(There’s a large sale going on at our store, and extra 40% taken off the lowest marked ticket price on clearance items. I am working at customer service, doing what few returns we have had, when a gentleman walks up to my register.)

Customer: “I just checked out with the cashier over here, and all your clearance is an extra 40% off, but he didn’t take the discount off.”

Me: “Okay, would you like me to double check?”

Customer: “Oh, yes, please; that would be lovely.”

(I go through the 50+ t-shirts he bought, price-checking them one by one to make sure they ring up right and match his receipt. He lets me do this on every item, taking at least five minutes.)

Me: “Well, sir, according to your receipt, and the prices the register pulled up, everything rang up correctly.”

Customer: “Okay, but what’s the total?”

Me: “The total is at the bottom of your receipt. Everything rang up the same, so the total should be correct.”

Customer: “Well, I want you to ring it up again and make sure the totals match up. Now.”

(I decide not to argue and just go ahead and do it; however, his total is about $3 less than on his original receipt, not enough to be a clearance issue. After double-checking everything, once again the process taking several minutes, I see he also bought some candy and cookies at the register.)

Customer: “So, why is the total less now than it was then?”

Me: “Well, when you made the purchase, sir, you also purchased some candy and cookies, causing the $3 difference.”

Customer: “Well, I want my $3 back!”

Me: “I’m sorry, sir. I can’t give you money back for something you purchased and consumed.”

Customer: “You’re just trying to take my money. That’s all these stores are good for. Keep the $3. But I won’t be back again.”

Me: “Have a good day, sir!” *to coworker* “Think that was a promise?”

(Our store has a system where you can purchase something online and come to the store to pick it up. A woman approaches the customer service desk where I am working.)

Customer: “Hi, I placed an order and I’m coming to pick it up.”

Me: “Okay, can I have a last name to search for it?”

(She tells me her name. Nothing is coming up in our system.)

Me: “I’m sorry, ma’am, but nothing is showing in the computer that an order was placed. Are you sure you have the right store?”

Customer: “Well, when I was ordering online, I never paid for it. It should still be here, set aside, right?”

Me: “Actually, unless you pay for the items, our store doesn’t get an alert that an order was placed. You have to complete all the steps shown online for the items to be picked up here.”

Customer: “But that doesn’t make sense!”

Me: “Well, maybe next time just call ahead and have us place the items on hold for you.”

Customer: “But that still doesn’t make sense!”

(I’m with my coworker at the counter as he’s ringing up an older man.)

Coworker: “All right, thank you. Have a nice day!”

Customer: “Before I go, have this.” *hands my coworker a small pamphlet* “It’s proof the Bible exists.”

Coworker: “Uh, thanks.”

Customer: “Have a blessed day.”

Coworker: “Uh, you, too.”

(My coworker told our manager the story later that day and her response was, “Well, the Bible does EXIST; we sell it on our shelves, too.”)

(I work in the electronics department. Most of our customers are not too terrible, but being a rural town has its “quirks.” As such, we have more employees that can be just as abrasive when needed. I just get to the sales floor and start doing some chatting with my colleague, when a husband and wife walk up to the counter and this happens.)

Me: “Hello, can we help you find anything today?”

Husband: “You sure as h*** can!” *points at a TV display on a main aisle* “You see them 55″ TVs? I bought one of them f****** things a week ago for [price] WITH tax!”

Me: *bobbing my head, being understanding* “Okay, and was something wrong with it? If there was we—”

(The customer’s wife pipes up.)

Wife: “Nah, nothin’ like that. WE bought it for [price]! Not THAT price!”

Husband: “Yeah, now how’s come them TV’s are [price]?! If I knew that they would be this low I woulda f****** waited!”

(Confused, I look between the two customers.)

Me: “Well, that is unfortun—”

Husband: “We want one of them reimbursements! It ain’t fair that we bought our TV, and it changed price a week later!” *at this point they both are raising their voices*

(My brain has shut off as I look dumbfounded. Both my colleague and I look at each other completely at a loss for what to do, having never been trained for what entails a reimbursement.)

Me: “All right, give me one moment.” *I call over the walkie for management and then wait*

(The husband starts ranting about how unfair it is that there was a price change.)

Husband: “We are f****** ENTITLED to a reimbursement! I can’t believe how you guys could sell us that TV without telling us that the price would change! I mean, I understand you gotta sell this s***, but this just ain’t fair.”

Me: “Yes, well, I apologize, but I have no power over that. I also want to make sure that we can make the reimbursement. We don’t normally do that kind of thing and if it had been a week ago, I’m not too certain what the cut-off is. That seems more than likely up to manager’s discretion.”

(I have lost that “Peppy Happy voice” and drop to a more “steel, serious voice”, but manage to keep the smiles, as he curses more and rants about us not being “fair” and them being “entitled.”)

Manager: *walks up in full manager-mode* “What can I do for you all?”

(We explain the situation and she gives the go ahead for the reimbursement and notifies customer service, then the couple leaves.)

Me: *I shake my head, still annoyed* “I’m pretty certain that those TV’s have been on sale for more than a week, [Manager].”

Manager: “I wouldn’t doubt you guys, but hey, maybe the receipt will do something.”

(I am walking by a coworker who is checking out a lady, when…)

Coworker: “Hey, [My Name], she wants to know if this has been returned or not.”

Customer: “No, I know it has been returned; it has a piece of wrapping paper still taped to it. I just want to know if it’s okay.”

Me: “Certainly. All items are supposed to be checked before they are put back on the shelves, but we can open it up here for you to take a look at if you’d like.”

Customer: “No, I don’t want to open it. It’s a wedding gift. I just want to know if it’s okay!”

Me: “Well, the only way to really check is by opening it.”

Customer: “No! I already told you it’s a gift. I just need to know it’s okay!”

Me: “Ma’am, I can’t really just look at it and know if it’s okay. I can’t see through the box.”

Customer: “Don’t talk to me like I’m stupid! I know you can’t see through the box, but I need to know it’s okay! It’s a wedding gift!”

Me: “I don’t really know what else to do for you.”

(I walked away, sorry that I forgot my x-ray goggles at home that morning.)