Butting In
(My job involves calling people to set up demos. During one such phone call, the following occurs.)
Me: “Hello, is [Wife’s Name] there?”
Customer: “No, she’s not at home right now. This is her husband.”
Me: “Okay, is there a better time for me to reach her?”
(Suddenly, I hear someone pick up the phone. It’s a child’s voice, and very audible.)
Young Voice: “Hello?”
Customer: *ignores her* “Well, what are you calling in reference to?”
Young Voice: “Dad?”
Me: “I’m friends with [Friend], and she said your wife might be nice enough to help me out with something.”
Young Voice: “Dad?”
Customer: *to his kid* “One second, sweetie.” *to me* “You know, why don’t I take a message?”
Young Voice: “Dad?”
Me: “Yeah, that works, too.”
Young Voice: “Dad?”
Customer: “Okay, what’s your name?”
Me: “I’m [My Name].”
Young Voice: “Dad? Can you come upstairs, please?”
Customer: *to his kid* “Just give me a minute!” *to me* “And how do you spell that?”
Me: *I spell it out*
Young Voice: “Dad?”
Customer: “And your phone number?”
Young Voice: “Dad?”
Me: “It’s [area code]—”
Young Voice: “Dad?”
Me: *says the next three digits*
Young Voice: “DAD? DAAAAAD?”
Customer: “Sorry, could you repeat that?”
Me: *repeats the next three digits*
Customer: “Okay.”
Me: *says the next four digits*
Young Voice: “DAD!”
Customer: “Just a minute, please!” *to me* “Could you repeat that again?”
Me: *repeats the next four digits*
Customer: “Okay, so that’s [My Name] at [phone number]. I’ll make sure she gets that. Thanks.”
Young Voice: “DAD, I NEED YOU TO COME UPSTAIRS AND WIPE MY BUTT!”
Customer: *click*
Question of the Week
Have you ever served a bad customer who got what they deserved?