‘You’re the problem’: Kmart shopper erupts

A top recruiter has taken aim at “entitled, self-absorbed” Aussies after a shocking moment she witnessed in a Kmart store.

Tammie Ballis, a specialist recruiter, said many Aussies don’t understand how hard customer facing jobs can be.

A recruiter has taken aim at Australians who whinge about the decline of customer service amid a cost of living crisis — saying their treatment of workers is to blame.

Tammie Christofis Ballis, a specialist recruiter for Realistic Careers, said many Australians fail to understand how hard customer-facing jobs can be.

“If you’re complaining that customer service doesn’t exist anymore, it’s probably because you’re a bad customer,” she said.

Ms Ballis said she saw a recent incident at Kmart where an irate shopper confronted two young employees responsible for checking bags at the front doors.

“She took down their names after they checked her bags and was planning to complain to Kmart customer service about these young kids doing their job,” she said.

“They were literally doing their job, and there’s high theft in the area.

“Yet they have to deal with entitled, self-absorbed people who think the world revolves around them.

“If that’s someone like you, you’re a terrible customer. I hope you never get served again and get kicked out of every place you go.

Tammie Christofis Ballis is a specialist recruiter for Realistic Careers.

She fired up about an incident she saw at Kmart.

“Stop being mean, stop being rude.”

Ms Ballis said the cost of living crisis has made the situation even worse.

“My parents have a takeaway shop, and customers have been really rude lately. They walk in and say things like, ‘the shop’s quiet, give me a discount’.

“I know we’re in a cost-of-living crisis, I know everyone is struggling at the moment, but they don’t get paid enough to deal with your crap.”

Ms Ballis said workers had to deal with ‘entitled, self-absorbed people’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dean Martin

She said many employers just cop bad customer behaviour because they’re desperate to make a sale.

“They want to keep their KPIs and hit their budgets, so staff just put up with it. It seems like no one is protective of staff anymore. It’s really sad,” she said.

“And employers wonder why people want to work from home.”

Retail and hospitality workers praised the recruiter’s comments.

“Thank you, everyone needs to work in hospo or retail for three months at least,” one said.

“Been whistled at and spat at – people have no respect for retail workers,” another added.

‘Hello’: 27yo’s customer demand divides

Ms Ballis’ comments come after a retail worker blasted a growing trend among workers in his sector.

Timmy Reeves has worked in retail for years. He said he has noticed a “decline” in customer service.

The Melbourne local said that he “hated” working in retail and was only there to “make money” and go home, but he always made an effort.

“I was there to work, and I was there to help people, and I always did it with a smile on my face. Nowadays, you walk into a store, and there’s a 1 in 50 chance someone is going to serve you,” Mr Reeves said.

He clarified he understands some people are just browsing and only some who walk into a store want to have a lengthy conversation, but he stressed that customers should be greeted at a minimum.

“Just at least say hello and greet them! It gives someone the feeling of being welcomed in the store,” he said.

He explained why he thinks people should be greeted. Picture: TikTok/tjreeves

People on TikTok were divided on if you should greet someone. Picture: TikTok/tjreeves

It isn’t just the lack of greetings bothering him.

The 27-year-old said it isn’t just the radio silence he receives when he enters a store. Some Gen Z retail workers can be hostile.

He said he is sick of being “judged” by 16-year-old retail workers who don’t bother to greet him but do bother to death stare him.

“You are 16-years-old and you are staring at me like we are going to have a punch on. Just have some respect, guys. You’re getting paid to do a job. Put a smile on your face,” he said.

This all comes as research published by Qualtrics underscored the financial risk incurred by businesses due to declining customer service performance, exposing an annual risk of $74 billion.

It highlights the ever-increasing deliberateness with which Australian consumers are willing to slash spending following the receipt of subpar consumer services.

Originally published as ‘You’re the problem’: Kmart shopper erupts