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November 23, 2007
Black Friday: a few impressions
By special request, Liz and I went to Fry's Electronics tonight to pick up a wireless repeater that boost my dad's wifi signal. He wanted to use his laptop in the living room, but the signal really peters out in the kitchen.
We grabbed a sales circular and piled into the rental. I was a little skeptical about wading into the fray on Black Friday, but we got through it okay.
Halfway through the line, Fry's Electronics, Phoenix AZ, 1/2 hour before closing
A few notes:
Short dude behind us in line: work on expanding your definition of personal space. You crowded me so hard that at one point I rolled up sales circular into a tube and held it behind me to create a small buffer zone. You bumped into it four times before I stopped counting. If we meet again, perhaps you could help me to understand why you need to be 12 inches from me at all times.
Teenaged couple with infant child: I know you kids live in the desert, but when we got out of our car tonight, it was 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Where I live, that means people dress their babies in more than just a diaper and a smile. The young man had cash enough for a few Xbox games; maybe you have a spare Korn concert T-shirt at home you could use to swaddle your child.
Seasonal employee who checked us out: I know it's just a shitty minimum wage gig for the holidays, but do try to familiarize yourself with a few store policies. For example, if you need to cancel a transaction and start again, the customer does not need to wait for a void slip -- all they need is their correct receipt.
VP Operations, Fry's Electronics: we conducted two transactions this evening: one cash, one credit. When I handed over my credit card and ID, the transaction was concluded in less than a minute. When I forked over three crisp twenties, our checker disappeared so her manager could check to see if they were counterfeit. She was gone for nearly two minutes. If paying with plastic is now faster than using paper money, you should share this information with customers.
I really love you, Dad. Clearly.
Posted by Your Protagonist at November 23, 2007 10:57 PM