Spray Paint =/= makeup!!!

[XCashier]

This customer wasn't "sucky" so much as not very bright. She came up to the cash register at the Fabric and Craft Store with a can of gold spray paint, gold fabric spray paint and glitter spray paint.

CC: confused customer
ME:

CC: How easy will this come off my skin?
ME: Do you mean if you accidently get some on your skin while painting? (starts to read the label)
CC: No, I want to spray it on my skin. Is this a good brand for that?
ME : No ma'am, this is not meant to be used on skin. This is spray paint, you use it on wood, metal, plastic.
CC: Well, what about this, will this work on skin?
ME: No, ma'am you use it on fabric. If you really want to paint your skin gold, I'd strongly suggest getting some gold makeup at a theatrical supply store.
CC: Are you sure?
ME: Very sure.
CC: Well, if I open this and use some and it doesn't work, can I bring it back?
ME: No, sorry. ( Okay, I told a little white lie here, namely because I didn't want her spraying her skin with spray paint!!!)
CC: Okay, thanks! (goes to put the stuff back, and I don't see her again)

:sigh: Look, dear, it is my job to sell you stuff. But I am not going to sell you an item if you state that you are going to misuse it in a way that could harm you. I don't want that on my conscience, and I certainly don't want you to sue me or the store for damages. If I tell you not to put spray paint on your skin, for the love of all things that don't suck, don't put spray paint on your skin!!!

[Sapphire Silk]

You did this gal a favor. Spray paint can be very dangerous. The fume can alter your mental status and cause brain damage. The effects can cause birth defects in pregnant women.

Also, excessive spray paint on the body closes pores and makes it more difficult to sweat, increasing your risk of overheating.

[Dytchdoctir]

CC: How easy will this come off my skin?
ME: Do you mean if you accidently get some on your skin while painting? (starts to read the label)
CC: No, I want to spray it on my skin.

You did this gal a favor. Spray paint can be very dangerous. The fume can alter your mental status and cause brain damage.

Too late.

[Wenchie]

Hopefully she was smart enough to listen to you and stayed away from the spray paint... I've heard of stories of being getting really sick by doing stuff like that. You could technically kill yourself if you left it on long enough and the weather was right. As much as we joke about chlorinating the Gene Pool sometimes, I wouldn't wish that on this person.

Besides... spray paint? And gold? If she didn't kill herself, she'd look tacky as all hell. If you're going to do something like that, at least use latex body paint.

[Mr Hero]

You did this gal a favor. Spray paint can be very dangerous. The fume can alter your mental status and cause brain damage.

In other words, the SC has used spray paint on her face before.

[fireheart]

Is there a legal age to sell spraypaint overseas?

I wish there was an intelligence requirement as well.....-_-

[JustaCashier]

Was her name Jill Masterson?

Mike

[LillFilly]

People used to die in performances/movies/etc. from paints they used because it clogged the pores and they couldn't sweat. There was also some historical information about the lead-based white face paint used in feudal Japan that harmed thousands of women and children during the height of that fashion rage.

[Mr Hero]

Is there a legal age to sell spraypaint overseas?

I assume so. I don't buy spraypaint often, but when I needed to buy compressed air, I had to show my ID. I assume it's the same with spray paint.

[XCashier]

Is there a legal age to sell spraypaint overseas?

I wish there was an intelligence requirement as well.....-_-

She was old enough; she looked to be in her mid-twenties. And I agree about the intelligence requirement, too. If the person whose job it is to sell you stuff refuses to sell you this item for that purpose, it's really a good idea to listen to her.

I probably should've mentioned to her that I've done plenty of theater, particularly stage makeup, and know what is safe to use and what isn't. Spray paint definitely falls under the "do not use on skin under pain of possible disfigurement or death" category. It's just mind-boggling that she would think it was a good idea.

[PepperElf]

CC: Well, if I open this and use some and it doesn't work, can I bring it back sue you for my medical bills?

Edited for SC-Accuracy.
Cos i'm sure she'd be back at the store screaming bloody murder once she realized spray paint isn't skin paint.

especially if she gets it in her eyes or breathes it in.

[XCashier]

Edited for SC-Accuracy.
Cos i'm sure she'd be back at the store screaming bloody murder once she realized spray paint isn't skin paint.

especially if she gets it in her eyes or breathes it in.

That's precisely why I lied to her about not being able to return it. She wouldn't listen to common sense, maybe she'd listen to her wallet. I saw her go back toward the paint aisle and she didn't come back through the register (at least while I was on shift), so I'm hoping she did put it back.

The whole thing just boggles my mind. Who would think to look for body makeup at a fabric and craft store? Would've made far more sense to go two blocks down to the beauty supply store. The only time we ever sell makeup is at Halloween, and all that stuff's gone now. We do have face paint sticks year-round, but we only have one type (primary colors) because there's almost no demand for it.

I've been thinking about this and worrying a bit. Should I tell my manager about this, in case she really is stupid enough to come back later and buy it, then sue us for medical damages?

ETA: I did go and tell the MOD what had happened. This message brought to you today by the letters C, Y and A.

[PepperElf]

well... the art store i go to might have it but... halloween was the best time to try to find it.

and ... well somehow that SC got me thinking of that story about the kid who drank vinegar and his mommy tried to make the store & employee apologize (even though no one had told the kid it was safe to drink)

[Mr Hero]

well... the art store i go to might have it but... halloween was the best time to try to find it.

and ... well somehow that SC got me thinking of that story about the kid who drank vinegar and his mommy tried to make the store & employee apologize (even though no one had told the kid it was safe to drink)

Awww, classics! One of the first stories I read on this site. Time sure does fly.

[Mongo Skruddgemire]

Was her name Jill Masterson?

Mike

You meanie head...you beat me to the James Bond Goldfinger reference.