Customers from hell

@911Ricki (13588)
Canada
November 25, 2012 5:15pm CST
I am use to working more in fast food for the last 8 years. We usually dont get horrible customers, unless you make the order wrong, but during Christmas time they are insane crazy ladies (pushing to buy things and argueing). This lady came into work, with her daughter roughly around 12 years old. They just got a puppy, and by the way this mother was rude and ignorent she didnt want the dog, her daughter did. The entire time she was using our phone to phone the breeder because she didnt ask what type of food she had the dog on (common sense). We dont sell the food as its only available from the vets (and triple to cost). Her daughter was running around saying I want this, or this. I cashed her out, and it was $85.00 and she started arguing with me that its ridiculous, and trying to get discounts out of us. A dog toy that has been discontiues has a sticker on it (so we know), and she starts argueing saying it has 0.00 on it so that means its free, meanwhile there is another sticker saying $3.00. I tried explaining to her then just walked off and gave up. She wasnt getting it free, and she kept going well if its discontinued you should just give it to me. She kept saying I dont have time for this or the money and repeating it. I was ready to say if you dont have the time to come in the store and buy dog food, or the money to buy it then why did you pay at least $1,500 for this pure bred puppy. If she doesnt have time now, I feel so bad for this dog and I am sure it will end up at one of the local shelter. She then was whining about a toy that was advetsied at 0.89 cents and was 0.99 cents on the bill. So I had to void the entire order, then redo it. She then screaming she doesnt have time to be in the store to begin with, she has to go here or there (so why did you come in our store and spend an hour and a half aimlessly picking things out using our phone).
1 person likes this
10 responses
@STOUTjodee (3572)
• United States
26 Nov 12
If the lady was so unhappy with the store, why didn't she just leave her stuff and walk out? Granted, it might have made more work for you, but at least she would have been out of your face! Some people are so rude!
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
26 Nov 12
I said that to my coworker, if I am unhappy with a company or service I will walk out without spending my money. Either way I get paid, and she got nothing of what she wanted.
• United States
25 Nov 12
I work retail and I know how you feel. There are some people who just can't be pleased. At my job now I work as a cash register lead and pretty much every day I work I have people picking apart the shoes or accessories trying to find a problem so they can get a discount. I don't mind going out of my way for a nice, pleasant customer. But it really annoys me when people are rude and expect me to go on a hunt for something that they want. It's something I'll never get used to.
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
26 Nov 12
I know customers do that do us, and if you cant afford it then dont buy it. I know so many complain about the cost they are spending on their animals, then say Ill go feed them table scraps or cheap food. That is their decision not mine, I feed my animals good food, but also budget for it.
@BarBaraPrz (45685)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
25 Nov 12
Obviously off her meds... Some people just like to make a scene. Makes them feel important.
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
26 Nov 12
I think that is all it is, or she thinks she will get something out of it.
1 person likes this
@Raine38 (12257)
• United States
25 Nov 12
Is she high? Maybe she thinks being a customer and acting that way will get her her way around you guys. Good thing you kept your cool and never gave in to her. She's clearly setting a very good example to her kid. Not!
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
26 Nov 12
I think that is what she expect that the customer is always right and gets what she wants. Shes setting a real good example for her child.
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
25 Nov 12
Omg what was wrong with her?? Some people. Thanks for sharing with us here.
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
26 Nov 12
I agree, I wonder what is going on in their mind. I dont argue back, I simple stand there and think why am I doing this job to be screamed at. No point in arguing back it will just make them worse.
• United Arab Emirates
6 Dec 12
Customers can at times be really rude or out of line but we in customer service should be professional at all times to please them. In this scenario, you could have empathize with the client by saying that you know how she feels about buying a pet you don't want to but in order to make her child happy, she has to. Tell her that she's a good mom for taking the effort and making time to make her child happy. In the end, the child will remember this. Also, in scenarios like this, try to be extra patient with the customer. Give utmost customer service so that when customers are satisfied, they will surely go back to your store and buy more goods.
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
26 Nov 12
I have also worked mostly in fast food. My last job I was the assistant manager, so I spent a lot of time dealing with customers who were upset about something. Some people can just not be made happy no matter what you do. It sounds like this woman was just looking for an argument.
@trisha27 (3494)
• United States
4 Dec 12
Yep, its the exactly like this were I work at. Its like people get really antsy around this time of the year. I totally agree with you though, if this lady was such in a rush and had so much stuff that she had to do, then why the heck did she come in the store and spend all that time that she didn't have shopping for items. And wow, 1500 dollars for a dog. What kind of dog was it. Yeah, if she don't have the money and she is complaining about prices on items and trying to get stuff for free. Then why the heck did she spend money on a 1500 dollar dog. That is just crazy. Even if I did have the money, I don't think I would spend that much money on a dog. I do also feel sorry for that dog, cause yeah you're probably right, it will either end up in the shelter or worse thrown on the street. Poor puppy.
@rog0322 (2829)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
26 Nov 12
Hi, Times like that, all I can do is do nothing or else I may end up hurting the lady. She give me unfair treatment, I can respond in kind but it is more safe to be silent and just listen to the barrage. As long as it doesn't harm me physically, it is alright.
@Arieles (2473)
• United States
26 Nov 12
Wow! What an insane day you had with this customer. Sometimes, customers can be rude like this one talking on her phone while trying to order food. How are you suppose to follow along? Does she think you are a magician or something? She's carrying on three conversations, one with you, one with her daughter and one on the phone, you'd have to be a magician to get all of that. Personally, I think I would tell her I will take your order when you are finished with your conversation on the phone. I've had people do this to me while cashing out at the store. They're ignorant at best, their service will be sloppy, because they can't focus on either conversation. I wonder how their friends feel if they try to do this to them while visiting with them. There really is no need for anyone to be so rude. It just shows their character.