The Great Amex Vex

(I’m ringing up a customer who has been somewhat impatient. She has a sizable order. We have never taken American Express. I have been working at this store for over two and a half years and I am a manager.)

Me: “Okay, your total is [total].”

(The customer hands me a card and I take it without looking.)

Me: *looking down* “Oh! I’m sorry, we don’t take Amex. Do you have another card?”

Customer: “Since when?”

Me: “I don’t think we’ve ever taken Amex. Sorry.”

Customer: *irritated* “You’d think for someone spending [total], you could take Amex.”

Me: “No, I’m afraid not.”

Customer: “Well, can you go ask a manager if you can take it this time?”

Me: “Um, I’m sorry, but I guarantee we can’t.”

Customer: *snippy* “You mean you won’t. You can; you just won’t!”

Me: “Ma’am, it’s not me. The card reader can’t take Amex, because we have no contract with them.”

Customer: “WHATEVER!” *throws her bank card at me*

Me: “Thank you so much! Have a nice day!”