The Signs Were There

I overhear my manager talking to a corporate department in charge of sending out signs for the store and sale materials.

Manager: “About the sale signs you want us to put up. Yes, the buy two, get one free. The signs need to specify that the cheapest item is free.”

Pause.

Manager: “Are you new?”

Pause.

Manager: “Because you expect our customers to just assume that is the case. These are the same customers who assumed the $20 TV stand came with the TV because it was in the picture.”

Pause.

Manager: “Then please tell me your name.”

Pause.

Manager: “So that when I direct every customer complaint to corporate, I can tell them the name of the employee who guaranteed me that this wouldn’t happen.”

Pause.

Manager: “Yes, I know it should be obvious, but you forget that we have three million customers nationwide, but they all take turns sharing the same brain cell, and if you’d spent more than a minute working the retail floor, you would know that.”

Pause.

Manager: “I thank you for your understanding, and I will expect the updated sale signs soon.”