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It's suddenly occurred to me that its been an extremely long time since I last actually posted here, and have plenty of stories to now tell. However, there have been 3 in the last few days that have really stood out above all others. Its typical really, Ill have nothing for ages and then get hit all at once. Plus I get to type this on my shiny new laptop 
Anyway, a little background. I have mentioned in the past who I work for, Argos. A good company to work for overall, at least in my store. What people here dont know is that a few months ago I got a second job (started as a temp, and was kept on permanently) at GAME. So as a result, the first two stories take place at the former, and the last at the latter.
But I have a baby on the way!
This lady comes in while Im on customer services. Pregnant and possessing a middle eastern accent that made communication a little difficult.
SC - Aforementioned Lady
Me - Obvious =p
SC: Hi, I want to bring this back, it no longer work.
So she brings up this steam generator to the counter. I can see no box, no catalogue number or anything. So I ask the dreaded question.
Me - Ok, do you have your receipt?
SC - No, I lose it when I move house.
Me - Uh, okay then. So whats wrong with the item?
SC - It just stop working.
Great. So theres no box, no receipt or anything. So basically theres very little I can do. However, I explore one last avenue.
Me - Ok then. What Im going to do is see if I can identify this item in our catalogue. If it can be identified as one of ours, I can possibly issue a gift card refund at the current selling price (this is a good will gesture on part of the company).
SC - Um...ok.
So I look through the catalogue. I can't find it. I look through the previous catalogue. Cant find it there either. So I look at the one before that, and guess what? It can't be found. Now, I didn't bother to try and track down any catalogues before that, because they would mean it is way out of warranty and no longer our concern. So I turn back to her and reveal the news.
Me - Ok then. Well basically Ive had a look in several catalogues, and Im afraid this item isn't in any of them. As a result, without a proof of purchase there's nothing I can do for you.
SC - So I am stuck with broke iron?
Me - Im afraid so. Unfortunately we cannot identify the item as being sold from us within the last year and a half, and without a proof of purchase I cannot do anything apart from give you the contact number for the manufacturer.
SC - Let me see.
So she looks through the catalogue and points to one.
SC - Here it is!
Me - Uuuh, thats not the same one...
SC - It has some differences but it is close enough.
Me - Um...no thats a different steam generator. Note the differences (I point out the differences between them to her. Theyre glaring, but apparantly not that glaring to her)
SC - Theres not a lot of difference!
Me - Yes I agree, they are similar, but they are not the same one.
SC - But I have a baby on the way and I have ironing to do! What do I do!
Me - Well the first step is to find proof of purchase. Can you find the receipt at all?
SC - No, I lost it when I moved house.
Me - Ok, how did you pay for it? If it was paid by card a statement is acceptable proof of purchase.
SC - I paid by cash. (Oh what a suprise)
Me - Ok then, please wait.
So I wander off to find my supervisors. We go through the information and agree nothing can be done. However, I tell them that even if it can be identified, I am not happy about doing a gift card refund for something around the £200 mark that could have been bought from anywhere. They agree.
So I go back and attempt to put an end to the whole thing.
Me - Ok, Ive spoken with my managers, and weve had a look through, but we're very sorry, but we cannot help you today.
SC - But I have a baby on the way! What am I meant to do?!
Me - We cannot help you without a receipt. We don't even know if we ever sold this. We don't know where it was bought, how it was paid for, or when it was bought. This is why we need a proof of purchase. The only thing I can do for you is to give you Tefal's customer services number and see if they can help you.
SC - But that could take ages!
Me - We cannot do anything for you at all, so contacting them is the better option.
This repeats for about 20 minutes.
SC - So what do you suggest I do?
Me - Me? Well, I would suggest buying another iron
SC - Ill take their number down.
So she takes the manufacturers number and we part company. But wait, theres more.
I found out a little while later she came in earlier in the week with a different steam generator. Claiming it was bought a month previously. Turns out we havent sold them for the last 3 and a half years. She also tried the sob story with them too. She didnt get a refund.
I also found out that her husband who was with her had returned a mobile phone. Now all mobile phones are sent off for repair after 30 days since date of purchase to determine whether fault is due to an actual defect or user damage. It turns out his phone had been damaged by him and they refused to repair unless they paid a charge. They wanted a refund on the phone. Their refund was denied as they broke the bloody thing.
TV Licencing...again
Seriously, what is it with these people? I don't agree with the concept of tv licencing, I don't like the idea of people having to give their name and address when they buy anything capable of processing a tv signal. But you know what? I dont fucking care. Its the law and Ill be damned If im disregarding it for their little hissy fits. Anyway on with the story.
I'm just coming off break and walking past customer services when another coworker is arguing with a customer. Now we stand up for eachother, so I started listening in. Oh dear, he doesn't want to give out his TL details. My coworker is looking a little overwhelmed, so I decide to provide some backup.
SC - Angry hissy fit man
S - Coworker
Me - Sexiest male in the universe
SC - It's not illegal, I don't have to give you my information
S - We do need this information or we can't sell you a TV.
SC - Thats bollocks mate. Now I want to buy this TV and I want it now.
Me - Im afraid my colleague here is speaking truthfully, It is a legal requirement.
SC - No its not!
Me - Yes it is. Regardless, its physically impossible for us to sell you a TV without entering the information in the till anyway.
SC - Look Tescos didn't do this to me when I bought a TV from them, so I dont see why you do.
Me - Well what Tesco's does is their own business. We have taken these steps to avoid getting fined.
SC - Look, its not illegal and you wont get fined. I refuse to give this information out because I dont want to get junk mail.
S - We dont send out junk mail. All we do is cross reference it with council records, and send a snapshot of the data to the TV licence authority.
SC - Whats to stop you sending junk mail to me?
Me - Because that would be just as illegal as not taking down your information.
SC - Look, we can have a big argument about it if you want, but the bottom line is this. You don't need this information. And Im not giving it.
Me - Then Im afraid we cannot sell you this TV. If you really don't want to give out your full name, your first initial will suffice.
SC - Ugh fine, but if I get any junk mail Im coming back to have a little chat to the both of you.
Yes, we are shaking in our boots. Did I mention he had his daughter with him who looked thoroughly embarrassed to be there?
A Very Nasty Peice of Work - Warning language
This one takes place at Game. So Im doing some price changes and this guy comes in. Very tall man, lots of dreadlocks. Not exactly difficult to remember.
SC - Sucky dreadlock man
AM - Assistant Manager
M - Manager
Me - Guess
AM - Allo mate.
SC - Alright. Yeah I wanna bring these back for a refund.
AM - Is there something wrong with them?
SC - Nah, theyre crap mate.
AM - Ok, bear in mind because youve opened them we cant take them back. You can trade them in though.
SC - What do you mean I cant get my money back?!
AM - No, basically once the seal is broken theyre used. We cant take back used stock, but you can trade it in.
SC - Oh this is fucking rediculous! Wheres your manager?
AM - Shes on lunch and will be back shortly if you wish to see her.
SC - I want to see her now.
AM - She will be back in about ten minutes if you want to wait.
SC - Fine.
I shall explain a bit. You see, years ago Game allowed returns on opened software within 10 days for any reason. Naturally people abused it and turned it into a rental service. As a result, Game stopped and introduced the 28 money back policy if the seal wasnt broken. We have our own seals that are impossible to remove without tearing them apart for games that have already been unsealed to remove the contents.
So M comes out from her break. Then the sparks really fly.
SC - You said I could bring these back within 28 days!
M - Thats not what I said. I said you could bring it back within 28 days if the seal wasnt removed.
SC - WELL WHAT FUCKING GOOD IS THAT THEN? IM NOT GONNA BUY A GAME AND LEAVE IT SEALED FOR A MONTH AM I?!
M - Its for people who make a mistake when purchasing and want to bring it back. All I can offer you is a trade in.
SC - Yeah, here Ill lose about £40. THATS FUCKING ROBBERY! YOURE FUCKING ROBBING ME!
M - Look, you bought the games, you opened and used them. You cant return used stock.
SC - What fucking stupid policy is that? You show me where it says that!
M - Well, it shows you here (points to a sign in the shop), on your receipt (shows the writing on the receipt) and on the seals themselves (shows him the seals).
SC - Yeah well its a stupid fucking policy. OHHH YEAH! IM BUYING A GAME AND IM GOING TO LEAVE IT ON A SHELF SEALED FOR A MONTH COS IM A FUCKING IDIOT!
M - Will you please tone your language down?
SC - Im 33 fucking years old! Im not being told what to do by the likes of you! Now I want my fucking money back.
M - Our policy does not allow refunds for used stock, only trade ins.
SC - Yeah so you can fucking rob me. You used to let people take games back when they didnt like them. So why wont you let me do it?
M - Because we stopped that policy about 2 years ago.
SC - Well why the fuck did they do that?
M - Because people took the piss. Theyd play games, complete them, and return them.
SC - Yeah well I still want my money back.
M - Ive already told you all I can do for you is let you trade them in, and if you carry on speaking to me like this I wont help you at all.
SC - Oh no you fucking wont. Now give me my money back. If you dont Im never fucking shopping in this place again, you mark my fucking words.
M - Sorry, theres nothing I can do for you.
SC - This is the worst decision youve ever made bitch.
And with that, he storms out. M is shaking with fury so she goes to calm down out the back.
Unfortunately, thats not the end of it. He phones up, demanding this that and the other, and gets told the same thing. All she did for him was give him the number of head office. For the next three hours of my shift, there are just constant phone calls between her, him, and customer services.
Snippets of phone dialogue are as follows:
M - Dont you even try and pull that card with me! (upon him claiming she was only refusing his demand because he was black)
M - Will you let me speak please?! Thank you
M - Look, I really don't know what to say to you, as you wont even let me get a word in.
M - He's abusive, he's threatening, and all he did was swear at me, now if you want to give him a refund thats fine, but Im not doing it for him, and I doubt any of my staff will. (this was on the phone to customer services)
M - Excuse me? YOU THREATENED ME. "This worst descision youve ever made" sounds like a pretty clear threat to me.
To indicate just how aggressive this man was, myself and another women who worked there insisted she contact security after he left and have them on standby in case he returns to cause trouble.
Anyway, she asked me if she could pinch a cigarette off me (I bet she needed one after all that), unfortunately I had none on me (I smoke rollies which she cant stand), but I thought to myself that I could grab her some and bring them back after my shift was over, which at the time was in a few minutes.
Cue another phone call. A long one. She storms out to the back looking thoroughly miserable afterwards, with the AM running after her to make sure shes ok. Anyway, I find out what brand she has from the other lady who works there and from one of her mates who just came in. So I nip out of the shopping mall, have a fag, grab her a pack of B&H from the nearby shop, and on the way back got a large smoothie from the juice bar. Come back into the shop with them both (cigarettes and a smoothie, odd combination eh?) and went in and handed them over. Needless to say, it cheered her up quite a bit. I did refuse to accept money for the fags, but she forced me to take it, and parted with a hug.
Why did I do this to cheer her up youre asking?
Well quite simply, shes a damned good manager. Shes often got drinks for us when shes nipped out for a break, and ALWAYS sticks up for us and backs us up without fail, and is quite simply a nice person, with an odd sense of humor. So at the end of the day managers like that are worth the effort. And quite simply, she doesnt have to take that kind of abuse.
Unfortunately, the last one happened today. So I dont know what the outcome is, once I find out ill post it on here.
Sorry for the length guys
Anyway, a little background. I have mentioned in the past who I work for, Argos. A good company to work for overall, at least in my store. What people here dont know is that a few months ago I got a second job (started as a temp, and was kept on permanently) at GAME. So as a result, the first two stories take place at the former, and the last at the latter.
But I have a baby on the way!
This lady comes in while Im on customer services. Pregnant and possessing a middle eastern accent that made communication a little difficult.
SC - Aforementioned Lady
Me - Obvious =p
SC: Hi, I want to bring this back, it no longer work.
So she brings up this steam generator to the counter. I can see no box, no catalogue number or anything. So I ask the dreaded question.
Me - Ok, do you have your receipt?
SC - No, I lose it when I move house.
Me - Uh, okay then. So whats wrong with the item?
SC - It just stop working.
Great. So theres no box, no receipt or anything. So basically theres very little I can do. However, I explore one last avenue.
Me - Ok then. What Im going to do is see if I can identify this item in our catalogue. If it can be identified as one of ours, I can possibly issue a gift card refund at the current selling price (this is a good will gesture on part of the company).
SC - Um...ok.
So I look through the catalogue. I can't find it. I look through the previous catalogue. Cant find it there either. So I look at the one before that, and guess what? It can't be found. Now, I didn't bother to try and track down any catalogues before that, because they would mean it is way out of warranty and no longer our concern. So I turn back to her and reveal the news.
Me - Ok then. Well basically Ive had a look in several catalogues, and Im afraid this item isn't in any of them. As a result, without a proof of purchase there's nothing I can do for you.
SC - So I am stuck with broke iron?
Me - Im afraid so. Unfortunately we cannot identify the item as being sold from us within the last year and a half, and without a proof of purchase I cannot do anything apart from give you the contact number for the manufacturer.
SC - Let me see.
So she looks through the catalogue and points to one.
SC - Here it is!
Me - Uuuh, thats not the same one...
SC - It has some differences but it is close enough.
Me - Um...no thats a different steam generator. Note the differences (I point out the differences between them to her. Theyre glaring, but apparantly not that glaring to her)
SC - Theres not a lot of difference!
Me - Yes I agree, they are similar, but they are not the same one.
SC - But I have a baby on the way and I have ironing to do! What do I do!
Me - Well the first step is to find proof of purchase. Can you find the receipt at all?
SC - No, I lost it when I moved house.
Me - Ok, how did you pay for it? If it was paid by card a statement is acceptable proof of purchase.
SC - I paid by cash. (Oh what a suprise)
Me - Ok then, please wait.
So I wander off to find my supervisors. We go through the information and agree nothing can be done. However, I tell them that even if it can be identified, I am not happy about doing a gift card refund for something around the £200 mark that could have been bought from anywhere. They agree.
So I go back and attempt to put an end to the whole thing.
Me - Ok, Ive spoken with my managers, and weve had a look through, but we're very sorry, but we cannot help you today.
SC - But I have a baby on the way! What am I meant to do?!
Me - We cannot help you without a receipt. We don't even know if we ever sold this. We don't know where it was bought, how it was paid for, or when it was bought. This is why we need a proof of purchase. The only thing I can do for you is to give you Tefal's customer services number and see if they can help you.
SC - But that could take ages!
Me - We cannot do anything for you at all, so contacting them is the better option.
This repeats for about 20 minutes.
SC - So what do you suggest I do?
Me - Me? Well, I would suggest buying another iron
SC - Ill take their number down.
So she takes the manufacturers number and we part company. But wait, theres more.
I found out a little while later she came in earlier in the week with a different steam generator. Claiming it was bought a month previously. Turns out we havent sold them for the last 3 and a half years. She also tried the sob story with them too. She didnt get a refund.
I also found out that her husband who was with her had returned a mobile phone. Now all mobile phones are sent off for repair after 30 days since date of purchase to determine whether fault is due to an actual defect or user damage. It turns out his phone had been damaged by him and they refused to repair unless they paid a charge. They wanted a refund on the phone. Their refund was denied as they broke the bloody thing.
TV Licencing...again
Seriously, what is it with these people? I don't agree with the concept of tv licencing, I don't like the idea of people having to give their name and address when they buy anything capable of processing a tv signal. But you know what? I dont fucking care. Its the law and Ill be damned If im disregarding it for their little hissy fits. Anyway on with the story.
I'm just coming off break and walking past customer services when another coworker is arguing with a customer. Now we stand up for eachother, so I started listening in. Oh dear, he doesn't want to give out his TL details. My coworker is looking a little overwhelmed, so I decide to provide some backup.
SC - Angry hissy fit man
S - Coworker
Me - Sexiest male in the universe
SC - It's not illegal, I don't have to give you my information
S - We do need this information or we can't sell you a TV.
SC - Thats bollocks mate. Now I want to buy this TV and I want it now.
Me - Im afraid my colleague here is speaking truthfully, It is a legal requirement.
SC - No its not!
Me - Yes it is. Regardless, its physically impossible for us to sell you a TV without entering the information in the till anyway.
SC - Look Tescos didn't do this to me when I bought a TV from them, so I dont see why you do.
Me - Well what Tesco's does is their own business. We have taken these steps to avoid getting fined.
SC - Look, its not illegal and you wont get fined. I refuse to give this information out because I dont want to get junk mail.
S - We dont send out junk mail. All we do is cross reference it with council records, and send a snapshot of the data to the TV licence authority.
SC - Whats to stop you sending junk mail to me?
Me - Because that would be just as illegal as not taking down your information.
SC - Look, we can have a big argument about it if you want, but the bottom line is this. You don't need this information. And Im not giving it.
Me - Then Im afraid we cannot sell you this TV. If you really don't want to give out your full name, your first initial will suffice.
SC - Ugh fine, but if I get any junk mail Im coming back to have a little chat to the both of you.
Yes, we are shaking in our boots. Did I mention he had his daughter with him who looked thoroughly embarrassed to be there?
A Very Nasty Peice of Work - Warning language
This one takes place at Game. So Im doing some price changes and this guy comes in. Very tall man, lots of dreadlocks. Not exactly difficult to remember.
SC - Sucky dreadlock man
AM - Assistant Manager
M - Manager
Me - Guess
AM - Allo mate.
SC - Alright. Yeah I wanna bring these back for a refund.
AM - Is there something wrong with them?
SC - Nah, theyre crap mate.
AM - Ok, bear in mind because youve opened them we cant take them back. You can trade them in though.
SC - What do you mean I cant get my money back?!
AM - No, basically once the seal is broken theyre used. We cant take back used stock, but you can trade it in.
SC - Oh this is fucking rediculous! Wheres your manager?
AM - Shes on lunch and will be back shortly if you wish to see her.
SC - I want to see her now.
AM - She will be back in about ten minutes if you want to wait.
SC - Fine.
I shall explain a bit. You see, years ago Game allowed returns on opened software within 10 days for any reason. Naturally people abused it and turned it into a rental service. As a result, Game stopped and introduced the 28 money back policy if the seal wasnt broken. We have our own seals that are impossible to remove without tearing them apart for games that have already been unsealed to remove the contents.
So M comes out from her break. Then the sparks really fly.
SC - You said I could bring these back within 28 days!
M - Thats not what I said. I said you could bring it back within 28 days if the seal wasnt removed.
SC - WELL WHAT FUCKING GOOD IS THAT THEN? IM NOT GONNA BUY A GAME AND LEAVE IT SEALED FOR A MONTH AM I?!
M - Its for people who make a mistake when purchasing and want to bring it back. All I can offer you is a trade in.
SC - Yeah, here Ill lose about £40. THATS FUCKING ROBBERY! YOURE FUCKING ROBBING ME!
M - Look, you bought the games, you opened and used them. You cant return used stock.
SC - What fucking stupid policy is that? You show me where it says that!
M - Well, it shows you here (points to a sign in the shop), on your receipt (shows the writing on the receipt) and on the seals themselves (shows him the seals).
SC - Yeah well its a stupid fucking policy. OHHH YEAH! IM BUYING A GAME AND IM GOING TO LEAVE IT ON A SHELF SEALED FOR A MONTH COS IM A FUCKING IDIOT!
M - Will you please tone your language down?
SC - Im 33 fucking years old! Im not being told what to do by the likes of you! Now I want my fucking money back.
M - Our policy does not allow refunds for used stock, only trade ins.
SC - Yeah so you can fucking rob me. You used to let people take games back when they didnt like them. So why wont you let me do it?
M - Because we stopped that policy about 2 years ago.
SC - Well why the fuck did they do that?
M - Because people took the piss. Theyd play games, complete them, and return them.
SC - Yeah well I still want my money back.
M - Ive already told you all I can do for you is let you trade them in, and if you carry on speaking to me like this I wont help you at all.
SC - Oh no you fucking wont. Now give me my money back. If you dont Im never fucking shopping in this place again, you mark my fucking words.
M - Sorry, theres nothing I can do for you.
SC - This is the worst decision youve ever made bitch.
And with that, he storms out. M is shaking with fury so she goes to calm down out the back.
Unfortunately, thats not the end of it. He phones up, demanding this that and the other, and gets told the same thing. All she did for him was give him the number of head office. For the next three hours of my shift, there are just constant phone calls between her, him, and customer services.
Snippets of phone dialogue are as follows:
M - Dont you even try and pull that card with me! (upon him claiming she was only refusing his demand because he was black)
M - Will you let me speak please?! Thank you
M - Look, I really don't know what to say to you, as you wont even let me get a word in.
M - He's abusive, he's threatening, and all he did was swear at me, now if you want to give him a refund thats fine, but Im not doing it for him, and I doubt any of my staff will. (this was on the phone to customer services)
M - Excuse me? YOU THREATENED ME. "This worst descision youve ever made" sounds like a pretty clear threat to me.
To indicate just how aggressive this man was, myself and another women who worked there insisted she contact security after he left and have them on standby in case he returns to cause trouble.
Anyway, she asked me if she could pinch a cigarette off me (I bet she needed one after all that), unfortunately I had none on me (I smoke rollies which she cant stand), but I thought to myself that I could grab her some and bring them back after my shift was over, which at the time was in a few minutes.
Cue another phone call. A long one. She storms out to the back looking thoroughly miserable afterwards, with the AM running after her to make sure shes ok. Anyway, I find out what brand she has from the other lady who works there and from one of her mates who just came in. So I nip out of the shopping mall, have a fag, grab her a pack of B&H from the nearby shop, and on the way back got a large smoothie from the juice bar. Come back into the shop with them both (cigarettes and a smoothie, odd combination eh?) and went in and handed them over. Needless to say, it cheered her up quite a bit. I did refuse to accept money for the fags, but she forced me to take it, and parted with a hug.
Why did I do this to cheer her up youre asking?
Well quite simply, shes a damned good manager. Shes often got drinks for us when shes nipped out for a break, and ALWAYS sticks up for us and backs us up without fail, and is quite simply a nice person, with an odd sense of humor. So at the end of the day managers like that are worth the effort. And quite simply, she doesnt have to take that kind of abuse.
Unfortunately, the last one happened today. So I dont know what the outcome is, once I find out ill post it on here.
Sorry for the length guys
) and they will take care of it from now. He is also effectively banned from our store.
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