A Dogged Request, Part 2

(I am a cashier at a pet store that has a grooming salon. The customer is a very snotty woman who has a ticket from the groomers to ring up.)

Customer: “I have a complaint about the service!”

Me: “I’m sorry to hear that. I can get a manager for you to speak to.”

Customer: “I don’t want to speak to a manager.”

Me: “Well, maybe I can help you. What seems to be the problem?”

Customer: “I got this grooming and styling service for my Pomeranian, and the groomers asked if I’d like bows in her hair!”

Me: “Okay. I’m not understanding what the problem is.”

Customer: “I told them that would be alright. So I just got my dog back, and they did it all wrong. I don’t like the color of the ribbons they used. They’re ugly.”

Me: “They used a different color than what you specified? Did you ask them to use different ones?”

Customer: “No, I didn’t ask for any other color. I just don’t like them.”

Me: “Oh, well I’m sorry about that. I hope you have a nice day.” *continues to ring her up*

Customer: “Wait a minute, aren’t you going to do something?”

Me: “Well, if you don’t like the color, I’m sure the groomer will be happy to let you pick out different ribbons.”

Customer: “I don’t want to.”

Me: “If they’re that ugly you could always just remove them.”

Customer: “I don’t want to do that. I want you to do something about it.”

Me: “Ma’am, I’m just the cashier. The employees in the salon would be able to help you.”

Customer: “I don’t want to talk to them. They are the ones who messed up. Why can’t you do something?”

Me: “I’m just a lowly cashier. A manager might be able to arrange a solution for you.”

Customer: “I already told you, I don’t want to talk to a manager!”

(The line is getting backed up, and other customers are grumbling.)

Me: “I don’t know what you expect me to do to help you. I’ve offered solutions. You don’t want the issue to be corrected. You don’t want to talk to anyone in the correct department. You just want me to do ‘something’. Why are you complaining to the cashier but refuse to talk to anyone else?”

Customer: “Well… I don’t think I should have to pay for this! I think I should at least get a discount!”

Me: “I see, so you’re complaining to me because I’m running the register, and you don’t want the problem corrected because you want something for nothing. Sorry, but you’ve received an $80 grooming, styling and nail cutting service. The ribbons are complimentary and not included. You already got them for free.”

Customer: *flustered* “I… how dare you try to accuse a paying customer? This is slander! You should be fired for speaking to me that way! I want to speak to your manager!”

(Just then, another customer in line behind her speaks up.)

Customer In Line: “No, you didn’t want to speak to a manager, remember?! Why don’t you let actual paying customers, who aren’t trying to rip this place off, buy our stuff and go home?”

Customer: “Are you going to let him verbally attack me like that? I demand you do something!”

Me: “Okay, that’s it! I’m calling the manager…”

(When the manager comes out and listens to her story, the other customer makes sure he hears my side. The manager asks one of the groomers if the woman had complained or asked for different ribbons. According to the groomer, the customer had told them everything was fine and the dog looked great. In the end, the customer is escorted aside to pay like a delinquent, while hanging her head in humiliation the whole time.)