Irrational Customer!

Aesop101

Okay I'm letting off some steam here.

It was busy at Wally World tonight, I mean really busy. Plus we had extra duties assigned. I'm out auditing the registers, which was a nightmare in and of itself, When a customer comes to me complaining about one our door greeters. The greeter had clocked out when the customer spotted her. She asked the Greeter where was the peanut butter. The customer said she just pointed. She added it was Susie. I said Susie, somewhat surprised. Susie is one of our best employees. Then wondered out loud if Susie was worn out when this happened or was in a hurry to get home. Nevertheless I said she should have taken you there. I mean the customer is always right and I tried to agree with the customer. But the customer went on and on about the incident over peanut butter.

Guess who shows up at the most inopportune time, Susie. Susie claims she told the customer that the Peanut Butter was in Aisle 13 or 14. So the customer and Susie start telling different versions of the same story. It looked like it was fast becoming an argument. At the point I abruptly tell Susie, LET ME HANDLE THIS. Not really yelling but being firm. Susie was in shock but I think she understood why. Susie was on her way home and I didn't want her to think I was mad at her. So I said, Susie..luv you.
It wasn't the right thing to say because it sent the customer into a frenzy. Susie on the other hand said replied back, luv you too. The customer quits talking to me and storms off. I track down the customer and try to tell her why I said that to Susie but she's obstinate and turns her back while saying she is calling the store manager. I said, okay call Nancy. She said I'm not calling Nancy because you recommended I call Nancy. I let it go and finish my duties.

How would I handle it again. I'm not sure. Susie was off the clock so I couldn't tell her to wait. I think I would have asked her to clock back in so we could talk. She's a very good employee and to be honest I believe what she said was true. Especially after dealing with this customer.

It was just an awful way to end a day.

kalepowered

That blows. Customers can really be the worst sometimes (a lot of the time). People seem to throw a hissy fit over the smallest of things, and won't give in no matter how many times you apologize or explain. I've been in retail way too long and it's left me rather jaded. I sometimes wonder if customers expect a free unicorn and sexual favors from retail employees every time they go to the store, or what exactly their expectations of "good customer service" are.

BeautyFromPain

Gosh, customers do really suck sometimes and yeah I agree with above, they decide to throw hissy fits over absolutely nothing! Like whether or not we are working we are still humans and deserve to be treated with a little bit of respect!

Misiaxcore

Working in a restaurant, I can def say the customer is basically always wrong :laugh: Sorry you had to deal with that :flowerforyou:

grimmaster1983

surely if susie had clocked out when the customer asked her, then shes no longer working and is just a member of the public,

H0neybug

I'm just wondering if this customer is a shut in or something...I mean doesn't everyone in the world know that the peanut butter is in the same aisle with the jelly, which is usually in the same aisle as the coffee and across from the bread.

I have worked with the public 20 years and some people are just always difficult...it won't matter what you do or say...it is how they feel they are asserting their power over someone they deem inferior.

Since I know I'm not inferior and I generally enjoy working with the public I have perfected a look that says, "are you really acting like this...you should look at yourself in the mirror". I NEVER let their stupid attacks interfere in my real life except to make the incident into a funny story to share with my family and friends.

Peanut butter??? Really? It's not like she was asking where something obscure is like say Metamucil for her constipation....lol