This Is A Hold Up

(I am working customer service at a big tech retailer. A customer comes in, having recently purchased a tablet which is now on sale at another store. She isn’t pleased about having to come back to our store, but I help as best I can.)

Me: “Part of the price match policy is that we must call the other store to make sure they have it in stock at that price. If they don’t, then we have the best price in town.”

Customer: “Ugh. Fine.”

(I proceed to call the other store. The phone operator is monotone and transfers me without ceremony. After a few minutes on hold, I get electronics.)

Other Store: “Electronics.”

Me: “Yes, I was looking in your ad at the [specific model tablet]. Can you tell me how much that is?” *my standard ruse when checking prices*

Other Store: “Uh… sure. Hold on.”

(More holding. During this time, I’m commiserating with the customer about the other store. She starts telling me how she prefers to shop here, and just wanted to get a good price, which I understand.)

Other Store: “I’m sorry; we don’t carry laptops.”

Me: “[Wrong brand] laptops?”

Other Store: “Yes.”

Me: “I was looking for [specific model tablet].”

Other Store: “Oh, my mistake. Hold on.”

(On Hold 3: On Hold With a Vengeance. At this point, the customer is no longer remotely unfriendly towards me, the policy, or our service and prices.)

Other Store: “Yes, we have it. It’s $450.”

Me: “$450?”

Other Store: “Yes.”

Me: “Okay, thanks.” *hangs up* “Hey, [representative of the tablet company who happens to be in the store], which of your tablets is $450?”

Representative: “Oh, that’d be [different model]. Why?”

Me: “No reason. [Customer], I give up. Here’s your $20.”