I work on a checkout at woolies, and have done for about 2 and a half years now. My 'pro's and cons' are pretty much the same as everyone else as mentioned.
I found that after a year or so of working there, I began to get a lot more confidant. Even now I have fun seeing just how much I can get away with.
For example, when I'm standing out the front of my register (normal protocol for when we're not serving), and a customer stands slightly to the side of me looking at my register light in a really obvious manner, I just look back. I don't do anything until they gather up the guts to actually ask me if I'm open - the way I see it, I'm helping them to build confidence.
And let's not forget this little gem I've been using more often lately:
*I scan through a ridiculously small item*
Me: Would you like a bag for this?
Customer: Yeah I better, it's just that--
Me: Please don't justify it.
*Packs bag, continues as normal*
And another time, I was stocking the impulse shelves next to someone elses checkout (we're good friends), and she accidently scanned one item from the next order onto his. Now as anyone working in checkouts will tell you, this is the customer's cue to make a joke along the lines of "oh, you can pay for my groceries if you really want to, hahaha" and then act like it's the funniest/most original thing in the world. Which is exactly what he did.
Me being the tired, worn out, incredibly sarcastic individual that I am, walked over to the checkout laughing my head off. "Oh my goodness, that is the funniest thing I have ever heard while working here. Hahahahaha, 'pay for it if you want to' indeed! Oh man, you crack me up! How did it go again?" (Customer repeats it, obviously confused) "Hahahahaha! So funny! Have a good day!"
The look on the customers face was priceless.
I found that after a year or so of working there, I began to get a lot more confidant. Even now I have fun seeing just how much I can get away with.
For example, when I'm standing out the front of my register (normal protocol for when we're not serving), and a customer stands slightly to the side of me looking at my register light in a really obvious manner, I just look back. I don't do anything until they gather up the guts to actually ask me if I'm open - the way I see it, I'm helping them to build confidence.
And let's not forget this little gem I've been using more often lately:
*I scan through a ridiculously small item*
Me: Would you like a bag for this?
Customer: Yeah I better, it's just that--
Me: Please don't justify it.
*Packs bag, continues as normal*
And another time, I was stocking the impulse shelves next to someone elses checkout (we're good friends), and she accidently scanned one item from the next order onto his. Now as anyone working in checkouts will tell you, this is the customer's cue to make a joke along the lines of "oh, you can pay for my groceries if you really want to, hahaha" and then act like it's the funniest/most original thing in the world. Which is exactly what he did.
Me being the tired, worn out, incredibly sarcastic individual that I am, walked over to the checkout laughing my head off. "Oh my goodness, that is the funniest thing I have ever heard while working here. Hahahahaha, 'pay for it if you want to' indeed! Oh man, you crack me up! How did it go again?" (Customer repeats it, obviously confused) "Hahahahaha! So funny! Have a good day!"
The look on the customers face was priceless.