BigW Update
So, I did my first shift, and it was good!
We got there at 8:20 and went in the staff entrance. It was kinda cool to see the store with only half the lights on, cleaners about... yet I felt it was ok to be there, not as if I ought to rush out because the store is closing! hehe.
The lab looked quite a mess, with frames and albums on the floor and crates of orders all over the counter. so Jonno turned the mini-lab's screen on, and showed me how to queue up some film to be printed, stuff that had already been developed. Easy stuff- configure the order, feed it in, record the order no. when it comes out, put it in a envelope along with it's order bag and negative, ready for cutting. So all was fine until he showed me how to start processing digital orders.. the machine crashed. It is a recurring problem which I had heard about, and it meant I had to start again. Luckily not too much was done yet. So Jonno got on the phone to AGFA, and I went on with film orders, avoiding digitals. Oh well, not my fault!
So later on Jonno showed me how to do other types of processing: APS, reprints, multiple sets, photos to CD, how to cut the negatives into strips, how to prepare films for the machine, etc. Meanwhile Jonno was serving customers too, checking on me during quieter periods to teach a bit more.
I started to realise that using the machine is quiet straightforward, and i could learn that from anyone, anytime. So I asked if he could show me how to serve customers. This was a hodgepodge of okay and not-quite-okay stuff, but nothing I can't eventually get used to. Some highlights:
I'd have to say, the most troublesome part of the job so far is when I don't understand what the customer wants, if a customer asks for help with someting, or how to respond to unusual questions. So basically: Anything involving a customer that doesn't fit the standard ordering/collecting orders/paying. :-P
P.S. I hope this doesn't breach my confidentiality agreement... too much. :-)
We got there at 8:20 and went in the staff entrance. It was kinda cool to see the store with only half the lights on, cleaners about... yet I felt it was ok to be there, not as if I ought to rush out because the store is closing! hehe.
The lab looked quite a mess, with frames and albums on the floor and crates of orders all over the counter. so Jonno turned the mini-lab's screen on, and showed me how to queue up some film to be printed, stuff that had already been developed. Easy stuff- configure the order, feed it in, record the order no. when it comes out, put it in a envelope along with it's order bag and negative, ready for cutting. So all was fine until he showed me how to start processing digital orders.. the machine crashed. It is a recurring problem which I had heard about, and it meant I had to start again. Luckily not too much was done yet. So Jonno got on the phone to AGFA, and I went on with film orders, avoiding digitals. Oh well, not my fault!
So later on Jonno showed me how to do other types of processing: APS, reprints, multiple sets, photos to CD, how to cut the negatives into strips, how to prepare films for the machine, etc. Meanwhile Jonno was serving customers too, checking on me during quieter periods to teach a bit more.
I started to realise that using the machine is quiet straightforward, and i could learn that from anyone, anytime. So I asked if he could show me how to serve customers. This was a hodgepodge of okay and not-quite-okay stuff, but nothing I can't eventually get used to. Some highlights:
- I charged one older couple 70-something instead of 20-something, because I wasn't aiming the scanner correctly and ended up scanning the wrong thing. Jonno came to the rescue and voided it for me. ;-)
- What's with all the buttons on the register?? Clear, enter, subtotal and cashtender all seemed so similar, such that they could be replaced by one 'enter' key. I guess i'm too PC-oriented, hehe. I kept getting confused which 'enter' you press after each bit of the transaction. It does make more sense now i've thought about it :-) Still: with a cc transaction, you press 'clear' to make it print the slip to sign, and 'enter' after they've signed. Whatever.
- You have to sign in before every transaction! That's six digits that will be forever burned in my brain before long...
- Speaking of remembering stuff, there are so many different prices!! Can't everything be a nice round figure? And there's nuances with certain items depending on how many you order, and other more convoluted price technicalities. These will take much getting used to.
- The cash register calculates change automatically. WOOHOO!
- I had one customer who worked at target, and she was helpful when I didn't know what to do :-) No bitchy customers... yet!
I'd have to say, the most troublesome part of the job so far is when I don't understand what the customer wants, if a customer asks for help with someting, or how to respond to unusual questions. So basically: Anything involving a customer that doesn't fit the standard ordering/collecting orders/paying. :-P
P.S. I hope this doesn't breach my confidentiality agreement... too much. :-)