"How long have you worked here?!"

[Dave1982]

Last night a guy asked me where the 3-hole punch reinforcing rings were. I told her, since he insisted I didn't get up (I'd been sitting on the floor stocking binders on the lowest shelf).

A minute later he was back.

SC: Do you have the machine that puts them on?

Me: I'm sorry?

He then proceeded to describe in detail a device that takes a stack of 200 loose reinforcing rings that you then line the paper up in and it applies them perfectly. Just one teensy little problem: this is a non-existant product. I've never seen one or even heard of one. A brief Google search I just did didn't bring anything up, but at the very least, I can tell you for certain it was NOT something we carry at my store. And ring reinforcers never come loose; they come on sheets or on rolls.

Me: I'm sorry, but I've never even heard of that, and I'm afraid we don't carry those.

SC: But I've gotten them here before!

Oh how I hate this phrase. Even better is "by my friends said they got/saw it here!" First of all, I suspect most people who say this are either mistaken or are lying outright. And even if it's true, it's totally meaningless. Product lineups change, sometimes at the drop of a hat, especially on promo stuff. Something you allegedly saw at our store weeks/months/years ago has no bearing on our current offerings.

Oh yes, and if you got it here before.....what happened to it? Lost your Mystery Product?

Me: I don't know what to tell you sir, but I've never seen or even heard of anything like that, and can tell you for a fact we don't carry anything like that in the store, just the sheets and rolls of rings that you put on by hand.

SC: But it's a Staples brand item!

And...what? That means it's going to be carried for all eternity, assuming it existed in the first place?

I more or less said the same thing again, that I don't have it.

SC (with tangible annoyance): How long have you been working here?!

*Sigh* I'm glad I don't get this question very often. Otherwise I might have to break something. But rest assured, this thinly veiled attack on my competence will not succeed.

Me: 4 years.

SC: Really?!

Me: Yes, sir.

SC: And you've never heard of this?

Me: I haven't.

SC: Is there someplace I can check Staples.com?

I directed him to the kiosk on the furniture pad and after that he disappeared. I never saw him again.

[Aethian]

I know what he's talking about. It's a change to a binding machine and the only place I have seen one...in a printing shop.

[Sunflash]

I know what he's talking about. It's a change to a binding machine and the only place I have seen one...in a printing shop.

So bacially it's A) A custom mod to a piece of equipment?
Or B) Regulated in sales to only those that should actually use it? >.>

[Aethian]

Honestly? Dunno I'm guessing B.

[SG15Z]

I hate the "are you new" question. If I had a dime ever time I've heard that.....well......I'd have at least two dollars!

[Daskinor]

Its called a reinforcement punch. They where a big deal in the 1930s. Now they are incredibly rare.


Ohh I found somone selling one

http://www.x-tremegeek.com/templates...d-_-CSE-_-Text

[jjllbb]

When a seasoned employee has no idea what the customer is describing, more often than not 1) They're giving you the most inaccurate description possible or 2) It simply doesn't exist in that particular store.

Both situations bring on the "are you new" question. A question i HATE.

[ASM826]

Still a rude question....

http://www.cyberguys.com/product-det...roductid=23778

Auto-ring 3-hole Applicator and Punch, $34.95

Reinforcements are applied from a cartridge as the hole is punched.

_________________________________________

I don't know if Staples ever sold it, but it's available and not too expensive. Of course, that doesn't make up for his rudeness.

[HawaiianShirts]

SC (with tangible annoyance): How long have you been working here?!

*Sigh* I'm glad I don't get this question very often. Otherwise I might have to break something. But rest assured, this thinly veiled attack on my competence will not succeed.

Me: 4 years.

Once again, Dave, I would swear that you and I have nearly mirrored work experiences. I had that same question once, and my answer was only six months different from yours.

I may have posted the story before, but I had a guy call the major electronics store I used to work for and ask for details on a specific laptop model. I didn't recognize the model number. He insisted he'd seen it at my store, so I looked it up every way I could think of that accessed my company's various inventories. Nothing, which I could have guessed. After telling him three or four times that my company did not carry that particular model but had a slightly different model instead, he asked that dreaded question.

What I said: "Three and a half years, sir."
What I wanted to say: "Three and a half years. And in that time, I was given the unofficial title of Computer Department Merchandiser because no one could spot a misplaced product or incorrect price tag as quickly as I could. I know my inventory a little too well, to the point that my co-workers often come to me to ask about stock counts before consulting the store computers. I can tell you the model numbers and specifications of every laptop we currently have on display except the two new ones, and I even have some SKUs memorized. Jerk."

Fortunately, my answer got him to stop and think, and he noticed that he'd been looking at the website of one of our competitors.

[Salesmonkey]

The problem with the question "how long have you worked here?" is it serves no purpose except to insult and belittle the worker. It's an implied assertion of incompetence. The customer does not really need to know how long you've been with the company, and they don't really care. It's just a way for them to make you feel bad.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Next time some guy asks me that question, the answer's going to be "Longer than you've been able to maintain a hard-on."

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

Next time some guy asks me that question, the answer's going to be "Longer than you've been able to maintain a hard-on."

Hahahahahahaha!

I would LOVE to see the reaction to that one.

[Krivak]

Hahahahahahaha!

I would LOVE to see the reaction to that one.

Me too!!!! If you get the chance, turn on the camera, then say it. Then post up here. Of course, you'd have to take it down after a few days...but... Pweeettty pwwwease?

[Jay 2K Winger]

I love it when people try to call you out on being new, when you've been there for years.

Like "It's sooo nice that <wholesale club> takes Visa now. I remember when they only took Discover!"
J2K: "Really? When was that?"
Cust.: "Oh, about five years ago."
J2K: "Really? I've been working here eight and a half years, and we've always accepted Visa."

Etc. etc.

[scorpionf]

Customers don't need to know the answer to that, and they don't care either.... they just want to be able to make themselves feel superior and make you feel like you are an inch tall...

Chances are they have no idea what they are talking about - but of course wont admit to that