Some People Have Never Been Told “No” And It Shows, Part 2
My store has a clearance table where we place items that will soon expire or items we are taking out of inventory. Most are priced at 50-75% off for quick sale. There is a sign at the table stating, “CLEARANCE ITEMS ARE INDIVIDUALLY PRICED,” meaning each item has its own price sticker with the word “CLEARANCE” at the top.
I am running the register one day when a woman comes up with an expensive item. I scan the item and the lady huffs and rolls her eyes before fixing me with a “mom stare.”
Customer: “That’s wrong. It’s on clearance.”
Me: “Let me call for a price check.”
I reach for the phone but she sticks her hand out to stop me.
Customer: “Can’t you just fix it? It’s on clearance” *Points at the table*
Me: “I don’t see a clearance sticker. Someone probably put it there instead of returning it to the shelf.”
Customer: “So just make it 75% off like the sign says.”
Me: “I can’t do that, ma’am, but I can call for a price check and get this squared away.”
I reach for the phone again and dodge her hand as she tries to block me from calling. A manager — a no-nonsense woman with decades of retail management under her belt — comes over to check the item.
Manager: “Oh, I see. Yeah, I’m sorry about this. Sometimes when people don’t want items anymore, they just put them wherever. This isn’t on clearance.”
Customer: “You’re the manager?”
Manager: “Yes, I am.”
Customer: “Then give me 75% off.”
Manager: *Shakes her head* “I can’t do that. There’s no defect, and it’s not discontinued or expiring.”
Customer: *Enunciating each word* “It. Was. On. Clearance.”
Manager: *Enunciating back* “It. Was. Not.”
Customer: “YES!”
Manager: “I’m not going to go through this with you again. You can have it at full price or I can put it back. The choice is yours.”
Customer: “Just give me the f****** discount!”
My manager shrugs and walks away with the item. The woman looks at me, mouth open, as if she expects me to do something about it.
Customer: “She took it!”
Me: *Trying not to smile* “Will there be anything else today?”
Customer: “F*** you!” *Stomps out*
Question of the Week
What is the most stupid reason a customer has asked to see your manager?
