Power outages and SCs

[fma_fanatic]

Oh the joys of a power outage.

It seems that for the last couple of months, we've been having bi monthly power outages that last anywhere from 1-4 hours. It screws us up, screws up the elevators and makes customers oh so sucky.

'Cause you see, in order to do anything, like, oh, look up a sales rep. I have to have a computer. And in order to work on the computer, you need power. No power + no computer working = customers get really stupid.

Case in point. The power went out today. My manager was handing me some invoices to bill out, and I saw my computer flickering. I commented that the computer was flickering a bit to her. She had that look of horror. Suddenly there was a huge buzzing sound and BAM! no power.

The words out of my managers mouth: "Oh shit." I laughed so hard I was crying. She's never said that as far as I can remember. But it was amusing to say the least.

Anyway, on to the sucky customers.

Call 1:

SC: I need to know who my rep is.
Me: I'm sorry, we lost power about 10 minutes ago. I'm unable to help you at this time.
SC: So..you won't tell me who my rep is or you can't?
Me: *already reaching for the bottle of aspirin* I'm unable to at this time. You might want to try back in a couple of hours when -
SC: *interrupts*So you won't tell me. That's fine, I'll just call the corporate office and complain. *click*
Me:

Call 2:

SC: I need to find out who my rep is *goes onto some spiel about how it changes every hour. that's a slight exaggeration. It changes every 2 hours
Me: I'm sorry, we lost power about 15 minutes ago. I'm unable to help you at this time.
SC: Don't feed me that bull. Every *bleeping* time I call in, you've got some damned excuse. Tell me who my rep is now!
Me: *repeats above line, wondering how many aspirin it will take for the pain to stop*
SC: Look, you little bitch, You WILL tell me who the rep is or I will come down there and make you tell me.
Me: Sir, threatening me to do something when I am unable to do it - BECAUSE WE HAVE NO POWER - will not make me get you the information any faster. If you would like to come over here and walk up four flights of stairs and see for yourself we have no power, then by all means, please do.
SC: What? You don't have any elevators?
Me: We do sir, but because the power is out, they're not working. Would you like directions?
SC: *somewhat more calm* No. So..when will the power be back on?
Me: The power company estimates about 3pm. If you'd like, I can take your information and I will call you back when we are up and running again.
SC: Okay *gives me the info, but still stays sucky because he didn't apologize*

[BookstoreEscapee]

Would you like directions?

[fma_fanatic]

What's funny is that I used the same line on a guy who was claiming to be a sherrif's deputy a couple of years ago. Even offered to look up the info and fax it to him so he wouldn't get lost. The guy was trying to an employment verification.

The HR manager said that if the guy really was from the sherrif's department, he'd have the means to pay for the information he needed - we use The Work Number.

[mattm04]

I work at a supermarket. We have a generator like most major chain stores. In mid August we had a bad storm come through the area and knocked out power for thousand of people. If the power is is out for more than two minutes we have to get out the "power failure emergency" supplies. It is a cart that we have locked in a back office with sheets of plastic, pre-cut to the lengths of our refrigerated cases, tape, flashlights, extension cords, caution tape, "drop-lights", batteries, a a few radios, rope, paper and markers. If the power goes out the MOD begins to walk to the location of the cart and gets it out. The first thing we do is run rope thru the freezer door handles and put up tape to close off the aisles. After 3-5 min every available associate helps put up the plastic over the refrigerate cases. We get carriages and set them up a few feet from the refrigerated cases and run tape between them. The generator will run the main WI freezer, miminal lighting, some registers, phones/alarms, and a few scattered outlets. The number of customers who ask why we "won't let them but<insert ref/frozen product>, <insert excuse as to why it is needed>" amazes me. If a power failure is a huge problem, you need to get a better life.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

At the Kitty, when the power goes out, our registers shut down after 10 minutes. We have no emergency lighting, no backup for coolers and freezers, so we're sunk basically.

No registers means we have to lock the doors because we can't sell anything. And people do get upset over this. Nevermind the signs posted on either door saying we're temporarily closed due to power outage - they'll bang on the door or try to shout through the door "Are ya'll closed?"

No genuis - we're open. Just bring your own brick.

[OfficeSlug]

The first thing we do is run rope thru the freezer door handles and put up tape to close off the aisles.

That's a brilliant idea... I should recommend that to my grocery manager!