Archived Just Started Working at Target, I have some Questions!

[Albert]

Hello there! Aside from just starting at Target, I just recently joined the forum!

Anyways, I already went through orientation and just recently finished my first day of work/training. The team member who did help me was great and answered a lot of my questions, but I did have a few others. I want to be as prepared as possible when going into work the next time. So, here are my questions:

1) What are some walkie lingo that Target members use? For example, if I wanted to take my 15 minute break, how would I notify my LOD? Would I say, "LOD, this is [my name], taking my 15 minute break." I also heard others call for the LOD over the walkie by saying "LOD" several times to get their attention, is that a norm?

2) If I am working in a zone where items are shelved behind a case and a guest wants an item behind said case that requires someone to unlock it, who would I contact?

3) MyDevice is pretty handy especially since I just started, but most of the MyDevices are always dead (as several members pointed out when I went in for work). Is there an alternative to MyDevice? The store I'm working at currently allows us to use our phones, but Target.com and Cartwheel are two apps that are helpful, but they can't specifically locate an item (sometimes they don't) as well as MyDevice.

4) Are there any tips for zoning? I'm currently working hardlines and I was told how to zone, but does anyone here have any other tips? So far, I've learned to zone each block within an hour and to have two carts, and that the aisles don't have to be perfect.

5) We went over spills during orientation, but I seem to have forgotten what I should do if there was a spill or if something needed to be cleaned. On my first day, a guest came up to me telling me about a lotion bottle exploding on a cart, but I wasn't sure who I should have contacted. My trainer came to the rescue though, but I was told to stay put and continue zoning so I wasn't sure what he did.

I think that's all my questions. Sorry if they sound silly, but this is my first real job and I just want to do my best! Thank you! 🙂

 

[SFSFun]

1) A lot of that varies by store. At our store, we say "hey LOD" and wait a few seconds for a response before trying again if needed. Our LODs everyone with a walkie would get so annoyed if everyone was calling out "LOD Jim, LOD Jim, LOD Jim" every time they are needed.

2) Electronics. Alternatively you could call out "hey team, is there anyone near (aisle) that can unlock (item) for a guest?"

3) myDevice or nothing for salesfloor TMs. You could use the Target app on your phone, and it will give you the aisle number for items. But if you drop and break your phone, don't expect Target to replace it for you.

 

[commiecorvus]

Welcome to The Break Room.

 

[Kaitii]

2) Electronics. Alternatively you could call out "hey team, is there anyone near (aisle) that can unlock (item) for a guest?"

Electronics ain't gonna haul ass across the store to open a case in fragrances or jewelry.

Locks we have in our store and who opens them:
Electronics- Electronics
Fragrances- GSA/GSTL/HBA tm
Jewelry- GSA/GSTL
Skin Care- HBA tm

OP, I'd def stick with calling out if there's anyone that can open a lock.

 

[SFSFun]

Electronics ain't gonna haul ass across the store to open a case in fragrances or jewelry.

Locks we have in our store and who opens them:
Electronics- Electronics
Fragrances- GSA/GSTL/HBA tm
Jewelry- GSA/GSTL
Skin Care- HBA tm

OP, I'd def stick with calling out if there's anyone that can open a lock.

Wait you guys lock up jewelry and fragrances?

It's pretty much just stuff in the Electronics area at my store, but when I was helping at a busier store they had me call the Electronics TM to come across the store and open a locking peg hook in HBA.

 

[Kaitii]

Wait you guys lock up jewelry and fragrances?

It's pretty much just stuff in the Electronics area at my store, but when I was helping at a busier store they had me call the Electronics TM to come across the store and open a locking peg hook in HBA.

Wait you guys don't??

Those both seem like extremely high theft product to not lock up.

Locking peg hooks in HBA are also a thing we don't have. I know we just added a case (I think it's a case??) in HBA to put in the whitening strips. So now we have a dedicated HBA tm with keys for that kinda thing so the GSA/GSTL's life is a bit easier with those

 

[slegab21]

I'm a cashier but I've backed up hardlines a bunch lately and helped out with zoning. Tips: pull the front items forward, labels facing out, stack items neatly- rule is usually two for bigger items and three for smaller ones at my store... eyeball it and go with whatever looks better, make sure there's no gaps in the front... all the basics. Just step back and look at the shelf as a whole, and if it looks presentable- you're good! Pick up products that have fallen off hooks. Place reshop in your cart that doesn't belong in that aisle. That's all I've got for now! Good luck and welcome 🙂

 

[SobangchaPlz]

Wait you guys don't??

Those both seem like extremely high theft product to not lock up.

Locking peg hooks in HBA are also a thing we don't have. I know we just added a case (I think it's a case??) in HBA to put in the whitening strips. So now we have a dedicated HBA tm with keys for that kinda thing so the GSA/GSTL's life is a bit easier with those

Your store knows whats up, that's refreshing. You have no idea how many empty perfume and cologne packages I used to find.
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1) Normally we would just say "LOD, this is (name), im taking my 15." If we were in electronics, we always made sure to let the LOD know who was covering us, so it was more like "LOD, this is (name), im taking my 15. (Other TM) is watching the boat"

Yes, it is also normal to just say LOD, and wait for a bit. They could have been saying LOD several times close together because they had a guest staring them down. 😛 At my store, conversations were held on channel 3, so you would get the attention of whomever you needed, and ask them to go to channel 3. Channel 2 was our backroom, and channel 4 was AP. Not sure how your store does it, I would ask about different walkie channels. Oh, also when you push the button down wait a few seconds, then talk. Lots of TM's will push the button and immediately talk, this causes them to get cut off at the beginning.

2) Like mentioned above, usually electronics gets locked cases, but it does depend what department its in. So if you are unsure, just ask if there is a team member close to the area that can unlock an item for a guest.

3) There are no alternatives to MyDevices. They are everything at Target now. AP usually handles equipment, so maybe they would have a better answer for you about the equipment situation.

4) Zoning is pretty self explanatory. It seems like you have a method that works for you. Towels were always stacked 4 high, any extra were sent to backstock.

5) Normal spill procedures go like this:
1. You notice a spill or you are informed of one
2. Stand by the spill and make sure guests and TM's stay clear of it
3. Call another team member on the walkie and ask them for help with a spill on Aisle blahblah
4. Specify what kind of spill it is so you get the right clean up materials, make sure you have a safety cone brought to you as well

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

You will have a trainer help you out. Dont expect to have my device every day. You can use a PDA, go under item search. A radio is your friend. Don't stress out on aisle numbers. Try using brands, like tide soap in chemicals, etc. walk around to learn to areas & always ask questions.
Welcome.
Learn the label:

 

[SFSFun]

Wait you guys don't??

Those both seem like extremely high theft product to not lock up.

Locking peg hooks in HBA are also a thing we don't have. I know we just added a case (I think it's a case??) in HBA to put in the whitening strips. So now we have a dedicated HBA tm with keys for that kinda thing so the GSA/GSTL's life is a bit easier with those

We spider wrap all fragrances, and I don't know how or what you would lock up with jewelry. We have a Jewelry boat, but the stuff inside the cases is just random purses and crap for display purposes. Everything else goes on the spinning racks on top of the boat and hanging in the small aisles behind it.

Dont expect to have my device every day. You can use a PDA, go under item search.

I really don't think new salesfloor TMs should be using a PDA.

 

[Albert]

Thank you everyone for your responses! They're great to read and I honestly feel better prepared going in! 🙂

 

[mrknownothing]

1) What are some walkie lingo that Target members use? For example, if I wanted to take my 15 minute break, how would I notify my LOD? Would I say, "LOD, this is [my name], taking my 15 minute break." I also heard others call for the LOD over the walkie by saying "LOD" several times to get their attention, is that a norm?

Just say "LOD," wait for them to respond, then tell them you're taking your break or lunch. If you have a hardlines team leader present, you may be reporting directly to them instead of the LOD, so you would walkie them accordingly. If you need to ask a question or anything that's more than one sentence, ask them to switch to another channel.

2) If I am working in a zone where items are shelved behind a case and a guest wants an item behind said case that requires someone to unlock it, who would I contact?

This mainly occurs in electronics, in which case you would walkie the electronics team member. If your store is like @Kaitii's and has HBA stuff locked up too, walkie for someone with keys to come over to the display in question.

3) MyDevice is pretty handy especially since I just started, but most of the MyDevices are always dead (as several members pointed out when I went in for work). Is there an alternative to MyDevice? The store I'm working at currently allows us to use our phones, but Target.com and Cartwheel are two apps that are helpful, but they can't specifically locate an item (sometimes they don't) as well as MyDevice.

If you get a hold of a MyDevice that scans and doesn't have a dead battery, it may just be your lucky day. How much is this item? Where does the item in my re-shop belong? Are there any in the backroom? Those questions can be answered with one of the price scanners on the sales floor. If a guest wants to know where a specific item can be found, ask over the walkie. Or walk to the department and try to locate it yourself. Need to check stock at another store? Write down the DPCI, find a cordless phone, and call the other store. Or give the DPCI to the guest and send them to Guest Services.

4) Are there any tips for zoning? I'm currently working hardlines and I was told how to zone, but does anyone here have any other tips? So far, I've learned to zone each block within an hour and to have two carts, and that the aisles don't have to be perfect.

Use two hands. Seriously. And as you already know, it doesn't have to be perfect. Just make it look decent (i.e. shoppable) and try to get through the entire section.

5) We went over spills during orientation, but I seem to have forgotten what I should do if there was a spill or if something needed to be cleaned. On my first day, a guest came up to me telling me about a lotion bottle exploding on a cart, but I wasn't sure who I should have contacted. My trainer came to the rescue though, but I was told to stay put and continue zoning so I wasn't sure what he did.

If you see a spill, do not leave it unattended. Walkie for someone to come and help you with the spill, and let them know what supplies are needed to clean it up. While you're waiting for them to arrive, watch the spill so nobody walks through it and slips and falls.

We spider wrap all fragrances, and I don't know how or what you would lock up with jewelry. We have a Jewelry boat, but the stuff inside the cases is just random purses and crap for display purposes. Everything else goes on the spinning racks on top of the boat and hanging in the small aisles behind it.

Same here. Any high-theft HBA items at my store are spider-wrapped or put in keepers (i.e. razor cartridges).

I really don't think new salesfloor TMs should be using a PDA.

We have enough problems with the pricing team hoarding PDAs, let alone sales floor TMs.

 

[HardlinesGuy]

Wait you guys don't??

Those both seem like extremely high theft product to not lock up.

Locking peg hooks in HBA are also a thing we don't have. I know we just added a case (I think it's a case??) in HBA to put in the whitening strips. So now we have a dedicated HBA tm with keys for that kinda thing so the GSA/GSTL's life is a bit easier with those

I wish my store locked them up! Two major headaches for me.