A woman comes up to the tech support counter carrying only an outdated monitor.

Customer: “I was called earlier and told to bring in another computer so you could transfer my data from my other computer.”

I check the notes that says she has an “unrepairable tower”.

Me: “Can I ask where the tower is?”

Customer: *Pointing to the monitor* “Here. I want my data put on this.”

Me: “This is just the monitor, ma’am.”

Customer: “What do you mean?”

Me: “This is only the ‘picture part’ of the computer. The actual computer, including where the data goes, is the tower — the bulky box thing?”

Customer: *Yelling* “I drove thirty minutes to get here, and I’m not leaving until you put my information on my computer!”

Me: “Bring us a computer, and we will be happy to.” 

She stormed out ranting, and I don’t think she came back.

I work in the digital camera department. We’re actually the closest store to a lot of the nice ski towns — Breckenridge, Aspen, etc. — so it isn’t uncommon to get people making a couple-hour drive down into town to go shopping.

A customer comes in wearing items linked to a specific ski resort and slams down a camera.

Customer: “The screen is broken!”

This camera’s main selling point is its ease of use, and she was obviously frustrated.

I looked at the camera, hit the “Display On” button, and watched the color drain out of her face when she realized that she had driven four hours just to have me press a button.

Customer: “I’m looking for a fab-tab.”

Me: “I’m sorry, what is that?”

Customer: “I’m looking for a fab-tab. For the computer.”

Me: “What is a fab-tab?”

Customer: “Aren’t you supposed to know?! You work in a computer store!”

Me: “I’ve never heard of a fab-tab. What does it look like?”

Customer: “Like a fab-tab!”

Me: *Trying another way* “What does it do?”

Customer: “It plugs into the computer!”

Me: “And what happens once you’ve plugged it in?”

Customer: “Internet happens!”

I go and grab an ethernet cable.

Me: “Is it one of these?”

Customer: “Yes! A fab-tab!”

Me: “These are called ethernet cables.”

Customer: “They are calling them fab-tabs now!”

Me: “Who is calling them that?”

Customer: “They are!”

Me: “Who are ‘they’?” 

Customer: “You sure do ask a lot of questions.”

I work for a large electronics company doing sales over the phone. We get a lot of calls daily and take credit card details to place orders, as well as place finance orders. Since fraud is such a big deal for our company, we’re taught that only the account holder for the credit card or finance account can place an order.

A woman calls to place an order for finance. I go through everything and get her name, address, number, and payment details. Just before I place the order, she goes:

Woman: “Oh, the card is in my dad’s name. That’s fine, right?”

Me: “No. Your dad needs to place the order as he’s the account holder.”

Cue her arguing for about five minutes about how she’s his daughter and I need to finalise this order now.

Me: “I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. As I’ve mentioned, the account holder needs to place the order.”

She starts cussing me out and getting aggressive.

Woman: “You stupid f****** idiot! You don’t know anything! Place my order!”

I’ve had enough at this point.

Me: “I’m sorry, but if you continue to speak to me in such a manner, I will terminate this call.”

Customer: “Well, terminate it, then!”

Me: “Okay, then. Thank you for calling. Have a nice day!”

I heard her go, “No, wait!” as I hung up on her.

God, that felt good.

I spend half an hour qualifying the appropriate computer for a customer to purchase. The next day, he comes back to return it.

Me: “May I ask why you’re returning the computer?”

Customer: “I didn’t realize this requires electricity. We don’t have electricity where I live.” 

Because of that one customer, our process for determining the appropriateness of a computer for a customer now includes the question, “Do you have electricity?” We get some looks.