(I work for a video game company doing technical support. Our customers are quick to complain, and as you can imagine, they can be particularly difficult, and often do not think twice about demanding… well, anything.)
Customer: ”I didn’t receive my pre-order bonus items; where are they?!”
Me: ”I’m sorry to hear that, sir. Did you pre-order the game?”
Customer: ”I bought it on the day of release.”
Me: ”Okay, sir, I’m afraid you need to have pre-ordered the game to receive the pre-order bonus items.”
Customer: ”BUT I WANT THEM! WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO IF I WANT THEM?”
Me: “I’m sorry, sir, but there’s nothing I can do if you didn’t pre-order the items that are pre-order only.”
Customer: ”Thanks for nothing. This is the worst service I have ever received!”
(The customer hung up the phone and sent several abusive messages to us afterwards. I was just surprised that he didn’t understand that you had to pre-order to gain pre-order items.)
When looking for an item and not finding it, on shelf, I then see a staff member finishing with another customer.
Staff member seemed out of breath, so I commented thinking she’d been rushing to help the other customer.
She replied that it was her asthma, but rushing over the store didn’t help.
After she helped me, she thanked me for noticing she was strugling.
(I work for a government department that deals mainly with legal professionals, but we do occasionally get calls from members of the general public.)
Colleague: *on phone* “It’s a bit complicated. Are you a lawyer or a real person?”
(I am a female mechanical engineering student working part-time in a local Scottish pub. There are always a lot of questions when the old boys find out what I study.)
Customer: “Do you study here, then?”
Me: “Yes, I study mechanical engineering. It’s great!”
Customer: “I bet there’s loads of boys on the course; is that why you chose it?”
Me: *sharply* “Not at all. It’s an extremely interesting subject that covers the mechanics of everything — not just cars, if that was going to be your next question.”
(I am regularly asked if I know how an engine works. The customer goes quiet, and I continue cutting lemons for the drinks. Then, about ten minutes later…)
Customer: “I can tell you’re going to be a great engineer, by the way you’re cutting those lemons so methodically!”
(All I could do was say thanks, and leave ASAP so I didn’t burst out laughing at his genuine compliment.)
(I’m on the train home. We are stopped at a station when the following announcement is made on the speakers:)
Announcement: “Just a note: trains are not busses. If you hold your arm out as the train approaches the platform, you will end up with a broken arm. Just a note…”
