Making Light Work Of Physics
A customer is returning an LED flashlight.
Customer: *Irate.* “It’s not working like I thought it would!”
The light itself is very cheaply manufactured, so I figure it’s just too dim or something. However, I have to ask:
Me: “What’s the problem with it?”
Customer: “It needs batteries!”
Me: “Yes, this flashlight is one of our bargain bucket items, so it doesn’t come with batteries. We do sell them, though, so you can pick up a few and that should solve your issue.”
Customer: “No! That’s not what I mean. The flashlight needs batteries. I shouldn’t need batteries!”
Me: “All flashlights need batteries, sir.”
Customer: “But this is an LED flashlight! It shouldn’t need batteries!”
Me: “LED doesn’t mean it doesn’t need batteries.”
Customer: “Yes it does! It should power itself from the light!”
Me: “What light?”
Customer: “The light that it generates!”
Me: “So this flashlight should be powered by the light, that is generated by the same flashlight?”
Customer: “Yes, that’s what LED means! The light is led back inside to power it up again!”
Me: “I’m sorry to ask, sir, but is this a joke?”
It was not a joke. He got his refund. People scare me.
