A Rude A-Blabbering
(I’m ringing out a customer who is blabbing away on her cell phone.)
Me: “Your total is $13.47.”
Customer: *throws her card on the counter and continues blabbing*
Me: “Will that be debit or credit?”
Customer: *no answer*
Me: “Will that be debit or credit?”
Customer: *no answer*
Me: “Will that be debit or credit?”
Customer: *no answer*
(I put the card back in front of her and wait. Eventually, she realizes I’ve stopped and speaks to me.)
Customer: “What’s the problem?”
Me: “I was trying to ask if you would like debit or credit, but you wouldn’t give me an answer.”
Customer: “That’s probably because I’m on the phone having a conversation! God! Debit!”
Me: “Okay, please enter your PIN and hit the green button when you’re done.”
Customer: *ignores me and starts blabbing away on her phone again*
(I ask for her PIN a few more times, but after about thirty seconds, the credit card machine automatically cancels the transaction since no PIN has been entered.)
Customer: “Now what’s the problem?”
Me: “I asked you to enter your PIN a few times, but the machine timed out. I’m going to need to swipe your card again.”
Customer: *throws the card at me*
Me: “Okay, please enter your PIN and hit the green button when you’re done.”
(Once again, she isn’t paying attention. The machine times out. I put the card back on the counter in front of her and ask the next customer behind her if they are ready to be cashed out. The next customer approaches the counter and places her items down.)
Customer: “UMM, EXCUSE ME?! YOU’RE WAITING ON ME! ”
Me: “No, ma’am. I’ve been trying to wait on you for several minutes, but until you finish your phone call, I will not be able to complete your transaction.”
Customer: *to her cellphone* “Can you believe this? I’m being refused service because I’m on my phone. This is bulls***!” *to me* “YOU ARE EXTREMELY RUDE!”
(Fed up, the next customer speaks up on my behalf.)
Next Customer: “YOU’RE calling the cashier rude? You’re the one who has been holding up the line. The poor girl was trying to get you to enter your PIN for five minutes while you blurted out your personal business in front of a bunch of strangers. You need to learn some manners!”
Customer: *blushes and walks out of the store without her items*
This story is part of the People Who Should Get Off Their Phones roundup!
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Question of the Week
Tell us your story about a customer who couldn't understand the most simple concept.