There we're interesting parts of the book. As one who has worked in retail, and worked in sales for nearly 20 years, I could empathize with problem customers, days with more returns-then-sales, and management double talk (threatened with being fired while told he is an asset).That said, the author doesn't show any indication that he likes his job, or takes pride in what he does. He seems to hate all customers, doesn't take any interest in handbags, and rather then being some good days-every day at work seems to be horrible for him. I almost wished he was fired in that meeting with the store manager. Instead, he wins a customer service award. Seems like a miserable person who should look for a new career. As a former Retail Slave, this book triggered some serious customer-induced PTSD. Some of Freeman Hall's anecdotes almost seem too ridiculous to actually be true, and I'm sure I would think that they were grossly exaggerated if I hadn't lived through similar experiences. Sometimes truth really IS stranger than fiction.There were a few points in the book where Hall complained about the basic responsibilities of his job, and I have little patience for that. In any type of customer service field you will often have to deal with the absurd--things truly worthy of a good tirade. However, when it comes to the job one is hired to do, I think if employees would spend half as much time working as they do complaining about work, they might just have enough time to accomplish all of the tasks at hand.That being said, Retail Hell is like a sharp, decidedly un-schmaltzy Chicken Soup for the Tortured Sales Associate's Soul ... or at the very least, a little bit of much-needed therapy.
What do You think about Retail Hell - Special EBook Edition (2010)?
OK read. Some parts are very funny. Overall, nothing to write home about.
—kaimommie05
Hilarious romp through retail hell! I swear to be even nicer when I shop!
—borne
A therapeutic romp through hilarious retail misadventures.
—chadwick625
