Life of a Cashier

United States
August 25, 2007 1:20pm CST
I recently began working as a cashier in a convenience store during the night shift...so much of the cleaning of the facility falls to me...restocking shelves falls to me... I was surprised at how much this job actually requires and wondered what other people think about it.... do you think that the local convenience store worker just sits behind the register all the time they are at work??? have you ever even thought about it???
6 people like this
17 responses
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
25 Aug 07
I also work in a grocery store. I work there during the day and at night sometimes. I know that the workers are always busy and there is not time for them to sit and do nothing. People don't realize how much work it is to keep the shelves clean,full and keep the stores going. I have also managed a small retail store and it amazed me what customers thought that we should have to put up with. Rude customers make the life of a cashier miserable. The saying that the customer is always right is VERY WRONG!! Some customers take that to heart and try to do things that are wrong. I for one always told my employees that I expected the customer to treat them with respect and if not, they could politely tell them to leave the store. I can't do that now where I work, but several times that I would like too.
• United States
25 Aug 07
I have the option to ask a customer to leave....although I have never utilized it thus far...it is noce to know that I have the choice...LOL
1 person likes this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
25 Aug 07
So many people have that misconception of cahiers actually. I worked a 7-11 many moons ago. And it is a lot of work. That's the reason there are so many young kids doing this type of work as it does involve a lot of hard and strenous work. HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
• United States
25 Aug 07
I guess, that I walked around with blinders on for a long time...I have worked many many vastly different jobs in my life...to be honest, until I did it....I never really thought about it.....guess, others are the same way...LOL
2 people like this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
25 Sep 07
I actually think cashiers have to be a jack of all trades, and are expected to do everything from sit at the till to washing windows, sweeping the floors, customer service and restocking shelves! I think the job description is endless and it certainly isn't a cushy number.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
25 Aug 07
I expected that they do way more than just cashier work. There are always things to restock and clean up too, especially if you are on the night shift. I have not worked as a cashier but have been thinking of taking up a part time job when my son starts school to keep me busy. We shall see. How are you holding up Tina :)?
@Savvynlady (3684)
• United States
26 Aug 07
I have been a cashier. Once in a hotel for the military, and for a fast food restaurant named Krystal's. Being one entailed making sure that the money entrusted to me is accounted for at the end of the shift; making sure items ordered are given, food and such. Because of discrepancies in my drawer(folks taking out), I was fired by Krystal's behind it.
1 person likes this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
25 Aug 07
Hi tinamwhite! I have seen a lot of cashiers doing other tasks aside from receiving cash and computing the purchased items. I have seen them doing inventories and putting the purchased items in the brown or plastic bags. Take care and have a nice day!
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
26 Aug 07
No I don't think that at all I used to work as a Cashier when I first started to work but it was in a big Supermarket so my Job was just the Check out but I do know that in the smaller shops the Check out People do the Floor to
• United States
26 Aug 07
never thought that as i have been one there oneof the hardest workers out there and its a white colored job..:)
@34momma (13882)
• United States
27 Aug 07
i think it is a big job. first off anytime you have to work with people, it is a big job, and a very important one. if they don't have the right person there ringing you up, it could cost them money. i know for me if i don't like that person i don't go to that store. as for all the other duties that come with a cashier postion, i know you people don't make what you are worth
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
26 Aug 07
I had never thought about what the cashiers do late at night when there were few customers. It sounds like you are kept very busy. Of course, I don't know about you, but when I am at work, I would rather be busy, as it seems to make the time pass faster than when I am not doing much.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
26 Aug 07
That is a thought...most of us think they do nothing but stand there all day but I guess there is alot of behind the scenes stuff they have to do. One store here the cashiers have to help take boxes off the trucks and put them in the supply room. I was at the store the one morning and saw them and talked to one of the women I know and she said it was part of their job. HAVE A GOOD DAY!! AT PEACE WITHIN
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
26 Aug 07
I used to work as a cashier. I think it depends on the type of store you are working at. I think that a convenience store probably hires less employees, than a bigger store would. I worked in a hardware store. I mostly stuck with cashiering. A few times when it was slow, they'd ask me to restock or help out in customer service. I never had a problem with doing things outside of the "job description" as long as it wasn't something demeaning. My philosphy is that I was getting paid my the hour to "work" and the "job desciption" is bascially whatever the boss things needs to be done (again, within reason). Personally, I'd rather be busy doing something outside of the scope of the original job description than sitting around watching the clock tick away til closing time, or the end of my shift. Good luck with your new job. Take care.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
26 Aug 07
I've worked as a cashier at a convenience store for years. there is so much more to it than people realize. You will quickly learn how to be a good customer! Every store is different. Where I work there is so much to do in between customers! I recently quit smoking so it is good ...I have plenty to keep busy so as not to be tempted to run outside and light up. Prior to doing this I worked in a large office and had not a clue as to what working in the public was like. I love it but you definitely have to drop your personal issues outside at the door and oft times your patience and attitude will be challenged for sure.
• Vietnam
26 Aug 07
of course you have to do those things. the name of the job doesn't mean all you have to do. likewise, i'm a line server but i still have to clean up afterward, help cooking and other stuffs too.
• United States
26 Aug 07
Many people don't realize the extent of another persons job until they have to do it themselves. Walk a mile in my moccasins as the saying goes.
@cmsk2005 (1770)
• United States
26 Aug 07
I really believe the cashiers have more responsibilities than many other staf in the store. Kepping the cash properly is itself a big resposibilities and keeping a n eye on the overall system is another obvious thing whiah the casiers usually get involved during their stay at the stores.
@ranitam22 (1146)
• United States
25 Aug 07
I'm sure it is a lot of hard work. I worked at a retail store and I noticed how mostly all of the cleaning and restocking a lot of times fell on the night shift. I guess they think it's not as busy with customers so they try to keep you busy with other stuff. i do go into some convenient stores that look like the shelves haven't been cleaned in years with expired products or dust all over the item. I remember I had brought a Snicker candy bar, took it home and found out it was a year expired after i bit into it and looked at the expiration date.