(I work at a small store that sell shoes and other kinds of items such as scarves and hats. The owner occasionally gives out gift cards to customers who have paid over 150$ on a single purchase. One day, a woman comes in with her husband.)
Me: “Good evening, ma’am. How may I help you?”
Customer: “Yes, I came here a week ago and bought a bunch of stuff; the owner gave me this.” *shows it to me*
Me: *confirms it is the gift cards we have* “Do you need help choosing which items you want to buy?”
Customer: *starts getting angry* “No, thanks. You can wait in the back.”
(I leave and wait near the cash registers. When she finally comes with her desired items, it consists of seven scarves and a baseball cap.)
Me: “Very well. Could you please hand me the gift card?”
Customer: *annoyed* “Can’t I just take these items and you keep the card?”
Me: “I need to make sure this card is legitimate, ma’am. It won’t take long, no worries.”
(The expiration date is over a year ago. The woman seems ready to start the argument at this point.)
Me: “Ma’am, the gift card is way beyond it’s expiration date and you’re going to have to pay with cash, check, or your credit card in order to receive those items.”
Customer: “So? I know the owner; I’ve been friends with her for a long time. She told me that I wouldn’t have to worry about the date and could come whenever I wanted!”
Me: “Would you mind if I called her to verify? Could I have your name, ma’am?”
Customer: *anxious* “Y-yeah, go ahead. I’m [Customer].”
(I call the owner.)
Me: “Hi, [Owner], this is [My Name]. There’s this woman here that has a gift card and the expiration date is [date]. She also claims to be one of your friends and her name is [Customer], and that because of that she’s able to use the card whenever without worrying about the expiration date.”
Owner: “If she were indeed my friend, she wouldn’t have received a card at all. Refuse the card and ask her to pay for it, or tell her to leave. Drama is one thing, and I don’t want it in my store.” *clicks*
Me: “I’m afraid the card is no longer valid. You’re going to have to pay with something else.”
Woman: *turns red* “T-this is UNACCEPTABLE! I’m never coming back to this store, and you can bet your a** that I will make it my life goal to make sure that THIS PLACE CLOSES!” *leaves*
Me: *tries not to laugh* “Have a nice day, ma’am!”
(She leaves but her husband hangs back to talk to me.)
Husband: “I knew it would turn out like this. She does this all the time when she sees an opportunity of getting free stuff.”
(I never saw them again.)
