Will Not Be Influenced By The Influencer, Part 13
Nintendo has just released the Switch 2. Our store is one of the larger ones, and while we don’t do big midnight releases anymore, we still made a fuss on opening day with big banners and generated a fun buzz with the customers who had pre-ordered a console.
Customer: “Hi, I’m [Username] on TikTok and Instagram, and I would like a Switch 2, please.”
I think that’s an odd way to introduce yourself, but whatever.
Me: “What’s the name you preordered under?”
Customer: “I didn’t preorder. I’m an influencer and streamer.”
Me: “If you didn’t preorder, I’m afraid we don’t have any left. All our unreserved stock sold out as soon as we opened today. We should have more in a couple of weeks.”
Customer: “But I’m an influencer streamer?”
It was said almost as if it were a question. Appropriate, since I was questioning this conversation too.
Me: “Ooookay? I don’t see what that has to do with our limited stock of Nintendo Switches.”
Customer: “I have a lot of followers. They’re depending on me being able to stream these games.”
Me: “Then you should have preordered it. You can put a deposit down now if you want the next batch to—”
Customer: “—wait, you expect me to pay?”
Me: “…is this a joke?”
I’m looking around to see if anyone else is filming me. If this guy really IS some kind of TikTok content creator, maybe they specialize in public prank reaction videos? I honestly hoped this was the case, as it’s the only way this conversation is making any sense.
Customer: “Look, it’s 2025. We are the ones who tell people what to buy now. People like you give the product to people like me, and we ensure those people buy your product.”
Me: “The product that’s sold out worldwide and is struggling to meet demand, that product?”
Customer: “Look, I have a lot of followers, and I know you keep stock behind for influencers. Get your manager to get me a Switch 2 with Mario Kart.”
Customer Behind Him: “How many followers have you got?”
Customer: *Smiling arrogantly.* “Thirty thousand.”
Customer Behind Him: “Cool, cool. My grandma is on TikTok doing knitting ASMR. She’s got fifty thousand followers. She still buys her own s***.”
The customer scoffs, turns back towards me, and is about to speak, but I get in there first.
Me: “No. Whatever you’re about to say, it’s no. No video game store ever holds stock back for influencers, not now and not ever, and quite frankly, the fact that you thought that was a thing is hilarious to me. Now, you either put a deposit down for our next delivery, buy something else, or leave. Those are your only three options.”
Pause.
Customer: “Looks like I know what my next TikTok will be about.”
The customer turns and heads out. Out of morbid curiosity, the other customer and I checked his TikTok, and while he did have thirty thousand followers, his videos had tiny engagement figures, which screams purchased follower numbers to me. I did, however, start following knitting ASMR granny!
Related:
Will Not Be Influenced By The Influencer, Part 12
Will Not Be Influenced By The Influencer, Part 11
Will Not Be Influenced By The Influencer, Part 10
Will Not Be Influenced By The Influencer, Part 9
Will Not Be Influenced By The Influencer, Part 8
