DocP, is that the same Target that gave you crap about the Windu BP? It's almost like you quoted the conversation you had with Target over that set.
Yeah, it's the same one, although this time was slightly more hostile (the first time around, they at least took the DCPI number; it's like this time once they heard those words out of a customer's mouth, they
knew what was going to be asked). This is, however, the second time in a row that they've been downright rude and obnoxious once the words "Star Wars" are mentioned, so I just don't even know if it's worth asking them anything at this point.
The strange thing is that the town in which I used to live a few years ago was probably the friendliest retailer I've ever been in. Even when it was something with a street date (such as the Saleucami Clone), they told me they had them and exactly when they would be putting them out. I'd say only once out of 20 times at that particular Target did I have an employee act hostile toward me, and the other 19 or so ended up with someone at the very least looking in the back.
My how times have changed, at least for me.
I've gotten the BS from stockboys at Target though... At minimum wage I tend not to expect a whole lot more than I get... I always am appreciative when I get help though and try to let their hotline know that so-and-so helped me out too... I dunno if it pays off for the employee but I like to hope it does. It did places that I worked anyway.
Yeah, having had various friends over the years who have worked in retail/food service and hearing the stories of how poorly they are treated and/or paid has really sensitized me to how being polite and nice goes a long way. Unfortunately, I think that in a lot of cases, people in those jobs are so embittered over the segments of the population who are rude to them that politeness doesn't even register on their radar and possibly even comes across as condescension to them. Who knows?
Interesting side story I heard the other day: I work with a woman in her early 50's who also collects action figures, and she was talking about how the local TRU had flip-flopped on her within the space of a second a few weeks back. She was apparently looking at the SW figures and she said an employee came up and said, "Can I help you find anything, ma'am?" She said she told them that they didn't have it, and the employee said, "Well, maybe I could help you look. Do you know anything specific about what it is that you're looking for?" When she said, "I'm looking for Star Wars action figures that come in a case numbered Wave 8, particularly the three varieties of Clone Troopers", the employee's attitude switched from helpful to the default "run-away-and-hide-from-the-collector" attitude and stated, "Everything we have is on the shelves."
Anyone who thinks that retailers don't look down on adults buying toys is fooling themselves.
