Who's Minding the Store

by David Lucero

Wholesale chaos in the world of Retail...
Derrick Payton, assistant manager of a high-end home improvement store, has been waiting nine years for a promotion to full store manager. Now, the job has fallen into his lap. Unfortunately, the store he’s been handed is on a downhill skid, and he only has a week to turn it around.
Now he has to battle crazy customers, employees who think the time clock is optional, and the dreaded Wicked Witches of the West—a pair of back-stabbing female associates who are determined to see him go down in flames.
His wife is pushing him to ask for a raise; his staff is trying to push him out the door; and his customers are about to push him over the edge. Caught in the middle, Derrick can’t help but wonder...
Who says the customer is always right?

388 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 2012

About the author

David Lucero is an award-winning author living with his family in San Diego, CA. He is a veteran of the US Army 82nd Airborne Division now pursuing his lifelong dream of being an author.

His book, 'Jack of Spades - A World War Two Story,' is a FIREBIRD Book Award Winner in the Historical Fiction category 2021. It is an exciting story taking place during the Battle of North Africa.

His book 'Big Jim,' is an exciting adventure/thriller taking place during the golden age of safaris circa 1953 Africa.

His other books include 'Who's Minding the Store?' - a comedy about life in a retail store, and 'THE SANDMAN' - a timely thriller of a saboteur on a mission to destroy an Iranian nuclear reactor. This book won 1st Runner-Up Best Fiction 2009 Military Writer's Society of America.

"I work in sales and between family life, work, washing and folding clothes, changing sheets and making the bed, walking the dog (you get the picture), I somehow find time to follow my passion and write. My current projects are sequels to 'THE SANDMAN' and 'BIG JIM,' with returning characters I plan on writing in future revolving stories. You keep on reading, and I'll keep on writing."

Reviews

[Fergus, Weaver of Autistic Webs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for an easy read that’s TONS O’ FUN this weekend?

This one’s a Real RIOT.

Is your spouse getting fed up with your nonstop griping about work?

Wanna have a “eureka” glimmer of recognition, when you find your kinda gripe has been made into something HILARIOUSLY UNIVERSAL?

Read David’s priceless book.

For whether he knows it or not, David Lucero HAS HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD -

OUCH! Read my notes!.. you’ll GET it.

Our square-peg world is FULL of oddball Round Pegs. Want fries with that? So we know ‘em all.

I was once a middle manager, too. All the stuff my guys ordered was for use in-house, so my own nightmares even were in-house. Yeah, big house, I know. That it was...

You see, my guys and I were paid to get the stuff the users wanted the RIGHT way. All the users wanted it the EASY way.

So they would cozy up to my workers and supervisors and ever-so-subtly SWEET-TALK ‘EM. That’s what David’s characters faced.

My job was to very peaceably and amiably (and avuncularly?) READ THE RIOT ACT to these guys, in spite of the acts that went on behind my back.

Sound like easy street? Maybe not... Hold on. There’s more.

The workers grumbled. And the users grumbled.

And SCREAMED BLUE MURDER to my bosses - the Senior Managers.

NOW you get the idea!

I was just doin’ the Old Muddled Meat in the Sandwich Routine. What’s a guy gonna do?

Well, where I was, the senior managers drummed TWO WATCHWORDS into our weary Middle Management Noggins: PRUDENCE and PROBITY.

THAT, translated, means - PATIENCE! You gotta make EVERYBODY HAPPY IN THE PROCESS OF YOUR WORK... INCLUDING THE LITTLE GUYS... AND US.

Create a ‘Win-Win Situation’ with Your Impasse.

Now, just HOLD ON JUST A WEE SEC, GUYS...

Do you know what all that kinda pep talk DOES to a typical middle manager??? When he’s getting outright ABUSE from Below - from workers and users?

Just take MY case...

My Prudence and Probity were Exemplary. I even gotta medal for it. But the Superheated PRESSURE of it all BURNED ME OUT. NOW you see what David’s hero faced?

Like, Polite applause? Gold watch? Maybe not even...?

Go figure.

So kids - sure, this book’ll give you a good laugh. It’ll make your day.

But it’s REALLY from the Heart.

And, here’s the moral of my OWN career:

If you’re looking for a career, do it for Love of the job - not Big Money.

You don’t have to put yourself in the limelight to earn folks’ respect. You can just live a life of quiet excellence.

You don’t need much cash to be happy.

A gold star’s not the be-all and end-all.

Don’t wear yourself out as a Pawn on someone’s Chessboard!

And if you do all that - you’ll never get recurring Nightmares over... Who’s Minding the Store.

[Miranda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Who says the customer is always right?"

This book brings out a whole new definition of "retail therapy."

Derrick Payton, assistant manager, just received a huge promotion. He's the new manager of a local branch of The Design -a one-stop-shop for all home remodeling needs.

And while this promotion is something he's been waiting on for years, there are a few strings attached...or should I say chains?

Corporate wants to close Derrick's store - there's too many branches in the area, the store is mismanaged and overall lackluster.

Derrick is determined not to let this opportunity pass but opposition strikes from all directions. His workers refuse to do the most basic of tasks, his assistant managers seem not to care and Tina from HR has a posse out to get him.

"Good. Would you do me a favor, and introduce me to everyone?"
Tina's laugh held a tinge of sarcasm. "Your first day here, and you're already looking for favors?"

He's going to have to pull through by the skin of his teeth - because no one, not the staff, not the customers and even not the CEOs will hold him back from turning this store around.

"As the new kid on the block, Derrick was expected to speak softly, and mind his manners.
Well, they could kiss his ass."

What a surprising delight! David Lucero masterfully wrangles absolute retail chaos into an absolutely entertaining novel full of sass and humor.

I felt to bad for Derrick - he had so much to do in such little time. He handled everything so well despite the tension, the anxiety. the stress and more!

I did struggle a bit with the sheer amount of characters. Derrick prides himself on knowing everyone in the store, so the audience has a lot of names thrown at them. Unfortunately, I could keep track of "the big bads" and a few others but a lot of them faded into the background.

Though, every so often there'd be one or two that would stand out - like Janette (oh, I loved her so much).

Then Janette said, "You need to get laid...That way you won't feel the need to fuck the people you work with."

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I found it to be hilarious and heartwarming with enough petty revenge to keep me satisfied for a lifetime. This is definitely one for the ages!

With thanks to the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

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[Nico Genes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely fun book to read - “You’ve got to love the retail business.”

Derrick Payton, assistant shop manager for The Design, was working hard hoping that one day will become a shop manager. He receives a short notice that he is going to be transferred to another shop, but for a different position. Disappointed, but as he had to do what he was told to earn money to support his family, he goes to his new position in another The Design store in San Diego. Due to certain events, he’s promoted the same first day to the shop manager position. His dream came true. But, is he ready for the task? Was it easy? Was that what he wanted? Did Derrick enjoy his dream coming true?

I found this book to be humorous and also educational; an entertaining read not only for those working in retail. This is a work of fiction but doesn’t fall too far from the reality. We witness a strong character grow and team playing evolving. I really liked Derrick as a character, his beliefs, his way of doing business, his leadership.

I believe the whole topic and many of the dialogues will strike a chord with many readers, the way they did with me. “You’ve got to love the retail business.”

The author has an interesting way of telling a story and made this book highly entertaining.

[David Lucero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review by Matt T. Schott on January 12, 2013

Have you ever have one of those work days where you say, "You can't make this stuff up." With David Lucero's history in sales he has captured those funny thoughts and comments that come to you during your working day. You'll find yourself nodding your head and smiling when you read those shared moments of strange but funny circumstances. Once you have started reading this book you will make time to read it until you are done.

Matt T. Schott
Author,
"Lord Skyler and The Earth Defense Force"
Best "Scifi" Award 2010 DIY Book Festival NYC

[K.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retail business is like living in another world, and David Lucero has painted a vivid picture of the chaos and frustrations that go along with it. I have read and enjoyed two other books by this author, and this book did not disappoint. Lucero is masterful in creating characters and in writing plots. His main character in Who's Minding the Store Derrick Payton had dreams of becoming a store manager, but when the door opens, he wonders if he can survive the back-stabbing, and coworkers who don't seem to have a clue about how to make a successful retail store. With all the pressures, confrontations, and hilarious circumstances he has to face, he somehow manages to improve workplace efficiency, allowed space for workers to exercise their own ideas, he was a good listener and an incredible problem solver.
Who's Minding the Store recounts the problems retailers face, the good and the bad. A wonderful book by a wonderful writer. I highly recommend. Five wonderful stars!

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Lucero is a good writer and he wrote on a subject many can relate to. The story was about retail and the workings of how things go. But it could apply to any office situation also. The camaraderie, or lack thereof, among the workers, the hierarchy of the job and the various interests each level has. And, of course, there are the customers and the customer complaints. He does admit to exaggerating the complaints a bit, but assures that they happen. I thought it happened too often in the book but then he was trying to put an office dynamic into a three-day period. I think most everyone can identify with the goings on in this book.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely entertaining read. I enjoyed the book from beginning to end and had a hard time putting it down. It was funny and yet painted a true picture of what the retail world is all about. If you want to have more than a few laughs and walk in the shoes of a large retail store manager, this is a must read.

[Shawn Callon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never knew that working for a big-box store could be such a minefield. Mind you, I have a good friend who worked for Target years ago who said that the managers were well compensated but that the pressure from upper management to reach daily goals was unrelenting.
But in Lucero's store not only is the executive pressure evident ("the store will probably close if the Memorial Day sales goals aren't achieved, Derrick") but he has to constantly face a litany of problems - tardy staff, staff ignoring phone calls (avoiding issues/work), allegations of improper behavior, poor closing skills, refusing to qualify potential customers, staff refusing to work on a national holiday and senior members of his team plotting his downfall. What a place!
Derrick works late and works hard everyday to make his store a success and his promotion well-earned. He has a sense of humor (thank goodness otherwise he would go crazy) and a very supportive family to help him carry on.
The book ends on a positive note and the reader assumes that all will be well with his career.

Shawn Callon, author of The Simon Montfort Spy Series, wrote this review.

[Sayara Clair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Derrick Peyton is a wonderful and extremely likable character. He’s a hard-working guy, placed in a difficult situation, who’s trying his utmost to do the right thing by his family, his company, and his employees. This man had backstabbing staff, demanding customers and problems galore coming at him from all angles. I admired the way he kept a cool head, took care of things in a fair and accommodating way, yet didn’t let people walk all over him. If you have worked in the retail industry, you will love this book. I certainly felt as though I have met or known almost every customer and staff member Mr. Lucero described.
If you have ever been a customer in a store (so that would be, ah…basically everyone) this story will resonate with, and perhaps even enlighten you.
If you are one of those customers who succumb to the magical powers I believe are emitted by those electronic sliding doors at the entrance to most retail establishments, turning sane people into raging (insert bad word here), please read this book. It will give you an insight into the trials of those people on the inside wearing the matching shirts, who are really not enemy #1.
 
Who’s Minding The Store is an insightful look inside the retail industry. It is a well-written and humorous story. And a very entertaining read.

[Peter Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a funny book with stories and scenes all of us recall in the workplace. I was surprised how many memories I was reminded of as I read this book. We've all worked in some kind of retail at some point of our life, and this story captures the essence and spirit of working with customers.

The plot is superb and not to unusual in these times.

The main character gets promoted to store manager and only has several days to improve sales or the company will close them up for good. He keeps this from the employees and other managers because he doesn't want to risk bad morale. All the while he has to deal with customers who want something for nothing, employees who don't show up for work, and assistant managers who want his job, not knowing all of there jobs are in jeopardy.

My favorite scene is when a customer tried returning a product he damaged while taking it home. I actually had to deal with a similar issue at work, and this scene is right on the mark. This book is witty, funny, and realistic. If you want a good laugh, this is one for you to read.

[Martha Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was outstanding, writing about retail store environment having experience it myself as a second job how customers could be with all the headaches that come along with these jobs could be overwhelming you certainly need a lot of patience and charisma. I really enjoyed David Lucero accurate details and well written story of reality about how hard the managers and all the sales employers could go through, every detailed was a page- turner and hilarious. I recommend this book, it’s an awesome story.