Who hasn’t gone into a store to buy something and there’s only one open checkout line, meaning you have to wait in line for who knows how long? Imagine something similar happening in a fictional world. The only difference between the two is that in the latter, the people who work there are called fantasy sales clerks.
Though they may only be imaginary, sales clerks nevertheless are like real people in that they have their own aspirations and reasons for working there. Many of them simply view it as job they’ll have for a bit before moving on whereas others are fully committed to being the best employees as they possibly can be.
Fantasy sales clerks serve in a wide array of places. The most common is that of retail such as department stores. But any business that primarily deals with the public like a tailor shop is also likely to have them as well.
When interacting with the public, sales clerks are expected to treat them with courtesy and respect in accordance with their employer’s rules. They have to be willing to help answer whatever questions they might have or point them to where they need to go. When dealing with an angry customer, they have to do what they can to accommodate them, up to a certain extent.
In the overall scheme of things, fantasy sales clerks play an invaluable role in the world. They are representatives of the places they work which means they need to demonstrate a good knowledge of the things they sell, where they can find them, and so on. Moreover, they have to know how to handle money and the right way to deal with people.
This is the twenty-third article in the series exploring the different kinds of fantasy occupations. Plenty more can be found on our blog page!
Just as in the real world, there are a wide number of locations where people are likely to encounter sales clerks. Everyone will interact with them throughout their lives; there’s no ifs or buts about it. This is because there are many companies that make money selling their products to the public, meaning they need staff that can deal with them with relative ease.
The type of businesses that serve the public depends greatly on where the world is in terms of technology. Since so many are set in medieval times, that means places such as general stores are king since they stock many products lots of people use. Department stores weren’t around then so don’t bring those that don’t fit in your world’s setting!
Tailor shops are another spot where fantasy sales clerks work. Besides the checkout line, they assist customers in selecting the right size for their clothes, they work with them to find their fashion style, and so forth. Happy customers are more willing to fork over their hard-earned money than grouchy ones.
Stores that specialize in one particular good or another have sales clerks. One such is the armor shop. Besides selling weapons and armor, they can do special custom orders or reach out to other armorers to get that one particular item to please a persnickety customer. Employees need to have a solid understanding of the various types of weapons, shields, and armor the shop carries so that they can help customers whenever they’re needed.
Other popular spots for fantasy sales clerks include apothecaries, food shops like bakeries, and those that sell transportation-related products like horses and ships. Many of these stores appear in numerous locations across the world and they have a talented staff that can deal with the public with a smile on their face.
In regard to dealing with the public, sales clerks are considered representatives of the company they work for. That means everything they do and say is on behalf of their employer and a fundamental tenet of customer relations they’re taught is to always treat the customer with respect.
Sales clerks learn how to deal with different people. No matter who they’re dealing with, they have to maintain a sense of professionalism. They can’t devolve into name-calling with a belligerent customer or get into a fight. They have to do their best to defuse a tense situation or at least call the manager to deal with it.
One aspect of training fantasy sales clerks is to teach them all about the products they’ll be helping to sell. They have to know all of them inside and out so that they can answer whatever questions customers throw at them. Having knowledgeable staff goes a long way in making customers confident of shopping there since they know whatever they ask, they’ll get an answer.
Besides knowing all about the items the store sells, sales clerks have to look professional. That means they can’t look sloppy or wear clothes that don’t make them seem like someone who works there. Depending on the store, there may be an uniform policy or at the least, a policy that stipulates the type of clothes they’re permitted to wear. After all, what they wear reflects the business.
Another thing fantasy sales clerks need to have when engaging with the public is a sunny or friendly demeanor. Customers are more willing to buy things when they know there’s friendly staff there, not workers with a permanent scowl on their face. A clerk’s personality can make the difference between earning a new customer who comes back or one who swears he’ll never step foot there again.
With so many occupations out there, where exactly do sales clerks fit in? After all, they’re just like any other people who are working to make a living. Believe it or not, there’s quite a versatility to this particular occupation that can be used in many subsequent careers as well as relationships with people!
Many fantasy sales clerks range from teenagers to the elderly and each one of them brings their life experience to the table. Some have the perfect knack for giving the customer exactly what they want (or weren’t looking for!). Their life experience enriches the company while also giving its different perspectives when pondering on major decisions that will affect everyone who works for it.
A lot of the time, sales clerks are entry-level jobs, meaning they’re typically people’s first foray into the working world. These positions teach them skills that they will use long after they’ve moved onto other jobs. Skills like customer relations, how to conduct themselves in a professional setting, as well as how to interact with employees are invaluable tools that they can draw on as they enter different fields.
Another way fantasy sales clerks fit in the world is that they are considered de facto representatives of the business they work for. They are expected to be able to answer any question a customer might have as well as adhere to the rules and regulations as decreed by the company. Thus, they are expected to conduct themselves professionally since their behavior reflects upon the company.
Sales clerks play a role in helping the business stay afloat. Among their numerous responsibilities such as stocking the shelves or interacting with customers, an important one is to stand at the checkout counter and go over the items a customer is purchasing. The customer pays him the total amount owed and the money that is put in the register is used for the business to buy more products and pay its employees, among other things.
The occupation of sales clerks might not necessarily be full of glamour but it is one that impacts the world in a meaningful way. For instance, people in this field learn a bevy of skills that they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives, no matter how many times they change careers. Additionally, they help keep the shop open which is good for the local community.
Fantasy sales clerks are employed in a wide number of locations. There’s the usual spots like the general store which appears in many towns and cities across the world. Other places like the apothecary have their fair share of sales clerks which means people would be hard pressed to find a shop that sells to the public and doesn’t have them.
Since they deal with the public on a daily basis, sales clerks have to treat each customer with respect, even if they think they don’t deserve it. They are also expected to accommodate them and be helpful should they have any questions. Having a friendly and cheerful disposition can be immensely helpful even when dealing with tricky customers.
As for the world, sales clerks have a wide ranging role, some parts of which don’t become fully apparent until later on in life. Customer relations is just one of many skills they have to learn and what they learn will be helpful down the line when they’re in different careers!
Many fantasy sales clerks play a background role in regard to the story but they are a valuable part of worldbuilding in that they help enrich the world the plot takes place in. If used correctly, they can bring in a new element to your plot line!
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