The Drunkard and the Manager

[dan]

This was one of the strangest customers I've had in awhile. Just a little background, I work in a computer store that also does some tech work so a lot of the calls we get are are tech support that I can never help with over the phone unless it is very simple. Anyway this is the customer for the night, and this is a long one that lead to me leaving my store for good:

DK: Drunky

Me: Me

*Phone Rings
Me: Thanks for calling (store) this is Me
DK: Hi...*burp*...this is DK
Me: Hi DK, what can I help you out with?
DK: I have a computer problem.
Me: Okay, what's the problem.
DK: My (expletive) computer has a (gross expletive) white screen.
Me: Does it still have normal sounds on startup?
DK: Huh? Oh yeah, *burp*, it does.
Me: Sounds like your cable connecting the LCD to the computer.
DK: Do you like girls?
Me: Huh?
DK: Come on, just be straight up with me. How much is this going to cost to fix?
Me: (I am very confused, but can answer the computer question.) Well, depending on the model, it is likely to be $400 and we'd have to send it out, do you know if it's under warranty?
DK: Ok, so, what about the first question?
Me: Oh, well, if I see the model of PC, I could give you a better idea of what's wrong.
DK: Geez, I guess I'll have to come over *burp* there.
Me: Ok, I'm here till close, so I'll be able to help you, my name is.. (interuppted)
DK: Oh, I'm in the store.
Me: Huh? Where?
DK: I'm the guy over by the entrance on my computer trying to fix it.

I see the customer at this point and noticed him earlier acting strangely. This was odd. I hang up and head over to him and bring him over. I notice his PC and mention that it would be $400 to fix, he decides to get a new one and I mention we can get his data off for him for a change and put it on his new PC. He is upset it would take awhile to do like (24 hrs, we have ppl ahead of him). The data thing was the worst.

DK: So you can get my data.
Me: Yeah, no problem for X amount.
DK: Do you see the data.
Me: Yes, but we don't open anything, we just need to know what files in particular you need so we transfer the correct ones over.
DK: Is there a chance you might.
Me: By accident yes.
DK: I don't want you to see my sex of (this was horrible thing to say, but this guy probably belongs on "To Catch A Predator")
Me: .... If you have that on there and you're admitting to it now, I have to call the police.
DK: I'm just kidding.
Me: (I have the computer in the back and head back and call the manager, MNG)
MNG: What's up?
Me: That customer admitted to having (can't say) on his computer. We need to call the police.
MNG: Well, did you see it?
Me: No, he said there was.
MNG: Hmm, is he checking it in?
Me: No, he is buying a new computer, but I have good reason to believe there is bad stuff on here that would require police attention.

(Now normally, I have done this before and police did come on just a client admitting and that is company policy. The other managers normally call police, he is Drunk in public anyways.)

MNG: No reason to take a loss, get him his new PC and check him out.
Me: Excuse me?
MNG: We need the sale, ignore he said that?
Me: WHAT! No way.
MNG: Do it.
Me: (I head back to the drunkard and tell him we'll hold his computer in the back while we go out and find one, I notify a co-worker to call police instead).
DK: Alirght, this one (after picking one out).
Me: Good choice, hopefully the white screen of death doesn't happen to ya again.
DK: I got a PhD in math.
Me: Oh cool, I got a BS in physics, where did you do your phd.
DK: It was so long ago, I don't even remember.
Me: (You have no such degree sir, you lie). Okay.
DK: I need you to be straight up with me. Is this a good computer?
Me: yes, it will.. (interrupt)
DK: You didn't hear me (I see the police now) will this be a good computer?
Me: ....it will work, I promise, (I then give egr specs on why it is better than his old one).
DK: Alright, *huge burp* bye!
Me: You driving home.
DK: Yup.
Me: Bye
DK: You do well.

I then rush to the police outside and explain the situation, we still have the PC in the back, I hand it over to the police and they talk to the guy and pick him up after he tries to drive home. I don't know what happened but he was stopped and that's the point. I'm sure they took care of it. My manager is a horrible person and she laid into me about calling w/o her approval. She mentioned that sales are all that matters and I'm technically not a sales person and am definitely more motivated by doing the right thing than sales. I explain to her I was following policy and she prepared a write-up that I refused to sign. I then quit my job, my last day is tomorrow. What a horrible motto, we need the sale business is not cool when it comes to serious crime.

Sorry this was soooo long, but I hate this guy and this job. I needed to rant about it.

[CorDarei]

I know I'm concentrating on the wrong thing but.... $400 to repair a cable leading to his monitor? Mebbe I read it wrong.

Guy was a douche, because that's not something u joke about, even when drunk.

[dan]

Yeah, I know, I don't set the price on these things. I've noticed some repairs for those on the laptops and think it is expensive myself. Most of the time, since usually it is a warranty issue, it's always covered, but he was WELL outside of warranty (his computer was six years old).

[Keiara]

Wow...... You did the right thing. Good luck with finding a new job.

[TimmyHate]

First off - Definatly did the right thing. Even if he was joking he was a D.I.P and D.I.C as well.

Secondly - Do you know for a fact if there was any (can't say) on his computer? I would imagine if there was you would be contacted as a witness...but I don't know.

[Teskeria]

you did the right thing. Kudos to you. And your manager needs a brain transplant. If you have to make a statement, make sure you make a complete statement, including the fact your manager told you to ignore the (possible) crime in favor of making money.

[KMCA]

ok, I'm confused. You made the sale, THEN he was arrested... Manager was upset why? You made the sale and THEN you made it safer for kids... I fail to see why you aren't recieving a medal

[VComps]

I know I'm concentrating on the wrong thing but.... $400 to repair a cable leading to his monitor? Mebbe I read it wrong.

'twas likely a laptop.

[brucetiki]

Couldn't the manager be charged with being an accessory?

[Hanzoku]

You can probably get the manager in trouble with the labor board if you were written up for calling the police in regard to a crime and she told you to ignore criminal activity in favor of making a minor sale. (If you're selling a laptop at $400, the store's barely making a profit.)

[sirwired]

I know I'm concentrating on the wrong thing but.... $400 to repair a cable leading to his monitor? Mebbe I read it wrong.

On a laptop, the "cable" to the monitor is an extremely thin ribbon. It can get cracked or dislodged, and the only way to access it is to take apart the display and/or system chassis. This is a real pain in the ass with a lot of delicate parts and tiny, little, easy-to-lose screws.

SirWired

[Hyena Dandy]

I'm pretty sure that your manager's behavior was illegal. Even if he didn't have that, its still illegal. At least as far as I know.

[tropicsgoddess]

Wow. That's just incredibly wrong to ignore something so illegal and wrong all just to get a sale. Good luck on your job search!

[mikoyan29]

You know I've read alot of stupid things on this website, but this one has to be one of the worst. First of all she says that the sale is more important than the crime. And depending on the nature of the pictures (if they were on there), if its kiddie porn that is crossing into international law territory. Plus the guy was obviously drunk. Sadly, she couldn't have been on the road when he was going home maybe then she'd realize why it would be important that the crime is more important than the sale. Of course, she would be probably be one of those jackasses that say, "Gee, why can't the cops keep people like that off the road".

[Salesmonkey]

The magic words in this situation are "hostile work environment". Most solicitors will take a case like thin on contingency basis. Cha-Ching!