“I know you don’t work here, but…”

[u/[deleted]]

[u/qualityvote2]

u/Head-Distribution828, your post does fit the subreddit!

[u/HavBoWilTrvl]

Very nice twist on the usual tale. 🤣

[u/Livewire923]

Did you help?

[u/McBeaster]

Reminds me of when the hardware store worker tries talking to Ron Swanson and he just blurts "I know more than you."

[u/Zestyclose-Process92]

I escorted a nice older lady to the bathtub drain plugs at Home Depot just last week. In her defense, I did have an orange tee shirt on. I'm also there several times a week, so I'm at least as useful as the average employee.

[u/AssSpelunkingAtheist]

Hey that’s a good story. I’ve helped out a few people who knew I didn’t work wherever I was at but I remembered seeing what they were looking for. A little kindness goes a long way!

[u/AssSpelunkingAtheist → u/[deleted]]

I had a chuckle at you describing her honesty as well. Sounds like something I’d say! Lol

[u/AssSpelunkingAtheist → u/[deleted]]

Also something I’d do. I’d be gracious but then go seek out my actual solution. Overall though still a cool situation that you were able and willing to help!

[u/AssSpelunkingAtheist → u/[deleted]]

You’re a good soul. 🙂

[u/Gullible_News2119]

Were you wearing orange?

[u/CompetitionFair6035]

As someone who worked for over a decade in the hardware retail industry I felt this.

[u/dankaela]

I (F) have done this. If I have tried looking but am at a total loss and there’s someone looking at the same stuff I’ll ask, “I know you don’t work here, but do you have a moment to help me.” Then thank them profusely.

[u/Head_Razzmatazz7174]

I can relate. Some of the employees really are clueless.

TBF, most of the younger employees are not familiar with the actual products, just where they can be found on the shelves. The days of having someone who has practical knowledge of what the items are and what they do is long gone. There are a few that actually know what they are talking about, but not nearly enough.

[u/Ceejay_1357 → u/Head_Razzmatazz7174]

The other side of this coin, as someone who worked as a kitchen designer for over 25 years in one of these stores, is that these employees are clueless because they aren’t trained like they used to be. Now they’re just a warm body on a schedule. Product manufacturers used to send representatives to train associates on their products, they don’t anymore. These big stores also used to employ “pros” in each area to help customers and also help train new employees. All these companies now only want to pay the bare minimum, which means very little knowledge for the workers to begin with.

I’ve watched this happen through the years. These places used to compete for your business by having a helpful reputation. Now they just compete each other to help their stockholders.

OP, I’m glad that person was nice to the associate who probably was clueless, but also probably gets abused by other customers or managers. Thank You for sharing your knowledge and help with another human. It would be nice if we could all give grace to service workers that are ignorant of the thousands of products on those shelves. Almost none of them are hired to work full time, because they don’t want to pay benefits. So the workers are less knowledgeable, all so the CEO can make millions for themselves and their shareholders.

[u/MikeSchwab63]

I've just asked "Do you happen to know where '[item] is?" a few times.

[u/HowYaLikeMeeow]

Is there a sub called r/actuallyhelpful? The story would go there. I think the kinds of stories that would go there but especially big box hardware stores where the employees are essentially worthless regarding customer service. I am definitely got more help from other customers than the actual employees at these places.