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An SC who threatened to call the cops...actually did.
I didn't see this entire thing (and was stationed directly across from the register this happened at but was trying to look busy), but suddenly saw one shift lead and two managers converge on the register.
An SC was paying with WIC, and we were out of the brand/size of bread that is permitted. SC wanted us to override the system and give her a 24-ounce loaf of a big name brand. We can't do that, and even if we could doing so would mean that the store potentially loses the ability to accept WIC at all so why would we risk it?
SC starts in about how she "gets WIC here all the time" (on its own that statement means nothing) and how it's not her fault that the store is out of "her" bread (um, it's a few days after panic-buying due to a snowstorm that wasn't, what did you think was gonna happen? not the store's fault if the warehouse screws with our delivery schedule). It's not our fault either that the town lost its collective shit at the first hint of snow. She then starts in about how she doesn't know what WIC will cover and that we should...um, no. The training materials consist of a basic list and then point out that it is the customer's responsibility to know what they can get/check specific products online or via the app.
So SC pays for what WIC will cover, and still has a balance due for the bread and some other things that I can see from my desk weren't even in the realm of eligibility. She starts in on how we have to give her the rest of the items for free because we're out of the WIC-approved bread. SC yells that she's gonna call the police. At that point two of the biggest guys from the produce department stalk over and start watching things.
After the third manager explains to SC that no, we can't override the state system and we aren't required to give her anything for free...SC whips out her phone and yes, calls the cops. I didn't hear what she said (probably something about 'being robbed'), but they showed up fast.
The officers listen to both sides of the story, and then SC whines that she only pays with WIC and doesn't have any other payment. Maybe it's just me but if your only means of payment is restrictive wouldn't you use the tools they give to determine if something is actually covered, and carry some cash just in case?
End result is that one of the cops pays her balance (around $15). I think I saw the cashier's jaw hit the floor, and after all other parties left we started wondering if that was what SC was expecting from one of us. Sure, I'll spot someone a dollar or two if they're obviously in need (and not being a raging jerk about it) but that much? This SC was rocking designer everything, so I find it a little bit hard to believe that she had no money whatsoever on her.
I didn't see this entire thing (and was stationed directly across from the register this happened at but was trying to look busy), but suddenly saw one shift lead and two managers converge on the register.
An SC was paying with WIC, and we were out of the brand/size of bread that is permitted. SC wanted us to override the system and give her a 24-ounce loaf of a big name brand. We can't do that, and even if we could doing so would mean that the store potentially loses the ability to accept WIC at all so why would we risk it?
SC starts in about how she "gets WIC here all the time" (on its own that statement means nothing) and how it's not her fault that the store is out of "her" bread (um, it's a few days after panic-buying due to a snowstorm that wasn't, what did you think was gonna happen? not the store's fault if the warehouse screws with our delivery schedule). It's not our fault either that the town lost its collective shit at the first hint of snow. She then starts in about how she doesn't know what WIC will cover and that we should...um, no. The training materials consist of a basic list and then point out that it is the customer's responsibility to know what they can get/check specific products online or via the app.
So SC pays for what WIC will cover, and still has a balance due for the bread and some other things that I can see from my desk weren't even in the realm of eligibility. She starts in on how we have to give her the rest of the items for free because we're out of the WIC-approved bread. SC yells that she's gonna call the police. At that point two of the biggest guys from the produce department stalk over and start watching things.
After the third manager explains to SC that no, we can't override the state system and we aren't required to give her anything for free...SC whips out her phone and yes, calls the cops. I didn't hear what she said (probably something about 'being robbed'), but they showed up fast.
The officers listen to both sides of the story, and then SC whines that she only pays with WIC and doesn't have any other payment. Maybe it's just me but if your only means of payment is restrictive wouldn't you use the tools they give to determine if something is actually covered, and carry some cash just in case?
End result is that one of the cops pays her balance (around $15). I think I saw the cashier's jaw hit the floor, and after all other parties left we started wondering if that was what SC was expecting from one of us. Sure, I'll spot someone a dollar or two if they're obviously in need (and not being a raging jerk about it) but that much? This SC was rocking designer everything, so I find it a little bit hard to believe that she had no money whatsoever on her.
and even he said to me "stuff like this is one of the reasons I decided I couldn't put up with it anymore--upper management encouraging the crazy and we're not allowed to do anything about it"
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