Been a while, but I'm back on a register again

[KabeRinnaul]

Haven't posted much in a while because I've either been out of work (mostly for classes) or been doing easy jobs with little customer interaction. But this is the leadup to Easter and they need anyone they can get in as cashiers. That means I'm face to face with customers again, and holiday stressed customers at that.

A couple from today and one from earlier in the year when I covered for someone else.

The paper says!
So woman comes up with a few blocks of cheese, a couple packs of cream cheese, and five six-packs of Pepsi. I'm ringing things up and as I'm finishing the following occurs:

Me: Okay, your total comes to $22.30 (or thereabouts).
SC: (Pounds the counter top with her fist) I knew they wouldn't ring up right! It should be about 17 dollars plus tax! The guy back there said I should tell you if it didn't. The Pepsi should be 4 for $10, not 4 for $12.
Me: It is. (point to screen) There's a $2 discount there.
SC: (Pound) Why would the paper say it's 4 for $10 if it's 4 for $12?! (Pound) You rang it up wrong! (Pound) It should be $17!
Me: Yes, it rang up at full price and gave you a $2 discount to make up the difference...
SC: (Pound) But that's not the right price! (Pound) It! (Pound) should be! (Pound) seventeen! (Pound) (Pound)
Me: Let me add it up for you...

At this point, I got out a bit of paper and a pen and started adding it up line by line, and then was interrupted...

SC: (Pound) He said to tell you! (Pound) I get four Pepsi for $10! (Pound) And then the cheese is five! (Pound) And two more for the cream cheese! (Pound) Seventeen! (Pound)
Me: (Pause, look at cart, at screen, at her.) Ma'am, you have five packs of Pepsi.
(Silent pause)
SC: (Angry) Well, I don't want five! Take one off!

I guess I somehow magically added another pack to her cart specifically to ruin her math.... And yes, she punctuated pretty much every statement by smacking the register. It was an interesting little tantrum.


This can't wait until later?
This couple came up to the register arguing the entire time. They already had a fully-loaded cart, and the guy went off for some cigarettes. Then the argument took off even more because he came back with four cartons of cigarettes and a bag of loose packs. All in all, it was over $100 in cigarettes and the woman kept pointing out there only had so much money, and she only had one check with her. The constant loud fighting made the checkout a little awkward.


Changing the rules
Elderly couple comes up and has a final total of about 12-15 dollars. They pay with credit, and I hand the Old Man (OM) his receipt and stick the credit slip under the cash drawer. He ends up standing there holding the pen.
OM: What do I sign?
Me: You don't have to sign for under $50.
OM: What?
Me: (Assuming he's hard of hearing, speak up) You don't have to sign for under $50.
OM: (Looking annoying, getting towards angry) WHAT?
Me: (A little louder) You don't have to-
OM: (Looks furious) NEVERMIND! (Throws the pen down onto the counter, grabs his bags and stomps off) THEY CHANGE THE RULES EVERY GODDAMN TIME!

After that, I just let older people sign for low credit charges. Whatever keeps them happy...

[NateTheChops]

This can't wait until later?..

I once had a couple come to my register once. They seemed to have bought all the essentials. Food, clothes, cleaning supplies, and toiletries. They had just enough for all of that stuff and nothing more.

The man flipped out on the woman.

"We don't even have enough for cigarettes. This is so stupid, you had to get all this stuff now we can't even get cigarettes."

Here I am the whole time applauding her for getting stuff they might actually need as opposed to something that's only killing them.

[friendofjimmyk]

When I was married, and still drinking & partying, my husband and I would have similar arguments at grocery stores. He was a REALLY heavy drinker. (That was my M.O. - I would date guys that drank like fish so that my own drinking would not look that bad - anyway, I digress)

We were flat on our ass broke. I mean...B R O K E! However, everytime we went to the store, he always made sure we had plenty of alcohol. He'd even make me do the "floating check" thing. I hated it. It was the argument we had the most. The man drank a gallon of vodka or bourbon every two days regardless of if we could afford it or not.

(At the time, I did occasionally drink, but was more of a heavy pot smoker. He would argue that pot was way more expensive than alcohol...and my retort would be "sure, if you only buy alcohol once a week!!!!!!")