Not Paying Top Dollar

(I sell mobile phones at a large electronics store. It’s six days before Christmas. There are sales on certain smartphones for $1 if the person has an existing contract. We have eight pagers out. A woman approaches the help desk.)

Customer #1: “Excuse me; I need to upgrade my phone. I want the $1 iPhone.”

Me: “We have eight customers ahead of you. The wait will be at least an hour.”

Customer #1: “This is ridiculous. I’m on my lunch. I need a phone NOW.”

Me: “I’m sorry, but these customers in line have been waiting over an hour. All our associates are busy helping customers.”

Customer #1: “Why aren’t there more people working? This is so stupid. I need the $1 iPhone!”

Customer #2: *waiting in line* “It’s only a few days before Christmas, lady. Did your really think you could waltz into this store and get a phone for $1 and not wait a long time? Geez, lady!”

(With her face very red, the customer took the pager and waited in line. I guess she wasn’t on her lunch after all, because she waited in line for 70 minutes. When it was finally her turn, we couldn’t upgrade her phone because her bill was past due!)