Tweet
While working at Office Depot last year I faced some absolute gems but one woman will always be one the top of my list. She came in, wearing the usual Santa Fe modern hippy-wanna be style. She wore a mala (prayer beads) around her neck, about a dozen rings and clothing that would look for at home on a camel. The look just shrieked 'world peace'. Here in Santa Fe, New Mexico it's a very common look amongst the more ultra liberal hippy-leftovers. Usually, however, they're a little too stoned for anyone to worry about. Not this one.
Me: Yes ma'am? May I help you?
SC: I have a defective ink cartridge that I'd like to return.
Me: Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear that ma'am. What was the problem?
SC: My printer refused to recognize it.
Me: What kind of cartridge is it, ma'am?
SC: Oh I don't know, something generic.
Me: Okay then, I'll take a look at it and see if I can get a match. We'll get you all taken care of ma'am.
She handed me the cartridge and hurried past me to get a look at the ink assortment herself. Upon taking the cartridge I realized it was empty and that the head was worn, indicating use. She returned quickly with a boxed version of the same cartridge.
SC: This is it; this is the one I need.
Me: Ma'am, do you have the box your cartridge came in? Or the receipt?
I was hoping to get a receipt at the very least so I could see how long she'd had it but I didn't expect it.
SC: No. Why would I? I just want a new cartridge.
Me: Ma'am, this cartridge is empty. I can't return it.
SC: What do you mean you can't return it? It didn't work!
Me: I cannot take an empty cartridge in exchange ma'am. All I can do is give you three dollars off this new one.
SC: This is an outrage! You're trying to rip me off!
Me: Let me call my manager, ma'am. I'll see if he will authorize it.
SC: You do that.
She stomped her foot and I called over ASM number one. He lifted it and agreed with me that it was empty. Again, she argued that it wasn't used. Not only did we both point to the worn and dirty head but we took the new one from the package as well as a known empty from the recycle bin and weighed them. She still argued and we called over ASM number two. After he agreed with me and the first ASM, he politely explained the three dollar discount for bringing in an empty cartridge. Then it started. She actually screamed, an honest to god scream. She reached over the counter looking for all the world like she was going to hit me. I stepped back and she turned around, threw the cartidge on the ground, stomped on it with her birkenstock-clad feet and let out a string of profanity that would make a pirate blush. As this was happening, one of my fellows ran into the mall we're attached it to look for a security guard. She jumped up and down, continued to curse, grabbed another customer by the arm and explained that I was a b*tch and that no one should spend money at this store. With another loud scream, she stormed out the doors. Security got there moments later.
ASM1: Um. What was that?
ASM2: City different, my butt.
Me: Maybe she just wasn't feel very.. zen today. Oh hell, I need a drink.
We never saw the woman again but after we got images via the security camera, we passed them along to the other office supply stores in town to warn them of a possible scam artist.
Me: Yes ma'am? May I help you?
SC: I have a defective ink cartridge that I'd like to return.
Me: Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear that ma'am. What was the problem?
SC: My printer refused to recognize it.
Me: What kind of cartridge is it, ma'am?
SC: Oh I don't know, something generic.
Me: Okay then, I'll take a look at it and see if I can get a match. We'll get you all taken care of ma'am.
She handed me the cartridge and hurried past me to get a look at the ink assortment herself. Upon taking the cartridge I realized it was empty and that the head was worn, indicating use. She returned quickly with a boxed version of the same cartridge.
SC: This is it; this is the one I need.
Me: Ma'am, do you have the box your cartridge came in? Or the receipt?
I was hoping to get a receipt at the very least so I could see how long she'd had it but I didn't expect it.
SC: No. Why would I? I just want a new cartridge.
Me: Ma'am, this cartridge is empty. I can't return it.
SC: What do you mean you can't return it? It didn't work!
Me: I cannot take an empty cartridge in exchange ma'am. All I can do is give you three dollars off this new one.
SC: This is an outrage! You're trying to rip me off!
Me: Let me call my manager, ma'am. I'll see if he will authorize it.
SC: You do that.
She stomped her foot and I called over ASM number one. He lifted it and agreed with me that it was empty. Again, she argued that it wasn't used. Not only did we both point to the worn and dirty head but we took the new one from the package as well as a known empty from the recycle bin and weighed them. She still argued and we called over ASM number two. After he agreed with me and the first ASM, he politely explained the three dollar discount for bringing in an empty cartridge. Then it started. She actually screamed, an honest to god scream. She reached over the counter looking for all the world like she was going to hit me. I stepped back and she turned around, threw the cartidge on the ground, stomped on it with her birkenstock-clad feet and let out a string of profanity that would make a pirate blush. As this was happening, one of my fellows ran into the mall we're attached it to look for a security guard. She jumped up and down, continued to curse, grabbed another customer by the arm and explained that I was a b*tch and that no one should spend money at this store. With another loud scream, she stormed out the doors. Security got there moments later.
ASM1: Um. What was that?
ASM2: City different, my butt.
Me: Maybe she just wasn't feel very.. zen today. Oh hell, I need a drink.
We never saw the woman again but after we got images via the security camera, we passed them along to the other office supply stores in town to warn them of a possible scam artist.
to 
Comment