Genderalising The Problem
(I work in a plumbing and heating store. I am one of three females on the staff. For clarity, the toilet roughs are the lines that run from the base of toilet to the wall.)
Customer: “I need a new toilet rough for [really popular toilet that we sell].”
Me: “Okay, do you know what size?”
Customer: “11 Inches.”
Me: “Do you mean 12 inches? Those toilet roughs only come in 10, 12, and 14 inches.”
Customer: “No, I mean 11 inches. I asked my plumber and he said that is what it uses.”
Me: “Well, the end of the valve will be in the wall, so it could appear to be only 11 inches. The entire thing, however, would be 12 inches. We have lots of those in stock.”
Customer: “No, it’s eleven inches! God, why do they hire girls to do these jobs?”
Me: “Did your plumber measure the area for the toilet?”
Customer: “No, he just knows what toilet it is, unlike you!”
Me: “Sir, what you want is not made. The rough you want comes in 10, 12, and 14 inches. It won’t be the 10 or 14 inch rough that you need, since you bought the 12 inch. You have the industry standard of 12 inches, like most people. Now, your price for that would be $68.25.”
Customer: “Can I get someone who knows what they are doing now? I don’t want to give you money. I cannot believe a place like this bothered to hire women.”
Me: “Sir, you can go to any plumbing house in this city and they will all tell you that what you want does not exist. I sell this toilet every week. It’s a 12 inch rough.”
Customer: “Give. ME. Someone. Who. Knows. What. They. Are. Talking. About!”
(I call the boss.)
Boss: “What is the problem here?”
Customer: “She doesn’t know her job! I bought this toilet from you and she won’t give me the right rough!”
Boss: “What size rough do you need?”
Customer: “11!”
Boss: “This brand does not make an eleven. It comes in 10, 12, or 14. The one you bought requires a 12 inch rough.”
Customer: *to me* “Why didn’t you tell me that!”
Male Coworker: “She did. Many times. You refused to listen and were too busy being focused on her gender.”
Customer: “I did not! Give me the right valve!”
Boss: “No. Go somewhere else.”
Customer: “But I bought the toilet here!”
Boss: ‘Then what happened to the rough it came with?”
Customer: “I lost it.”
Boss: “Not my problem.”
Question of the Week
Have you ever served a bad customer who got what they deserved?
