Accepting A Return With Explosive Force

It is back in the 1970s, and our store sells kerosene lanterns. A customer comes in to return his lantern.

Me: “What’s the problem with the lantern?”

Customer: “It won’t stay lit.”

Me: “Okay, what happens when you try to light it?”

Customer: “I do just like the instructions tell me. I pump the lantern, but when I put a match to it, I just get a big fireball and it goes right back out.”

Me: “What are you using to fuel your lantern?”

Customer: “Gasoline.”

Me: “Gasoline is highly flammable, with a low-temperature flashpoint! You should only use kerosine for these lamps.”

Customer: “No, I wanna use gasoline.”

Me: “Well, the lantern is, in fact, broken. Let me return that for you.”

Later, my manager asked why I accepted a return. When I explained:

Manager: “Good call. Probably saved that guy’s life.”