Tweet
One of the local auto dealerships has a charge account set up with my convenience store chain, and they frequently fuel up their fleet at my store because it's just a couple of blocks from us. Having worked there the last couple years, I know everyone who works for the dealership.
So, yesterday, a customer comes in with a charge slip. He had just purchased a used truck, and they allowed him to charge $25 in gas to sweeten the deal. It's a common occurrence, so I took the charge slip from him and told him to go fuel up.
He then asked if he could just get $20 in fuel and $5 cash rather than $25 gas. I looked at him puzzled, "This is a business account. We don't give cash back. It's strictly for fuel charges and related purchases only."
He replied that his boss made a mistake, and said it would be okay.
"No, I don't think so. If you pump less than $25, then THAT amount is what will be charged on this slip. We simply don't give cash back on a business customer's charge account under any circumstances."
He then informed me he'd need the receipt when he's done.
"Yes, you'll get a copy of the receipt when you're done. That's how we do it."
At this point, the manager had overheard enough of the conversation while counting cigarettes to place her order. She stepped up beside me and asked what he wanted. I told her. So, she stepped back to the office to call the dealership. I've worked in our store location longer than she had, so I knew the accounting manager from dealing with her on numerous occasions. I explained to her what had happened, and she asked to pick up a copy of the receipt.
In the meantime, the customer came in to get his copy of the receipt. He left without another word. The dealership accounting manager arrived to pick up her copy of the receipt. She had spotted the vehicle I'd described on her way up, so she said she figured he was heading back to the dealership.
I later learned that the customer had told the dealership's general manager that we didn't give him a copy of the receipt. However, the accounting manager let it be known that she had picked up a copy after hearing from us. She didn't specify what happened after that, but she did thank me for watching out for their interests and let me know that she told the general manager what really happened.
The kicker is that I'd seen the customer in the store before, and he strikes me as on of those who will try to stir trouble if he thinks he can push. I'm not a pushover, though.
So, yesterday, a customer comes in with a charge slip. He had just purchased a used truck, and they allowed him to charge $25 in gas to sweeten the deal. It's a common occurrence, so I took the charge slip from him and told him to go fuel up.
He then asked if he could just get $20 in fuel and $5 cash rather than $25 gas. I looked at him puzzled, "This is a business account. We don't give cash back. It's strictly for fuel charges and related purchases only."
He replied that his boss made a mistake, and said it would be okay.
"No, I don't think so. If you pump less than $25, then THAT amount is what will be charged on this slip. We simply don't give cash back on a business customer's charge account under any circumstances."
He then informed me he'd need the receipt when he's done.
"Yes, you'll get a copy of the receipt when you're done. That's how we do it."
At this point, the manager had overheard enough of the conversation while counting cigarettes to place her order. She stepped up beside me and asked what he wanted. I told her. So, she stepped back to the office to call the dealership. I've worked in our store location longer than she had, so I knew the accounting manager from dealing with her on numerous occasions. I explained to her what had happened, and she asked to pick up a copy of the receipt.
In the meantime, the customer came in to get his copy of the receipt. He left without another word. The dealership accounting manager arrived to pick up her copy of the receipt. She had spotted the vehicle I'd described on her way up, so she said she figured he was heading back to the dealership.
I later learned that the customer had told the dealership's general manager that we didn't give him a copy of the receipt. However, the accounting manager let it be known that she had picked up a copy after hearing from us. She didn't specify what happened after that, but she did thank me for watching out for their interests and let me know that she told the general manager what really happened.
The kicker is that I'd seen the customer in the store before, and he strikes me as on of those who will try to stir trouble if he thinks he can push. I'm not a pushover, though.
I AM the evil bastard!
Comment