(I work at a water park about 20 minutes from Mt. Rushmore, so we have a lot of tourism. We have a gift shop that also allows you to rent towels and life jackets. In order to rent, you must keep your ID with us. This is so you can remember to return items rented. A tour bus pulls up with a group from the local reservation, as well as a family from another state.)
Tour Bus Customer: “Hi, I want to rent four towels and a lifejacket for my daughter, please.”
Me: “Certainly! Let me get your daughter in this jacket, and it will cost $27 with $11 as the deposit. We also need to hold your ID until we get these back.”
Tour Bus Customer: “Sure, no problem.”
(The tour bus customer yells to his wife to give him his wallet and hands me cash and his ID. This goes on for another few groups from the bus, and finally, the group from another state is left.)
Out-of-state Customer: “My family needs three towels.”
Me: “Sure! It will be $15 with $6 deposit, and your ID, sir.”
Out-of-state Customer: “What?! I most certainly will not! Your sign says $3 for rentals, and you will not have my ID, because that’s how identity theft happens.”
Me: “I could understand your concern, but I do not touch the IDs. They stay in this little safe under the counter to prevent that. I only open it to retrieve the IDs. As for the rentals, it does say $3, but there is an additional $2 deposit. I guarantee you your money back; the ID is just something to make you remember to bring our stuff back. If you truly are concerned, I could have my manager hold it, or I’ll make an exception and you could leave $20 and still get $11 back.”
Out-of-state Customer: “I most certainly will not do either. I expect to pay $9 and no higher. And my ID stays with me.”
Me: “I understand, really. But your ID is safe, and you have to pay a deposit or I can’t rent to you.”
Out-of-state Customer: “I will do no such thing!”
(At this point, the out-of-state customer is starting to get angry, and is sliding things from the counter to the floor.)
Tour Bus Customer: “Listen, sir, your ID is safe with the lady, and if you continue to disrespect her, you will be forced out off the area and banned from any lands around.”
(The out-of-state customer turns to face the tour bus customer, who stands at 6’6″, about 275 lbs, and all muscle. Luckily, I know him, as he is my uncle’s best friend.)
Out-of-state Customer: *stammers* “Uh, fine.”
(The out-of-state customer throws in the cash and his ID, and takes off into the park.)
Tour Bus Customer: “Let me know if he gives you any more trouble today.”
(Thankfully, I think the out-of-state customer was scared straight, as his daughter came back only for the ID, and told me to keep the deposit as a tip!)
