When The Customer Is Buffering

A customer walked in and wanted to get something printed. I point out the sign that has our email address so they can send us the file for printing. 

I finish the printing (less than one minute), put the papers on the counter, and enter it into the till. The customer is looking down at their phone. I figure that maybe they’re texting someone or moving money around, and wait. 

After half a minute of them still not looking up, I ask them:

Me: “Are you sending another file?”

Customer: “Yes.”

So, I wait.

After a minute of nothing showing up in the inbox and them still not looking up from their phone, I ask them again:

Me: “Are you still sending another file?”

Customer: “Yes.”

So, I keep waiting. After another minute of nothing coming in and then STILL not looking up from their phone, I changed the question:

Me: “So, you don’t have anything else to print?”

And again, I just get:

Customer: “Yes.”

I tell them the total, which is less than $4. They FINALLY look up from their phone to dig in their pack. They pull out $100. I firmly tell them:

Me: “No. I am not breaking $100 for $3 and some change.”

Customer: “I don’t have any cards on me, just cash.”

Me: “Again, I’m not breaking $100. There’s not enough money in the till to do that.”

The customer leaves without another word or their printing and doesn’t come back.

You decide when this transaction happens. It’s not like it was a surprise to you. Put the phone down while the transaction is happening. Also, don’t try and pay for a $3 service with a $100 bill!