So, this morning I was in work even earlier than usual. We had a few updates to do on the till system and it messes them up if we change things during the week. I couldn;t be bothered doing it last night after trading so i said i would go in at 5am and spend 90 minutes on it, then open as usual at half six.
I didn't turn anything on or unlock anything. I just hooked my laptop up to each till in turn and cracked on with the updates. Bear in mind that the shop was all dark bar a single spotlight over the counter and all the illuminated displays/fridges were off and the cigarette gantry was shuttered and locked.
I had pulled the external shutter down behind me but not locked it. Someone may have noticed I was in as my car was parked in it's regular spot at the side of the store.
About 5:45am I hear the rattle of the shutter and peer over my cup of tea to see a wannabe customer heading down the shop shouting a cheery "You open yeah!" (As a sidebar, a pet hate of mine is converting a statement to a question by adding a higher pitched Yeah to the end of it)
SC: You open yeah?
Me: No.
It took a second but his face changed as the rabbit of customer expectation got caught in the headlight of refusal.
SC: you what?
Me: I'm sorry but no we're not open. You'll have to leave and come back after 6:30am.
SC: I only want a paper and some cigs.
Me: Well we're still not open. The cig gantry is all locked up. The tills are empty and turned off adn the papers haven't arrived yet.....
SC: but.....but....but...
Me: And if you life the shutter again, next time I'll assume it's wrong 'uns, hit the panic button and wait for the police.
SC: So you're refusing to serve me?
Me: Yes. We aren't open yet. I'm sorry but you'll have to leave.
SC: You can;t throw me out. I've got rights. It's a public place.
Me: No it's not. it's private premises. Now you've got til the count of five to get out before i hit the panic button. One....
SC: You can;t do this to me.
Me: two......
Sc: but but but but
Me: Three......
SC: Fine but i'll be back.
He then stormed off and proceeded to sit on the pavement outside for 45 minutes until I opened. And the daft thing is when he came back in he never mentioned it once and was nice and friendly.
I didn't turn anything on or unlock anything. I just hooked my laptop up to each till in turn and cracked on with the updates. Bear in mind that the shop was all dark bar a single spotlight over the counter and all the illuminated displays/fridges were off and the cigarette gantry was shuttered and locked.
I had pulled the external shutter down behind me but not locked it. Someone may have noticed I was in as my car was parked in it's regular spot at the side of the store.
About 5:45am I hear the rattle of the shutter and peer over my cup of tea to see a wannabe customer heading down the shop shouting a cheery "You open yeah!" (As a sidebar, a pet hate of mine is converting a statement to a question by adding a higher pitched Yeah to the end of it)
SC: You open yeah?
Me: No.
It took a second but his face changed as the rabbit of customer expectation got caught in the headlight of refusal.
SC: you what?
Me: I'm sorry but no we're not open. You'll have to leave and come back after 6:30am.
SC: I only want a paper and some cigs.
Me: Well we're still not open. The cig gantry is all locked up. The tills are empty and turned off adn the papers haven't arrived yet.....
SC: but.....but....but...
Me: And if you life the shutter again, next time I'll assume it's wrong 'uns, hit the panic button and wait for the police.
SC: So you're refusing to serve me?
Me: Yes. We aren't open yet. I'm sorry but you'll have to leave.
SC: You can;t throw me out. I've got rights. It's a public place.
Me: No it's not. it's private premises. Now you've got til the count of five to get out before i hit the panic button. One....
SC: You can;t do this to me.
Me: two......
Sc: but but but but
Me: Three......
SC: Fine but i'll be back.
He then stormed off and proceeded to sit on the pavement outside for 45 minutes until I opened. And the daft thing is when he came back in he never mentioned it once and was nice and friendly.
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