Language Investigation #1

“Did you sell that ECP before you took a lunch and sized your opto huts?”

Working at Sports Authority, sometimes we use particular words that outsiders would consider weird. Those of us working in retail jobs can tell you the names of fixtures that clothes go on, like an opto hut. Back in the footwear department, opto huts are metal fixtures that are free standing and hold boxes of shoes. They need to be sized correctly according to the shoe size on the box. Periodically, the shoes on the opto huts are exchanged with different styles/brands of shoes to display. Then, you would ask a co-worker to “size the opto huts” to get the new boxes in numerical order. “Lunch” at Sports Authority can be taken in the morning or over dinner time. Anytime you take a break, it is considered “taking lunch” no matter what time of day it is. You would use the word “lunch” when asking a manager if you can go on break or inquiring weather a co-worker has taken a break yet. An ECP, short for Extended Coverage Plan, is quite a big deal at work. Each time a customer purchases certain products, you are required to offer them the Extended Coverage Plan. An ECP is extra insurance on that product. They purchase the ECP, which is basically a brochure, then, their new product is covered for one or two years. Within those years, if something goes wrong or breaks on their product, they are eligible for a refund through their ECP, or can get the product fixed. Treadmills, for example, often break or malfunction within the first year or two of purchase. Thus, it is wise for the customer to buy the ECP, when they are buying the treadmill, and ensure that satisfaction is guaranteed within the first one or two years. ECP’s can be purchased on snowboard bindings, goggle lenses, footwear, exercise equipment, and sports balls. It is Sports Authority’s way of making a little extra money up front, but in the event that the product malfunctions, we are providing an extra warranty for our customers.