Wish We Could Filter Customers
I work in a photo lab. A customer is at the counter holding a stack of glossy 6×4 prints.
Customer: “These are too bright.”
Me: “Too bright?”
Customer: “Everyone looks fake. My granddaughter’s face looks like it’s made of plastic!”
Me: “Our machines don’t add effects, but the photos might print brighter depending on your phone’s settings.”
Customer: “Then why don’t you adjust them before you print? I shouldn’t have to do everything myself.”
Me: “We print exactly what you send. It’s an automated system.”
Customer: “Well, someone should’ve stopped it. Just use common sense. Who wants pictures that look like this?”
She fans them out. The images are clearly taken with a heavy filter: sparkles, airbrush, blinding contrast.
Me: “It looks like a filter’s been applied on your end.”
Customer: “I don’t use filters!”
Me: “Then someone else must’ve edited them.”
Customer: “That’s not the point. You should’ve fixed them. Use your eyes!”
Me: “Ma’am, what would you have done if we had guessed at your intent, made changes to your photos, and you didn’t like the result?”
Customer: “I’d sue!”
Me: “Wow… I was expecting you to say you’d just complain, but thanks for proving my point a whole lot more.”
