50 Things Retail Employees Should Never Do

Customer service is solely dependent on your retail employees. You know that, right?

Here are fifty of my rather blunt reminders for both staff and managers in retail. Unless you stop these things from happening, they will start a chain of events that become unmanageable.

In fact, if you look at retailers who are struggling, you can easily find many of things without much effort.

Training to avoid these fifty things helps make the difference between hearing, “I’ll take it,” and “I’ll look around."

1. Do not let anyone enter the shop without a warm greeting. If you can’t or won’t do that, go work at the DMV.

2. Never say it’s “slow,” “dead,” or voice any negative thought, we get enough of that from cable.

3. Leave your problems at the door – no one wants to work with high drama whether that’s your daughter’s lost keys or your boyfriend’s mom had a missed facial appointment.

4. Don’t come to work sick – ever.

5. Don’t complain about Christmas music, it’s playing for the customers at the holidays, not you.

6. Don’t arrive late saying there was “traffic.” Of course there was traffic, it's 2014. Plan accordingly.

7. Don’t change into work clothes that you’ve had scrunched into your backpack all day – leave the wrinkled homeless look for the streets.

8. Don’t keep asking if you can go home early unless you are prepared to ask if you can come in early for the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas.

9. Never reply to a customer inquiry with, “No” unless it is immediately followed with, “But we have…”

10. Don’t just ask questions that can be answered with a “yes” or “no.” You're paid to converse.

11. Don’t ask if there is “Anything else?” Suggest one item that logically goes with what they are purchasing.

12. Don’t say you’re “not authorized” to give a discount, customers will just ask, “Then who is?”

13. Saying, “No problem” is a problem. It sounds condescending like, It’s just you – I’d do the same for my dog. “You’re welcome” is the right answer.

14. Don’t walk past a discarded wrapper, used diaper or other leave-behinds of customers. Pick it up and dispose accordingly.

15. Don’t stand in front of the store with your hands behind your back looking bored.

16. Don't check out. If you ask, “Did you find everything OK?” listen to the answer and fix whatever is not right.

17. Never say, “I don’t know” to any question without following with, “I’ll find out.”

18. Do not ask, “Have you been helped yet?” Open your eyes! Know before approaching a customer who has been waited on.

19. Never take a return without asking what went wrong. Obviously, something didn’t work and many times it can be fixed or exchanged without refunding the cash.

20. Do not have a personal conversation with another employee within earshot of customers.

21. Do not eat or drink in plain view of customers. That means no food visible on a shelf or the counter either.

22. Never reek from perfume, cigarettes or body odor. You're not a teenage boy. And if you are, don't do it either.

23. Do not refer to two women as you guys. There's a big difference - you can tell by looking.

24. Never acknowledge one customer over and above another, especially the one in line behind others you do not know. All customers are equal, even if the one at the back of the line is your best, wait until all others have been helped. That's what makes customer service.

25. Do not gossip about co-workers or customers within earshot of customers. Better yet, don’t gossip.

26. Don't trick customers. It's not Halloween. If there is a service charge, delivery charge or special order charge, alert your customer before you ring them up. It’s not a secret or a trick. Likewise if something can’t be returned for a full refund after the holidays.

27. Don't plead ignorance. In the time you're putting merch out or not helping customers learn about the products you sell inside and out. If you sell Zoobie plush toys that are also a soft pillow and a comfy blanket, know something about Zoobie plush all-on-one toys.

28. Do not ignore a customer because they are not your customer. Stop, look, listen, lend a hand.

29. Do not stand behind someone who is looking at product. It's creepy - especially to women. Make eye contact and stand next to them or in front.

30. Never blame the boss, the part-timer, the vendor, the weather or the economy for anything that goes wrong. Just make it right.

31. Don’t just stand there like a dead fish or walk away like a customer has swine flu if a customer is having trouble making a decision. Help out by giving them a choice like, “Do you prefer something lighter or darker?” “Something hot or cold?”

32. Don't vomit on your customers. If someone wants to know your life story, keep it short. If a customer asks about a product, keep it short.

33. Don’t tell customers you are out of something before they ask for the missing product.

34. Do not disappear. We know when you are hiding behind the stacks or in the bathroom. Uncool.

35. Do not ask customers, “Do you still need time?” Shopping is not work — until questions like this are asked.

36. Never suggest ringing someone up until the customer explicitly asks for it. If they are holding many items, great customer service means you ask, “Would you like me to place these on the counter so you can free your hands?”

37. Do not stop your exceptional service after the order is rung up. Thank the customer for shopping with you. Final impressions are lasting impressions.

38. Never dismiss or patronize a customer who has a complaint; listen, take it seriously, address it.

39. Never allow bad behavior. If someone is swearing on a cellphone, politely suggest they go outside.

40. Never hover long enough to make people feel they are being watched or hurried, especially when they are figuring out what to buy.

41. Do not show frustration. Your only mission is to serve. Be patient; it’s not easy.

42. Don’t ask how customers are. You don’t care. They know it.

43. Don’t ask customers if they have a budget-no one willingly says the sky’s the limit even if its just for a box of Crayola crayons. The best products cost more than customers first think.

44. Don’t talk to customers’ backs. Either get in front of them so they know who’s talking to them or shut up. No customer wants to try to figure out where a phantom voice came from.

45. Don’t thank customers as they are opening the door to leave if you never spoke to them after they arrived. (See above.)

46. Don’t hide behind the counter. It's not a castle – customers shouldn’t have to come to you, you should go to them.

47. Don’t stock when any customer is in the store. That's not customer service, its stocking.

48. Just because we don't have an item, don't dismiss a customer. If you are in a mall, be prepared to give directions when people ask if you know where they might buy a particular item. No one wants to hear, “I don’t know.” Try.

49. Don’t call other stores to see how busy they are. No time. No need. Nothing to help you achieve your goal.

50. Don’t look at your employees as serfs. Chronic short-staffing, distracted, nickel Napoleon managers–make it nearly impossible to give good service. Treat your staff with respect, i.e. how you would like them to treat others. Bring out the best in them so they can give great customer service to your customers.

Yes I prefer to be optimistic most of the time but some people can process the "Don'ts" better than the "Do's."

Did I miss any? Which is most important? Please enter your comments below.

Bob Phibbs, the Retail Doctor?, has helped tens of thousands of businesses in hospitality, manufacturing, service, restaurant and retail since 1994. His clients have ranged from multi-national luxury brands to various sized retail chains. With over thirty years experience beginning in the trenches of retail and extending to senior management positions, Phibbs has been a corporate officer, franchisor and entrepreneur. His speaking presentations are designed to provide practical information in a fun and re-memorable format. His newest product is SalesRX, containing thirty years of award-winning retail sales training now available in a virtual one-on-one online format. Details here.