Tweet
This happened awhile ago, but it’s still annoying me. Enjoy.
Background: I’m a computer tech working in a small shop. The front end is a dealer store for a nationwide chain selling cheap kitschy stuff. As a dealer store, that means we get national chain stock when corporate forgets we’re a dealer store, as opposed to a corporate store, and actually sends us stuff that we have ordered AND is in the current sales flyer.
An older customer was in earlier in the day needing a universal remote programmed. First thing he says to FEM is that after work she has to come over to his place to program this remote that he lost the book to. FEM points out that no she doesn’t, is not a tech, doesn’t even pretend to be a tech and doesn’t do any tech support stuff in case something bad happens. Very sensible IMO.
Later in the day when I get a couple free moments, I get the notes about the remote and the customers name and phone number from the Front End Manager and call the customer.
Thoughts/notes are in brackets
M: Opening spiel as to who I am, where I am calling from, when should I schedule this, etc.
C: Why can’t you come now? (besides the fact that it is now the end of the day, I’m dead tired, and have other commitments already?)
M: During store hours, if I leave the store I am supposed to bill out at (rate1) for the first 30 minutes, (rate2)/hr afterwards. (Remember, computer tech, primary business is repairing computer systems, not tv/dvd/satellite/etc.) I do some work on the side (Yes, boss knows and notes with business owner, only way to make a good wage most days), but the next chunk of time I have for something like this won’t be until next week.
C: ... JUST DO THE (Your?)
JOB. QUIT JACKING AROUND!!!1!! *then the click of a phone being hung up*
M:
When I relayed the conversation to FEM, FEM pointed out that it’s not our problem/responsibility that the customer lost the instruction book.
Boss had left early that day, and who happens to call me while I’m driving home after work?
B: Checking in on how the rest of the day went, what happened with remote guy, etc?
M: *relayed conversation with SC, word for word through Bluetooth device while driving.*
B: ... Sooo, you’re not going to remote guy’s place then?
M: Nope. In fact, I’m almost at *community in opposite direction I go through to get home*
B: Good, there’s no call for behaviour like that.
I should note, boss is usually right beside me in the trenches everyday, he knows what a lot of customers are like.
Background: I’m a computer tech working in a small shop. The front end is a dealer store for a nationwide chain selling cheap kitschy stuff. As a dealer store, that means we get national chain stock when corporate forgets we’re a dealer store, as opposed to a corporate store, and actually sends us stuff that we have ordered AND is in the current sales flyer.
An older customer was in earlier in the day needing a universal remote programmed. First thing he says to FEM is that after work she has to come over to his place to program this remote that he lost the book to. FEM points out that no she doesn’t, is not a tech, doesn’t even pretend to be a tech and doesn’t do any tech support stuff in case something bad happens. Very sensible IMO.
Later in the day when I get a couple free moments, I get the notes about the remote and the customers name and phone number from the Front End Manager and call the customer.
Thoughts/notes are in brackets
M: Opening spiel as to who I am, where I am calling from, when should I schedule this, etc.
C: Why can’t you come now? (besides the fact that it is now the end of the day, I’m dead tired, and have other commitments already?)
M: During store hours, if I leave the store I am supposed to bill out at (rate1) for the first 30 minutes, (rate2)/hr afterwards. (Remember, computer tech, primary business is repairing computer systems, not tv/dvd/satellite/etc.) I do some work on the side (Yes, boss knows and notes with business owner, only way to make a good wage most days), but the next chunk of time I have for something like this won’t be until next week.
C: ... JUST DO THE (Your?)
JOB. QUIT JACKING AROUND!!!1!! *then the click of a phone being hung up*M:
When I relayed the conversation to FEM, FEM pointed out that it’s not our problem/responsibility that the customer lost the instruction book.
Boss had left early that day, and who happens to call me while I’m driving home after work?
B: Checking in on how the rest of the day went, what happened with remote guy, etc?
M: *relayed conversation with SC, word for word through Bluetooth device while driving.*
B: ... Sooo, you’re not going to remote guy’s place then?
M: Nope. In fact, I’m almost at *community in opposite direction I go through to get home*
B: Good, there’s no call for behaviour like that.
I should note, boss is usually right beside me in the trenches everyday, he knows what a lot of customers are like.
Comment