I work at a well-known “bohemian” retail store that always has a huge inventory, especially around the holidays.

We are especially slammed one day when a customer comes up to me holding a dress I have never seen before, which is very common as we accept many online returns, even if the item is usually not sold in-store.

Customer: “Do you have this dress in any other sizes?”

Me: “That dress doesn’t look familiar; it might be an online-only item. But I could be wrong. Let me check the system for you!”

I scan the dress, and sure enough, our system says that’s the only one in stock. I explain this to the customer and she storms off. Five minutes later, I am talking to my manager when I feel something thrown at my back.

Customer: *Screaming* “You filthy liar! Do you not want my business? I found the dress in the size I wanted. Why did you lie to me earlier?”

She has thrown a dress at me, which apparently was entered into our system incorrectly.

Me: “I’m sorry for the confusion, ma’am. It must not have been scanned in properly when it was returned. Isn’t this a good thing, though? Now you can try on the size you want!”

Customer: “No! I will not buy from filthy liars like you! You’re just racist!”

Me: “…”

My manager not only backed me up but let me go on break. I love it when customers are in the holiday spirit!

My house is located right on the edge of [Town #1]; the house across the street is in [Town #2]. I placed an order with a large home improvement company, putting my address in as [Town #1] for the delivery. The day it was due to be delivered, I got an email saying there was an issue. I called customer service. 

Me: “Hi, I was told there’s an issue with my delivery?”

Customer Service: “Yes, we have [my address using Town #1] but our delivery service is telling us it’s [my address using Town #2]. Can you verify so we can change the address?”

Me: “[My address with Town #1] is correct.”

Customer Service: “Okay, so, I have [my address with Town #2]—”

Me: “No, not [Town #2], [Town #1].”

Customer Service: “Ma’am, our delivery service does not recognize your address with [Town #1]. It has to be [Town #2].”

Me: “It’s not. I run into this problem all the time, but my legal address is in [Town #1]. [Town #2] is across the street, so I understand the confusion, but I assure you, it’s [Town #1].”

Customer Service: “Could you do me a favor, miss? Please read me your address as it appears on your driver’s license or utility bill.”

Me: “Okay. It’s [my address in Town #1].”

Customer Service: *Quiet sigh* “Okay, miss. Let me put you on hold.”

Ten minutes pass.

Customer Service: “Thank you for holding. Unfortunately, the address you insist on using is not valid, so we have cancelled your order. You should get your money back in seven to fourteen business days.”

Me: “What?! Are you serious?”

Customer Service: “Yes, ma’am. If you cannot provide a valid shipping address, we cannot ship to you. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

Me: “No. We’re done here.”

I hung up, upset. I debated leaving a negative review online but decided it wasn’t worth my energy. Instead, I placed an order with their competitor, using my address in [Town #1], and I had it waiting on my doorstep in a few days. I also did an Internet search using my address in [Town #2], and guess what I found? It doesn’t exist!

During an insanely busy weekend before Christmas, a woman is complaining to every associate about how messy our store is. The manager has relieved the girl at the fitting room and is helping to hang stuff. This woman pulls her crap and is trying to make a point that we are messy and a horrible place to shop.

Manager: *Roughly* “Ma’am, we’re messy at the moment because we’re a popular store, and the biggest reason we’re messy is because of people like you who can’t be bothered to pick up after themselves. It’s not the associates making the mess; it’s people like you. Your type has us outnumbered.”

That was the first time I actually witnessed someone deflate.

I was working at the register, talking to a lady who worked for a loan company about how to get a loan for Christmas shopping. She gave me some information and then left. I checked out a few other people and then got back to doing some neatening up around the register.

A woman approached my register and handed me $100. She had overheard my conversation with the loan lady, so she withdrew the money for me. I made sure with my manager that I could accept the money and he said yes. It was a real shock, and I was thankful for the generosity.

I’m working at a big box store when a customer comes up to me.

Customer: “I’m looking for one of those things that you hang outside. They start big, and they get smaller, and you hang them outside.”

I am completely confused.

Me: “What are they used for?”

Customer: “You hang them outside.”

Me: “What exactly hangs outside?”

Customer: “Well, if you don’t know, then you don’t know.”

The customer then walked away.