(I work at a clothing store that sells used clothes, allowing us to constantly have sales with the high amount of clothes in stock. This weekend we are having a sale where you can get 20% off whatever you can fit into a bag. Some customers don’t manage to pick up a bag when they first walk in, so at the register, the cashiers are allowed to give them bags to still receive the discount.)

Me: “Hello! Would you like to use a free bag to get 20% off your purchase?”

Customer: “Oh, no, thank you. I don’t even need a bag.”

Me: *confused by her not wanting a free discount* “Okay, well, your total is [total].”

Customer: “Oh, actually, I do have this flyer you guys gave me last time I was here!”

(This flyer mentions the 20% discount bag, but also doubles as a raffle ticket to get a gift card for the store.)

Me: “Oh, sweet! Sounds good; I’ll put it in the raffle bucket!”

(She pays and leaves the store. About ten minutes later, the woman comes back into the store. There is a long line now and I am helping another customer who also didn’t want a bag. The woman cuts the line to ask a different cashier why she didn’t receive the 20% discount.)

Customer: “I was just in here and—” *makes eye contact with me* “SHE didn’t give me my 20% discount!”

Me: “Ma’am, I’m sorry, that’s because you said you didn’t want the bag. You need the bag to get the discount.”

Customer: *stutters* “Well, I gave you the flyer! I should’ve gotten the discount with that!”

Me: *shows her the flyer* “Well, actually, this was so that you knew the discount was this weekend. It also had a raffle ticket for you that I put you in for.”

Customer: “I SWEAR! Okay, fine. Y’know what? Fine.” *stomps out the door*

Me: *to my current customer* “Now, are you sure you don’t want to use a bag to get the discount?”

Other Cashier: *turns to me* “I bet she’s going to cuss you out when she gets back in her car.”

(My coworker is calling customers. She must’ve gotten one guy’s voicemail, because I get a call saying he just missed a call from us. This conversation takes place while he’s on hold.)

Me: “Hey, did you just call a Joe?”

Coworker: “No, I called a Smith, a Johnson, and a Simmons.”

Me: “What are the first names on those?”

Coworker: “Umm, one’s Joseph, one’s—”

Me: “That would be Joe.”

(My husband and I stop at an outlet for a well known jeans brand, because they carry my size, which is difficult to find. As I walk in, this interaction happens)
Customer: What do you mean, you can’t do that? I’m the customer!
Manager: I’m sorry, but it’s corporate policy.
Customer: Well, fine. Give me the corporate number.
Manager: (Gives corporate number)
Customer: And I want your name too. And his (pointing at an associate). You two have been unbelievably rude! I’ve never dealt with anyone so rude before!
Manager: (Gives names). I’m sorry for any inconvenience. I hope you have a nice evening.
(Customer walks off in a huff.)
Me: I’m pretty sure that woman deals with someone that rude on a daily basis. What was she so upset about?
Manager: We wouldn’t accept a return without a receipt. What can I help you with?
Me: Wow, she’s an idiot. I was wondering if you have any jeans in stock with a 28″ inseam.
Manager: Unfortunately, we don’t, but we have some 20% off coupons that you can use to order them online! If we had any in stock, I’d give you a bigger discount.

(I’m fairly new and still figuring things out, so I have a coworker standing next to me to make sure I’m entering into the till right.)

Me: “Can I get your first and last name, please?”

(The customer gives their name and asks if we have the discount program. Our store sends discounts by email; we don’t give out a card anymore.)

Me: “Yes, we do! We don’t hand out cards anymore; we just take your email and send you the discounts that way, and if you have a smartphone, you can just show us from your phone or print off the coupons! Could I get your email?”

Customer: “I think that’s ridiculous that everything is on the computer or you have to have one of these stupid smartphones to do anything anymore. Don’t sign me up; we’re old school and we don’t have a computer or smartphone.”

(The customer continues to grumble, and then the husband pipes in with more ranting about technology these days.)

Me: “Well, I’m sorry, guys, but considering the fact that most people have a smartphone or computer these days… it just seems logical, don’t you think?”

Customer: “I still don’t think that’s fair to those who don’t!”

Me: “I understand, but I’m just an employee and I can’t change the policies. Sorry.”

(The customer continues being cranky with her husband on their way out the door.)

Coworker: “Did she really just get upset that we use email instead of a card? Normally, people are happy they don’t have to carry another random card in their wallet.”

Me: “Uh… yup… I felt like I was a five-year-old being scolded. I’m gonna go take fifteen, I think.”

A customer comes to the register and hands me a shirt. I scan the label.

Customer: Oh no, I’m not buying that.
Me: Oh I’m sorry, is it a return?
Customer: No, it was on the rail.
Me: (getting confused) Is it faulty or dirty? (thinking I’d figured it out) Oh, was it in the wrong section?
Customer: No! It was on the rail, so I handed it to you. That’s what you do!
Me: I don’t understand, what is it you want me to do with it?
Customer: No! It was on the rail! So I gave it to you! That’s just what you do!

At this point I’m completely lost, so I just hang the shirt behind the counter with the intention of putting it back once the customer leaves. Luckily, this action seems to have satisfied the customer, as she leaves without another word. I breathe a sigh of relief and move on to another customer.

Customer 2: There was no label on this jacket, so it must be £1.50
Me: Er, let me just check the price for you. [Coworker] could you just check the price of this jacket for me please?
Customer 2: No, there’s no price, so it’s £1.50. That’s the law.
Me: That’s not the law. Someone’s checking the price for you now, he won’t be a moment.
Customer 2: But it’s the law! If there’s no label on something, then it’s £1.50.
Coworker: I’ve got another label, the price is –
Customer 2: No, I don’t want it if it isn’t £1.50. (He leaves)
Coworker: What is going on with the people in this town?!