answer 6

It seems rude to me when a cashier acts like having to scan my things is the biggest burden in the world, as in it's done slowly and with many a sigh if the item doesn't scan immediatly. Hey, I'm sorry my dog food is making your life so hard, but I still need to buy it.

Also, just yesterday I went to a book store. When I approached the cash register the cashier said (VERY loudly) to a person stocking "Looks like I'll NEVER get a break." Hey, if you want, I'll just steal the books and save you the hassle of ringing me up.

Answer 7

Cashiers who can't for the life of them make change make me crazy - that's especially true for the ones who, if I purchase something for, say, $5.26 and I hand them $10.01 just look at me and say, "It's only 5.26; I don't need the penny"!!! Cashiers who are busy doing something for the store and won't stop long enough to check me out are irritating; without customers, there's no store, and no job. The absolute worst, though, are cashiers who are sitting around yakking with another employee while a half-dozen people are waiting to check out!!

Answer 8

how about cashiers that don't speak english. i've had that happen to me on several occasions. they had to have someone come over and explain and count out american money to them in Spanish because they didn't even know our currency yet had a cashier job!!

and like everyone said, when they act like having to check you out is some HUGE inconvenience to them.

or when they can't correctly count out change when the machnie tells them how much. not really an excuse for that.

Answer 9

I despise it when cashiers don't put similar items in the same bag. Do not put a bag of frozen broccoli in with my can of soup and boxed rice. *apologies for using all caps here* DO NOT MIX THE MEATS! DO NOT PUT THE CHICKEN ON TOP OF THE BEEF! They may be put in the same outer bag, but they should be wrapped in their own separate bag with chicken on the very bottom. Do not put meats in the same bag as raw fruits and veggies. Nearly everyone knows about cross-contamination and should be aware of things like this. Put them all in separate bags with items like them.

I worked as a cashier and was sought out by customers who appreciated my way of bagging. As one lady always put it, "You can just take the bag to the cupboard and it's all right there, all at once. You don't have to go looking for it."

Answer 10

Talking to other people instead of paying attention to my transaction. Also, one who does not know how to count money without the cash register telling him/her how to do it. That is because as a child I helped my Mother at her business and learned to count out money. I was 8 years old. We didn't have a cash register, only a drawer.