Customers haven't changed much...

[MoonCat]

Found some old notes from years ago, not sure if these are all from the same day, but each one was a customer on the phone:

1) hi, this is the guy with the dogs.

(Yep, we've only got one of those)

2) this is [some very common name like joe smith] is my ad up today?

(sure, only one of those, too)

3) hi, this is mary scary. (looooong pause) Remember?

(can I have a clue?)

4) yeah, it's fred, we talked earlier.

(no, you talked to someone else, and even if we did, what was it about?)

5) I should get a discount! I'm one of your best customers!

(your only ad in the last three years ran 18 months ago & cost $15)

6) I talked to you last week and I'd like you to send that information we talked about.

(name? address, physical or email? type of advertising?)

I just love the way people assume that I instantly know who they are as soon as I hear their voice...

[Teefies2]

Yep. For me, it's a customer coming up to my counter and saying "Cigs!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Ummm, ok? Brand?? Menthol or non? Full flavor, light, ultralight, menthol light, menthol ultralight, 72s or special blend? Kings, 100s, or 120's? Carton or pack(s)? My "what you mean to say radar" isn't working today (or ever, for that matter).

Work with me people!!!!!!

[Pixilated]

This used to happen to me a lot at the last newspaper I worked at (the one I was laid off from) -- but the guilty parties were several of my coworkers at Big Sister Paper in the next town.

Caller: "Hi! Yappity yappity yap yap yap ..."

Me: "Uh, okay, but WHO IS THIS??"

Caller: "What, you don't recognize my voice?!"

Ok, you know, I have never, ever seen your face, so it's not like your voice -- a standard male voice, no distinctive speech patterns or accents -- calls up any images for me. WTF is wrong with saying, "Hi, it's Super Keen Reporter from Big Sister Paper ..."??

[MoonCat]

Well, Pixilated, it would probably be more accurate if they said, "This is Enormous and Unjustified Ego from Big Ass paper..."

Not that I'm saying reporters ever have big egos.

[XCashier]

Isn't it amazing how customers always think that they are your only customer ever...even when they're in a store surrounded by other *gasp* customers!!!

[MadonnaC]

I just love the way people assume that I instantly know who they are as soon as I hear their voice...

I've actually told some "I take about 10 calls an hour - do you want to be the one I remember?"

[NorthernZel]

It can be scarier than that.

I once interviewed for an accounting job with 300+ clients. The manager expected me to recognize the clients over the phone BY THE TONE OF THEIR VOICE and automatically pull up their account so the client could feel being "special".

I swear, even after 1 year of unemployment I sighed with relief once the rejection note landed in my e-mail inbox...

[XCashier]

The manager expected me to recognize the clients over the phone BY THE TONE OF THEIR VOICE and automatically pull up their account so the client could feel being "special".

That's crazy! What if the client has a cold and his voice sounds different? Or has a totally nondescript voice that could literally be anybody? Or the phone line's staticky?

I work with about thirty other people at my store, and have worked with them for several months (most of them years), and I still don't always recognize who is speaking over the headets. And you're expected to memorize over THREE HUNDRED voices?!

Sounds like it's a good thing you didn't get that job; those impossible requirements would've driven you nuts after a while.

[MoonCat]

That's really stupid. Most people sound very much alike after a while. You have to have a really distinctive voice to be remembered. Unfortunately, that usually means whiny, crabby, too loud, too soft, or impossible to understand.

A friend of mine had a customer go all nasty and bitchy at her because she (my friend) didn't recognize the customer's voice. From that day on the customer was horrible to her every time they spoke. Nobody needs to feel THAT "special."

[NorthernZel]

That's crazy! What if the client has a cold and his voice sounds different? Or has a totally nondescript voice that could literally be anybody? Or the phone line's staticky?

I work with about thirty other people at my store, and have worked with them for several months (most of them years), and I still don't always recognize who is speaking over the headets. And you're expected to memorize over THREE HUNDRED voices?!

Sounds like it's a good thing you didn't get that job; those impossible requirements would've driven you nuts after a while.

Indeed. I think I see a job ad from them approx. once every 6 months.

[Chromatix]

My ISP uses caller ID to bring up my account details. It surprises me sometimes, then I remember how they do it. It undoubtedly helps that I virtually aways call from the same number.