Is the customer really always right? What they said/what you wish could say...

Bèsame* · 12-17-2016, 12:49 AM

Busy busy, this time of the year. What this customer said to me today, took me by surprise, and so did my reaction.

I tweaked a price for a pair of boots, to reorder them. She originally paid less, and I exchanged at a higher price. She says, so if these don't work, will I get my money back on how I originally paid ? I said, just come back to see me, smiling as I said it.

She goes...what if your not here anymore? (This exchange will be back to her next week). I said, Ill be here, I'm not going anywhere.

She then seriously says, "but what if you die?"

"I'm not going to die...what if you die? Why would you say that? We aren't going anywhere"

She back tracked for the next 10 min.

In the end , Hoilday greetings were exchanged and off she went.

homoe · 12-17-2016, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bèsame*

Busy busy, this time of the year. What this customer said to me today, took me by surprise, and so did my reaction.

I tweaked a price for a pair of boots, to reorder them. She originally paid less, and I exchanged at a higher price. She says, so if these don't work, will I get my money back on how I originally paid ? I said, just come back to see me, smiling as I said it.

She goes...what if your not here anymore? (This exchange will be back to her next week). I said, Ill be here, I'm not going anywhere.

She then seriously says, "but what if you die?"

"I'm not going to die...what if you die? Why would you say that? We aren't going anywhere"

She back tracked for the next 10 min.

In the end , Hoilday greetings were exchanged and off she went.

Weird indeed BUT people do just drop dead! Poor Alan, playing hockey with his son one minute, dead the next

Bèsame* · 12-17-2016, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homoe

Weird indeed BUT people do just drop dead! Poor Alan, playing hockey with his son one minute, dead the next

I know, but she was more worried over her boots/money, than my life...hmmmmm

JDeere · 12-17-2016, 08:30 AM

No they aren't always right. I know as a customer I haven't always been right. I've only worked retail as a young kid but was in the back unloasing trucks, so I don't really have any stories.

Gemme · 12-17-2016, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bèsame*

I know, but she was more worried over her boots/money, than my life...hmmmmm

Unless you had a personal history with her, there's no reason to expect more. She came to buy something at your store, so it was always about the money.

homoe · 12-25-2016, 11:51 PM

Today when I heard that Macy's after Christmas one day sale started at 7 a.m I thanks my lucky stars I no longer worked retail

Gemme · 12-26-2016, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homoe

Today when I heard that Macy's after Christmas one day sale started at 7 a.m I thanks my lucky stars I no longer worked retail

Some stores open before sunrise.

Orema · 12-26-2016, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemme

Unless you had a personal history with her, there's no reason to expect more. She came to buy something at your store, so it was always about the money.

There is reason to expect more. We don't need to have history nor a connection for me to expect common decency from another human being. This customer was unnecessarily rude and shocking. Good on Besame for calling her on it by asking why. Hopefully, Besame's question will cause this customer to think twice before asking someone else what to do if they die (or get fired, or any other tragic event).

*Anya* · 12-26-2016, 10:14 AM

My "customers" are not always right.

They have the added disadvantage of either being a decompensated mentally ill person or an intoxicated one.

In either case, they are not really able to listen in order to process information I am trying to tell them.

I try to be super-patient and talk in a quiet voice. Usually, it helps to deescalate their behavior and their defensiveness is lowered.

We have sheriffs in the building that walk our floors hourly. If all else fails, I ask the secretary to call the sheriff.

Neither of our sherriff staff are reactive or aggressive. Sometimes, just having the client see the sheriff, calms them back down to reality.

Once that happens, they are more able to listen to the treatment plan.

Sometimes after treatment and sobriety, they call and thank me for the help. One last month even sent me a thank you card.

That was awesome to receive.

12-17-2016, 12:49 AM	#1
Bèsame* Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Femm Preferred Pronoun?: She Relationship Status: loved by many Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Closer to the waves Posts: 15,420 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 29,168 Thanked 41,017 Times in 10,768 Posts Rep Power: 21474865	Busy busy, this time of the year. What this customer said to me today, took me by surprise, and so did my reaction. I tweaked a price for a pair of boots, to reorder them. She originally paid less, and I exchanged at a higher price. She says, so if these don't work, will I get my money back on how I originally paid ? I said, just come back to see me, smiling as I said it. She goes...what if your not here anymore? (This exchange will be back to her next week). I said, Ill be here, I'm not going anywhere. She then seriously says, "but what if you die?" "I'm not going to die...what if you die? Why would you say that? We aren't going anywhere" She back tracked for the next 10 min. In the end , Hoilday greetings were exchanged and off she went. __________________ kisses A kiss is a whisper in your mouth. Can I borrow a kiss? I promise to give it back.

12-26-2016, 10:14 AM	#9
Anya Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Lesbian non-stone femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, her Relationship Status: Committed to being good to myself Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: West Coast Posts: 8,258 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 39,306 Thanked 40,445 Times in 7,285 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	My "customers" are not always right. They have the added disadvantage of either being a decompensated mentally ill person or an intoxicated one. In either case, they are not really able to listen in order to process information I am trying to tell them. I try to be super-patient and talk in a quiet voice. Usually, it helps to deescalate their behavior and their defensiveness is lowered. We have sheriffs in the building that walk our floors hourly. If all else fails, I ask the secretary to call the sheriff. Neither of our sherriff staff are reactive or aggressive. Sometimes, just having the client see the sheriff, calms them back down to reality. Once that happens, they are more able to listen to the treatment plan. Sometimes after treatment and sobriety, they call and thank me for the help. One last month even sent me a thank you card. That was awesome to receive. __________________ ~Anya~ Democracy Dies in Darkness ~Washington Post "...I'm deeply concerned by recently adopted policies which punish children for their parents’ actions ... The thought that any State would seek to deter parents by inflicting such abuse on children is unconscionable." UN Human Rights commissioner

12-17-2016, 08:30 AM	#4
JDeere Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Transgender Preferred Pronoun?: He/him/his Relationship Status: Single Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 17,752 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 31,018 Thanked 28,833 Times in 9,708 Posts Rep Power: 21474865	No they aren't always right. I know as a customer I haven't always been right. I've only worked retail as a young kid but was in the back unloasing trucks, so I don't really have any stories.

12-25-2016, 11:51 PM	#6
homoe Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: ..... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 30 minute ferry ride from Seattle Posts: 38,565 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 20,811 Thanked 33,548 Times in 14,914 Posts Rep Power: 21474889	Today when I heard that Macy's after Christmas one day sale started at 7 a.m I thanks my lucky stars I no longer worked retail