Look Out For The Always Looking, Part 2

(We close early at 5 on Sundays, which usually throws some customers who assume we are open until our regular time. Most customers get the hint when the lights automatically dim at closing and the music is turned off. Sometimes, however, customers still don’t get the hint. A couple and their young daughter walk in at 4:55 and begin shopping around. By 5:20, they are the only ones left in the store and seem to have no idea that we’re closed. I decide to go up to them to see if they need any help.)

Me: “Hi, can I help you guys find anything today?”

Customer: “Nope, we’re finding everything all right, thanks.”

Me: “Okay, great! Just so you know, we are closing soon, so just let me know if I can help you find anything.”

Customer: *brushing me away* “Uh-huh, thanks.”

(About 15 more minutes pass. The store is recovered immaculately and the closing team is literally just waiting for these customers to check out so we can close the last register and go home. I decide to try one more time.)

Me: “Are you three still doing all right?”

Customer: “Yeah, we’re doing fine. Just looking around still!”

Me: “Okay…”

(At this point, the family begins to head to the dressing room to try clothes on. I’m beginning to get pretty annoyed and impatient, so I turn to my coworker.)

Me: “[Coworker], what time is it?”

Coworker: “It’s 5:40.”

Me: *sighing* “Guess we’re not going home any time soon.”

Customer: *turns around cheerfully surprised* “Oh! By the way, what time do you guys close?”

Coworker: “We actually closed at five.”

Customer: “Oh, silly me! We’ll get going now.”

(The family ended up using a rewards points coupon which covered pretty much their whole purchase, meaning the store made no money off of them and there was no benefit to having them in the store so late.)