On Balance, At Least They Realized

Our account servicing system is down. We can still do limited transactions but cannot open new accounts or provide balances. I have a customer who wants to make a deposit.

Me: “Also, just so you know, our systems are partially down. I can make your deposit, but I can’t give you a balance.”

Customer #1: “That’s fine.”

I process the deposit and hand him the receipt.

Me: “There you go. Have a nice day!”

Customer #1: “But where’s my balance?”

Me: “I’m sorry, sir, but our systems are partially down, and I can’t see your balance.”

Customer #1: “Well, can you see what it was before the deposit?”

Me: “No, sorry, I can’t. That part of our system crashed.”

[Customer #1] walks out, grumbling. Rinse and repeat for the next five customers. [Customer #6] approaches, and I give my speech again about the system being down. I process her deposit and hand her the receipt.

Me: “Here you go!”

Customer #6: “Oh, can I get my bal—”

She pauses and groans.

Customer #6: “And you literally just told me that balances are unavailable. Sorry!”

Me: “No, no. Thank you for paying attention.”

Customer #6: “Lots of people not paying attention?”

Me: “Oh, just a few.”

[Customer #6] turns around and announces to the rest of the lobby:

Customer #6: “Hey, people! They can’t give you a balance today because their systems are down! So don’t ask!”

She grabbed her receipt and walked out. The rest of the customers were much nicer after that.