(My mother is going to the store, and decides to use the automated self-checkout. As a security precaution, the computer asks you to place each item on the belt after being scanned so it can weigh it and make sure it’s the right item. Everything is going normally until my mom tries to scan a certain item:)
Machine: “Place your helium balloon on the belt.”
(A customer hands me an empty, smelly meat package that once held a value pack of steaks.)
Customer: “I would like to return this steak. It was awful and grainy.”
Me: “Ma’am, there must me a product to return in order for me to process it. There are no steaks in this package.”
Customer: “I know. We ate them. But they were awful.”
Me: “Ma’am, I’m sorry you did not like the steaks, but we must at least have a significant unused portion to process a return.”
Customer: “But we ate them. We didn’t like them and I want my money back. I don’t know why you are giving me a hard time. I am a customer and I am not satisfied!”
Me: “I’m sorry. I cannot process a refund based on an empty food wrapper.”
Customer: “Who is the manager here? I want to speak with a manager!”
Me: “I am the manager.” *points to name tag*
(The customer struggled for a moment with what to say.)
Customer: “I’m calling corporate!”
Me: “Okay. Have a nice day.”
I stopped into a local grocery store to pick up a few things on Sunday after church. I’m just browsing the aisle when an angry older woman asks me why there isn’t any of a certain brand of maple syrup on the shelf. When I tell her I don’t know she starts to yell at me. I tell her it’s not my job to know and she tears into me further. I’m left just giggling as she stomps off. I’m dressed in a skirt and dress shirt mind you in no way dressed like an employee.
I inherited a long trench coat last year after my uncle passed away and wear it to work on rainy days. I also regularly stop at the grocery store where my aunt works to pick up a hot meal for work, including on this rainy day.
Me: Hi, [aunt]. How’s business?
Customer [interrupting] They shouldn’t let your type in here!
I look around, and it’s just my aunt, this customer, and me.
Me: Excuse me?
Customer: Yeah, you. Pedophiles don’t belong in society.
Me: Again, EXCUSE ME?
Customer: Well why else would you be wearing a coat like that except to hide kids underneath while you force them to do sexual favors for you?
Aunt: My manager is on the way to escort you from the property ma’am, as this is completely uncalled for. But I will have you know, this is my nephew and this is my late husband’s coat, so I take personal offense to your behavior.
Customer: A whole family of molesters! Guess it runs in the blood (aside, I’m a blood relative of my aunt, not my uncle). I hope he’s rotting in Hell as payback for what he did!
By this point, the manager has heard her tirade, and picks up speed, as my aunt is barely keeping it together, as my uncle died suddenly last winter and that is well known at the store. Pretty sure this customer earned herself a permanent ban.
(I work in the seafood dept at my local grocery store.)
Me: “How can I help you today?”
Customer: “Yes, I would like a fillet of fish, please.”
Me: “Ok, what kind of fish, sir?”
Customer: “A fillet of fish!”
(I inform him that a fillet is not a type of fish but a type of cut, like a steak.)
Customer: “No, you’re wrong. I get it all the time at [Fast Food Restaurant]!”
(I repeat what a fillet is, and show the customer a sign on our table reading “Salmon fillet” to get my point across)
Customer: “What the h*** have I been eating at [Fast Food Restaurant]?!”
