I saw something very interesting during Blask Friday.  I had a 16 hour shift that day went from 7am to 11pm.  In that time I saw many vary different groups of people come into my store, but not like walking in groups.  What was odd is you can group these people by time of entry. 

Obviously we had our bargin hunters in at open, and we had some descent deals going on.  Before 11am we sold about 25 PS2 and 19 Xbox.  These people were is good spirits.  They had no problem if their transactions took a minute or two which gave us to explain the deals and such.  These are my dream retail customers, ones that I think of when I think about my job.  They have their mind set on what they want, you grab it, tell them about a deal, they see you are trying to help them get free or cheap stuff and that not trying to take advantage of them and are very kind of thankful. 

2nd group in our doors was the “did we miss the deals?” group they are the ones that missed the PS2s but are upset we didn’t keep them the in stock.  We have confirmed reports that we were the only ones in town who had systems, which is nice to know.  We rock.  Anyway, these people are looking to get in, score a deal and run like hell (mainly to catch the tail end of an Early Bird Special). 

Then around 2 or so you get the after lunch “just looking” bunch, this usually allows you to restock, organize and allow for a break.  Then aorund 6:30 is the “just-got-off-work-and-cashed-my-check-now-it’s-going-down-the-shitter” folks.  They have big ticket items, and usually have the kids with them, kinda in a hurry to get home for the evening. 

A little later we see the “I-just-stole-this-GTA-and-want-cash-for-it” scumbags.  Ok, why would you try and sell a copy of GTA everyday for a week for cash? (different copy each time).  Haha, we might be odd but we’re not DUMB!  These people drive me nuts.  Scum, nuff’ said! 

Next to last is the “stay-til-20-minutes-after-they-close” people.  Gotta love the ones you have to kick out.  We usually to walk up to a demo unit while kids are playing and just shut it off, that is the only way they will leave.

And finally the “yell-through-the-gate-and-ask-dumb-questions” straglers.  Not a ton of them, but fun people usually.  I usally like to start up the vacum when these people start talking just so they have to try and yell over the noise.

I know you see a lot of these people in any retail job, but I like to notice the shift chnages.  Overall it was a fun day, I wasn’t scheduled 16 hours, but they needed me so I stayed.  My legs killed by the end of the day (had 2 short breaks, but those didn’t last more than 5 minutes).  Don’t know if I want to do that again next year, I figure I’ll have to work the “last-minute-dad’s-holiday-shopping-at-15pm-christmas-eve” shift.  Don’t you love the names of these people???