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  • The last two days in Textbook Land (once again, super long)

    Ok, I decided to wait to post about more textbook tales until my day off. Herein follow the tales from my last two days at work. So glad I have today and tomorrow off. Seriously. More bitching about returns abounds, mostly, but a few other amusing moments. Without further ado, diving right in with Wednesday’s and Thursday’s shenanigans. Oh, and some language warnings, by the way.


    I’m telling my mommy on you!!
    SC wants to return books. SC purchased books on mommy’s credit card and didn’t have it with her. Thus, no refund, since it has to go back on the card. She claims I have to give her cash because her mommy said so and threw a temper tantrum in the middle of the store. She was seriously close to falling on the floor and screaming, I swear. I tell her sorry, rules is rules, and if she sends her mommy after me like she’s threatening, I’ll tell her the same thing too.

    Brat…


    But…you HAVE to do it, it’s YOUR fault.

    Honestly, still trying to figure this one out…

    Guy comes in, wanting a refund, but it’s past the refund date. I explain this to him, and he claims that no one told him this, so we have to give him a refund. Now, he bought his books online, and he showed me all his slips which had no refund date. Ok, cool, I can kind of see where he’s coming from. But then I noticed he had opted for customer pick up. I asked if he came in personally, or if he sent someone in to do it for him. He said he had, and I told him that we had signs everywhere about the refund deadline, AND that it was posted on bright orange paper on the textbook counter where he had picked up his books. Also, as the person who packed a majority of the web ordered books, I know I stapled a note to every bag stating they had until the 1st to bring books back for a refund.

    He then exploded saying that since I was claiming responsibility for packing orders, it is then MY fault he didn’t know about the refund date, since I didn’t PERSONALLY tell him. As a result, I HAD to give him a refund on his book.

    Er…sure, I’ll get right on that. And while I’m at it, how far up your ass did you want my boot…? Passed him off to MOD K, and watched sparks fly. Was lotsa fun for me, and he left without a refund. Haha!!


    There’s a reason I ask for ID…
    Had a guy come up to buy his books and handed me a credit card. Now, mind you he’s big, burly, kinda hairy, very much a male. The card he gave me had Susan Something written on it. (Am I the only one who’s got “boy Named Sue” stuck in her head already?) I always ask for ID, but in this case, I definitely wanted ID. And cue the following conversation.

    SC: Whatcha need ID for?
    Me: …sir, this card says Susan Something.
    SC: ‘s my mom’s card.
    Me: Well, then I’ll need to see your ID to verify your last name matches hers.
    SC: Well, not really my mom’s. My stepmom’s. Our last names are different.
    Me: (Well gee, how convenient...) Then I’m going to need either her to come in and buy your books, or I’ll need a copy of the front and back of her card, a copy of her ID, and a signed statement saying you’re authorized to use this card to purchase your books.
    SC: That’s bullshit! Gimme mah books!
    Me: I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t sell you these books with this credit card.
    SC: Fine! Gimme the card!
    (By this point, our cop is coming over, drawn by the ruckus)
    Cop: Actually, give ME the card.
    SC: Why?!
    Cop: Because I don’t like the way you’re treating the employee.
    SC: What?!
    Cop: Seriously? You’re refusing to produce ID or any verification you’re allowed to use this card. I have to presume it’s stolen. Have your mom or stepmom or aunt or whatever call me at this number (Gives the SC his card) to arrange to come by and pick it up so I can check her ID and make sure you’re not committing a crime.
    Me: (trying really really hard not to laugh)
    SC: Fuck you, man! Gimme my card or I’ll kick your ass!
    Me: (Did he just threaten him?!)
    Cop: Did you just threaten me, son?
    SC: Uh, no! Nevermind man, you’ll be hearing from us! We’ll sue! (And he flees…)

    So far, no word on the credit card holder, yet. Cop says he’s gonna follow up on it, see if it really is stolen. I mean, unless he’s a post op guy or has a hormone disorder, I’m not gonna believe his name is Susan! I’m not that dumb!!


    I’ll have your job!
    I need to pause at this point and say Thursday was a really bad day for me. Had a dr’s visit, and was told I have to go in for a cancer screening next week, so I wasn’t exactly cheerful during work. As a result I was overly snarky and had a bad attitude. I admit it. Probably shouldn’t have said some of what I said, but I did. Anyhoo, moving on.

    Guy comes in to buy books, and has his father’s check. Newbie cashier asks me if he can take the check with the guy’s school ID. I told him no dice, we needed his dad’s driver’s license number, DOB, and phone number on the check. Guy then decides he wants to argue with me.

    SC: Look, my dad’s at work, and he gave me a check. I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed my books today. Why can’t I do this?
    Me: I’m sorry, sir, but without your father’s ID information, we can’t run the check through our system. It requires that information.
    SC: I’ve been coming here for 4 years and you’ve always done it this way!!
    Me: Sir, I’ve been working here for 3 and a half years and we’ve NEVER done it this way. Our computers won’t let us. Now, you can get us the ID information, or you can have your dad buy your books online and opt for customer pick up. But we cannot take that check without the information required.
    SC: We’ll see about that! What’s your corporate number!? I’ll have your job for this!!

    I gave him the number, and watched him leave. The poor newbie cashier is looking at me like I had just kicked a puppy and said he was surprised I did that. I shrugged, then went and found MOD K, and our DM, B, who was visiting the store. I explained what happened, apologized for being snappy, and said I’d accept the write up if there was one, because I knew I was over the line with what I said.

    Still waiting to see what happens on this one.


    The infamous “They” strike again! Or “I shouldn’t have to read my receipt!”
    SC comes in for a refund. I read her receipt and tell her that according to it, her refund deadline was September 1st. As it was the 4th, there wasn’t anything I could do about it.

    SC: What? I was told the fifth!!
    Me: I apologize if there was a miscommunication, ma’am, but the receipt clearly states the first.
    SC: I didn’t read my receipt! They told me the fifth! I trusted them, so I didn’t read the receipt!
    Me: (And I’m to blame because you’re a flaming, illiterate baboon because….?) I’m sorry, ma’am, there’s nothing I can do for you.
    SC: Fine! (She snatches her bags off the counter, looking royally pissed off) NEXT TIME I come in here, you had BETTER have trained your employees to give customers the TRUTH!
    Me: (Smiles sweetly) Well, with all due respect, ma’am, you may have misheard. That’s why we put the policy on the receipt as an added precaution.
    SC: You C**T!!!
    Cop: (has once again wandered over) That’s it, you’re gone! Bye now!
    SC: (Storms to the door, and turns around to scream at me one last time) RUDE C**T!!
    Me:


    I have been branded for life…
    SC: Hey, remember me? I played Plinko with you! I need a refund now…
    Me: (I’m actually trying to FORGET that week of my life) Yes, sir, may I see your receipt, please?
    SC: Sure. So glad I have until today to do it..
    Me: (Looking at his receipt) Um…sir…I can’t give you a refund.
    SC: But why? I played Plinko!!
    Me: (You and 17000 other people, pal…) Because our refund date was actually September 1st.
    SC: (Waves receipt in my face) This says I have until today.
    Me: …
    SC: …
    Me: (Sigh) Sir, that receipt is from Other Bookstore…not us. I can’t help you.
    SC: See if I play your stupid games again!! (Storms out)
    Me: You promise…?



    I’ll have your job, part deux!!
    Customer wants to special order a book. I ring it up but the price on my screen is different than the price on his order slip, so I ask him to wait and I’ll go check on it. Turns out there was a glitch and the used price was written down for a book that only comes new, as in, it comes shrink wrapped new every semester. I go back and apologize and tell him it is at the new price. Cue the suck.

    SC: So, it rings up at $86.50. What’s MY price?
    Me: ……..$86.50…?
    SC: No, what’s my discount for YOUR error and MY inconvenience?
    Me: Sir, I can’t give you a discount. I caught the error and went to check on it.
    SC: But I was still inconvenienced! You took up 10 minutes of my time!!
    Me: Sir, with all due respect, I was gone for less than a minute…
    SC: I still deserve a discount.
    Me: And I can’t give you one. Now, would you like to prepay for this book?
    SC: No! I’ll be here next week when the order comes in and I’ll get my USED copy.
    Me: Good luck with that, sir, they only come new. It’s a custom edition put out every semester.
    SC: I want to speak to your manager! You’re beyond rude! I’ll have your job!
    Me: You want my job? Take it! You wouldn’t last a day! (I go and find MOD K, who talks to the guy. He does tell him tough shit on the price/discount thing, but I did get a verbal reprimand for the way I responded. No write up though, thank gods!)

    Aaaaand, that’s all I can remember right now. At least the big ones. Now that my fingers are gonna fall off, I’ve got errands to run. Buh bye all you happy peoples!

  • #2
    I’ll have your job!
    I need to pause at this point and say Thursday was a really bad day for me. Had a dr’s visit, and was told I have to go in for a cancer screening next week, so I wasn’t exactly cheerful during work. As a result I was overly snarky and had a bad attitude. I admit it. Probably shouldn’t have said some of what I said, but I did. Anyhoo, moving on.

    Guy comes in to buy books, and has his father’s check. Newbie cashier asks me if he can take the check with the guy’s school ID. I told him no dice, we needed his dad’s driver’s license number, DOB, and phone number on the check. Guy then decides he wants to argue with me.

    SC: Look, my dad’s at work, and he gave me a check. I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed my books today. Why can’t I do this?
    Me: I’m sorry, sir, but without your father’s ID information, we can’t run the check through our system. It requires that information.
    SC: I’ve been coming here for 4 years and you’ve always done it this way!!
    Me: Sir, I’ve been working here for 3 and a half years and we’ve NEVER done it this way. Our computers won’t let us. Now, you can get us the ID information, or you can have your dad buy your books online and opt for customer pick up. But we cannot take that check without the information required.
    SC: We’ll see about that! What’s your corporate number!? I’ll have your job for this!!

    I gave him the number, and watched him leave. The poor newbie cashier is looking at me like I had just kicked a puppy and said he was surprised I did that. I shrugged, then went and found MOD K, and our DM, B, who was visiting the store. I explained what happened, apologized for being snappy, and said I’d accept the write up if there was one, because I knew I was over the line with what I said.

    Still waiting to see what happens on this one.
    I don't see where you did anything wrong. You caught the guy in a lie and then told him that if he wanted the books what he would have to do.
    Honey and Thorns ~ Handmade Knit and Jewelry

    Comment


    • #3
      Quoth lupo pazzesco View Post


      I’ll have your job!
      I need to pause at this point and say Thursday was a really bad day for me. Had a dr’s visit, and was told I have to go in for a cancer screening next week, so I wasn’t exactly cheerful during work. As a result I was overly snarky and had a bad attitude. I admit it. Probably shouldn’t have said some of what I said, but I did. Anyhoo, moving on.

      Guy comes in to buy books, and has his father’s check. Newbie cashier asks me if he can take the check with the guy’s school ID. I told him no dice, we needed his dad’s driver’s license number, DOB, and phone number on the check. Guy then decides he wants to argue with me.

      SC: Look, my dad’s at work, and he gave me a check. I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed my books today. Why can’t I do this?
      Me: I’m sorry, sir, but without your father’s ID information, we can’t run the check through our system. It requires that information.
      SC: I’ve been coming here for 4 years and you’ve always done it this way!!
      Me: Sir, I’ve been working here for 3 and a half years and we’ve NEVER done it this way. Our computers won’t let us. Now, you can get us the ID information, or you can have your dad buy your books online and opt for customer pick up. But we cannot take that check without the information required.
      SC: We’ll see about that! What’s your corporate number!? I’ll have your job for this!!

      I gave him the number, and watched him leave. The poor newbie cashier is looking at me like I had just kicked a puppy and said he was surprised I did that. I shrugged, then went and found MOD K, and our DM, B, who was visiting the store. I explained what happened, apologized for being snappy, and said I’d accept the write up if there was one, because I knew I was over the line with what I said.

      Still waiting to see what happens on this one.

      I don't see any suck on your part here. I'm assuming you mean you said it in a nasty tone though. Otherwise, seems perfectly fine to me.

      Comment


      • #4
        I was more referring to some of the stuff I said to other customers that same day in later posts.

        Yes, my tone was rather snappy, too, though. Hence my going to managers to explain and apologize.

        Comment


        • #5
          Quoth lupo pazzesco View Post

          She claims I have to give her cash because her mommy said so

          Sounds like one of my former buddies back in college. His parents would buy his books and put it on their credit card. He would then promptly return them, get cash back and spend it on booze. Then the rest of the semester dumbass would go around trying to borrow anyone's book who would let him use it for a few days.

          Comment


          • #6
            1) The thread title made me sad for a moment. I thought it meant that these were your last two days EVER and u got a new job or something. Ur suffering greatly amuses me for some reason...

            2) Sorry about the cancer screening...but I wish you the best.

            3) If I ever meet a burly guy named Susan, I might just laugh in his face..

            4) I agree with Lacrymose and Red Rose, and dont see where you were out of line in that post about the check and the ID.

            Glad you have some days off!
            Last edited by Amina516; 09-05-2008, 09:26 PM.

            Comment


            • #7
              Aww. I'm sorry to hear about your cancer screen. I really hope it comes back clear.

              I'm not surprised you finally snapped on some those customers. Man, who goes to college not knowing they have to read everything they are given? some college procedures are downright draconian - you have to read everything to get through it. Your whole refund nightmare for the last few days has been a lack of reading skills hell.

              Good luck to you on your test and getting through the rest of your time at the bookstore.
              Interesting Fodder: http://interestingfodder.typepad.com

              Comment


              • #8
                I don't understand why people have to threaten to "have" some employee's job. Reporting the incident (regardless of who was at fault) to an employee's manager... that I can understand. If it was true and bad enough, then I can see how some employees might be fired for it. But I have never felt the need to exact personal revenge against any person helping me. It's just stupid.

                And I understand that textbooks are not exactly cheap, but if you're going to try to commit credit card or check fraud, why not use it on something more exciting? Or at least more worthy of bragging rights. I mean, can you imagine trying to show off to your fraudulent friends with that?
                Idiot 1: Hey, dude! Check out this new plasma TV I got with that credit card I stole!
                Idiot 2: Nice! I used a fake check to get me and all my buddies into Six Flags.
                Idiot 3: Sweet, man. I got me this new Rolex.
                Idiot 4: Wow, you guys got some great stuff.
                Idiot 1: Hey, Idiot 4! Didn't you steal a credit card from that Susan chick? Wha'd you get with it?
                Idiot 4: ... A calculus textbook, a manual for a botany lab, and the collected works of Longfellow.



                I'll also add my sympathies about the cancer screening, Lupo. Sounds like you and I are now in the same boat. Or, at least, a very similar boat. I'm just a little farther down the river than you are. Cancer can be a bit scary, but just remember that your fellow CSers can act as a support group for you if you need one. Hey, it's the least we can do after we've all enjoyed your textbook-related misfortunes!
                I suspect that... inside every adult (sometimes not very far inside) is a bratty kid who wants everything his own way.
                - Bill Watterson

                My co-workers: They're there when they need me.
                - IPF

                Comment


                • #9
                  I love cops. The moment someone says the "c" word to me, I will lose it. I have stated previously how much I hate that word.
                  Check out my cosplay social group!
                  http://customerssuck.com/board/group.php?groupid=18

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Quoth lupo pazzesco View Post
                    There’s a reason I ask for ID…

                    (snip)

                    So far, no word on the credit card holder, yet. Cop says he’s gonna follow up on it, see if it really is stolen. I mean, unless he’s a post op guy or has a hormone disorder, I’m not gonna believe his name is Susan! I’m not that dumb!!
                    Can I just say, THANK YOU, for not "being that dumb" as you put it. I posted somewhere on the boards about my roommate's debit card being stolen (at Wendy's, was conveniently never given back by the girl that took payment and he didn't notice) and she ended up, at final count, buying almost 950$ worth of stuff with it, over the course of a night, at about 10 different stores. Now, my roommate's name is Matthew. It was obviously the same girl that stoleand used the card as she went and bought clothes and shoes as a large chunk of purchases. NO ONE ASKED FOR ID, apparently, as the purchases were put through. Three of these purchases were large, over 100, 200 and 300 dollars. Ugh.

                    Again, for Susan's sake, if she is missing that card, it's one less chunk of money gone... thank you.

                    Back on topic a little.. sorry to hear about your doctor visit. If I were your boss, I'd definitely understand your snippy-ness with the customers, and that they honestly deserved it. Maybe a bit of a public "bad worker" comment in front of them if they didn't deserve it, but I still wouldn't blame you at all. I'd go so far as to say kudos on some of the replies. Some people deserve to be knocked down a peg or two.
                    Confirmed altoholic.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I totally sympathize with you, witnessing the college student mentality at work every day. They think they're all big and bad, finally out on their own...but when something doesn't go their way, they automatically revert to 4 year-olds. "I'll tell my mommy! Waaaaaaah!"

                      I've seen them pull that crap numerous times with professors on campus. One time (about a year or two before I started working on my campus), it ultimately ended up in a lawsuit..against the university...by a professor who was being forced to change a failing student's grade because her daddy was a big donor to the university. He refused. She filed a sexual harassment charge. He sued her family and the school for defamation of character and other damages...and won BIG.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Quoth lupo pazzesco View Post
                        I tell her sorry, rules is rules, and...
                        Following rules off a cliff can be a bad thing, plus sometimes, the rules make no sense.

                        A personal example of this is from this past week. I decided that I was not going to try to do all my Photoshop and Multimedia work on school computers alone, and decided to pony up for the Adobe Suite Standard that the bookstore carries. I went in to purchase it and they informed me they needed to see a printout of my schedule to make certain I was enrolled.

                        Now the thing is, this is going on my student loans, which is all in their computer, and my ID is my school card, which is NEW this semester (you had to have a copy of your schedule to even get that).

                        I had to go down to the computer commons, log in, and print out my schedule, costing the school money in paper, ink, etc and carry it back down to them.

                        I did question the reason, but all they said was that was the rules. I didn't argue, I've read too much of that here to even start. I just did what they wanted so I could get the package and go home. So even with all the proof at their fingertips, they still needed a piece of paper that could have very easily been forged.

                        It did occur to me after the fact that they may have needed to make certain I was in a class that needs the software (ie: the multimedia course), but no one actually said that.

                        Quoth lupo pazzesco View Post
                        I’ll have your job, part deux!!
                        Customer wants to special order a book. I ring it up but the price on my screen is different than the price on his order slip, so I ask him to wait and I’ll go check on it. Turns out there was a glitch and the used price was written down for a book that only comes new, as in, it comes shrink wrapped new every semester. I go back and apologize and tell him it is at the new price. Cue the suck.
                        Now here, I would have complained as well. If I were quoted a set price, I would expect to get the book at that price, and not higher. I wouldn't have even mentioned time or discounts, just requested what I had been quoted. It only seems fair in this instance.

                        Quoth Gabrielle Proctor View Post
                        I love cops. The moment someone says the "c" word to me, I will lose it. I have stated previously how much I hate that word.
                        You're not the only one who hates that word. The cops that work Lupo's store need to be baked some cookies or something.


                        Eric the Grey
                        In memory of Dena - Don't Drink and Drive

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Quoth lupo pazzesco
                          So far, no word on the credit card holder, yet. Cop says he’s gonna follow up on it, see if it really is stolen. I mean, unless he’s a post op guy or has a hormone disorder, I’m not gonna believe his name is Susan! I’m not that dumb!!
                          I tell ya, life ain't easy for a boy named Sue....

                          Quoth lupo pazzesco
                          I’ll have your job, part deux!!
                          Customer wants to special order a book. I ring it up but the price on my screen is different than the price on his order slip, so I ask him to wait and I’ll go check on it. Turns out there was a glitch and the used price was written down for a book that only comes new, as in, it comes shrink wrapped new every semester. I go back and apologize and tell him it is at the new price. Cue the suck.

                          SC: So, it rings up at $86.50. What’s MY price?
                          Me: ……..$86.50…?
                          SC: No, what’s my discount for YOUR error and MY inconvenience?
                          Me: Sir, I can’t give you a discount. I caught the error and went to check on it.
                          SC: But I was still inconvenienced! You took up 10 minutes of my time!!
                          Me: Sir, with all due respect, I was gone for less than a minute…
                          SC: I still deserve a discount.
                          Me: And I can’t give you one. Now, would you like to prepay for this book?
                          SC: No! I’ll be here next week when the order comes in and I’ll get my USED copy.
                          Me: Good luck with that, sir, they only come new. It’s a custom edition put out every semester.
                          SC: I want to speak to your manager! You’re beyond rude! I’ll have your job!
                          Me: You want my job? Take it! You wouldn’t last a day! (I go and find MOD K, who talks to the guy. He does tell him tough shit on the price/discount thing, but I did get a verbal reprimand for the way I responded. No write up though, thank gods!)
                          There is a legitimate gripe here. I too feel he should've been charged the price he was quoted. If it means the store has to eat the difference, so be it. I would also be peeved if I ended up being charged significantly more for an item than I was told.

                          Of course, I wouldn't be a complete dingleberry about it, like your customer was.
                          Knowledge is power. Power corrupts. Study hard. Be evil.

                          "I never said I wasn't a horrible person."--Me, almost daily

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Legally speaking, the advertised price is technically called an "invitation to treat" and does not form the offer part of a contract. The customer coming up with the book in hand and his wallet open is making the offer, which the store can then accept to seal the contract. (If this sounds counter-intuitive, given that the register nowadays shows the price... yeah.)

                            However, civilised Western countries usually have a government regulator whose job it is to strongly discourage misleading advertising practices.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              And other then that it was just an error, something which can happen in lots of ways and places. I mean how many times have you seen ad retractions in stores because the price was printed wrong in the paper or a little blip of size or something accidently got ommited.

                              It's the same with books, if there was a used way to get that item I'm sure it could have been less, but since there isn't the price won't be less. Sucky but I don't see the store fully at fault.

                              Comment

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