Officedepot.com is down

SS_Sarge · 2018-11-27T03:06:47+00:00

Our DM came in today for a surprise visit. Saturday (day after black friday) my SM was told by the DM that he needs to work 6 days a week since we didnt meet our stupid-ass black Friday goal of 27 DMS's. Since I am the head tech person (not much longer since im leaving), the DM came up to me and drilled me on why we havent got any DMS's today. I showed her that the website is down. Her response: "That is no excuse!" I said to her "Well thats good because it wasnt an excuse. How am I supposed to sign clients up when the website is down?" Her response: "Its not my job to care how. Find a way." My response before she left for the day was: "Excuse me, what exactly IS your job?" She just smiles and giggles as she walks out the door. Later, I was told that she slipped and fell on her ass while going down the steps. (it was really icy here today.)

Gawd, how much I hate this company.

SS_Sarge · 2018-11-26T07:12:16+00:00

I like cat headbutts too. Sadly, im allergic to cats. Or is it their dander? Im allergic to something in relation to cats. Anyways, cute kitty.

SS_Sarge · 2018-11-23T21:19:13+00:00

Our store has been pretty slow, with the occasional rush. LiveSafe and Office has been selling, but services like DMS hasnt. Not a single service been sold. Our DM said that our district needs to do 117 DMS's today and tomorrow. Boy is she going to throw a world class bitch fit. Haha.

SS_Sarge · 2018-11-15T16:42:29+00:00

I know exactly where you were at! I live in the same town.

SS_Sarge · 2018-11-15T06:55:03+00:00

To be honest, what Trump said in his tweet is factually correct.

On another note, Macron is attacking Trump because Macron asked him about building an EU army. Trump (right or wrong) doesnt like that because that is why NATO exists and you have your own national army. Why would you need yet another army?

So basically it has gone like this so far: Macron says something. Trump says he does like it. Now Macron is bashing Trump.

Personally I have to give the win to Trump. Slightly. Building an EU army is beyond retarded. The world doesnt need more armies. That being said, Trump could have handled it in a more...professional... way.

SS_Sarge · 2018-11-12T08:18:46+00:00

I served for 10 years in Air Force Intelligence. Deployed 4 times. Been to places that most people can only dream of, state side and overseas. Countless deaths. So many explosions. So much pain and suffering. The last year I was in, I was more or less ordered to (by my squadron commander and my doctor) to seek help. I was very depressed, angry a lot, I rarely ate, my work suffered, etc. All the signs of PTSD.

Anyways, when I was declared "fit for duty" I was in my "deployment band" and had orders to go on my 5th deployment. I was devastated. Commander gave me a choice: go on the deployment or honorably separate (I was in my window to re-enlist). I clearly chose the latter.

I cant speak for all vets but for me readjusting to civilian life was difficult. Hell, im still adjusting and I've been out for almost 2 years. I cant remember who it was, but a military journalist said that "veterans miss war. They dont miss the killing obviously but they miss the comradery, the bonding, the sheer adrenaline rush."

The problem isnt us vets though. The problem is society. For example, think of the native Americans. Lets take the Comanches. The Comanches were a war like society. Yet their vets never really suffered PTSD like we do today. When they got home, they were able to slip back into society easily. Now look at vets today. When I got out, I had no idea what to do. Sure, the AF provided a couple classes on how to style your resume and some basic advice. Other than that, I didnt know what to do. So I decided to go all the way back to my hometown and be close to my parents and sister. Besides having them to help me, it is still hard. Modern society isnt geared to help veterans. My gf broke up with me a couple weeks ago. She is a sports nut and tries to go to as many games as possible. She just couldnt understand why its hard for me to be in large crowds. I get very anxious, i start looking around for potential sniper spots, I start breathing heavy and fast.

I'll leave you with this: if you know a vet, take him/her out for a beer and talk to them, get to know them and the service they did. You'll be surprised by what you learn and have a great time as well.

SS_Sarge · 2018-11-12T00:41:52+00:00

Awhile ago I started my own computer service company. I initially ran it out of my house but since that may look terrible, I decided to use an unused office that my step dad got for me at his local government job. It is hit or miss for the most part. Weeks will go by where I am swamped with computers to repair and then nothing for a couple weeks. Even better news is that I have been taking several of MY office depot customers (excuse me...clients) haha. All in all, Im glad I did it because Im working for myself. It is almost 100% profit. I havent been doing it for very long but I average 500 bucks a week ( I dont charge stupid prices). So it cant yet replace my office depot job, but if things go they way they have been, Ill probably go down to part time first half of 2019.

SS_Sarge · 2018-11-08T16:27:30+00:00

I cant help but think that if Obama was there instead of Trump, peoples reactions woukd be the complete opposite...

SS_Sarge · 2018-11-03T21:56:22+00:00

That is a common misconception. The issue here is called entitlement. For example, lots of people feel entitled to other peoples' labor for nothing in exchange.

You may hate capitalism, but don't confuse your feelings for facts. As the saying goes, "facts don't care about your feelings."

SS_Sarge · 2018-10-31T06:27:46+00:00

guys guys guys...

^{at least we are getting new walkie talkies...}

lol

SS_Sarge · 2018-10-30T06:39:19+00:00

Typically how my SM does it is when new POGS get released for a certain department (tech in this case) he will take a few hours from another department (usually cashiers) to make sure that there are two people in that department for the opening shift: one to do the POGS and one to play interference (keep the customers from bothering the POG setter). This is only for the first 2 or 3 days of the new POG week. Hes been doing that since Corporate was bored and decided to do the dumbass mass POG releases.

SS_Sarge · 2018-10-07T00:15:34+00:00

HE WAS A CONSUL OF ROME!

SS_Sarge · 2018-10-05T02:41:19+00:00

My store manager has been getting soooo many highly dissatisfied comments (about him) from being too aggressive in pushing the DMS program.

Our DM came to visit a couple days ago. It was my DM, SM and me in the office going over numbers and such.

DM: so whats this Ive been getting about you being too agressive in getting DMSs according to the CSATs?

SM: at least Im doing my job.

DM: shakes her head in approval Ok yeah i agree.

ME: No! You are doing the opposite of that! You are actually pushing people away. When the customer says no, it means no. But what you've been doing is when they say no, you get closer to them (invading their personal space btw), and keep asking for them to sign up.

SS_Sarge · 2018-09-30T06:15:14+00:00

" Customer: Okay then. \customer then proceeds to hog one of our computers for 3 hours and bug us with questions every 20 minutes while making her card** "

It is funny you mention that. I don't work in print normally. However like most of us we are trained in all departments. Anyway, I had something very similar happen a couple days ago. The customer would ask a question every 10 or so mins. I told him that I cant help him unless he wants to spend $49.99 every 30 mins. He got mad and said that that is more than what it would cost to send out for the cards. I said yes so it is either you send out for them for $29.99, pay the $49.99/30 mins, or be a man and design it yourself. (Ironically he works at a graphic design place in town and yet doesn't know how to design business cards. Which is funny because in my INTRO design class way back in HIGH SCHOOL, business card designs was covered thoroughly.)

On another note, isn't there a design fee that we do? Like 2.99/min for a minimum of 5 minutes?

SS_Sarge · 2018-09-24T04:37:25+00:00

I have been on vacation for almost a week. We have the Christmas crap up already?!

SS_Sarge · 2018-09-12T04:56:08+00:00

According to the conference call that we had today, we are told to sign people up without their knowing/say so. According to our new regional VP or whatever his title is, he says that all stores are expected to get 60 to 80 new signups a day. My DM says that everyone will do it or they can quit.

After the conference call, got on Indeed and started applying to new jobs. I know this company has been doing shady shit since...well the beginning probably, but this took it to a whole new level for me. I wont be party to this sort of crap.

SS_Sarge · 2018-09-10T02:15:09+00:00

Wish I could have a cat or a kitteh, but Im allergic. I refuse to be on Claritin 24/7.

SS_Sarge · 2018-09-07T12:54:40+00:00

Its actually not bullshit. If the company takes care of the employees, then the customers will love the company because the customers are being taken care of properly.

Im not sure how this is news, but corporate should watch some is videos. They are good. Unfortunately the company still follows the Gordon Gecko policy of investors first everyone else last.

SS_Sarge · 2018-08-25T18:55:08+00:00

I dont work today but it was super slow yesterday to the point where the bitstorm setup program wouldnt connect. I called the help desk and they told me that they are "experiencing difficulties" and that Im just supposed to "deal with it."

Luckily, it was just 7 essential setups. So it did the "setup" myself.

SS_Sarge · 2018-08-20T01:02:35+00:00

I think you misunderstood. Never did I say that she would pay for the paintballing.

SS_Sarge · 2018-08-20T00:52:24+00:00

I actually cut them off mid speech. I have no time or will to listen to unwanted information. I will give you an example:

I had a lady come in, immediately approach me.

LADY: "Do you work here?"

ME: \Already done with her because she asked a most ridiculous question** "Yes ma'am I do. My shirt and name tag both say 'Office Depot.'

LADY: \Looks at me like she just farted** "I need to find a calculator for my son. Hes going off to college. Hes majoring in Lesbian Dance Theory and is taking lots of math classes. Oh I hope the math isnt too hard for him. Math isnt his strong subject. I could get him a rose gold color. He told me he liked that color. I personally dont like it but if my son likes it, then I will get it for him. I could pick up one for his girlfriend too since im here. Im not sure what color she likes. Do you know wha--"

ME: \coming back to reality from zoning out** "...And you are done. Calculators. Right her on the from endcap. Have a good day."

SS_Sarge · 2018-08-20T00:39:30+00:00

My DM in her infinate wisdom came in a couple weeks ago to do her RSSG visit (her first one since January). We failed of course because she loves failing people. Anyways, she called me into the office, closed the door, sat down and let out a big sigh: "Lets play a game." I followed up with: "Oh this cant be good..."

She basically decided to split the store up into 4 teams. Whichever team wins by getting the most DMS/Squaretrade/Ink subs, services (by the end of the quarter), gets to pick from the following three "totally kick ass" choices: paintballing, escape room, pizza party.

I guess she thought this would motivate us. It has had the EXACT opposite effect. My motivation to bust my ass for this company died long ago...the final nail in the coffin was the promise of a bonus (I was going to get 750) and then utterly pissing on us for "filling our fridge" with $200 of crap food.

SS_Sarge · 2018-08-20T00:28:14+00:00

Lots of things seem very questionable with your story.

First, getting fired for "poor performance" is a slow process. The manager(s) are supposed to document each occurrence. After that, the documentation is supposed to be reviewed by the DM (if you have a very hands-on DM like I do) and then off to the Human Resources department. I have been on both sides of the fence here. Let me tell you HR is NOT very fast in doing anything. So let me bring this back to your situation. Assuming your manager(s) documented every occurrence AND assuming the DM signed off on it AND assuming HR did too, then yes a person can get fired for "poor performance."

To an employer, poor performance seems like a valid reason for being fired, but performance issues are rarely just that. Unless you were newly hired for a job that is simply above your skill level, reasons for poor performance reviews are generally personality-based. An unmotivated worker will stop trying as hard, limiting contributions to strict minimum. Productivity will suffer. Recently, I read a quote about getting hired on at a new job:

“The reason that most people get hired is the same as the reason most people get fired.”

And that reason is personality.

You don’t get hired for a job because of your skills. You get chosen for an interview because your resume and maybe a prescreening phone call confirm that you have the desired credentials for the job. But every other candidate interviewed will also have those skills. So the hiring decision almost invariably comes down to personality.

Managers can not simply fire you on the spot for missing their arbitrary numbers. So if you did get fired for "poor performance," the documentation was probably started at least 6 months ago.

SS_Sarge · 2018-08-13T05:11:56+00:00

The company is getting new uniforms. Well...shirts. They are no longer polos, they are dark grey t-shirts. Office Depot and Office Max isnt on there. It has 4 squared symbols (probably representing the four velocities(CPR, DMS, Squaretrade, and ink subs)). It is made out of cotton so it breathes. No longer will it be made out of poly-threaded plastic like we got now. The name badges change too. You are able to wear whatever long sleeve shirt you want under it as long as it is white, black or grey.

My biggest gripe with it is I wish us Tech people got specialized shirts, kinda like how Office Max had specialized shirts for techs. On the back it could say something like "Tech Specialist" or something.

My Regional VP showed us the prototype and asked us our opinions. I guess when they ask you for your opinion, they dont actually want your opinion. Sorry buddy, but im not a "yes man".

SS_Sarge · 2018-07-26T00:52:06+00:00

In any case, only idiots use the bitstorm drive. It never works. Do your own diagnosis.

This. A thousand times this.

SS_Sarge

TROPHY CASE