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This customer wasn't really sucky, but very annoying and the situation just frustrated me.
We were shorthanded so I was the only one on cash. No problem... a constant line but I was damn fast at cash. Then this lady came over and asked about the 'ten dollars on a hundred dollar purchase'.
I explained you get a 10 dollar gift card when you spend 100 dollars on her sears card. First, she isnt sure if she has one or not, so SLOWLY digs through her wallet while I stand there, watching the line build up.
While she looks, and talks with her mother/grandmother in another language (Eastern European or mediterranean language I think. I mention it only because I didnt know what they were talking. I think she had one of those Grandmothers who need to know EVERYTHING which is happening with the transaction).
Anyways, while she looks I try to call one of the managers to help with the line. No answer, voicemail. Try another. same thing. Try a THIRD, no answer.
Finally, she finds a temporary Sears card. Yay! She mentions she never got the new one in the mail yet, and I say she should probably call them to ahve it sorted out.
So I type the card number in... Crap. I have to call for Authorization.
The temp. card expired last month. So I try to reach the manager first again, and STILL can't... finally I call the operator and ask her to tryand reach one. She says she'll page (I dont know if she did. The intercom is funny these days).
So I get through and get the Auth number after confirming ID. Yay! It goes through!.
Then she tells me She wanted a GIFT RECEIPT for one of the items.
So I ask her if she REALLY neede done, as I would have to void the transaction and do it all over again. Yes, she wants one. So I try again to reach a manager while running the void, ringing things up again and looking over frantically at the line... which is a bit smaller now, as people are beginning to give up.
I am also using my slightly-overly loud voice so the customers know its the customer, not me that's being slow. Not really yelling but I can make my voice carry easily.
Finally I get through to amanager, and nearly burst into tears as I say "I need help on cash and nobody is picking up their phone!" and literally nearly sobbing. She says she'll be right down, and I go and call for ANOTHER authorization number.
Only this time the CS on the phone wants to talk to the customer. Cringing, I hand the phone over... then go over ot the other till to try and take other customers, on the verge of frustrated tears while the lady talks to the associate on the phone. I apologise VERY profusely and stuff to each customer. Luckily most of them were okay, although one mentioned she hopes we get more staff for the holidays.
So finally the manager shows up. Normally they're pretty prompt, but she is using a cane, so must have hurt herself. Understandable but I /really/ wish they'd answer their damn phones. It seems all the sups/managers like to dissapear at once.
So I go back to the first customer, get the Auth number, ring it through, apologise for getting a little frustrated (I was quite obviously expaserated and pissed after I had to redo the entire transaction, though I Tried to hide it.)
So I get her her damn gift receipt and send her on her way and explain to M the manager and stuff and thank her for helping, even though we only had three customers (vs about 8+ when I first started to call) then. I managed to go on break soon after.
I dont know why but lately I've really wanted to cry at work a few times.
We were shorthanded so I was the only one on cash. No problem... a constant line but I was damn fast at cash. Then this lady came over and asked about the 'ten dollars on a hundred dollar purchase'.
I explained you get a 10 dollar gift card when you spend 100 dollars on her sears card. First, she isnt sure if she has one or not, so SLOWLY digs through her wallet while I stand there, watching the line build up.
While she looks, and talks with her mother/grandmother in another language (Eastern European or mediterranean language I think. I mention it only because I didnt know what they were talking. I think she had one of those Grandmothers who need to know EVERYTHING which is happening with the transaction).
Anyways, while she looks I try to call one of the managers to help with the line. No answer, voicemail. Try another. same thing. Try a THIRD, no answer.
Finally, she finds a temporary Sears card. Yay! She mentions she never got the new one in the mail yet, and I say she should probably call them to ahve it sorted out.
So I type the card number in... Crap. I have to call for Authorization.
The temp. card expired last month. So I try to reach the manager first again, and STILL can't... finally I call the operator and ask her to tryand reach one. She says she'll page (I dont know if she did. The intercom is funny these days).So I get through and get the Auth number after confirming ID. Yay! It goes through!.
Then she tells me She wanted a GIFT RECEIPT for one of the items.
So I ask her if she REALLY neede done, as I would have to void the transaction and do it all over again. Yes, she wants one. So I try again to reach a manager while running the void, ringing things up again and looking over frantically at the line... which is a bit smaller now, as people are beginning to give up.
I am also using my slightly-overly loud voice so the customers know its the customer, not me that's being slow. Not really yelling but I can make my voice carry easily.
Finally I get through to amanager, and nearly burst into tears as I say "I need help on cash and nobody is picking up their phone!" and literally nearly sobbing. She says she'll be right down, and I go and call for ANOTHER authorization number.
Only this time the CS on the phone wants to talk to the customer. Cringing, I hand the phone over... then go over ot the other till to try and take other customers, on the verge of frustrated tears while the lady talks to the associate on the phone. I apologise VERY profusely and stuff to each customer. Luckily most of them were okay, although one mentioned she hopes we get more staff for the holidays.
So finally the manager shows up. Normally they're pretty prompt, but she is using a cane, so must have hurt herself. Understandable but I /really/ wish they'd answer their damn phones. It seems all the sups/managers like to dissapear at once.
So I go back to the first customer, get the Auth number, ring it through, apologise for getting a little frustrated (I was quite obviously expaserated and pissed after I had to redo the entire transaction, though I Tried to hide it.)
So I get her her damn gift receipt and send her on her way and explain to M the manager and stuff and thank her for helping, even though we only had three customers (vs about 8+ when I first started to call) then. I managed to go on break soon after.
I dont know why but lately I've really wanted to cry at work a few times.
"You'd feel a Hell of a lot better if you'd just rip into the occasional customer." 
)
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