So apparaently following a decision this weekend, I'm now allowed to serve cigarettes provided that the supervisor is there or that a manager is nearby. And already I've come up with a few minor pet peeves...
You're asking for what?
Thanks to this board, I've been made aware of the nicknames people use for various cigarette brands i.e. Marbos for Marlboros, Pale Males for Pall Mall's etc. (It took me a while to figure out what they meant by "styvies" last night)
However, if you mumble your sentence or ask me for "Golds, 30's" I will give you a look until you tell me what brand you're after. There are several brands with "Gold" types. (Holidays, Horizons, Dunhill, Choice, Peter Jacksons, John Player Special, Winfield, Marbos...the list goes on) Ditto for "Menthols". (they're easier at least to find since not all brands sell them)
I need to double-check
Please don't give me a look like I'm stupid when I fish out the pack and hold it up to you. There are two reasons why I do this: 1) they can't claim I gave them the wrong flavour/brand AFTER I've put the money through. 2) I'm still learning my way through the racks.
ID
This one's a combo of praising and sucky.
THANK you to the kid a year older than me who fished out his ID when I asked for it. I know you since I went to you school with you, but I need to check anyway.
On the other hand, telling me "I'm 21" does not endear me to you. I need to see actual proof. Drivers License, Proof of Age card or passport only. (Passport covers the "we don't take international drivers licenses" scenario)
I'm getting the hang of eyeballing though...slowly.
Yes, we can do that
Slightly frustrating and this is whenever I'm NOT doing smokes. Our system allows us to suspend transactions and take them to the smoke counter. So if I ask you if you want to come to my register, you can come-I'm trying to shorten the lines. I can do it from a larger lane, it doesn't make a difference. Just I'm not the one serving you the cigarettes.
Finally...
What I CAN do from the smoke counter...
-Sell cigarettes, tobacco and cigarette-related items (papers and filters-I use the papers on my flute)
-Sell phone credit, iTunes credit, gift cards etc.
-Answer enquiries about our loyalty programs.
-Answer most general enquiries.
What I CANNOT do from the smoke counter...
-Sell mobile phones (we do sell them, but there's this eternally frustrating system in place that we're required to do. I'm not trained)
-Handle complaints (not a supervisor and I have not had conflict resolution training...speaking of which, can I get some advice on how to deal with complaints for when the time rolls around?)
-Handle refunds and exchanges (not trained)
-Hire out our carpet cleaning machines (not trained, however I can sell customers the shampoos and such since you buy them outright)
-Answer questions that require a manager's knowledge.
-Answer phones (I can do internal calls, but not external calls.)
You're asking for what?
Thanks to this board, I've been made aware of the nicknames people use for various cigarette brands i.e. Marbos for Marlboros, Pale Males for Pall Mall's etc. (It took me a while to figure out what they meant by "styvies" last night)
However, if you mumble your sentence or ask me for "Golds, 30's" I will give you a look until you tell me what brand you're after. There are several brands with "Gold" types. (Holidays, Horizons, Dunhill, Choice, Peter Jacksons, John Player Special, Winfield, Marbos...the list goes on) Ditto for "Menthols". (they're easier at least to find since not all brands sell them)
I need to double-check
Please don't give me a look like I'm stupid when I fish out the pack and hold it up to you. There are two reasons why I do this: 1) they can't claim I gave them the wrong flavour/brand AFTER I've put the money through. 2) I'm still learning my way through the racks.
ID
This one's a combo of praising and sucky.
THANK you to the kid a year older than me who fished out his ID when I asked for it. I know you since I went to you school with you, but I need to check anyway.
On the other hand, telling me "I'm 21" does not endear me to you. I need to see actual proof. Drivers License, Proof of Age card or passport only. (Passport covers the "we don't take international drivers licenses" scenario)
I'm getting the hang of eyeballing though...slowly.

Yes, we can do that
Slightly frustrating and this is whenever I'm NOT doing smokes. Our system allows us to suspend transactions and take them to the smoke counter. So if I ask you if you want to come to my register, you can come-I'm trying to shorten the lines. I can do it from a larger lane, it doesn't make a difference. Just I'm not the one serving you the cigarettes.
Finally...
What I CAN do from the smoke counter...
-Sell cigarettes, tobacco and cigarette-related items (papers and filters-I use the papers on my flute)
-Sell phone credit, iTunes credit, gift cards etc.
-Answer enquiries about our loyalty programs.
-Answer most general enquiries.
What I CANNOT do from the smoke counter...
-Sell mobile phones (we do sell them, but there's this eternally frustrating system in place that we're required to do. I'm not trained)
-Handle complaints (not a supervisor and I have not had conflict resolution training...speaking of which, can I get some advice on how to deal with complaints for when the time rolls around?)
-Handle refunds and exchanges (not trained)
-Hire out our carpet cleaning machines (not trained, however I can sell customers the shampoos and such since you buy them outright)
-Answer questions that require a manager's knowledge.
-Answer phones (I can do internal calls, but not external calls.)
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