Summer Suckery

[MiddleofNowhere]

This summer (and I'm not counting from the soulstice) has been just chock a bock with all sorts of asshats and EWs... here's a few that stick out.

Pants on Fire

One of the things we sell is 'high end' sunglasses, the kind that run $100 and up. When a customer returns a pair, (didn't like them, not the right style...) the sunglasses have to been inspected to identify 'excessive wear' so that 'used' glasses do not make it back to sales case. Some people like to get high-end glasses for a special event, then return them... I totally understand if you buy a pair thinking you'll like them and then just decide they're not right... don't feel good, etc... It's the scammers we're trying to stop.

I get a page to CS to examine some glasses a guy wants to return. As chief sunglass chick, it's kinda my job. Immediately I notice the hard case has mud all over it, no biggie, that I can clean up. Examining the glasses I notice several huge scratches in the lens, they've obviously been dropped, most likely on gravel.

Guy: Yeah, I bought these and decided after a couple hours they were too heavy.
Me: *mentally - these glasses weigh like a quarter of an ounce... asshat* Okay sir, is it possible these glasses were dropped, I'm seeing some scr..."
Guy: ARE YOU CALLING ME A LIAR? I TOLD YOU THAT I ONLY WORE THEM A COUPLE HOURS!!!!
Me: No sir, it's just that I noticed some scratches on the lens and I know we didn't sell them like that
GUY: YOU CALLING ME A LIAR???? THOSE SCRATCHES WERE ON THEM WHEN I BOUGHT THEM. THIS IS ABSOLUTE CRAP!
Me: (to CS person) Go ahead and return them, make sure they go in defectives bin. (our company policy is to go ahead and make customer happy to prevent a manager from being called)

Guy calms down and becomes sweet as pie. THEN, he makes the phenomenal mistake of telling me that he reps (sells) a product we carry in another one of our store areas. Boy he sure loves our store, etc, etc.

Okay, so it's okay for you to destroy a pair of glasses you buy from us and return them for a full refund of your money and treat me like crap by yelling at me and yet you think you can continue to sell your shitty product to us? Guess what bucko... I know the folks who buy your stuff and as of right now, they're being told what an asshat you are and how horrible you treated an associate of this store. I don't think you'll be selling your crap to us anymore.

Well, okay then...

One of my assistant managers paged me to help a customer in an area of the store. I approach customer who is using one of our long 'hooks' to get product down from higher area. We are always to help customers doing this for safety and service reasons.

Me: Hi sir! What size you looking for? (guy was pulling down polo shirts)
Guy: I'm fine...
Me: Okay sir, I can sure help you get the size you need quicker.
Guy: I said I'm fine! Were you the person told to come over here? I heard that page...
Me: Yes sir, just trying to help you out.
Guy: (throws down hook and polo) You know what, I like doing my shopping on my own, I won't be shopping here any longer... (guy stomps off)
Me: *blinks*

Really? It offends you that much that we offer personal customer service here? You know what? Kiss my ass. Customer service is what we're known for. I'm sorry you are such an antisocial bastard.

I'm gonna need a lot more beer to get through this summer...

[Raventhistle]

Ugh to both of them.

I have to remind myself that even though I've worked in retail it's not polite to use the hooks because the store could get in trouble if I hurt myself. I think a lot of stores hide their hooks behind the counters now because of that.

[Captain Trips]

I've (legitimately) used those hooks when not a store employee. Yes, legit. I used to work for an inventory company, and those hooks are sometimes the only way to count the merchandise. (Why do stores think that putting product up high, out of reach, will encourage people to buy them?)

But as a customer? I'm not covered by any insurance, I sure don't want to take a chance. "Excuse me, miss, can you help me get that product down so I can decide if I want to buy it? Thank you." (THAT's the proper way to "use a hook" - ask someone who's covered by insurance to do so!)

But I can understand the reaction to over-zealous sales staff. I have gotten anxiety attacks from every single orange apron at Home Despot asking if they can help me. I know it's their script, but there is such a thing as overkill...(I had to leave the store as quick as I could, it's just too overbearing.)

[Kogarashi]

Ugh. I remember having to tell people at the Wallyworld toy department that no, they're not allowed to climb on the ladders to get to stuff on the top shelf or, heaven forbid, the really big ladder with the "Employees Only" sign on it to get bikes off the top level of the bike rack. It's a safety hazard. Please get down or I'll have to call security. About half the time, they'd apologize that they didn't know, but the other half they got all indignant because "well, I couldn't find an employee!" Lady, I was two aisles away. You didn't look.

[Nyoibo]

I seem to remember once in one of these places that has stuff up really high some friends and I got stuff down without using any poles or anything.

The fun of running with a circus group.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

(Why do stores think that putting product up high, out of reach, will encourage people to buy them?)

A lack of storeroom space would be my guess.

[mhkohne]

A lack of storeroom space would be my guess.

I rather suspect it's believed that it's better visible and out of reach than out of sight and out of mind.

[BeenThereDoneThat]

My avatar. Nuff said.

[Miss Maple Leaf]

GUY: YOU CALLING ME A LIAR???? THOSE SCRATCHES WERE ON THEM WHEN I BOUGHT THEM. THIS IS ABSOLUTE CRAP!

"So, the glasses were already scratched when you picked them up, and yet you still chose to pay $100 for them rather than just grab a pair that wasn't scratched? Something around here is crap all right, but it isn't us."