Repeating The Same Old Baggage
(Most major retailers in our city have just recently signed an agreement to reduce the number of plastic bags. All stores that signed the agreement have since started charging for plastic bags or switched to paper bags, which also come at a small fee.)
Customer: “Just this.”
Me: “That will be €9.99. Do you need to buy a bag?”
Customer: “How will I get this home?”
Me: “I can offer you a small plastic bag for 10 Cents, a large plastic bag for 20 Cents. or a canvas bag for 1 Euro.”
Customer: “How will I get this home?”
Me: “A small plastic bag should be sufficient. It’s just a small book; it will fit.”
Customer: “How will I get this home?”
Me: “If you don’t like plastic bags, I can also sell you a canvas bag for 1 Euro. Or we sell those pretty foldable fabric shoppers. They run €4.95, though.”
Customer: “But how will I get this home?”
Me: “…”
Customer: “I bet you also charge for gift wrapping.”
Me: “No. That’s actually a complementary service we offer.”
Customer: “Then gift-wrap this.”
Me: “Okay, no problem. €9.99.”
(The customer pays. I wrap her book and hand it to her.)
Customer: “How will I get this home?”
Me: “I could still sell you a plastic bag or a reusable canvas bag if you don’t like plastic.”
(The customer huffs loudly, picks up her book and walks off.)
Coworker: *looks at me and says* “Well, you could have offered to walk her to her car and carry it for her, couldn’t you?”
Question of the Week
Tell us your story about a customer who couldn't understand the most simple concept.
