Fast, Fun and Friendly Service!

The last two days has been hectic work days. Last Saturday, I was assigned to the hardlines (HL) with Gus as my trainer. The first minutes, I just followed him around and tried to "learn" from things he does. There are instances when ppl direct the question to me and not him so I have no choice but to ask Gus about it. He also taught me to use the PDT (Phototronic Dielectric TargetThingie) and how to raygun things. It's amazing how every single item can be located on the sales floor with just the info on the raygun! As Gus said it, it shows a centimeter-by-centimeter plan of the sales floor. I wonder why he didn't use inch as other Americans would..

His coworkers Kristen and _____ also helped me out in using the PDT and using the Guest Service hotline (we are team members and the customers are gusts). When Gus left for lunch, he left me his walkie talkie (i want one of those!!!!) so I was able to ask Kristen ALOT of times when ppl ask me things and I have NOT idea where things are.

Also, I learned quite a few things about zoning and stuff. Every item should be fixed in such a way that their edges are against the edge of the shelf. All hanging items should be pulled up front. If possible, all empty locations should be filledvia flexing. And I mean this is a big deal to them! Towards the end of the shift, we have to go to EVERY shelf in our area to do zoning and make sure everything looks nice and orderly. After that, in the wee hours (around 1 AM) we were still relocating foreigns. These stuff that ppl didnt purchase but they decided to just leave them in another TOTALLY different area (i.e. cereals in disposable cameras section). So that means those ppl at the closing shift had to stay overtime, if necessary, to go around the store relocating foreign items. The high variety of items makes the activity somewhat difficult but the knowledge that there are abunch of ppl with u doing it is in itself encouraging.

The next day (Sunday) I was assigned to the Softlines (the area where u buy Apparel) with Jeannie as my trainor. I came in at 4:30 but Jeannie comes in at 5 so Farrah somewhat told me the gist of what they do. Baically, they are more of knowing where everything are without the PDT (it doesnt work in that department) and doing ALOT of foreigns and zoning. The high number of foreins can be attributed to the things ppl decide to leave by the fitting rooms so thats understandable. We did alot of swimsuits and lingerie and ladieswear. The mens and boys sections were mostly untouched and are in proper zoned order. This debunks the rumor that men are messier than women (or proves that women shops WAAAYYY too much). That's basically what we did all night.

I had a little accident with my lunch tho. I was dining on the lasagna my mom packed for me when I accidentally spilled it on my team colors. I was sooooo freakin pissed at myself. I notified Meridith and asked if I can quickly run back home to change. She called Kelly, the night's team leader and she came to the office to give me permission. I ran back home, changed and came back. The store is already closed so they are just zoning and putting away foreigns so I helped with that. We stayed until about 1:30 finishing things up.

I can't believe that the store spends THAT much effort into making things look great. This experience made me respect the efforts of the sales ppl at Target. I will have another night at work again tonight and I am excited. I just hope it doesnt go on very late for tonight.