Different Brush Strokes For Different Folks

I work in the art supply section of a large department store. A customer places a used brush on the counter.

Customer: “Hi. I need a refund for this paintbrush. It’s defective.”

Me: “Okay, what seems to be the issue with it?”

Customer: “I tried using it and the paint didn’t go on the canvas the way I expected. It left streaks.”

Me: “What kind of paint were you using?”

Customer: “Wall paint. The matte kind.”

Me: “This brush is for oil painting on canvas.”

Customer: “It’s still paint, isn’t it?”

Me: “Technically… but they’re very different tools for very different purposes.”

Customer: “Well, you people should label them better. It just said fine detail brush. I thought that meant it would paint clean edges near the trim.”

Me: “Right… detail brush for oil paint.”

Customer: “I want a refund. It didn’t do what I wanted.”

Me: “Unfortunately, we can’t accept returns on used art brushes, especially ones used with house paint.”

Customer: “That’s ridiculous. It’s false advertising.”

Me: “This brush is from this department, called Professional Art Supplies.”

Customer: “Then why don’t you sell wall paint brushes in the same aisle?”

Me: “Because we assume most of our customers don’t intend to oil-paint their living rooms.”

Customer: “Well, I still want a refund!”

I called a manager over, who explained to her that she would not be getting a refund.

Customer: “You should sell wall paint brushes in the same aisle as all the other brushes so that we can make informed decisions!”

Manager: “Ma’am, do you expect to find scissors in the same section as lawnmowers?”

Customer: “No? What does that have to do with anything?”

Manager: “Well, painting a wall with a fine art brush would be like mowing your lawn with a pair of scissors, so using your logic, they should each be stocked together…”

Customer: “Oh, you’re all useless!” *Storms off.*

That happened last year, and she hasn’t been back. She’s probably still painting that wall…