Will Not Be Influenced By The Influencer

(A customer appears late one day. He is obnoxious and keeps asking for free coffee in exchange for positive Yelp reviews. My supervisor takes pity on him and pours him a cup. Two days later, he comes back in:)

Customer: *slams a case of Monster energy drinks on the counter* “I’m here for my regular.”

Me: “Excuse me?”

Customer: “I’m here for my free coffee.”

Me: “I’m sorry, but we don’t give out free coffee.”

Customer: “You must be new. I was in here the other day. I get a free coffee in exchange for a positive Yelp review.”

Me: “I was working when you came in. My supervisor made an exception, but I really can’t. I’m sorry. I’ll be happy to sell you a coffee.”

Customer: “BUT I WRITE POSITIVE REVIEWS!” 

(We stare each other down a few seconds.)

Me: “And we appreciate that. But I still can’t give out free coffee.”

Customer: “Well, the service here has certainly gone downhill. Maybe I’ll write about that.”

(A line has formed behind him and my patience is wearing REALLY thin). 

Me: “Are you trying to blackmail us into giving you free items by threatening negative reviews?”

Customer: *yelling* “MAYBE! THE SERVICE HERE IS REALLY AWFUL!”

Me: “I’m sorry you feel that way. But a line has formed behind you and if you aren’t going to purchase anything I do have to ask you to leave.”

(He walks out, still yelling about my terrible customer service skills. He returns a few moments later and attempts to sell Monster to our customers. I politely excuse myself from the line of customers and tell him again to leave.)

Woman: *in line behind him* “What the f*** was that?!”