And its at their closing time, and your watch says its not closing time but their clocks do, do you argue with them or do you leave?

I leave. Not everyones watches are sycronized

if the door is unlocked, or i might need to just get one quick thing then i might plead or argue depending on the case, but it depends on what the time difference is 15 minutes is a lot, that requires me talking to the manager or owner the next day..

leave. it's the business's clock that they go buy, not my personal watch

Not argue, per se, but I might plead a little!

I used to work in retail and sometimes we'd let the customers in after closing, depending on what they were after and what kind of a day we'd had! :lol

No reason to argue there hours are run on their clocks might ask nicely if it was just an in and out run

I asked this because this evil man came in yesterday, the lights were off, the door was unlocked because the army peeps were bringing in sample boxes and he snuck in...I said we were closed and he said we werent, and the guys and my dh had to get him to leave. We follow the front clock for everything.

If he wouldnt have thrown a fit I would have helped him...

in an office type setting, it would certainly depend on what they needed.

if the receptionist is still there and able to help, they ought to, imo.

as far as retail... well, if the door is unlocked, usually that means open. but if they have shut the registers then tough :lol

And its at their closing time, and your watch says its not closing time but their clocks do, do you argue with them or do you leave?

I leave.

I know how it is to be on the other end...wanting to close up shop and head home.

There is always tomorrow :wink

I would leave. If I argue with them, and let's just say that for the sake of customer service they humor me, why would they want to help me at all?

I dont think its anyones job to help someone after hours. I also think that its rude to have that aire where you think they should.

I will help you if, 1- i am not in the middle of doing something and 2- you dont need medications to be filled...

I dont think its anyones job to help someone after hours. I also think that its rude to have that aire where you think they should.

I will help you if, 1- i am not in the middle of doing something and 2- you dont need medications to be filled...

i guess I have a totally different attitude about work.
If someone walks in our door at 430 and i am on my way out... I will TOTALLY help them.

On my day off I have made calls on behalf of consituents before. I called a lobbyist's office from a hiking trail on vacay because it HAD to be done that day.

I am proud of my job, and proud to do that work... I have tons of pride in what I do, so i guess that reflects through my work.

I dont know, I think if i hated my job to the point that i refused to do anything after closing time, i'd quit.

ummmmm ok then, i like what i do, but it doesnt mean that I have to bend over backwards for people.

You will feel the same way if you worked here, people dont care if you go the extra mile and then they expect it all the time, and we hear it every day..."well you filled our script without 24 hours notice before.."

We help if they are nice if not then leave.

But I was on my way out the door to leave but had to wait for the soldiers to finish...

And doing work on your off time happens with almost every job, I do it too.

But if the person cant read hours on a door then its not my fault.

I get what you are saying, i just think that in a job where you have your job because of the needs of the consumer, you kind of are required to go the extra mile to meet those needs.

trust me, I get the dumbest stuff at work, i have to go sit in a meeting with the state highway people to make a constituent happy... do i want to? no... do i think i should have to? no. but it will make this guy happy and without his needs I wouldnt have a job, so I am going.

ummmmm ok then, i like what i do, but it doesnt mean that I have to bend over backwards for people.

You will feel the same way if you worked here, people dont care if you go the extra mile and then they expect it all the time, and we hear it every day..."well you filled our script without 24 hours notice before.."

We help if they are nice if not then leave.

But I was on my way out the door to leave but had to wait for the soldiers to finish...

And doing work on your off time happens with almost every job, I do it too.

But if the person cant read hours on a door then its not my fault.

I understand not wanting to bend over backwards for people but if you had to wait anyway I don't see the harm in helping someone. :dunno The customer's attitude makes all the difference though.

Sonia you said it exactly right, and if they constantly didnt expect special treatment all the time then it would be ok...but like i said we have rules and if we bend them once then they want it that way all the time...Sometimes its hard to go find the balance.

ummmmm ok then, i like what i do, but it doesnt mean that I have to bend over backwards for people.

You will feel the same way if you worked here, people dont care if you go the extra mile and then they expect it all the time, and we hear it every day..."well you filled our script without 24 hours notice before.."

We help if they are nice if not then leave.

But I was on my way out the door to leave but had to wait for the soldiers to finish...

And doing work on your off time happens with almost every job, I do it too.

But if the person cant read hours on a door then its not my fault.

I can understand if they come in when there is 15 min left and it is a quick in and out. If it is a bit late, I am alright with that. But if someone walks in at closing time just to shop, I think it is very disrespectful.

Would you walk into a resturant right before closing?

if it's 5 minutes or less and the door is unlocked when i get there then i'll say i just need to pick up one thing or i really need my drycleaning or whatever. i know it happens alot in business where high school and college students close at night they will set the clocks foward a bit to be like nope our clocks say we are closed (happened at a few places i worked, i never participated in it though).

might ask nicely if it was just an in and out run

I agree:yes

I get what you are saying, i just think that in a job where you have your job because of the needs of the consumer, you kind of are required to go the extra mile to meet those needs.

trust me, I get the dumbest stuff at work, i have to go sit in a meeting with the state highway people to make a constituent happy... do i want to? no... do i think i should have to? no. but it will make this guy happy and without his needs I wouldnt have a job, so I am going.

it's one thing to have to make calls or fax something out but in jobs where a client comes in and it's a big deal to help someone and it will cause y'all to close much later then i can see not wanting to help someone.

it's one thing to have to make calls or fax something out but in jobs where a client comes in and it's a big deal to help someone and it will cause y'all to close much later then i can see not wanting to help someone.

i dont see the difference. if someone calls at say 430 to tell me that they need social services help becaue their caseworker won't return their calls. I don't say "hmm, let me deal with it tomorrow"

I'd do it right then, put the call in, sometimes it gets really time consuming. But I know without those people my position would be gone.

If a person does not like serving customers, they shouldnt be in customer service (in general)

i dont see the difference. if someone calls at say 430 to tell me that they need social services help becaue their caseworker won't return their calls. I don't say "hmm, let me deal with it tomorrow"

I'd do it right then, put the call in, sometimes it gets really time consuming. But I know without those people my position would be gone.

If a person does not like serving customers, they shouldnt be in customer service (in general)

okay like someone said earlier would you walk into a restaurant 5 minutes before closing?

Unless I REALLY need something, I'd leave because I have worked in places before where someone would come in 1 min before closing and want to look around and it is so annoying!!

okay like someone said earlier would you walk into a restaurant 5 minutes before closing?

There's a difference - with a restaurant you'd expect to be sat there for a while - the chefs and waiters would be there for well over an hr. With other businesses, the query could take anything from 5-15 mins.

Buts its always people that need medicaitons...And we have a rule, 24 hours notice for script pick up...that issue

okay like someone said earlier would you walk into a restaurant 5 minutes before closing?

restaurants typically have times when they stop cooking... so you are SOL.... they have already started cleaning the kitchen.

also, I find restaurant work and being a receptionist to be extremely different.

There's a difference - with a restaurant you'd expect to be sat there for a while - the chefs and waiters would be there for well over an hr. With other businesses, the query could take anything from 5-15 mins.

it was an example, customer service is customer service.

Buts its always people that need medicaitons...And we have a rule, 24 hours notice for script pick up...that issue

if you have rules on what the issue is then they are shit out of luck

I, as a customer, wouldn't expect it.

I, as an employee, have always done it.

it was an example, customer service is customer service.

It was an example that I don't see the comparison in.

You're right, customer service is just that - service to the customer. In Jenny's case, if the rules state that it takes 24 hrs there's no way she could have fulfilled the customer's request. However, if the employee is there for another ten minutes and the customer has a query that wont take long, I really dont see the problem in serving him/her. Keeping the customers happy prevents them from going to other businesses.

I, as a customer, wouldn't expect it.

I, as an employee, have always done it.

I totally agree.

depending on extenuating circumstances I either would or would not help them. When I worked it depending on the customers attitude and what the circumstance was.
Me personally I would NEVER assume someone should help me out. Once they told me they were closed I would leave and come back the other day. I couldn't imagine asking, IMO that's very rude.

It was an example that I don't see the comparison in.

You're right, customer service is just that - service to the customer. In Jenny's case, if the rules state that it takes 24 hrs there's no way she could have fulfilled the customer's request. However, if the employee is there for another ten minutes and the customer has a query that wont take long, I really dont see the problem in serving him/her. Keeping the customers happy prevents them from going to other businesses.

You're right and I agree with you. But the OP's question wasn't IN this job. I think HarrisonsDream was saying what would you do in this situation. I see the comparison.

You're right and I agree with you. But the OP's question wasn't IN this job. I think HarrisonsDream was saying what would you do in this situation. I see the comparison.

exactly. i was answering it in general. it's one thing if you are going in and asking for an appt or buying a pack of cigarettes but if you are going in to wander around or something like that that's wrong imo

exactly. i was answering it in general. it's one thing if you are going in and asking for an appt or buying a pack of cigarettes but if you are going in to wander around or something like that that's wrong imo

And I totally agree with you :)

exactly. i was answering it in general. it's one thing if you are going in and asking for an appt or buying a pack of cigarettes but if you are going in to wander around or something like that that's wrong imo

Ok, we must have our wires crossed somewhere - that's exactly the point I was trying to make! :lol

Ok, we must have our wires crossed somewhere - that's exactly the point I was trying to make! :lol

lol i'll rephrase: if you are going in for a quick pick up for something or a quick question or something that's one thing but if you are going in to wander around or do your monthly grocery shopping 5 minutes before closing that's a problem and that in my eyes is wrong. am not saying they shouldn't be allowed in the store but they should be aware that the store is closing in 5 minutes

I leave. No biggie.

lol i'll rephrase: if you are going in for a quick pick up for something or a quick question or something that's one thing but if you are going in to wander around or do your monthly grocery shopping 5 minutes before closing that's a problem and that in my eyes is wrong. am not saying they shouldn't be allowed in the store but they should be aware that the store is closing in 5 minutes

I agree with that. :)

I would leave.... and come back another time

Well the man was like you were closed at 330 yesterday (which was monday) and I said yes I know, it says we close at 3.

I leave. But, if their clocks are way off or something, I would definitely mention it to them.

ETA: I've read the entire thread now. In your situation, I can understand why you asked the man to leave. However, I agree with Trey, Ash, and Sonia about everything they said. :)

I used to work retail part-time and always closed the stores. At closing time, usually 7pm, we would lock one entrance and send an associate to stand by the 2nd entrance. In MA, it is illegal to lock the door of a retail establishment while customers are still in the store. However, our customer service policy stated that we could not make an announcement that we closed or ask customers to leave the store. Therefore, if a customer was in the store at the time of close, we would allow them to finish their shopping and depart. No one new could enter the store however. We also started to close all registers except for one.

I'd like to think that our customers were fairly astute. The main door was locked, registers were being closed, the store was basically empty and all of the associate were restocking and quietly discussing their plans to go home. They usually got the hint and finished up their shopping without us having to say a thing.

We did get an occasional unreasonable customer that would show up at the door and demand that since it was still unlocked they should be let in. However, the associate at the door was directly next to the sign indicating that the store was closed, and they could forcibly hold the door shut. No one ever tried to force their way in when I was there, but we did get some rude comments. On occasion, I'd let someone slip in on the promise that they knew what they were grabbing and would buy it immediately (usually someone would be desperate for a wire whisk or something that would take them under a minute to grab, pay and leave - it was up to our discretion really on taking pity - and the risk of other customers seeing and wanting to be let in).

Anyway, I think that customers need to abide by what the store associates are saying. If the store says its past closing, it's past closing and they do not have to let you in. If it isn't past closing and they closed up early, then you can hold a grudge, but don't argue it. It's pointless, since I can't imagine that you have any real legal grounds to enter private property when you are asked not to, and really..if they want to lose your patronage, let them. Frankly I think you're only making a fool of yourself and wasting everyones time.

I used to work retail part-time and always closed the stores. At closing time, usually 7pm, we would lock one entrance and send an associate to stand by the 2nd entrance. In MA, it is illegal to lock the door of a retail establishment while customers are still in the store. However, our customer service policy stated that we could not make an announcement that we closed or ask customers to leave the store. Therefore, if a customer was in the store at the time of close, we would allow them to finish their shopping and depart. No one new could enter the store however. We also started to close all registers except for one.
.

that is lucky. at cK we couldnt ask people to leave or announce closing OR lock any doors OR stop anyone from coming in.

so as long as one person was shopping people could keep on coming in.

If they say they're closed or are in the process of closing, I leave and come back the next day.

I understand that thier job is customer service but they have lives as well that they need to get back too. you never know what that person has going on whether it be sick kids or husbands or a date or whatever the case is. if its not an emergency than you should leave.

I would leave.

I would leave

leave. it's the business's clock that they go buy, not my personal watch
AMEN!! Frankly, we have alot of people who walk in at 5 minutes til closing. They'll look at their watch and be like well, you still have 5 minutes left, can't you get me in for a quick trim? That just pisses me off more than anything. Do you really want a pissed off stylist with scissors/clippers to your head because you've kept them past closing time? I know I wouldn't.

I leave.

Unless it was a pharmacy and I were desperate, I'd ask them if I could please get my meds.

Not argue, per se, but I might plead a little!

I used to work in retail and sometimes we'd let the customers in after closing, depending on what they were after and what kind of a day we'd had! :lol

Same here.

I used to work retail part-time and always closed the stores. At closing time, usually 7pm, we would lock one entrance and send an associate to stand by the 2nd entrance. In MA, it is illegal to lock the door of a retail establishment while customers are still in the store. However, our customer service policy stated that we could not make an announcement that we closed or ask customers to leave the store. Therefore, if a customer was in the store at the time of close, we would allow them to finish their shopping and depart. No one new could enter the store however. We also started to close all registers except for one.

I'd like to think that our customers were fairly astute. The main door was locked, registers were being closed, the store was basically empty and all of the associate were restocking and quietly discussing their plans to go home. They usually got the hint and finished up their shopping without us having to say a thing.

We did get an occasional unreasonable customer that would show up at the door and demand that since it was still unlocked they should be let in. However, the associate at the door was directly next to the sign indicating that the store was closed, and they could forcibly hold the door shut. No one ever tried to force their way in when I was there, but we did get some rude comments. On occasion, I'd let someone slip in on the promise that they knew what they were grabbing and would buy it immediately (usually someone would be desperate for a wire whisk or something that would take them under a minute to grab, pay and leave - it was up to our discretion really on taking pity - and the risk of other customers seeing and wanting to be let in).



That's exactly how it was when I worked at Bed Bath and Beyond as a cashier.

If I was running in and out, then I would ask to see if it was okay. Depending on the item and the person's attitude, I'd go back the next day or go to a different store.

Yes I would leave.....if it was something that I needed that bad I would have been there well before closing(but thats just me:grin:)

Someone made the comment that if the door is unlocked then you are open.....not really...I worked in retail in both a mall and a strip mall....the doors could not be locked/closed if you still had someone in the store and people would walk in after the closing time, especially at the mall where we had a drop down gate, we would have it half way down and they would bend down to get in:no. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem staying after closing to help customers....I do it quite a bit now and have done it in the past, it's the blatant disrespect that some customers show that is not cool.

well, if i just need to get one little thing then i might beg a little but if they still said no, then id pout and give a soft "ok" and walk out with my head hanging low.. lol, im a little over dramatic and still have brat-like tendencies :P

However, our customer service policy stated that we could not make an announcement that we closed or ask customers to leave the store. Therefore, if a customer was in the store at the time of close, we would allow them to finish their shopping and depart. No one new could enter the store however. We also started to close all registers except for one.


we did pretty much the same thing when i worked at a retail store BUT we made announcements every night how much time they had left before we closed. we had one particular manager that would make the announcement like every five minutes for the last 30minutes of business hours. i guess he figured that cust would just get so irritated and leave :P only one or two people have stayed after closing time while he was working, just to be frustrating.

hmm, i was just thinking about this one time.. we had one cust left in the store. she was pretty nice and was in a hurry. and of course my register was the only onen.. she ran up there a cpl of minutes before we closed and started apologizing.. then threw a walmart bag full of change on the counter! that was a long night watching her count out 98 dollars in cash (and pennies).. she was a waitress. she just got off work and needed something to wear for a date, or something; i dont remember. anyways, i tried to empathize with her on some level, but wished she'd asked to get off work a little earlier. or exchanged her change for cash at the restaurant....