Has Not Registered The Lack Of Pockets
(A customer brings some items to my register and I ring them up. The total is £5.50, and she hands me a £10 note. I’ve come across this scam many times, so rather than putting the customer’s money straight into the register, I always place it on top until the transaction is complete, and put it in the drawer at the last moment. It is summer, and I am wearing a light summer dress with no pockets.)
Me: “Thanks, your change is £4.50, and here’s your receipt.”
Customer: *staring at the money but not taking it* “I gave you a £20 note.”
Me: “No, sorry, you paid with a £10 note. Your change is £4.50.”
Customer: “No! I gave you a £20 note! You’re trying to short-change me!”
Me: *smiling* “You gave me £10. This £10.” *I point at the note sitting on the register* “Your change is £4.50.”
Customer: *red-faced and irate* “Get your manager!”
(My manager is at a desk right behind me, and has heard everything.)
Manager: “Can I help?”
Customer: “She’s trying to steal my money! I gave her a £20, but she’s only giving me change for a £10!”
Manager: *peering into my cash drawer* “Well, the drawer has two £5 notes, and about three £10 notes in it, but no £20 notes. Where exactly is the £20 note you paid with?”
Customer: “Um… she must have pocketed it!”
(The manager steps back, and makes a point of slowly looking up and down at my clearly pocketless outfit.)
Manager: “Right… and where exactly would she have put it?”
Customer: “Er…”
Manager: “Right.” *to me* “Give her the change from the £10.”
Me: “Here you go, £4.50!”
Customer: “F*** you!”
Manager: *to me* “I’ll make you a cup of tea. I think you need it.”
This story is part of our Scammer roundup!
Question of the Week
Have you ever served a bad customer who got what they deserved?