Express

So… retail stores are supposed to be focused of customer relations right? LOL What a joke. This place needs to either get new managers or just close because honestly I hate Express.
Irritating things that happened at this Express location this week:
1. The first thing I noticed was that while I was standing on a long line, 6 employees were standing around the check out desk. Only one had an open register. Then a manager came over and I figured it was to open more registers because she noticed the line of customers. Oh wait, nope. That never happened. I don’t work in retail, but wouldn’t it be normal at that point for the manager to notice the customers and open more registers quickly?
2. This one is really my own fault but because I hate Express, I’ll add it. I was buying two shirts at a sale price, so I assumed I could not use my coupon on top of the sale. However, I had the coupon out on the counter next to my credit card and the associate clearly saw it but never helped me out by saying ‘Oh do you want to use that?’ My friend who works in retail told me it’s likely because if they sell things at sale price, then they don’t meet a higher quota of $$ spent at their location, which apparently is better for them.
3. I later found out that I could in fact use the said coupon, so I went back the next morning with my receipt. I was told receipts cannot be honored and they are unable to apply coupons to receipts. Store policy. Well, Express this is an extremely inconvenient policy. If the barcode of the items are on the receipt, then really what’s the problem? I kept probing to see what they could do about this, and finally the associate told me that if I bring my clothes back with the tags still on them, then they can return the items and have me re-​purchase them and apply the coupon this time. I said fine, this is such a pain, but I’ll go home and get the shirts and come back a 3^rd time.
4. So, I come back later that day with my items and ask to return them and repurchase. The sales associate tells me that’s not possible and they dont do that there. So, she calls over the manager who tells me the same thing. For several minutes, the manager explained to me that it’s just not possible because of store policy. This continued on for a few minutes and I told her what the associate earlier that day had told me to do, and the manager actually replied with «Well she’s not here now so I can’t speak on her behalf but I know she’s aware of the policy.» So… I’m a liar? Why would I come all the way back if I wasn’t just listening to what she told me to do? Ok… so here’s the kicker. After all this, the manager FINALLY goes «Well… that’s just impossible BUT you can return these items and then buy new items but they have to be from the shelves.» Really is this staff kidding me? WHY DIDNT SHE JUST SAY THAT 5 minutes earlier? I laughed and said «Ok lets do THAT then.» Wow, again customer relations much? Why would she not offer up the easy solution originally??? Looking to bank the extra $$ for her quota maybe? Or just completely incompetent? It’s one or the other, but either way, this does NOT give me the impression that Express gives a shit about their customers’ happiness. Thanks for making me practically fight to get the easy answer out of you. Wow.
5. And just to be picky, are they kidding me with these prices? So pretentious.
6. At check-​out, I was asked for my email address. I asked if that meant they would send me emails, because I didn’t want them. The associate told me no, no you won’t get emails. Guess what was sitting in my inbox this morning! Ha, an Express email. You guys need to get it together all around.