Unable To Sink Their Canines Into Your Business
(I work at a pet boarding facility which sells dog food on the side; it is not a money maker, just a convenience service. A client calls and asks if he can purchase a big bag of dog food WHILE WE ARE CLOSED. The employee who answers the call gives him the hours that we are open, during which he can buy his dog food. Said client throws a hissy fit because, “how DARE we say no? He is the CUSTOMER.” A few days later, he is in with his dog and he launches into me.)
Client: “You know, I came on Sunday and tried to buy food while you guys were closed, and your staff told me no. That is obviously how you train your staff to treat clients, so I will no longer be purchasing my food from you.”
Me: “Uh, okay. We were closed at the time, so…”
Client: “The lady I talk to knows full well how to operate the front and sell food, so don’t try to give me the excuse that she was just a tech!”
Me: “I’m sorry about that, but, I mean, we were closed at the time, so—”
Client: “It’s really too bad. It’s such an inconvenience for me to have to go elsewhere to get my dog’s food now, since you will no longer be receiving my business.”
Me: “Okay… How about I go get your dog now?”
(This client is still a heavy user of our services that actually make us money, dropping $300+ a month. The only thing he stopped doing was purchasing the product we literally ONLY carry as a convenience for our clients, and he regularly complains to us about how he “has to” go so far out of his way to get his dog’s food now, because we would not drop everything and open exclusively for him.)