Just a quick vent

[H. Franklin Layne]

WTF is wrong with retailers anymore? Went to 3 sporting goods stores today, looking for 2 specific items.... a stainless steel knife cleaning polish and a sling swivel cap for the ammo tube on my shotgun. Not one of those assholes had either in stock!!!! Come on, it isn't like these are everyday items you can go to the corner convenience store and pick up. To make matters worse, did anyone bother to ask if they could help me find anything? Not one! I swear, fire the entire staff, and hire someone that's been displaced, they'll bust their asses to do what it takes to get and keep a decent job! To think, these business owners are crying about why no customers are coming through their doors!!!

[ZiaAries]

Try an army surplus store. You might get lucky.

[H. Franklin Layne]

I did! I have to yahoo up some new places. If I don't find it tomorrow, I'll go to an internet vendor! I swear I will! I always try to support my local businesses first, but if they aren't going to stock these simple items, the rest of the world will! Right???

[cheatshot]

Retail business owners know all-to-well this problem, but finding hard-working, quality workers with high product knowledge willing to work at minimum wage is extremely tough. In fact, it is nearly impossible.. for if such an individual exists, this person is too motivated to settle for a lowly retail position and will strive for something better.

It's a lose-lose situation for both customers and retail business owners.. no doubt.

[H. Franklin Layne]

I'm willing to do it. Michigan's jobless rate rose to 15.2% as of today!!! I keep getting told I'm overqualified.....they know I'll eventually get their job and make them earn their money!

[cheatshot]

I'm willing to do it. Michigan's jobless rate rose to 15.2% as of today!!! I keep getting told I'm overqualified.....they know I'll eventually get their job and make them earn their money!

If your body is of decent shape, I'd suggest going into the trades rather than retail. There are many benefits - you keep in shape; you get paid more; employers offer better benefits such as dental, medical, and perks such as gym memberships; can quickly turn to a very nice career; and usually despite the economy, there are always many, many jobs to do.. you will not experience hardship during hard times. Most contractors cannot keep up with all of the job demands even during a recession. Currently I earn an average of $75 - $100 per hour with all the jobs I'm scoring. That's a lot better than the $7/hr retail position.

If this is out of the question, and retail is giving you the cold shoulder with the old "over-qualified" excuse, you can hold back some details on your next job application perhaps - it's not an unheard thing to do.. However, also consider that during a recession, retailers ARE affected and may not be very interested in hiring no matter what the qualifications of the applicant are.