Best Book Ever!

[Kara]

I popped into Barnes & Noble on my lunch break yesterday. I had no intention of buying anything, just wanted to kill some time and look around. Immediately upon walking in the door, I noticed a table they had set up with a bunch of Humor books. Among them I saw "Pretending You Care: The Retail Employee Handbook." It's by Norm Feuti (the creator of the "Retail" comic strip), which is evident immediately upon seeing Cooper on the cover. I bought it :D

I haven't worked retail in nearly 4 years, but it's still a great read. Besides, a lot of the situations can be applied in Customer Service as well. It's got loads of amusing tips, sucky customer stories, and (of course) "Retail" strips.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Hehee...I saw that somewhere on the web, so I went to bn.com and printed out the page to put in my cubicle...Haven't actually seen the book, though... I'll have to look for it next time I'm in the store :)

[Broomjockey]

I got it, and quite enjoyed it. However, it wasn't in the humour section at the bookstore I got it at.

It was in the Small Business section. Either someone has a sense of humour there, or someone was taking it literally.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Next time I visit Barnes and Noble, I'm tearing the store apart looking for that book.

Just kidding! Please put away your knives, machetes, clubs, salmon and other blunt, sharp, stabby, stinky objects. Thank you.

Although I will look for it and even ask if they have it. I've really gotten into the Retail comic strip lately.

[Kara]

so I went to bn.com and printed out the page to put in my cubicle

Having it on your desk is instant victory. A lot of people have books throughout the call center like "The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People," "10 Steps to Outstanding Customer Service," "Who Moved My Shit?" and "Pucker Up and Kiss that Ass!"

Then they see that book on my desk. I've had so many double takes in the last two days since I got it (I leave it in plain sight when not reading), especially from upper management :lol:

[BookstoreEscapee]

Although I will look for it and even ask if they have it. I've really gotten into the Retail comic strip lately.

Check the smaller display tables, or maybe the new paperbacks. This time of year there's usually a humor table (or maybe an endcap, depending on the size of the store)...

[Ringtail Z28]

Now that's a book I've just got to get. Even though I'm not currently in retail.

[B&NGoddess]

hmm. ill have to see if we have it. maybe ill shortlist a crapload and put it on a front display. :devil: wheee, the fun of being the store front lead!

i hope its kinda like what my book is about. like actual, in the trenches, retail warfare. none of this "i spent a year here to see how it works" bullshit that i keep seeing. it doesnt count if you can leave whenever you feel like it or snap without fear of retribution.

(im looking at you, "nickel and dimed". and "punching the clock".)

[Saydrah]

I love that strip. I saw that book, but I thought it was just a comic collection- guess I was wrong! Will be buying a copy ASAP.

[Kara]

hmm. ill have to see if we have it. maybe ill shortlist a crapload and put it on a front display

That's how I found it, basically. I mean, there were a bunch of other books there that I can't recall now, but this one was prominently displayed. It was the first thing I saw when I walked in the door.

it doesnt count if you can leave whenever you feel like it or snap without fear of retribution.

He's been in retail for 15 years. The beginning is basically a warning to people who've never dealt with customersl before that it's going to be pure Hell.

I've been getting an urge for a couple of years now to write a book from a Customer Service perspective. People are a LOT more insane when they don't have to look you in the eye or worry about being thrown out by management. I dunno, all the really good ones get posted here, and I'd want it to be more than just a collection of stories about asshats.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

SCORE! http://img99.exs.cx/img99/8577/yupi3ti.gif

I found it at B&N in the humor section. I snagged the only copy on the shelf. The girl who checked me out told me "I really ought to get that book."

It's now time for me to sit down and start reading it.