grandpawrichard
27th of April 2009 (Mon), 11:17
Remember: “Never Judge a Book By It’s Cover”
The old adage Remember: "Never Judge a Book By It’s Cover” sure came back to mind last Monday afternoon when I reported to work for the late shift at Joe’s Outdoor Sports.
When I arrived at work I was immediately swarmed by fellow employees and told that we had a “homeless” man traveling through the store filling a shopping cart full of merchandise. He had been there in the store ever since 10 a.m. (it was now 12:50 p.m.).
I was told to keep my eyes open for him and to make sure that he wasn’t stealing merchandise.
I walked back to my department (Field and Stream) and was told by my lead person Paul to find that guy and stick with him so that he would leave the store. Paul also told me to harass the guy as much as possible and make sure that he knew that “we were on to him and his game!”
So, with those orders I proceeded to walk the store looking for the “homeless” guy with full intentions to do the best job of Customer Service that I have ever done.
I found the man in the Boating department. This guy was the “typical “homeless” looking, dirty, smelly, attired guy I had ever seen; with a twist, he had bells attached to his shoe laces, his belt loop on his pants and the button holes of his shirt. When he walked he sounded like a musical wind chime.
I walked up to him and said my usual speech “ Good Afternoon Sir! Is there anything I can do to serve you?”
He looked at me and said that he was outfitting a boat, so he needed quite a few items that he could not seem to find. So, I looked at the shopping cart he was pushing. It was stacked higher than the top of the cart with automotive parts and boating parts.
I then asked him if he really needed that merchandise and if he intended to buy them. He said yes; so I said I was sure glad because if he didn’t buy them I would have several hours of restocking merchandise ahead of me after he left. He assured me that he did indeed intend to buy them! I figured I would humor him for a while and I would “stick to him like glue so that he would not steal anything”.
I set to the task of helping him find all of the items that he requested. Soon we had a cart that was way over full and spilling onto the floor, so I went to the front of the store and got another cart. I went back to the guy and we proceeded to fill that cart with even more boating equipment, including flares, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, anchors, rope, etc.
Next he said he needed fishing tackle; so off to my department we went. I set him up with rods, reels, line, hooks, sinkers, and lures. He browsed the department until he got to an aisle that my lead man was on. My lead man then proceeded to tell him to “put all that merchandise back where it belonged and get out of the store!”
The “homeless” guy proceeded to tell my lead man that he fully intended to pay for the merchandise and he could do it with either his debit card or a credit card.” My lead man quipped back that “he could do the same thing, but it didn’t mean that there was any money in either account!” With that statement the “homeless” guy fired back; “I’m sorry for you then Sir! I have Plenty of Money to spend and it won’t even make a dent in my finances!” I was beginning to like this guy!
We left my department and headed over to the Apparel department to get Rain Gear, some new pants, shirts, coats and hats. Soon, we needed another cart to put merchandise in, so I went to get another cart. This guy was really having quite a time of trying on different items and loading the cart up. Everything he asked me for I found and showed to him. I even made recommendations to him on equipment from my experiences with “outdoor” gear.
Soon we were headed to the Footwear section of the store. He picked out several pairs of Boots, slippers, shoes and Golf shoes. Again the cart was Full! It was evident that he was Not done with his shopping spree, so I again went to the front of the store to get another shopping cart.
Our next stop was in the Athletics department. Exercise equipment went into the cart first, then came Golf balls, next came a complete set of Titanium Golf clubs, a golf bag, a golf cart, gloves and an Electronic Golf Rangefinder. When these last items were placed into the cart the “homeless” guy told me that he was Done shopping and that we could go to the cash register to check out.
We must have been quite a sight to everyone we passed, because we sure drew a lot of attention from customers and management alike. FOUR Bulging Shopping carts, a store employee with a dazed look on his face, and a Dirty, Stinky “homeless” looking guy that chimed as walked.
As we arrived at the cash register so did Two store Managers. They asked the guy “how do you intended to pay for all that merchandise?” He told them “I am going to pay for it with his Bank Debit card.” They told him “We need to see Two Photo Identification cards and that they would need to confirm the account and amount with his bank.” He said “No Problem Gentlemen!” He then whipped out a wallet stuffed with money and handed them all the Identification and Debit card that they requested.
Very soon the managers returned with red faces and thanked the guy for his purchases! His bank had assured them that the card was valid and could cover any amount that the gentleman wanted! At the end of the checkout procedure the total purchase amount was $18,873.96!
As I helped the cashier place everything in bags and back into carts I asked the “homeless” guy how he intended to get all that merchandise home. He said “that’s not a problem!” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a Cell Phone and dialed a number. Then he said “I’m done shopping, come pick me up!” Momentarily a Huge, Brand Spanking New Stretch Limousine pulled up to the front of the store; and the uniformed driver jumped out. He opened the passenger door for the “Homeless” guy and greeted him. Plus he popped the trunk and proceeded to place all of the packages neatly into the trunk with my help.
The “homeless” guy tried to hand me a $100 tip for all of my help. I had to decline the offer due to company policy and tell him that I was just doing my job as a Sales person. He thanked me again, he then got into the limo and rode off into the sunset!
You better believe that there was a Lot of Stunned Employees in our store and that there was one Lead man that had to “Eat Crow” for what he had said to my “Homeless” Guy Customer! I harassed him all week about it and Constantly Reminded him that you should:
“Never Judge a Book By It’s Cover”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Written by Dick Raymond
4/27/09
© 2009 Richard M. (Dick) Raymond Jr.
This is a True Story! I Did Not Embellish Any of the Facts!
The old adage Remember: "Never Judge a Book By It’s Cover” sure came back to mind last Monday afternoon when I reported to work for the late shift at Joe’s Outdoor Sports.
When I arrived at work I was immediately swarmed by fellow employees and told that we had a “homeless” man traveling through the store filling a shopping cart full of merchandise. He had been there in the store ever since 10 a.m. (it was now 12:50 p.m.).
I was told to keep my eyes open for him and to make sure that he wasn’t stealing merchandise.
I walked back to my department (Field and Stream) and was told by my lead person Paul to find that guy and stick with him so that he would leave the store. Paul also told me to harass the guy as much as possible and make sure that he knew that “we were on to him and his game!”
So, with those orders I proceeded to walk the store looking for the “homeless” guy with full intentions to do the best job of Customer Service that I have ever done.
I found the man in the Boating department. This guy was the “typical “homeless” looking, dirty, smelly, attired guy I had ever seen; with a twist, he had bells attached to his shoe laces, his belt loop on his pants and the button holes of his shirt. When he walked he sounded like a musical wind chime.
I walked up to him and said my usual speech “ Good Afternoon Sir! Is there anything I can do to serve you?”
He looked at me and said that he was outfitting a boat, so he needed quite a few items that he could not seem to find. So, I looked at the shopping cart he was pushing. It was stacked higher than the top of the cart with automotive parts and boating parts.
I then asked him if he really needed that merchandise and if he intended to buy them. He said yes; so I said I was sure glad because if he didn’t buy them I would have several hours of restocking merchandise ahead of me after he left. He assured me that he did indeed intend to buy them! I figured I would humor him for a while and I would “stick to him like glue so that he would not steal anything”.
I set to the task of helping him find all of the items that he requested. Soon we had a cart that was way over full and spilling onto the floor, so I went to the front of the store and got another cart. I went back to the guy and we proceeded to fill that cart with even more boating equipment, including flares, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, anchors, rope, etc.
Next he said he needed fishing tackle; so off to my department we went. I set him up with rods, reels, line, hooks, sinkers, and lures. He browsed the department until he got to an aisle that my lead man was on. My lead man then proceeded to tell him to “put all that merchandise back where it belonged and get out of the store!”
The “homeless” guy proceeded to tell my lead man that he fully intended to pay for the merchandise and he could do it with either his debit card or a credit card.” My lead man quipped back that “he could do the same thing, but it didn’t mean that there was any money in either account!” With that statement the “homeless” guy fired back; “I’m sorry for you then Sir! I have Plenty of Money to spend and it won’t even make a dent in my finances!” I was beginning to like this guy!
We left my department and headed over to the Apparel department to get Rain Gear, some new pants, shirts, coats and hats. Soon, we needed another cart to put merchandise in, so I went to get another cart. This guy was really having quite a time of trying on different items and loading the cart up. Everything he asked me for I found and showed to him. I even made recommendations to him on equipment from my experiences with “outdoor” gear.
Soon we were headed to the Footwear section of the store. He picked out several pairs of Boots, slippers, shoes and Golf shoes. Again the cart was Full! It was evident that he was Not done with his shopping spree, so I again went to the front of the store to get another shopping cart.
Our next stop was in the Athletics department. Exercise equipment went into the cart first, then came Golf balls, next came a complete set of Titanium Golf clubs, a golf bag, a golf cart, gloves and an Electronic Golf Rangefinder. When these last items were placed into the cart the “homeless” guy told me that he was Done shopping and that we could go to the cash register to check out.
We must have been quite a sight to everyone we passed, because we sure drew a lot of attention from customers and management alike. FOUR Bulging Shopping carts, a store employee with a dazed look on his face, and a Dirty, Stinky “homeless” looking guy that chimed as walked.
As we arrived at the cash register so did Two store Managers. They asked the guy “how do you intended to pay for all that merchandise?” He told them “I am going to pay for it with his Bank Debit card.” They told him “We need to see Two Photo Identification cards and that they would need to confirm the account and amount with his bank.” He said “No Problem Gentlemen!” He then whipped out a wallet stuffed with money and handed them all the Identification and Debit card that they requested.
Very soon the managers returned with red faces and thanked the guy for his purchases! His bank had assured them that the card was valid and could cover any amount that the gentleman wanted! At the end of the checkout procedure the total purchase amount was $18,873.96!
As I helped the cashier place everything in bags and back into carts I asked the “homeless” guy how he intended to get all that merchandise home. He said “that’s not a problem!” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a Cell Phone and dialed a number. Then he said “I’m done shopping, come pick me up!” Momentarily a Huge, Brand Spanking New Stretch Limousine pulled up to the front of the store; and the uniformed driver jumped out. He opened the passenger door for the “Homeless” guy and greeted him. Plus he popped the trunk and proceeded to place all of the packages neatly into the trunk with my help.
The “homeless” guy tried to hand me a $100 tip for all of my help. I had to decline the offer due to company policy and tell him that I was just doing my job as a Sales person. He thanked me again, he then got into the limo and rode off into the sunset!
You better believe that there was a Lot of Stunned Employees in our store and that there was one Lead man that had to “Eat Crow” for what he had said to my “Homeless” Guy Customer! I harassed him all week about it and Constantly Reminded him that you should:
“Never Judge a Book By It’s Cover”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Written by Dick Raymond
4/27/09
© 2009 Richard M. (Dick) Raymond Jr.
This is a True Story! I Did Not Embellish Any of the Facts!