Shopping Discussion

Open letters for all you Christmas shoppers...

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[OP]
Deal Guru
User avatar
Apr 23, 2004
14189 posts
194288 upvotes
Montreal

Open letters for all you Christmas shoppers...

Hi there,

Well, I don't know if this consider a rant or whatnot, but I think I just want to type how I feel today, it's for all you shoppers. As you know, I been here in RFD for many years, post many hot deals, to random stuff, I don't know. With the Christmas season upon us, I don't know about this year, but it is a lot worst then last year. With the death for Target, the dollar going down the toilet, I find people are more annoying and generally, sometimes out right rude and less understanding, no patience, more lazy.

It's not that everyone is like that, I can say some people are really nice and understanding and I would say thank you for those that do.

I like this quote, "I see human, but there is no humanity". No one cares for their fellow humankind, it's more what best things to get for Christmas. If Christmas is like the season of giving and sharing with friends and family and all around you for the Christmas holiday, then it is slowly disappearing every year. The only thing that hits the news is silly thing are Starbucks red cups and Reese's Christmas tree, that's the big huge issue.

But no one actually went to go and see the employees of retail stores, that actually make your Christmas possible... I seen all the worst: people leaving dirty full diapers in the aisle to half-full coffee cups. Some parents have zero control with their children, letting them play like the store is a playground. People ripping (not opening, purely ripping) boxes apart to a point that isn't sellable. Some completely make a total mess of the store... Then there are these cars that love to park in front of the store, blocking the road, or even worst, park in the handicap spot that they aren't even handicap, they just park there because it's the closest spot with no regards at all. That's just to name a few... It get a lot worst as Christmas get closer...

No one cares anymore... I wonder, why? Why people are like this?

If Christmas is suppose to be like this, then the Christmas I know and feel is slowly dying out...

What do you think? Feel free to comment, I like to hear what you feel about all this...

Well, that's all I have to say. For all you RFDer out there, I wish you guys a safe and joyful Happy Holidays or whatnot...

Ju Leon...
31 replies
Sr. Member
May 29, 2008
818 posts
356 upvotes
I think that selfish people do a lot of things that don't really make much sense, and you noticing and telling them isn't going to change anything about them. See this post for a prime example. I believe they are like that year-round, but perhaps Christmas gives you more opportunities to witness/encounter them?

I supposed that people who aren't usually so self-centered may also act a bit worse due to the stress around Christmas. And then there are some people who just won't ever be so terrible because they have a conscience and can empathize.

In the end, it's just humans being humans, whatever kind they are. Sorry that you're caught in the middle of it =\
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Jan 7, 2007
21095 posts
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Poormond Hill
It depends on the store. When I go to Wal Mart, I see people eating cherries and spit out the pit wherever they feel like it. Whether it's on the floor or the food counters. Same with pistachios. People dont care. Disgusting. But when I shop at Longos or Fortinos or Loblaws, I don't see that behaviour. Same thing as Toys R Us. Shoppers there are far more respectful than those who shop at Wal Mart.
A life spent making mistakes is not only more memorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.
Deal Addict
Jan 28, 2014
3829 posts
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Toronto
sandikosh wrote: It depends on the store. When I go to Wal Mart, I see people eating cherries and spit out the pit wherever they feel like it. Whether it's on the floor or the food counters. Same with pistachios. People dont care. Disgusting. But when I shop at Longos or Fortinos or Loblaws, I don't see that behaviour. Same thing as Toys R Us. Shoppers there are far more respectful than those who shop at Wal Mart.
I saw the exact same thing at McEwan's last year. It was pretty gross.
Deal Guru
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Mar 8, 2002
13260 posts
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GTA
My wife was in retail mgmt up until this June and some of the things she told me about were just disgusting. She was shouted at, spat at, shoved ( police were called for that one), had coins thrown at her, called all sorts of names and generally talked to like a piece of dirt, a lot of times on front of small kids. There's a small minority of people that are giving us all a bad name, like this self entitled moron:

Image
Deal Expert
Aug 22, 2006
30355 posts
15857 upvotes
inferno_gn wrote: But no one actually went to go and see the employees of retail stores, that actually make your Christmas possible...
Why would I want to go see them?
If anything I actively avoid them unless I have to.
I should however hug all my couriers because online shopping > brick and mortar

I seen all the worst: people leaving dirty full diapers in the aisle to half-full coffee cups. Some parents have zero control with their children, letting them play like the store is a playground. People ripping (not opening, purely ripping) boxes apart to a point that isn't sellable. Some completely make a total mess of the store... Then there are these cars that love to park in front of the store, blocking the road, or even worst, park in the handicap spot that they aren't even handicap, they just park there because it's the closest spot with no regards at all. That's just to name a few... It get a lot worst as Christmas get closer...
This is just people being entitled twats.
Most people are fine but a select few ruin it for the rest of us.
No one cares anymore... I wonder, why? Why people are like this?
"I'm a special little snowflake"
If Christmas is suppose to be like this, then the Christmas I know and feel is slowly dying out...
Christmas died LONG ago.
Now it's all about "OMG I MUST SPEND EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR I HAVE ON STUPID JUNK! DON'T YOU LOVE THIS GIANT INFLATABLE SNOWMAN ON MY LAWN!??!??!"
It's literally a retail holiday now more than anything else.
Well, that's all I have to say. For all you RFDer out there, I wish you guys a safe and joyful Happy Holidays or whatnot...
I've always wondered why we don't wish someone a safe and joyful any other time of the year.
Be safe on Christmas. Screw you for the other 11 months of the year.

Yeah I'm weird...
Deal Addict
Sep 20, 2008
1531 posts
561 upvotes
Calgary
Honest answer to why a safe holidays - my guess is the involvement of alcohol. It's a nice war of saying don't be a dick, drive sober.
Deal Expert
Mar 23, 2004
33668 posts
15726 upvotes
inferno_gn wrote: I like this quote, "I see human, but there is no humanity". No one cares for their fellow humankind, it's more what best things to get for Christmas. If Christmas is like the season of giving and sharing with friends and family and all around you for the Christmas holiday, then it is slowly disappearing every year. The only thing that hits the news is silly thing are Starbucks red cups and Reese's Christmas tree, that's the big huge issue.
The funny part is I knew nothing of these Reese and Starbucks "issues" until you mentioned them and I had to look them up. Kinda Streisanded that eh?
Deal Guru
Mar 14, 2005
13811 posts
2509 upvotes
Haven't been Christmas shopping, but I'll take the OP's word on the bad behaviour of shoppers, lol.

Ok, here's my explanation of why people are behaving more badly. It is because the culture is getting more self-centred and shallow, fuelled by social media platforms that encourage vanity and accumulating like votes. Outer looks and popularity take precedence over character, integrity, and humbleness. Cheating is rampant in schools, and society rewards those who finish first by whatever means rather than those who earn their way by merit. So, when it comes to service workers like people in retail, they are peons and mean nothing in the social hierarchy -- why is it surprising that they are treated as a means to an end (eg. "give it to me on sale"; "give me a refund without a receipt"), rather than anything more than that.
[OP]
Deal Guru
User avatar
Apr 23, 2004
14189 posts
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Montreal
Hi there,

That's the thing, I take offense that retail workers get shafted by customers with their attitude.

Ju Leon...
Deal Expert
Aug 22, 2006
30355 posts
15857 upvotes
inferno_gn wrote: That's the thing, I take offense that retail workers get shafted by customers with their attitude.
I agree. That's why I've always hid in the back and paid others to deal with the public.
[OP]
Deal Guru
User avatar
Apr 23, 2004
14189 posts
194288 upvotes
Montreal
Hi there,

That's the issue, why is it always like that? Why not something can be done about this? We always have news about "poor customer service", but never "horrible customers". Even Marketplace did an episode about "return policy" and again, retail workers get the end of the stick in that report...

Ju Leon...
Deal Expert
Aug 22, 2006
30355 posts
15857 upvotes
Ever hear the phrase "The customer is always right"?
Just like Communism it makes sense on paper. Do whatever you can to make sure the customer is happy.
But just like Communism, it doesn't take into account human nature.

At the end of the day, as long as there are spineless managers and people who yell at them (and their employees) there will always be those who think they are holier than thou and continue to be idiots.

Here's an example from a few days ago:
rant-toys-r-us-paypal-store-refunds-1873913/
I made the store manager issue a manual
OP *made* the store manager issue him a refund despite OP literally being wrong about store policy.

If I was the manager I'd tell him to get lost if OP was like this IRL.
But then again I answer to myself.
He probably has to answer to his district manager who answers to corporate who will probably give him hell because he didn't do everything to make the customer happy.

Also if it was actually me and "OP" wasn't a complete [expletive deleted] I might have made an exception because as a manager that's my call.
But when you start demanding things I like using malicious compliance against you.
"Sorry. It's store policy. Of course I make the policy. I'm the owner. Nope. I'm not going to change it. Now go stomp off in a crying fit like the 5 year old you're acting like. Yes I've heard of Yelp. No I don't care."

EDIT: Also if you (everyone) want to do something about it, when you see some genius being an idiot towards staff, call them out on it.
They want the attention, make sure you give it to them. You might get a round of applause.
Deal Addict
Nov 20, 2011
4100 posts
266 upvotes
Ontario, Canada
death_hawk wrote: Ever hear the phrase "The customer is always right"?
Just like Communism it makes sense on paper. Do whatever you can to make sure the customer is happy.
But just like Communism, it doesn't take into account human nature.

At the end of the day, as long as there are spineless managers and people who yell at them (and their employees) there will always be those who think they are holier than thou and continue to be idiots.

Here's an example from a few days ago:
rant-toys-r-us-paypal-store-refunds-1873913/

OP *made* the store manager issue him a refund despite OP literally being wrong about store policy.

If I was the manager I'd tell him to get lost if OP was like this IRL.
But then again I answer to myself.
He probably has to answer to his district manager who answers to corporate who will probably give him hell because he didn't do everything to make the customer happy.

Also if it was actually me and "OP" wasn't a complete [expletive deleted] I might have made an exception because as a manager that's my call.
But when you start demanding things I like using malicious compliance against you.
"Sorry. It's store policy. Of course I make the policy. I'm the owner. Nope. I'm not going to change it. Now go stomp off in a crying fit like the 5 year old you're acting like. Yes I've heard of Yelp. No I don't care."

EDIT: Also if you (everyone) want to do something about it, when you see some genius being an idiot towards staff, call them out on it.
They want the attention, make sure you give it to them. You might get a round of applause.
When I worked in retail, I always followed policy and that alone pissed people off.
Traveling 😁
Deal Addict
Sep 11, 2007
4497 posts
725 upvotes
happy holiday fellow redflagdealers! well with today's media, bad publicity could be good marketing LOL @ starbucks and reese. I just find people these days are so passive aggressive. =(
Deal Addict
Nov 18, 2015
1228 posts
1683 upvotes
Waterloo, ON
Because it ain't about "Jesus" anymore...

-----

Did I triggered too many people?
Deal Expert
Dec 4, 2010
19536 posts
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Quarantine Bubble
death_hawk wrote: Why would I want to go see them?
If anything I actively avoid them unless I have to.
I should however hug all my couriers because online shopping > brick and mortar



This is just people being entitled twats.
Most people are fine but a select few ruin it for the rest of us.


"I'm a special little snowflake"


Christmas died LONG ago.
Now it's all about "OMG I MUST SPEND EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR I HAVE ON STUPID JUNK! DON'T YOU LOVE THIS GIANT INFLATABLE SNOWMAN ON MY LAWN!??!??!"
It's literally a retail holiday now more than anything else.


I've always wondered why we don't wish someone a safe and joyful any other time of the year.
Be safe on Christmas. Screw you for the other 11 months of the year.

Yeah I'm weird...

Not weird just unabashedly honest. I'm like that too and people think I'm weird. I don't have time for their jibber jabber.
Deal Addict
User avatar
Mar 12, 2006
2489 posts
689 upvotes
Ancaster, ON
My only complaint about Christmas shopper's, and shopper's year round in general. All the mouth breathers who have no concept of personal space. While standing in a checkout line it is not necessary for you to crawl up my azz, step back!! When I move to get some distance from you stop dragging your feet across the floor and filling that space up again.
Deal Expert
Aug 2, 2001
18280 posts
9500 upvotes
inferno_gn wrote: But no one actually went to go and see the employees of retail stores, that actually make your Christmas possible... I seen all the worst
Since when do retail workers make Christmas possible? You (as you are a retail employee, or at least based on these yearly threads you make were) have a selfish view of the world if you think that.

I'm all for manners and treating others like you want to be treated, but if you (and other retail workers) think they "make Christmas possible" then you really need to get your ego in check

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