Flipping Out On A Rude Customer At Work

[Chazz 0]

Have you ever done this or been close to doing it? If so, were you fired? Discuss.

[tekcop 0]

I've never "went off" on a customer, but I have called them idiots and liars in the past. Sometimes I mock them or become a complete ass hole, but that only happens in the worst cases.

 

My favorite story though was when this woman came into the store to tell me I needed to fire one of my drivers because she almost rear-ended him. When she walked in the door, the driver had just told me a funny story or something and we were both laughing. She assumed we were laughing at her and just started yelling from get-go. We couldn't help but laugh at her. She called us a bunch of stupid kids and said a store shouldn't be run by a bunch of people under 18. At the time, I was 18, the driver in question was 26, and there was another guy in the store who was somewhere in his early 20's so we laughed some more. She asked us all our names stating that she'd get us all fired for the way we were acting. I was having fun with this by now, so I told her our names were all on our name tags so I didn't feel the need to state them. She looked at them and got some off the wall names (Zach was somehow Allen, for instance). She yelled at us one last time, we laughed, and then she left. But!... then she turned around, scowled at us from the parking lot, and literally started jumping up and down and screaming. At this point, we were laughing so hard we couldn't breathe. Her husband or whatever jumped out of the passenger side of their car and yelled something about killings us or something. They left then. Even better, though. She called in the morning to complain and the guy who was running the store wasn't exactly the most... patient guy in the world with these types of people. He basically stopped her in the middle of her rant and told her he had no interest in hearing it and that she should call back later that night when the manager got in then hung up on her.

[Man Who Sold The World 0]

I've been a pretty big asshole in the past working retail. I used to work at a movie theater and my intercom at the box office was always fucked so people couldn't hear me. So I'd say "what the fuck do you want?" or some smart comment knowing they wouldn't hear me. Anyways, on topic:

 

This one time while I was working at a grocery store, I was ringing up this doods order and he looked troublesome, like he was angry at the world. So anyways, after I finished the order he started placing his money on the counter. I went to pick it up and the fucker GRABBED MY WRIST and told me he wasn't finished counting. I gave him a cold glare, let him finish as practically threw the money at me, and after I cashed him out, I threw the receipt at him and told him to have "a very nice day" with a fake ass smile. He left a little unnerved and I was happy. Key is, if someones being an asshole to you, the best way to piss him off is to act happy, I mean OVERLY happy about it. Just pisses'em off more. Definately good times.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Oh man. It's way too early in the morning to start talking about stuff like this.

[TheFranchise 0]

Something similar happened with me the other night. I'm a team leader in a pub, basically i'm in charge of the staff and any problems come through me. Also, because of my age, customers don't tend to like it when I tell them to drink up and go home at the end of the night. Well, one 'regular' decided that he'd give me a barrage of abuse, he shouted and shouted and swore and swore for what seemed to be a non-stop 10 full minutes.

 

Afterwards, I simply took my earphones out (that he couldn't see while he was talking) smiled, and took his drink off him.

 

It's much better than shouting back.. plus you can laugh at him.

 

*shrugs*

 

I love my job on so many levels.

[yankovic fan 0]

Working at the mall for five years I was always pretty patient with the severe idiots I'd encounter. Once the big booming announcement "The time is now 9:00, the mall is now closed..." the smile would come off, and I'd get to cleaning the store.

 

Well we didn't have a big gate to cover the front of our store like the rest of the mall, (we had one big counter with no entrance for customers - food service -) but they could still see us while we cleaned.

 

Every night people would pass "hey are y'all still open?" RIGHT after the announcement.

 

I'd vary between "Did you not just hear the big booming God-like voice indicating the EXACT opposite of what you are asking me?" or covering my mouth with my hands and mimicing the PA system "Attention mall shoppers the mall IS NOW CLOSED!!!! thank you for shopping with us..."

 

It was more satisfying when you still had that 30 second window of discretion where you probably COULD sell some more but you made 3 times your quota already so screw em.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

Not me, but my friend Sarah:

 

We both worked at the Bob's Store in our town. For those that don't know, Bob's Store is a pretty decent-sized chain of retail stores geared towards middle-aged men (mostly working-class, as their highest selling items were workboots and Carhartt and Dickie's coats and such) and teenage girls. Odd combination, I know. I didn't have to deal with customers too often since I worked shipping/receiving out back, but my friend Sarah was on the floor from 6 at night until close (usually 9:30), and then refilled the floor with merchandise from the truck that afternoon until midnight.

So Sarah's doing markdown's one morning (she often had to work 6pm-midnight and then come in bright and early at 8am the next day, sometimes even 6am when I worked) in the women's section, putting on new pricetags and suchs, and this lady is right next to her. Practically touching her. She's coughing ONTO Sarah to get her to move. So Sarah, the primary reason for my love of underground hardcore, started couhing back onto her. I cracked up when she told me about it that night over a few drinks.

[NoCalMike 0]

I remember when I worked at McDonalds way back in 1998, and this is when they had the 39cent Cheeseburgers, and this was before they installed the 10 cheeseburger limit. I think the guy ordered 70, and he ended up getting 68, and he was trying to go off on the manager, accusing him of not being able to count. I mean it was really ridiculous. So another manager came up to the customer and told him to get the hell out of the store with his 68 cheese burgers, or he was going to get the other two smashed into his face. Customer left promptly.

[NoCalMike 0]

I can tell you though from experience of helping out my parents in their postal store from back in the day, the worst type of rude customer of all is the one that gets pissed off over something petty, and tries to get the other customers pissed off, and the other customers kind of nod in approval so the idiot will have piece of mind and get the fuck out, and the second they are gone, the other customers tell my parents what a jerk-off the person was.

[CBright7831 0]

Have you ever done this or been close to doing it? If so, were you fired? Discuss.

Yes.

 

Tons.

 

That happens alot when you work at a grocery store.

 

Some customers whine about some of the stupidest things. One customer once complained to me over the phone that I wasn't smiling. That's right, I ruined a customer's shopping experience because I wasn't smiling.

 

I have tons of stories. I'll get into some tommorrow.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

You know working in retail over the past year as I have, its not often I run into a rude customer, but it happens every so often. And believe me, staying professional is so hard to do, but venting out my frustration back to them is not worth costing me my job. Basically, the ones I keep having problems with are the ones that are pissed off because they have to wait or they've been waiting in line too long. And then of course there are the ones who like to be smart asses, the dumb ones (Do you work here?) and the ones that will complain minute after minutes who will simply not shut the fuck up.

 

The only real close call I've had was a couple of months ago, this lady who came into the store, bought like $100 to $200 worth of stuff, I mean it was a lot of shit. So I'm there all by myself at the cash register, it didn't help I was having a shitty day as it was, trying to scan and pack all the stuff into bags as fast as I possibly could and she's there talking on her cell phone, giving me shit like "Oh I want these items and these items packed together into these bags". I mean I understand people want it their way, but Jesus she was being fucking unreasonable wanting like 10 different bags and shit. And there's this line forming behind her so now she's pissing off all these people behind her. And then once I FINALLY get it exactly the way she wants it, she has THE FUCKING NERVE to ask, "Do you really know what you're doing? Maybe I should have a talk with your manager."

 

And right there, I almost snapped. I just wanted to grab all her stuff, throw all her shit outside out of the store, kick one of the bags, throw in the receipt in her face, and say "There's your stuff and here's your receipt. Fuck you and have a nice day."

 

Thankfully, my manager was on her lunch break and I told her she wasn't available so the lady took her things and left.

 

Key is, if someones being an asshole to you, the best way to piss him off is to act happy, I mean OVERLY happy about it. Just pisses'em off more. Definately good times.

 

Yeah, this is a good thing to do since you can get away with it. Basically, if you ever run into the situation and the customer is giving you shit, just grab the manager, that's what they are there for. Once the customer is gone, I'll feel better when the next customer comes up and sympathizies with me. Then me and my co-workers and sometimes even my manager will talk shit about the asshole customer to amuse ourselves.

 

Sometimes I mock them or become a complete ass hole, but that only happens in the worst cases.

 

Yeah, you can do this too, but the trick is, at least from what I've been taught, is that you can't directly insult them because that only gives them ammunition to get you fired.

 

Here's a trick of mine though, if a lady is being a bitch, keep ending your sentences with Ma'am. They HATE being called that.

[Darthtiki 0]

I can tell you though from experience of helping out my parents in their postal store from back in the day, the worst type of rude customer of all is the one that gets pissed off over something petty, and tries to get the other customers pissed off, and the other customers kind of nod in approval so the idiot will have piece of mind and get the fuck out, and the second they are gone, the other customers tell my parents what a jerk-off the person was.

 

I did that type of job for about two years and god did we have our share of asshole customers, unfortunately we had a tool of a boss so we really couldn't go off on them except for weekends, then again we stuck it to the man in other ways. Also, this is the worst job to have at Christmas which seems to make everyone into the biggest gaping bloody asshole known to man.

[tekcop 0]

I love when someone asks for the manager after bitching at me. I always respond with "I'm the manager in charge right now, is there anything I can help you with?" Even if she's standing right behind me or something. Or, my favorite, if this is happening over the phone I'll put them on hold for a few seconds and pick it up saying my real name and sounding just like I did before. Most people don't even realize.

[yankovic fan 0]

I love when someone asks for the manager after bitching at me. I always respond with "I'm the manager in charge right now, is there anything I can help you with?" Even if she's standing right behind me or something. Or, my favorite, if this is happening over the phone I'll put them on hold for a few seconds and pick it up saying my real name and sounding just like I did before. Most people don't even realize.

 

 

I've encountered that one too. This one lady wanted me to do something on her order, that would allow her to essentially rip us off, and so I refused to allow her to do it. She said "Well let me talk to whoever is in charge."

 

I calmly said "Ma'am, I am the person in charge."

 

This is a repeated rude customer... so she says "No, I want to go over your head."

 

I smiled, and without missing a beat I said "well there's a church just up the road. Go talk to God."

 

 

I think I was there another year and I did not see her after that.

[Art Sandusky 0]

Hey, another one of those threads where I find out how much nicer I am than everyone else.

[Ced 0]

My favorite moment was watching this one lady cry over a $3 late fee at Hollywood Video and her husband storming in and calling every worker within earshot a "fucking liar". The next ten minutes was him ranting while throwing DVDs on the ground, a customer getting ready to call the cops on the guy, and a really big man standing right behind the couple looking ready for a potential brawl.

 

All the while my friend (the worker taking the brunt of the storm) remains completely courteous and smiling throughout the entire incident. Completely sympathetic to the situation, yet not caving in to the threat. He even gave them a "Have a nice day!" with a smile when the couple finally gave up, threw down $3, and gave a "Fuck your goddamn store" on the way out.

 

I had to shake my bud's hand after that. Masterful.

[Black Lushus 0]

This is why I can't do any customer service related jobs.

 

I will say this, though, about the "smiling while you work" thing mentioned earlier...I don't need someone cheesing at me with a shit-eating grin the whole time I'm there or anything, but I don't think it's too much to ask to get an attitude more positive than an "I don't give a fuck about you or anyone else" attitude when you're taking my order, checking me out, etc. I didn't force you to take this shitty job so don't lump your shitty attitude on me.

 

Simply telling each customer "Hello, how are you?" "Thanks, have a nice day!" and what not goes a long way...well for me, anyway, because I do my best to be as nice as I can to the worker and I guess I expect a decent response back.

 

Maybe I'm just an old fart, I dunno, but when I go to the counter at McDonald's, the last thing I want is some punk kid greeting me with "Sup?" or "Yeah?"

[Man Who Sold The World 0]

This is why I can't do any customer service related jobs.

 

I will say this, though, about the "smiling while you work" thing mentioned earlier...I don't need someone cheesing at me with a shit-eating grin the whole time I'm there or anything, but I don't think it's too much to ask to get an attitude more positive than an "I don't give a fuck about you or anyone else" attitude when you're taking my order, checking me out, etc. I didn't force you to take this shitty job so don't lump your shitty attitude on me.

 

Simply telling each customer "Hello, how are you?" "Thanks, have a nice day!" and what not goes a long way...well for me, anyway, because I do my best to be as nice as I can to the worker and I guess I expect a decent response back.

 

Maybe I'm just an old fart, I dunno, but when I go to the counter at McDonald's, the last thing I want is some punk kid greeting me with "Sup?" or "Yeah?"

 

I like your point, but you're missing ours (well maybe just mine). See, if a customer gave me shit, I gave them shit (with a grin on my face). I was never the type to really get bent out of shape at work, stuff never affected me because I always felt they weren't yelling at me they were yelling at my uniform, plus I knew It was just a college job so I wouldn't be there long. Thing is, when I got asshole customers it was probably because they themselves hated their job or life or whatever and took it out on the first person they could. So instead of getting an attitude back, I gave them the shit-eating grin. But nah, if you showed me respect, I'd show you the same. I was an awesome employee there.

[Black Lushus 0]

that's what I'm saying...whenever I approach the driveup window or the counter or the register or what-have-you, I always try to express an upbeat attitude...I know how shitty their job is so why be an asshole to them. I'm just saying, I expect to get that same treatment back. At grocery stores, they won't even say one word to you, they'll just start scanning your stuff...I dunno, "courtesy" is one of the main duties of a person in customer service, you know?

 

If someone is an asshole to you right from the start, yeah I don't expect someone to be Guy Smiley and take it...however, don't risk your job trying to be funny, just get the manager and let him/her deal with the problem, that's what they get paid to do...ultimately, the owner, district manager, general manager whatever of the business will fire you and whatever manager dealt with the problem before they piss off a customer any further. Let the manager in charge at the time take the heat and keep it off your back.

[Man Who Sold The World 0]

Point taken. Don't know if you have a Pavilions over where you're at, but over here I worked for one of the few chains (it's a Safeway/Vons company) and they PRIDE themselves on customer service. It comes naturally with me, I'm just like that, always greeting, asking if they need help, y'know, a preppy. But for some people it doesn't come that easy and things get ugly. But on the flipside I can be a prick too. Goes back to what I was saying, treat people how you would want them to treat you I guess is the right way of putting it. But it's true, definately don't try and do anything funny so you can tell your friends later, 'cause you will be telling the joke from the unemployement line. [sigh] Thank God I'm out of that business.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

A more fun side-topic to this would be "Flipping out on other customers while in line".

 

Ex: While waiting in line for breakfast at McDonalds a while back I had to listen to this DKNY-suit wearing, Carrie Bradshaw Version 2.0 (but somehow managed to be black) cunt. Bitching about her fucking McGriddle. Consistently, thoroughly bitching. She asks to speak to the manager who informed her that her food was finished and would be coming out to her. Not good enough, she's still going on. By that time I'd gotten my food and on the way out interrupted them and told the manager "You're handling this very well so you should be proud". I turned to her and said "You. Yeah you. You're triflin' over a fuckin' McGriddle. Take life easy".

 

I'm pretty sure she was more pissed off that a white kid told her she was "triflin'" then above anything else.

[NoCalMike 0]

I can tell you though from experience of helping out my parents in their postal store from back in the day, the worst type of rude customer of all is the one that gets pissed off over something petty, and tries to get the other customers pissed off, and the other customers kind of nod in approval so the idiot will have piece of mind and get the fuck out, and the second they are gone, the other customers tell my parents what a jerk-off the person was.

 

I did that type of job for about two years and god did we have our share of asshole customers, unfortunately we had a tool of a boss so we really couldn't go off on them except for weekends, then again we stuck it to the man in other ways. Also, this is the worst job to have at Christmas which seems to make everyone into the biggest gaping bloody asshole known to man.

 

 

Yeah the real hell started once my parents got one of those UPS tracking systems, where you could manually track where their shipment was if it was being sent across the country or overseas. They would be getting calls the entire day from customers wanting to know precisely where their package was, and they always thought they were more important then the line of people waiting patiently.

[tominator89 0]

I could tell some fun stories from being a computer technician in Long Island.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Oh, man. 39-cent cheeseburger night before the 10-purchase limit. Oh those were some fun times, especially since each grill could only do a dozen burgers at a time.

 

I don't need someone cheesing at me with a shit-eating grin the whole time I'm there or anything, but I don't think it's too much to ask to get an attitude more positive than an "I don't give a fuck about you or anyone else" attitude when you're taking my order, checking me out, etc. I didn't force you to take this shitty job so don't lump your shitty attitude on me.

 

I hear you. I don't care if you hate your job or not, but if you fuck up my order and then give me shit about it, then it's on like Donkey Kong. Otherwise, I don't care how miserable you are with your lot in life, especially since I don't have to live it.

 

Oh, man. 39-cent cheeseburger night.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Oh, and there's nothing like being a customer and going off on another customer. Especially a stupid one. Actually, you don't have to tell them to fuck off or anything; just laugh at their behavior and that will usually do the trick.

 

Oh, man. 39-cent cheeseburger night. The first night our store did this abortion, one of the fat chicks from back in the grill section screamed at this cheerleader chick working the drive-thru because she made a remark about how the customers having to wait for their food for as long as they were. THe fat chick had to be physically restrained from attacking the other chick.

[haws bah gawd 0]

I didnt go-off on the customer, but I did visibly shake my head at their blatant ignorance. Working with Cingular, or any mobile phone company is always fun for all the wrong reasons. So, I work at a kiosk in a Mall. This kiosk is bright orange, and has not only Cingular written all over it, but the are ugly orange "jack men" everywhere to be seen. You wouldn't be surprised how many people will walk up to me and ask "Yea, where is the Cingular store in here?". I was once asked this 3 times in the same shift. So, when the 3rd person in the same day asked me this same question, I told him it was at the other end of the mall on the 3rd floor next to the entrance to the movie theatre (the mall has neither). Never saw the person again that day. Sure, he may have wanted to buy something, but if youre that plain stupid, I dont need to be dealing with you.

 

Then there are the other ignorant fucks that always ask "Is this a Verizon/Sprint/T-Mobile/Altell booth?" Open your eyes people! Look around before you open your mouth and make an ass out of yourself.

[Darth Vader 0]

When I'm on a register at my job and I greet a customer at my job and they blatantly don't respond, I'll keep greeting them until they say something, like I just thought they couldn't hear me. I'll also push for them to buy more things. It's great because they have no recourse, are they gonna complain that I'm doing my job properly and they don't like it?

[Red Baron 0]

At Wendy's I've always had to deal with idiot customers. The funniest ones are the teenagers, especially this church goup of people. It was closing time and we had a joint restaurant (Wendy's/Tim Hortons) and I ask the kids to move because we need to clean the dining room. After some smart ass remark about being customers and how they come every Friday night, I said "God wants you to get the fuck out of here!" All of them left, and parents called in to complain the next day. Thankfully my boss backed me up on my saying.

 

Working for Capital One was a pain in the ass, especially since dealing with American customers about their credit card. There were some awesome arguements on the phone. One person threaten to kill me because he has not paid his bill in 209 days and wondered why his credit was so bad.

[devo 0]

When I'm on a register at my job and I greet a customer at my job and they blatantly don't respond, I'll keep greeting them until they say something, like I just thought they couldn't hear me.

 

This happens to me on almost a daily basis. I think my record is five "Can I help you?"s before getting a response.

[Black Lushus 0]

When I'm on a register at my job and I greet a customer at my job and they blatantly don't respond, I'll keep greeting them until they say something, like I just thought they couldn't hear me.

 

This happens to me on almost a daily basis. I think my record is five "Can I help you?"s before getting a response.

 

but see, I give you guys credit for that...no matter how annoying a customer might find it, you're doing your jobs.