(I have to stop by a local big box electronics store in the middle of the workday to grab some USB drives for our IT department. I typically don’t shop here, but the usual store is several miles out of the way. I quickly grab what I need and go up to the first open register, where the cashier in uniform is wearing a name tag which says, “In Training,” and there is a woman in civvies wearing a “Trainer” name tag.)
Trainee: “Welcome to [Big Box Store]. Did you find everything you need?”
Me: “Yup.”
Trainee: “And did you have our [rewards plan] card with you?”
Me: “Nope, don’t have one.”
Trainee: “Well, sir, would you like to sign up? It’s free and you earn points with every purchase.”
Me: “Not today, I’m in a hurry, thanks.”
Trainee: “It only takes a few minutes to sign you up, sir; are you sure you don’t want it? It costs nothing!”
Me: “Nope, not interested.”
(Normally, I’d take a harder stance on saying no, but the dude is in training so I figure I’ll let him practice his spiel and let it go after the “three-peat” rule is satisfied.)
Trainee: “But you can use your rewards points to get [Branded Item #1] and [Branded Item #2], in addition to coupons.”
Me: “Seriously, not interested. Just ring me up because I’m in a hurry.”
Trainee: “Okay, sir, no problem let’s get you checked out.”
(As the trainee reaches to start ringing up my stuff, the trainer taps him on the shoulder.)
Trainer: *super condescendingly and more than loud enough for me to hear her* “No, he didn’t sign up for the [rewards plan] card. Let me show you how it’s done.”
(The trainer then steps up to the register to take over the transaction.)
Trainer: “Now, sir, I think maybe he didn’t explain that the plan is free and—”
Me: *cutting her off* “I heard three times. I know about the plan. I’m in a hurry and very clearly not interested. This is now a hard no, which means you stop and ring me out.”
Trainer: “Oh, sir, you really aren’t listening to what I’m telling you. I’m trying to help you! Now—”
Me: *cutting her off again, crescendo-ing my deep voice into a full blown roar* “I understood every d***ed word! Stop insulting my intelligence. I know the plan is free, I know what the points can be used for, and I’m not bloody well interested. And I’ve made it very clear that I am in a hurry and trying to get out of here. Now, either you step aside and let the polite gentleman—” *pointing at trainee* “—ring me up, or I will shout loudly enough for the store manager to come here and take my complaint about your piss-poor service. If you’re going to waste my time and belittle both me and the guy who was actually doing his job right, I might as well make sure my time is being wasted filing a complaint ABOUT YOU!”
Trainer: “Well, you’re a lost cause.” *to trainee* “He’s your problem now.” *walks over to meet a security guard from the entryway, who is now halfway to the register*
Trainee: “I’m really very sorry, sir.”
Me: “Dude, you did your job right. I could have been a jacka** up front, and I would have if you hadn’t stopped after the mandated three attempts. You were fine and following your training; we have no problem.” *actually manages to pay for my three products as the security guard gets to the register*
Security: “Sir, you can’t be in here causing a scene. You need to pay and leave.”
Me: “I just paid. I’d have paid sooner but the idiot behind you—” *pointing at trainer* “—refused to ring me up because I won’t sign up for [rewards plan] card. Also, she was super rude to me and to the guy she’s supposed to be training. If being upset over that is a problem, please call the store manager and pull the recording from the camera there on the wall.”
Security: “Uh… You want me to pull the audio and video? Sir, that will show exactly what happened. If you’re lying, I’ll have you banned.”
Me: “Please, pull it. Watch it with the store manager.” *hands over business card* “Here’s my contact info, so if you need to ban me after what you see and hear, please do so.”
Security: “Okay, sir, I’m going to pull the recording.”
Trainer: “No, not necessary; I think he’s learned his lesson!”
Me: “It is necessary. Tell the store manager I look forward to hearing from him. Now, I have other places to be.”
(I emailed a complaint to corporate and I did hear back from the store manager the next day with an apology for the way I was treated. He offered me a free membership in [rewards plan] and a $50 coupon to win back my business. I told him I was voting with my wallet and taking all future business to the local independent shop, instead. The big box place has since gone out of business. Can’t imagine why that location was underperforming.)
