Consider the sales person

Consider the sales person

Another holiday season is upon us, which means traveling to friends’ and family’s for get-togethers, being thankful for what we have and the endless hours of holiday shopping in search of bargains for our loved ones. Holiday shopping is supposed to be fun, not a war between the customer and sales associates. Everyone needs to understand that the sales associate is there to help or assist you during your shopping experience. They have store policies that must be followed. They run door buster bargains to promote store sales. How many of us really read the fine print, you know, like quantities are limited or one per customer or no rain checks?

As shoppers, we have to understand it’s not the sales associates who set the limits — it’s corporate. Black Friday I was in one store at 8 a.m. and witnessed some very nasty customers. Some items were already sold out, and some customers starting giving the sales associate a hard time, even calling her stupid, saying that they need to be more prepared for these events. They were complaining, “I’ve been standing in line for 5 hours in the cold rain.” Was there someone holding a gun to your head making you stand in the cold rainy weather?

Don’t you think these sales associates would rather be at home on Thanksgiving Day or night with their families? Most get very little sleep because they have to be at the store early Black Friday morning to wait on us. Sure, that’s their job, but why compound their stress any more than need be?

Many people talk about the stress of holiday shopping. If you are stressed, take a moment and think about what stress that sales associate is going through. So while we, the customers, are out shopping this holiday season let’s take a moment and say thank you to the sales associates who help us. Everyone should have to work retail at least one holiday season. Then maybe they will be a little more patient.

May each of us have a pleasant an stress-free holiday shopping experience.

John Pawlosky, Boardman