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I was thinking about this the other day, after reading a few of the "They can't be that stupid" threads. I wonder sometimes if it's just not thinking that causes the moments. "Brain Farts" as Brad (old friend) used to say.
While working at Lowe's, I remember a collossal one that took all my strength not to laugh at the customer right then and there. Even now, looking back, I find that I scritch my head trying to figure out just what the lady wanted from me.
Setting: Returns desk, very close to Reppy's time to leave for vacation. Just minutes left. There's a few customers there, and another associate about to relieve him. A customer walks in, a look of determination on her face.
C=Customer
R=Me
C: Puts a small object down on the counter. Then puts the rest of the object down. It is, in a word, broken. Trust me, whatever it was I sure doubt it was supposed to look like that.
R: (Stupid question time) "So, whatcha got. Looks broke.
(Did I just ask that?)
C: Water spigot. It broke off when my husband tried to screw it into the pipe.
R: (blinking but ah, I'm being nice today. And, since it's only worth a few dollars I'll give it back to her no questions asked.) Ok, got your reciept?
C: Hands over reciept and then points to where it is. Yes ma'am. I can read. Hukd un fonix and all. "Right there" she says.
R: Taking just a few minutes, I process the return. Taking out her five dollars and...woah that thing cost that much? Probably cause it's brass or something. Whatever. She gets five something back. "If you could sign here?" I point to the paper.
C: Signs the paper and then stands there, giving the money a funny look and then looking at the reciept. Back and forth. Me, I'm guessing she wondered how she got so much back for a little bit of junk in the first place. After a moment though, she looks at me. "You shorted me."
R: Taking a look at my copy, I see the cost and then look at how much money she laid out on the counter. Yep, they match. "Sorry ma'am. That's five something there, and that's what the ticket says you paid for that part. So, that's what you get."
C: Looking up and speaking slowly...(why is it they do this? Talking slowly isn't going to change the fact that I can't help you.) "No. You shorted me. See. Down here, it says I paid twenty five dollars. You only gave me five back."
R: Blink blink. "Uh...ma'am? You paid twenty five total. That's for everything. That part only cost you five something though..."
C: Looking at me with hate. "BUT I PAYED TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS!"
R: Backing up just a bit. "Ma'am. Did you bring the rest of the stuff with you to return?"
C: NO. It's installed at the house. Why would I return it?
R: Oh, I don't know. Maybe to get the rest of the money? (I did not say this. Wanted to...but no, I was nice.) I did say this: "Ma'am. I can't give you twenty five back for this one item if you kept the rest at home. You paid twentyfive for all of it. Not just the one part. Look, you bring it all back..."
C: (staring at reciept) "But it says twenty five dollars..."
R: Yes, I did snap at this point. "Look. I'll make it simple. You bring me the rest of the stuff on that list, and I'll give you your twenty five dollars back. Don't bring it, and you don't get it back. Understand?"
C: Now staring at me. "I want my..."
R: "Twenty five dollars. Yeah. You said that already. Look, I could give you the twenty five (she perked up at this) but then I'd have to call security because you'd be stealing. Do you really want to have to explain this to them?"
After that she just read the reciept again and actually seemed to debate that before just snatching up her money with the ever popular "I'm never shopping here again." I was in rare form, and my brain filter could not prevent me saying "Can I have that in writing?"
Well, that's it guys. Likely my last post for a long time. My work is moving along pretty well, and I'm having to stay later and later to get anything done. Usual slow down is around July, so I should pop in around then again. I'll still be lurking around some, so you never know when I might drop by.
See y'all round.
While working at Lowe's, I remember a collossal one that took all my strength not to laugh at the customer right then and there. Even now, looking back, I find that I scritch my head trying to figure out just what the lady wanted from me.
Setting: Returns desk, very close to Reppy's time to leave for vacation. Just minutes left. There's a few customers there, and another associate about to relieve him. A customer walks in, a look of determination on her face.
C=Customer
R=Me
C: Puts a small object down on the counter. Then puts the rest of the object down. It is, in a word, broken. Trust me, whatever it was I sure doubt it was supposed to look like that.
R: (Stupid question time) "So, whatcha got. Looks broke.
(Did I just ask that?)C: Water spigot. It broke off when my husband tried to screw it into the pipe.
R: (blinking but ah, I'm being nice today. And, since it's only worth a few dollars I'll give it back to her no questions asked.) Ok, got your reciept?
C: Hands over reciept and then points to where it is. Yes ma'am. I can read. Hukd un fonix and all. "Right there" she says.
R: Taking just a few minutes, I process the return. Taking out her five dollars and...woah that thing cost that much? Probably cause it's brass or something. Whatever. She gets five something back. "If you could sign here?" I point to the paper.
C: Signs the paper and then stands there, giving the money a funny look and then looking at the reciept. Back and forth. Me, I'm guessing she wondered how she got so much back for a little bit of junk in the first place. After a moment though, she looks at me. "You shorted me."
R: Taking a look at my copy, I see the cost and then look at how much money she laid out on the counter. Yep, they match. "Sorry ma'am. That's five something there, and that's what the ticket says you paid for that part. So, that's what you get."
C: Looking up and speaking slowly...(why is it they do this? Talking slowly isn't going to change the fact that I can't help you.) "No. You shorted me. See. Down here, it says I paid twenty five dollars. You only gave me five back."
R: Blink blink. "Uh...ma'am? You paid twenty five total. That's for everything. That part only cost you five something though..."
C: Looking at me with hate. "BUT I PAYED TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS!"
R: Backing up just a bit. "Ma'am. Did you bring the rest of the stuff with you to return?"
C: NO. It's installed at the house. Why would I return it?
R: Oh, I don't know. Maybe to get the rest of the money? (I did not say this. Wanted to...but no, I was nice.) I did say this: "Ma'am. I can't give you twenty five back for this one item if you kept the rest at home. You paid twentyfive for all of it. Not just the one part. Look, you bring it all back..."
C: (staring at reciept) "But it says twenty five dollars..."
R: Yes, I did snap at this point. "Look. I'll make it simple. You bring me the rest of the stuff on that list, and I'll give you your twenty five dollars back. Don't bring it, and you don't get it back. Understand?"
C: Now staring at me. "I want my..."
R: "Twenty five dollars. Yeah. You said that already. Look, I could give you the twenty five (she perked up at this) but then I'd have to call security because you'd be stealing. Do you really want to have to explain this to them?"
After that she just read the reciept again and actually seemed to debate that before just snatching up her money with the ever popular "I'm never shopping here again." I was in rare form, and my brain filter could not prevent me saying "Can I have that in writing?"
Well, that's it guys. Likely my last post for a long time. My work is moving along pretty well, and I'm having to stay later and later to get anything done. Usual slow down is around July, so I should pop in around then again. I'll still be lurking around some, so you never know when I might drop by.
See y'all round.
Don't work too hard!
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