Customer's Husband walks out with groceries while she writes a check

[OfficeSlug]

The total was over $230.00.

So I told the bagger who was maybe 10 feet away, 'Hey, she hasn't written her check yet, don't let the groceries go out!' just in case something happens (I mean, come on, things happen with checking accounts, and since I know other co-workers have gotten written up over similar things, I was covering my tookus.

Woman starts in with 'This is ridiculous! I've been shopping here for years! I have frozen stuff that needs to go in the car!' so I clamp my mouth shut as her husband wheels the cart out the door and she writes the check. Thankfully it goes through.

I hand her the receipt and she leaves with the bagger, a good friend of mine, to bring the cart back in.


She apparently was 'embarrassed' and called the manager to bitch about me being loud and telling the whole store her check hadn't processed (which is funny because she hadn't even written the damned thing yet). He took me in the office. She also told him that the bagger said that I scared him (right. this guy is 62 and worked 30+ years at the post office, I'm sure I didn't scare him one bit).

I told the manager that I didn't mean to embarrass her but I was covering my tookus and the store's tookus. He sat back and said, 'I'm just telling you what she told me.' And I said, 'I am telling you what happened.'

I decided I don't need an old biddy telling me how to do my job, so I walked out of the office. I collected my keys and left (this was an hour ago).

If he's gonna listen to some customer over an employee, fuck 'im. I can't stand managers who don't stand behind the employees, especially if something DID happen - it'd be my neck in the noose.

[ottid]

Fair enough.

We are told to try and not let the customers grab their purchase before their payment has gone through (usually credit or debit cards). If it is their card that they are wanting (that never leaves there sight) and they get real antsy give it to them. But if it hasn't been paid for its stealing, so technically they could be one for stealing for taking the goods out of the store without paying for them, just a thought.

[LillFilly]

I'm sorry your manager is like that. I've seen far too many who won't stand-up for their employees. Spineless jellies.

[draftermatt]

Maybe it was tone of voice, but what about "I'm just telling you what she told me" made you want to quit.

To me it reads like he believed you, but just wanted you to know what the customer said about it.

[Dave1982]

I don't know if this is official policy at my store, but it is MY policy when ringing or doing carry-outs. I will not allow the merchandise to leave the building unless and until the payment goes through and I see a receipt printing up.

And a couple times, this has stopped potential thefts/scams. Nothing that was post-worthy (they never put of a fight) but I've had a couple people try to have someone take their stuff out to he car, only to have the credit card or check get declined.

[jjllbb]

I know how you felt!

The other day i had a guy walk right past my register with an expensive kid's pool saying "i'll be right back to pay i just don't want to make two trips!"

When i stopped him and said he had to pay first, he huffed and threw a $100 at me like i was some lowly urchin.

I told him it didn't work that way and that he had to wait for me to process his change because i just couldn't hold on to his money without putting it into the register somehow!!!

he wasn't happy.

[Summerfly413]

I had some guy and his wife come through with a cart full of groceries. the huy really seemed out of it. He slid his card(you have to enter stuff on the machine before it goes through) and just turns and starts to walk off without paying. I yelled "Sir!" and got him back to complete the transaction, but geez...that sure made me nervous

[OfficeSlug]

but I've had a couple people try to have someone take their stuff out to he car, only to have the credit card or check get declined.

Which is exactly what I was trying to avoid (the hassle of sending a bagger out to get the groceries, for the wife/husband to go up to customer service and sort it all out).

But the woman insisted she was a regular (don't they all?) but in my 2 1/2 years of working at that same store, I've never seen her.

[OfficeSlug]

Maybe it was tone of voice, but what about "I'm just telling you what she told me" made you want to quit.

To me it reads like he believed you, but just wanted you to know what the customer said about it.

Officially, I didn't quit, I just needed to calm down (which is why I left).

But no one's called me either.

[XCashier]

Woman starts in with 'This is ridiculous! I've been shopping here for years! I have frozen stuff that needs to go in the car!'

Oh, sure, your frozen brick-solid ice cream is going to thaw and spoil in the whole one minute the cash register needs to process your payment. Right.

I've never understood these customers who get all huffy and freak out if the cashier insists on following procedure. Got something to hide? No? Then follow the procedure like everyone else and don't pitch a fit. The more you fuss and fight, the more I'm convinced you're trying to scam the store.

[taxguykarl]

Woman starts in with 'This is ridiculous! I've been shopping here for years! I have frozen stuff that needs to go in the car!'

First refuge of a scammer.

[tropicsgoddess]

What the hell?!! Your manager is a spineless jackass. How is he/she gonna side with a customer that very well could've made off with a cart full of groceries when for all we knew the check could've been fraudulent and/or bounced while you were trying to cover the store's (and your) ass!

[dalesys]

...
But the woman insisted she was a regular (don't they all?) but in my 2 1/2 years of working at that same store, I've never seen her.

Ma'am, I don't care how consistent Serutan makes you move...

[malmalthekiller]

I understand that he has to tell you about the complaint, but if he believes you then it should've been handled differently.

You handled it how a seasoned employee would handle any transaction. I think having to run after someone already putting groceries in their car is more embarrassing than having to wait while your check processes. Really, how hard is that?

Believe me, i've had my nights that I've needed to leave and calm down because of the way I was treated.

[MoonChild2007]

I am fairly certain the same manager will tell you (if the payment had not gone through and the other person already left with the groceries (might as well be already packing them into their car)

"Why did you let the customer leave with the merchandise without paying for it"?

Believe me, managers always blame the employees! Which is why I dislike managers and is scared to death to talk to them.