Jerk Oxxo Clerks and Their Refusal to Honor Telcel Promo

[BruceWedding]

Being a gringo and appearing like a tourist SHOULD have this one advantage.

Everytime I buy something at Oxxo, they're supposed to ask if I want to recharge my phone. Half the time, they don't.

If they fail to ask, the sign at the register clearly says I get $100 worth of credit on my phone. Everytime I ask for my credit, I get into an argument. Only ONCE out of about 15X have I actually gotten the credit I'm supposed to. And that time, I was insulted and called a poor bastard. LOL

Once we asked for the manager's name and the guy ran in the back and actually changed name tags LOL.

I assume the clerks are punished in some way for everyone they pay out. I don't care. Its clearly the policy and part of their agreement with Telcel.

I'm not sure why I'm posting this, just venting really. I should have about $150USD more credit than I actually have because of this crap.

[Gringation]

I learned a few years ago never to argue with an Oxxo clerk. Most are not particularly good with math or rules. I hate to generalize, but... yeah, it's bad.

[V]

Its clearly the policy and part of their agreement with Telcel.

That's so funny, Bruce! It annoys me that they ask! I'd rather they didn't, and don't appreciate Telcel for making them through the motions.

[BruceWedding]

Originally Posted by V

That's so funny, Bruce! It annoys me that they ask! I'd rather they didn't, and don't appreciate Telcel for making them through the motions.

It annoyed me until I realized I could buy a coke and get $8 worth of phone service... IF they'd follow the effn' rules.

[Steve]

Funny story for sure

Let's remember though the 100 pesos they may have to give up for not following the company line probably comes out of their own pockets. Not sure how much an OXXO employee makes a day but I bet 100 Pesos is a large chunk of it.

I think most of us can afford it more than they can.

[rawkus]

Bruce: Im lost. Are we entitled "free" credit if they do NOT ask ("una recarga?") us?

When did this policy start? Have never seen the sign in my Oxxo(on Avenida Sunyaxchen).

[V]

T.J., I'm sure you're right in your supposition that the clerk has to make it up.

20-25 pesos/hour is typical pay for people performing those jobs so, yeh, as usual, the poorest and least capable among us end up taking it in the....

I doubt we're punishing that monolith, Telcel, by demanding compensation for not offering us a recharge. (What a stupid marketing scheme, after all.)

And, yes Rawkus, this policy has been around a long time, now.

I understand Bruce's thinking on this, and in the U.S. the reaction would probably be different, for many reasons.

When my maid is grateful for our giving her the ten centavo coins we collect over time, you have to consider what kind of conditions the people we deal with here may be laboring under.

[rawkus]

V: But regardless if the worker has a crappy salary or not, it shouldnt be that easy to kindly remind people that "and would you like to get some cell cred today?". Ive been hearing that from EVERY cashier in Wal Mart, Mega, Soriana, etc. Dont know if those stores have a different policy, or if its just Oxxo that does this.

Just like I always hear "did you find everything you were looking for?".

Im not the one that would jump on the chance, but if/when there is a really nasty Oxxo worker(and boy, they do exist), then it would be a possibility, for sure.

Interesting policy...

[V]

I don't really think it's really quite the equivalent of saying, "Did you find everything you were looking for?", which sounds helpful and is not pushing a product.

I made a point of talking with an OXXO employee this AM and said that, yes, they do have to pay out of their pockets when this happens.

Bruce's experience of getting the "bonus" once, in 15 tries, shows how impactful this is on the employees- who resist as strongly as possible under the circumstances, as this would wipe out much of a day's pay.

Let's think about not punishing the poor people who hold these cashier positions and must stand on their feet all day to earn their miserable 3-4,000 pesos per month. We can consider who needs this money more, as well as reflect on the economic power of the monolithic Telcel, who can impose this practice on so many merchants in the country.

I, for one, don't want Carlos Slim and others making me the "enforcer" for their promotional schemes.
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[BruceWedding]

Ok, so I'm the bad guy now for wanting to take money from the poor Oxxo clerk?

I want them to follow the rules their employer set forth, sorry. I didn't make them. Having employees here, I can assure you Oxxo has a very thorough employee handbook, which each employee has signed.

If they don't want to cough up the dough, ask the question and quit making assumptions about your customer.

[rawkus]

V: Then Im confused.

The only Telcel questions I have ever gotten are "would you like a recarga?".

Its never been pushy at all. Usually, my answer is "nope, not today", but sometimes them asking, has reminded me that my cred is running out.

Regarding the Oxxo workers: "Poor people with crappy pay" is EXACTLY what the Dragon lady in Immigration b*tched and whined about to me when I refused to give her cash under the table...

I would never jump on the chance to grab the cash that this Telcel(Telmex?)/Oxxo policy allows me to do, but if its the same question as "would like a recarca?" then we have completely different idea of "pushy", hehe

If the workers know the rules, be they rich, poor, young or old, well - follow them and crap wont happen.

[matkirk]

Got to agree with Rawkus on this one.

Call center workers, secretaries, store workers, whoever, have to answer the phone in a certain way, chain restaurant workers have to greet you in a certain way etc. etc. Standard operating procedures are what makes consistency of the product.

Damn, an OXXO worker only has to ring you up and remember to say "quieres una recarga" they should be able to do that!

Extra is the way forward - they sell Pacifico

[Gringation]

I think the problem here lies more with the policy itself, not with a "pushy" cashier or a "bad guy" customer who may not even know what's going on.

During my years as a waitress, if I'd been charged most of my day's tips for every small mistake I made, I'd have ended up worse than broke! (and I was a damn good waitress)

We're all human, and it seems mean for Oxxo to prey on its own worker salaries to push a promotion.

No wonder Oxxo employees seem so bitter...

[BruceWedding]

Originally Posted by matkirk

Extra is the way forward - they sell Pacifico

And give you 10-1 on the dollar while Oxxo gives something close to market, today $12.70. I'm not going to pay a 27% premium on everything I buy.

[BruceWedding]

Originally Posted by Gringation

We're all human, and it seems mean for Oxxo to prey on its own worker salaries to push a promotion.

No wonder Oxxo employees seem so bitter...

Thank you for recognizing that it's Oxxo and not me that is preying on someone.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by BruceWedding

And give you 10-1 on the dollar while Oxxo gives something close to market, today $12.70. I'm not going to pay a 27% premium on everything I buy.

Pesos! Your always going to lose out using Dollars - local or tourist alike.

[V]

Its never been pushy at all.

Same here Rawkus.

You'll notice I didn't say the clerks were being pushy; I said the act was "pushing a product...."

I can't believe this practice will be effective to sell more air time, and will be dropped soon anyway, for which I'll be grateful.



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[rawkus]

I really dont see what the fuss is about.

I mean, its 3 words, right? "Quiere una recarga?" Im sure they can manage to squeeze that in between "es todo?" and "XXX pesos, por favor".

Ps. I still wouldnt jump on the chance if/when they fail to offer me credit, but I also dont understand the entire "I feel sorry for them"...

[V]

I also dont understand the entire "I feel sorry for them"

OK, it's a personal thing: I wouldn't DREAM of taking 100 pesos from somebody who only earns 160 pesos per 8 hour shift.

[BruceWedding]

Originally Posted by V

OK, it's a personal thing: I wouldn't DREAM of taking 100 pesos from somebody who only earns 160 pesos per 8 hour shift.

You are not "taking" it from them. Why do you feel responsibility for their job performance?

[ToriB]

Originally Posted by BruceWedding

You are not "taking" it from them. Why do you feel responsibility for their job performance?

Cause here in Cancun, when us employees screw up, WE have to pay the $ to the companies. So if he doesn't ask, and the customer wants his credit, little man will be missing it from his paycheck. It happens to me more then I want to get into. I know ppl that had to pay out $300 plus dollars cause a customer is a pain in the ass.

[V]

Why do you feel responsibility for their job performance?

That's just it, Bruce, I don't appreciate their employer trying to make me the policeman of their job performance, and refuse to be a party to this scheme.

[rawkus]

V: It still doesnt make sense, to me. Im sure an Oxxo worker can manage to squeeze in 3, short words.

Its a policy that the worker has agreed too. Its not pushy, rather a question.

Maybe I missed something on this thread, but I just cant get my head around why this is a big deal.

Tori: Same goes in Sweden(and any other country I have lived in): If I screw up, I pay.

Compared to many other places, the Oxxo workers have it easy considering the all but massive amount of words needed to ask that question.

Ive heard the exact same question from supermarket cashiers ever since moving here in 2007. Simple question, three words. Doesnt seem too much, too me.

IF the Oxxo workers were forced to actually push a product, using aggressive selling, then I would feel sorry for them. But now, I dont.

Say the words = no trouble.

[ToriB]

Have yet hear the words muttered from anyones mouth at any OXXO, and I don't care if they do or don't. I go when I need credit, and I don't ask when I am OK.

I have worked retail, or in some form of sales for the last 17 yrs, and I have NEVER had to pay for an upsell, which this is, until I came to MX. It's not about screwing up, that's a harsh way to look at it. Like V said, he could use the $ a lot more then you need the credit.

[rawkus]

Tori: Ive never heard it myself, and the first time Ive ever heard about it, was when Bruce started this thread.

Knowing that they could end up paying out of their own pockets, should, in my world, make them more aware. It would do that to me, thats for sure.

If he/she/they just utter those 3 words, then no need to get cash removed from your salary.

Do I think the policy is stupid? Perhaps. But, I still cant feel sorry for them, as they know the rules.

As long as they dont shove Telcel(or any other) promotions down my throat, I have no issues with being asked "Quire una recarga?". I go to my local Oxxo almost every second day, yet I have NEVER been asked... In Wal Mart, Mega, Soriana, Chedraui etc. I get asked that question 9 out of 10 times.

[ToriB]

Originally Posted by rawkus

In Wal Mart, Mega, Soriana, Chedraui etc. I get asked that question 9 out of 10 times.

Really? Never heard it from them either. I guess it's just like the dealers here. No one in the 2.5 yrs I have lived here has asked me if I wanted to buy anything, but everyone I talked to have. Maybe it's me...and I like it this way. They all see me as a waste of time, cause I am gonna say no 100% of the time

[V]

But, I still cant feel sorry for them, as they know the rules.

Come on, Rawkus, you can't conjure up just a little, sorry, knowing they may be trying to support a family on just 3,000 pesos per month, for full time work, as my maid is?

She hauls home everything we will give her, newspapers, plastic bottles, alum cans, even though her take on the stuff is unbelievably small; for example, five pesos for a KILOGRAM of cans. People this poor deserve to get a break from those of us who have more, now and then.

I make many times what those clerks in OXXO are paid, yet my boss wouldn't dream of deducting from my pay for my many errors. Why is it the poor always have to take it in the butt?

[johndish]

I find it interesting that you have sympathy for the OXXO employees but, then you want trained massage givers to work for the same salary. I may be over generalizing but, that is how i read this post.

Originally Posted by V

I don't really think it's really quite the equivalent of saying, "Did you find everything you were looking for?", which sounds helpful and is not pushing a product.

I made a point of talking with an OXXO employee this AM and said that, yes, they do have to pay out of their pockets when this happens.

Bruce's experience of getting the "bonus" once, in 15 tries, shows how impactful this is on the employees- who resist as strongly as possible under the circumstances, as this would wipe out much of a day's pay.

Let's think about not punishing the poor people who hold these cashier positions and must stand on their feet all day to earn their miserable 3-4,000 pesos per month. We can consider who needs this money more, as well as reflect on the economic power of the monolithic Telcel, who can impose this practice on so many merchants in the country.

I, for one, don't want Carlos Slim and others making me the "enforcer" for their promotional schemes.
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[johndish]

When I left almost 5 years ago to the day we paid our maid 2200 pesos every two weeks or 57,200 pesos per year or almost 5,000 pesos per month. Have wages gone down?

Originally Posted by V

Come on, Rawkus, you can't conjure up just a little, sorry, knowing they may be trying to support a family on just 3,000 pesos per month, for full time work, as my maid is?

She hauls home everything we will give her, newspapers, plastic bottles, alum cans, even though her take on the stuff is unbelievably small; for example, five pesos for a KILOGRAM of cans. People this poor deserve to get a break from those of us who have more, now and then.

I make many times what those clerks in OXXO are paid, yet my boss wouldn't dream of deducting from my pay for my many errors. Why is it the poor always have to take it in the butt?

[V]

you want trained massage givers to work for the same salary [as OXXO workers]

Sure don't think I said that, John.

When I left almost 5 years ago to the day we paid our maid 2200 pesos every two weeks***Have wages gone down?

Don't know, John, our maid works for us on her day off from her full time job, and we pay her 250 pesos for a half day.