Having only worked there for around six weeks, my reaction to the news that Comet was being forced into administration was one of little emotion. I haven't even seen a pay day since being with the company, and I knew that there was other employees (and recently gained friends) that deserve to meet the news with more disdain than I did. The job is just a temporary bung for me, to earn me some money while I search and decide on a career to chase.
Sure it is a shame that the seemingly futile search for a buyer has reaped now rewards as yet, but my thoughts are not with the company itself - just with the employees that depend entirely on the wage and commission hard earned from the jobs.
What I cannot stand though is the unrelenting hoards of 'customers' that are dissatisfied with the preliminary reductions as set out by current administrators, Deloitte. This is not a 'fire sale'. There has been little comment from owners or administrators about whether any progress has been made in terms of new ownership. All we have been told is to start selling off stock at prices set by the head office.
Admittedly some of the point of sale advertisements and merchandising paints a picture of better savings, but again it is just stores following orders.
"You call this a sale? still more expensive than online"
Everything has at least 10% off the ticket price - Televisions, computers and most white goods are limited to 10%. However, kitchen goods and accessories have 20-30% off the ticket prices. Okay so it could be more, yeah. But it is not down to us as a store to decide this, we are just receiving orders from above. So far as we know the stores are not closing down yet, so we do what we can and get on with our jobs as if nothing is happening.
Comet has been screwed over by the press in truth. As soon as news spread of the entry into administration news broadcasters where announcing that stores had been closed and massive sales were taking place. Neither true - Comet never said they were.
"I want to take away a TV today, and I'm paying in cash - but I don't want to pay these ridiculous prices, I want 50% off""I'm sorry sir but we physically cannot take any more money off the prices, it is out of our hands"
"Its cheaper in (insert competing store)...I want to speak to your manager"
If its cheaper elsewhere then get to fuck and let me help someone else.
One of my managers even got throttled and spat on during the first day of administration, after he relayed the bad news that we couldn't accept gift cards at that time. He was just doing his job the best he could, and was nothing but courteous.
At the end of the day, with commission all but suspended, I have better things to do than build rapport with leeches who only want a bargain. I even dealt with a man who just wanted a bargain, and he did not care what it was... He didn't even have anything specific in mind!
I struggle to understand how people can be so obtuse about the whole situation. Thousands of jobs are at risk and the most they can do is feign sympathy and ask when stock will come down in price. Its becoming hard to care and be accommodating at work, and I've only been an employee for a few weeks - must be even worse for Comet veterans and managers.
You'll hear about it when we are forced to clear the shelves for peanuts, it will be at the same time as the announcement of thousands of premature redundancies.
Fuck.
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