Unfiltered Story #190592

(This happened several years ago while I was working as a pet trainer for a large pet supply retail chain. The store sells several kinds of bark collars, including shock collars, and most employees will try to direct the customer to a trainer to see if additional help can be provided for behavior modification instead of using a shock collar. Also note that certain breeds of dogs have a very high pain tolerance and so certain collars do not work well on them.)

I’m at the front of the store when I see this happen:

Customer: (slams shock collar down on counter) “I want you to give me my money back, it doesn’t work.”

Co-worker: “I’m sorry to hear that, sir. Did you already try switching out the batteries for new ones? It’s possible the batteries it came with were old.”

Customer: “I TRIED that already and the f***ing thing doesn’t work.

Co-worker: “And you also checked the level setting, turned it to a higher one?”

Customer: “YES! It’s on the highest one, but the dog just keeps barking and I want my f***ing money back”.

Co-worker: “No problem. If you have the receipt, I’ll get the return started. Our pet trainer (points to me) is here, she may be able to help you…”

Customer: “I JUST WANT my dog to STOP barking and for this piece of s*** collar I paid for to work! It doesn’t work! See?!?”

Customer then picks the collar up off the counter, proceeds to place it against his neck, and then barks. The collar quite obviously shocks him very hard, a red mark had already started forming on his neck when he moved it away.

Without a word, he sets down the collar on the counter, turns and walks out of the store.

My co-worker and I stared at each other completely dumbfounded. If I had not seen this happen right in front of me, I wouldn’t have believed it.