Wanted Them Cashed Out ASAP

(I work at a 24-hour restaurant with a drive-thru. Every night we have to shut down all our registers and reset them. It takes about ten minutes, and during this time we can only take cash.)

Me: “Hi there, just letting you know we can only take cash payments currently, as we are doing our routine register close. If you are willing to wait about ten minutes, card payment will be available again.”

Customer: “Are you serious? This is the third time I’ve come in this week and card payment hasn’t been available. I thought this restaurant was 24/7?”

Me: “It is; however, every night we must shut down all our registers. During this time we can still take cash payment, because our registers are offline so we can’t take card payment.”

Customer: “So you are saying you have to do this every night?”

Me: “Yes. This must be done every night.”

Customer: “Why didn’t you say that in the first place?”

Me: “I did.”

Customer: “Well, then, why don’t you do it when there aren’t any customers?”

Me: “We do it when there is no customers; however, we can’t always predict when people might drive through during it.”

Customer: “Okay, I guess I’ll wait, then.”

Me: “If you tell me your order now, I can have it ready for when card is working again.”

Customer: “I’d like…”

(Ten minutes later:)

Me: “Good news: card payment is back online. Your order comes to [total].”

Customer: “Here you are.” *hands over cash*

Me: “We could have taken cash payment through our register close.”

Customer: “Well, next time, you might want to mention that first.”

Me: “I did. Just try to keep that in mind if you come in another night. We can always take cash payment.”

Customer: “We’ll see about that. The other stores are much fast than yours.”