By Heather
So you know the post I made a few days ago, the one about dealing with the public over the phone? That contractor that kept calling?
Yeah, that guy. So he calls back today and asked me if my boss had the paint that he wanted mixed. I look in the tint room and there is nothing in there for him. I apologize and say that we do not have his paint. "Well I'm not very happy about this." I take down his number and tell him that I'll tell my boss he called and as soon as he finishes with his current customer he would call him back. Now, right when I got to work today my boss told me that if this guy came in to come and get him. He didn't even want me talking to this guy. My boss finishes with his customer and I tell him about this guy calling. Now I can't help but overhear what transpires over the brief phone call. So I continue with the long and tedious task of changing the shelf tags when he calls again. He starts yelling at me about how unhappy he is. My boss is on the other line so you can imagine how thrilled he was to be put on hold. Now, the reason why he is so pissed is because we won't make him any more paint because why....wait for it...he hasn't paid his bill. Yep, that's it everyone, all that hassle he gave me over the phone the other day, saying I didn't know how to do my job and accusing me of being very poor at customer service. So it took a while for my boss and so me, being terrible at my job and everything, gets back on the phone with this asshole and kept him updated that we are still taking care of him and will be with him as soon as we can. "This is unacceptable, this is not how you do good business."
Do you know how hard it was not to say "You know what else is bad business? Not paying your bill and still expecting us to mix you thousands of dollars worth of paint Asshole McDouche!!!" but...again, apologized for the inconvenience. After all that this guy put me through the other day, finding out he owed an astronomical amount of money to the store and he still had the balls to give me attitude, telling me I was terrible at my job, and yelling at me over the phone constantly. Taking time and energy away from waiting on people that actually work hard and pay their bill. I know what this guy looks like now too because he was in the store yesterday. Hopefully the corporate office nails him.
By Heather
Okay this was beyond ridiculous. I was waiting on this one older woman today and she had quite a few questions. So I had already mixed her samples and I had a hard time finding the account she was putting it under. So as I was looking for it I was answering her questions.
This painter came into the store only minutes before I was able to ring her out and I was finishing with the last of her questions when he slammed a stack of painters tape on the desk. Loud enough to startle both me and the elderly woman. He gives me this look and I collect myself enough to say. "I'm sorry can I help you?" He stands up straight and motions to the woman. "Please continue," very condescendingly.
I turn back to the woman who clearly is now scared either of the man or for me since she knows that he is obviously displeased. She opted to then leave. I turn to the man and give him a look that would be very hard to not understand as "Shame on you". He obviously did not care that I was giving him the equivalent attitude that a mother would give her five year old for throwing a temper tantrum in the middle of K-mart.
He wanted me to quote him prices on the different tapes that he brought up. He wasn't waiting for paint, he wasn't in there for a long time he simply did not want to take his turn. So I do as he asks and since there is only one register I have to wait for my other co-worker to finish ringing out the other customer first. He then made the comment as to only having one register of which I ignored. This was the first time I have seen this guy in there and hopefully he is not a painter I'll see very often this summer because if that's the case, every time we see each other its going to be like two gunslingers each and every time. I normally wouldn't have this mentality accept for the fact that he picked me to do this to because he thinks I'm an easy target compared to my male counterpart. I will not be bullied.
By Heather
I'll start with the personal call I had to make at work today. I have a medical condition and I ran out of medicine over a month ago. But since I changed jobs, gas prices keep on increasing, and many other random occurrences that have happened, its been very difficult to schedule an appointment. I live in PA but my specialist is in WV where I used to live and since its been over a year since I last saw him he can't just write me up a prescription. So I have to make an appointment. I have had to cancel several that I've made over the past year just because its been to hard to get from PA to WV to have the blood work done and the doctor's visit. So today I try to schedule one up here. So I take a 10 min. break and this is the awesomeness I had to put with.
This is me and Margret, we went on a journey today. I called, what I thought was the doctors office. But apparently there's not just one and Margret was my navigator. She asked me who I'd liked to see. I say, Dr. Bob (not going to say actual doctors names). "For what reason are you making an appointment?" I tell her why and that because of being unable to keep up with my appointments because of the move and change in jobs thus the changes in insurance I have been unable to keep up with it. This is the reason why I have to change doctors and I'll also have to get a script for blood work prior to the appointment. (as you can tell I've done this before so I know what I need to have done) I was referred to Dr. Bob's office by one of his patients. "Alright well we'll need your paperwork from your where your transferring faxed to us." Okay, what's your fax so I can call them and have them send it. "Okay let me put you on hold to get you the number." So she puts me on hold, I found this strange since it was going to be faxed to her office there. Wouldn't it just be on a business card at least? She took five minutes to get back to me and give me the number.
"Alright, what office would you like to see him in?" There are many branches all over the city. I tell her anywhere near where I work would be fabulous that way I wouldn't have spend an hour in traffic getting to inner city or trying to find it because I'm still unfamiliar with this city. So she puts me on hold for about 8min. at this point the assistant manager is looking at me as if to say I need to be getting back and just as I'm about to give up on Margret she gets back to me. "Alright I got you an appointment with Dr. Fred".
....wait what? I said I needed an appointment with Dr. Bob. I've been through hell finding a good specialist and I got his name from a very trusted source. "I'm sorry, I'll try his office." To late, I have to get back to work.
Now onto the idiot contractor that would not stop calling. So after this you can imagine how great of a mood I was in. I ended up calling my mom and asked her if she could do me a favor and just make me another appointment at the one back home in WV and I'll just have to make the time and keep to it. We had a good flow of customers today and we had to get receiving cleared out because we get trucks on Tuesday and we barely had last weeks packed away. So needless to say I and my boss were very busy. My boss was dealing with other issues which included other employees (delivery men) not doing their job and him having to deal with very angry customers, customers that were very large accounts. So I tried my best to take care of the customers coming in the store, getting things put away, and answering the phone. I'm waiting on a few customers (painters) and this contractor keeps calling asking if we could give him a price on our five gallon drums. Now I've only been there two months and I've been told not to price accounts I'm not familiar with. So I tell him the my boss is with another customer, took his name and number and said he'd call him as soon as he was able. At this point I feel that vein in my head begin to swell and it feels like a tumor at this point.
Again, waiting on four customers, mixing paint and additional questions from everyone in the store, the contractor calls again. Again I take his message and any additional information he had to add. Of which I can barely hear him because he's talking to multiple people over the phone not just me, there is a ton of echo and he's giving me lip because he's not being waited on that second. I apologize for the inconvenience and explain to him that we've a high volume of calls and customers in the store that day. So I get off the phone and finish with my current line of customers. My boss finishes his current phone call briefly and I tell him about the contractor that kept calling and his reaction was just about the same as mine. He informs me that this contractor never buys from our store and is not in our system. But him and his workers consistently come into our store for free shirts, and with coupons for free roller covers and brushes. We lose money on them. And now they want us to lower our prices on our paint to the point were we'd see little to no profit on it. He said that they can wait and that he has some emergency calls to take care of first of which if he says I can do it and won't get in trouble for it I have no problem telling this contractor that they have to wait. So the store fills up again while I'm trying to get the truck on the shelves. Again he calls while I'm working on custom matching someones paint, asking them the necessary questions. He calls and is very ticked off and again I play it off apologizing trying to balance between him, my current customer and the ones behind him.
Finish that customer, he calls back and asks me a few questions about another paint and then said that the price was to much and complained about that and that he wanted to talk to my boss, I told him he was still dealing with an emergency and that he knows about him and his pricing questions and would get to him as soon as he could. He begrudgingly hangs up and I continue with my customer.
I'm still with this customer and he calls back not five minutes later and said that this was unacceptable and that I am terrible at my job. I tell him that I am currently waiting on customers and doing as much for him as I can. I am not authorized to do pricing since I am only a DIY Specialist and have only been there for two months. He is content with that answer and hangs up. I finish with that customer and finish out with the rest of my customers. I start with changing out the shelf tags because it has to be done by the end of the month and he calls back again and while dealing with him another rush comes in. I look at the clock to discover my shift ended fifteen minutes ago.
By Heather
I just had to write something about this.
So I was looking over blogger's settings for a friend of mine. She's looking to blog about a trip she's planning on taking and she's never blogged before so I told her I'd look up on some of the questions she had about it.
So this morning I start going through all the tabs of which I probably should have done while setting up this blog because I didn't realize that some of the default settings kept guests from commenting. So now that I have that taken care of those of you who don't have a google account can now comment. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. So along with this I stumbled onto the Stats tab
...I know 900 views not including myself to most blogs probably isn't that big but to someone that never thought anyone besides my friends and family read this that's kinda big. I'm shocked and flattered. All I can say is thanks for reading.
..I'm still in shock. I guess when I started it I never thought I'd write anything many people would find much interest in or even that they'd find it entertaining. Or maybe its just me, maybe 900 views really isn't that much at all in comparison to others but its curtainly more than I ever expected. Now that I fixed the comment section hopefully I can get more input.
By Heather
I love helping people out with their paint choices and I really do mean that. However I can't make it any clearer that I can not make your decision for you. Firstly, because I am strictly not allowed. Because if you buy that color, take it home and hate it, bring it back and say that I told you to buy that color we have to eat that and give a another can of paint for free, therefore, I cannot make this choice for you. On average I get at least one of these customers once every other day...today...I had three. And I really wouldn't have minded accept that I'm sick, can hardly breath let alone talk, there was a truck to unload, the tint room needed cleaned, and all the regular stock needed put on the shelves. There was a lot to do in that eight hours that I was there and I had already lost the first hour due to making a delivery and running to the bank for change and the stores receipt slips from the past few deposits.
At first its kind of fun to watch them grab up at least 12-15 color chips staying around the same color or shades of that color then moving onto a completely different color option. I ask them the normal questions, what room are you painting? What is the price range you'd like to stick to? Are you looking for a subtle or drastic change? How large is this room? What is the main source of light in this room? What color are the walls now? What sheen are they currently?
Now to me this is fairly standard for me to figure out the kind of paint you need, what primer you need, what base you need, if you need to wash down your walls first, whether or not you need a paint with anti-microbials in it, if you have kids so that you'd need a paint with a low/no VOC or odor options, the durability that you may need depending on the room (kitchen, bathrooms, and kids rooms/play areas). I in no way mean for this to overwhelm you. I am simply narrowing down what you need for your project and getting you the best price for what you need.
I know that when people come in for a can of paint they are coming thinking "just a can of paint" and I know that all the questions I ask are things that most DIY (Do it Yourself) customers don't even think of. Most people don't think that paint performs to different rooms and expectations.
Me explaining this process of elimination only takes maybe five to ten minutes. But today I got these individuals that came in that were the most indecisive individuals I have ever met. They asked me every question in the book, questions that didn't even pertain to painting their wall and then got confused by almost everything I told them. Whereas if they just slowed down to listen to me they would have had answer enough for that one singular project that they came in for. Not the twelve different projects they were pondering on doing. They couldn't figure out all surface enamels for specialty surfaces apparently. "Will this work on wood?" ...does the phrase
ALL surface enamel not get through somehow? "Does that mean I can use it on my porch railing?" I spent my lunch beating my forehead off the side of the building today.
By Heather
I know that I've only been working for this store for a month and there has been extensive training so even though I don't know everything I at least know the basics. So this customer comes into the store and its one of those moments where your eyes meet one another and you just know that this person is not going to listen to anything you say, even though everything you tell this person is helpful to what they came in for. I work in a paint store, we sell a variety of different paints for many different projects and purposes. So when this woman came in I introduced myself and asked her what I could help her with. She said she needed a can of paint, I asked what kind of paint. She said Satin. That's a sheen not a paint, what room are you looking to paint. Already, she is irritated with me. She said it was the bathroom so I recommended the paint with the anti-microbials in it because of the moister that is in a bathroom it would prevent mold and mildew on your walls. She said that it was way to expensive and that she just wanted what she got before and she was not budging. I tried to explain to her what she got before was the same price and she be getting the added benifit of the anti-microbials, no VOC's and no odor. Nope she didn't care. She actually ended up paying more for a product that wasn't going to perform to the space she was putting it in. A few months from now I expect we'll be getting a call cause this idiot wouldn't listen to just a sales person that was doing their job and trying to HELP her, but you know what, don't blame me when you start getting sick because of the mold on your walls.
What I don't get is why someone would come into a store with that kind of an additude. What do you think being an outright bitch to a complete stranger that is just doing their job is going to get a few bucks knocked off for you? Because if you don't want a quality paint that is going to last you then don't come to this store. Buy a cheap paint at another random store that will last two years before you have to another repaint if you are that worried about the price.
By Heather
Now you may feel pressured to know exactly what to do with your life. As if you are supposed to know what you want to dedicate the next sixty years of your life to. And every public school out there is going to say "We prepare you for college!" Which is a giant load of crap, they don't prepare you for shit. They say that to lure you into a false sense of security and make them look good. What they don't tell you is this:
Number One: No, you don't have to know what you want to do with your life and I don't think a lot of people really do. It is okay to go to college and get your base requirements done and out of the way. Its also a good idea to maybe take a typing class if there is one and one that certifies you for Microsoft because with just that Microsoft certification opens you up for clerical work opportunities that pays at least $12 dollars an hour and I've found a few that paid $16. But while you are there in college, explore majors that interest you and talk to the professors that teach those courses for more info. Its what they are there for so don't feel bashful.
Number Two: DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT GO FOR YOUR PASSION! This may sound terrible and heartless, but go for something that's going to make you money. And by that statement I mean something that will be able to support you and maybe another with pay wise. Its good to have a passion and I encourage you to always have your passion and enjoy it. But you can always have your passion and a way to support yourself. It is a lot better to enjoy your passion and a stable income instead of your passion and an unstable income of which you can't even enjoy your passion anymore because you're to busy making ends meet.
Number Three: Don't take people's word for anything. Do your own research when it comes to the job market. You need to make sure there will be a job for you out there when you graduate. The college will always boast that they have a high percentage of grads that found work right out of college. What they don't tell you is whether its in their field or not. They don't care if its in your field or not, they just care that they got their check and that you got work anywhere after graduating. What they don't tell you is that many of these kids had to get a job anywhere that was hiring just so they could start chipping away at the massive student loans they've acquired.
Number Four: If you are having doubts half way into your major whether this is what you really want or not and are not in love with it as much as you thought. You DON'T have to continue it! Because odds are if you don't like it now you're not going to like it when your working it! Its okay to switch majors in the middle because it is YOUR life and better to do it now than to say "I'm in it this far, I should stick it out all the way through." Well if you do that and get your degree and then end up hating what you're doing and decide to come back to college for another major, not only will you be tacking more college debt, you will also have a harder time finding financial aid because you already have a degree.
Number Five: You really are on your own. There is no one looking out after you but yourself. And to you I say congratulations to your new found freedom! But I do caution you. Your choices are that much more important now. Before there was always someone or something to fall back on. Now, there is not and you'll find out now more than ever that life is all about the choices you make both personal and professional. And you'll soon find out that many college kids lack the ability to tell a good choice from a bad choice. Don't be that kid. Odds are if its something you have to stop and think on before doing, its not a good decision. But along those same lines don't be afraid of new experiences, just be sure to have people you trust with you.
Number Six: Don't make the mistake in thinking that just because its college that people are going to be more mature than they were in high school. That they all are going to operate on an academic level of respect. Oh no, they will be that much worse because now they are unsupervised. You will now be surrounded by people that look they walked right off the Jersey Shore and with the same personality along with the IQ of a toaster.
Number Seven: College is all about "Time Management". Set a pace for yourself and keep it. There are your classes and time where you have no classes. Dedicate a few hours each day for homework and study. But most importantly make sure you have a few hours to yourself if you can manage. Its very easy to get burnt out on college when its all you do. You need to have time to whined down and relax. Midterms and finals will be a real test in itself so save your energy, notes, and all of your work for review.
I hope that this post has been of some help for all of you that are planning to further your education. This is coming from someone that has been to college and learned all of this first hand. I'll be going back to it soon if all works out. Best of luck to all of you, feel free to leave your comments and questions in the comment section below.
By Heather
There are times when I take along look into the rearview mirror and think of my youth. Just to see how far I've come and yet how far I have left to go. Growing up I was picked on a lot, made fun of for my off sense of humor, now I've made a blog out of it that quite a few people seem to enjoy. I was made fun of for my drawings (not the ones I do on here) and now I make a decent profit at it. When I joined band I was only ridiculed more by those I considered friends and then realized that they were my friends out of pity because I didn't have anyone else. But you know what? That's fine, because the freedom I found in music is what kept me going through the worst of those years. Now I have the ability to learn any instrument I want. Looking back I am so glad I didn't cave to peer-pressure because if I did I would be sitting here in regret of what I missed out on. On what I could have done. Only giving up to fit in will lead to nowhere, but if you stick to your guns on what you love to do and find salvation within yourself. Then you will find a much richer life and a freedom that very few will ever know. And now having that freedom I can pass this knowledge and advice onto those I come into contact with. If you have to change who you are to fit in with your friends, then they are not your friends. Real friends accept you for who you are. And if these people don't then they are not worth catering for either.
I am writing this now more so because I still get quite a few e-mails from kids that I used to do counceling at an after school program. I know you all don't think I'm being honest when I tell you how much I was made fun of, how much people brought me down, and how much I didn't like who I was. And how long I didn't like myself because of how people made me feel. I'm not saying this for people to feel sorry for me, I'm saything this because what you are going through now does not last forever. And people only make you feel that way when you let them. Ask yourselves some serious questions. In the long run do those people and their opinions of you matter? No, no they don't. Are you really willing to let that person dictate who you are or what your future will be? No, absolutely not! Then don't give them that power. Walk away and continue doing what makes you happy, drawing, music, writing what ever it is you find your freedom in. Don't be afraid to tell your teachers or parents about what's happening at school. I never told a soul until years later, don't know why but I never did. It never occured to me that anything could be done about it. I just sort of let it happen until finally people just forgot about me and moved on. All I can say is, don't let that be you. It took me along time to get over the social awkwardness that ran my life. That awkwardness was caused by me not doing anything about it, allowing other people to make me believe there was something wrong with me. Made me fear breaking from my routine, fear talking to others because I for some reason wasn't normal. Now there is no fear, just joy because I have moved passed it and those people that were the cause of it are not in my life and have not been since school ended. Will I ever let anyone make me feel that way again? No, never again. I have grown so much since then and have found someone to be weird with. If there is someone out there like me then there is someone out there like you. God apparently has that sense of humor too. My brother-in-law said "There is a lid for every pot." and he is right.
