Retail Workers Share Their Cringeworthy Interactions With Customers

#1 Hey even teachers have bad days. That still doesn't excuse this woman's behavior but store policy is store policy.

"I work at a school supply store that sells primarily to elementary school teachers. One night I had a customer come in with her twins in a stroller and her five year old girl, she asked if she could return some cutouts she had changed her mind on. Due to store policy we require a receipt for all returns and exchanges, and of course with my luck, she didn’t have it. She didn’t take my word for it and tried to return it with another cashier but was also denied. After being rejected twice she angrily continued to shop while her twins began to cry and scream inside their stroller. This continued on for about an hour and finally she came up to check out. At this point the stress was steaming out of her, while I checked her items out she was able to locate her old receipt."

"As I checked the receipt I noticed it was past our 180 day policy, knowing what would happen next I politely explained that unfortunately she could not return her items. She then angrily went off on a rant on how stupid and outdated our policy was and as she continued to curse and rant I had to continue checking her items out while apologizing for the inconvenience. She threw her card on the counter and mumbled until she left the store. Like really? You’ve had this item for over 9 months and you’re waiting until it’s too late to return it? Why would we accept your late return? Would you accept a student’s assignment if it was months past the due date? No."

#2 How many of you have ever been given a job and just ended up being thrown to the wolves with no real training?

"You don't train me, but expect me to know how to do everything...

So I got my very first job at a generic ‘we sell everything’ drug store. It was my first job, so I had no idea how to do anything, but I was happy to be able to be making my own money. I got there on my first day as they were putting up sales stickers. The head manager was doing this and when I walked up to her, she said,

“Here, take these and look at the numbers and try to match them up. They just kind of go in order sometimes."

Then preceded to shuffle her way to the back. I did the best I could with what I knew, but it was long, tedious and confusing as NONE of the sales tickets were in order what-so-ever. 10% were organized into sections, but most were filed under 'POG’ which meant 'all over the store'

Whenever I had a question because I didn’t know where something was, I was constantly met with condescending looks.

So after only getting one shift every week doing the same stupid sticker thing and then 'zoning’ the store for 3 hours, I decided to try out cashier.

At the time, my mom was also working part-time here and my first training day was with her… my ONLY training day. After that I was told my supervisor would help train me to help me get the hang of certain things.

What I didn’t know was that training meant leaving me on my own at the register figure out how to do anything and constantly calling her back to the front to help me. (I.e. interrupting her movie watching in the back room) "

"After a few weeks of cashier work, I accidentally let a woman go without her card transaction going through properly and the store lost out on something like $60.

The next shift I had I was pulled to the back and a manager told me

"You aren’t learning cashier as fast as we hoped so we don’t think it’ll work out."

After that I had 2 more shifts of putting stickers up and then getting no more shifts without being told I was let go or anything. Eventually the store in that location closed down due to not making enough money. "

#3 You ever have a customer that was such a huge pervert that they just didn't know how to restrain themselves?

"Restrain yourself!

During one of the busiest nights I’ve ever seen one of the costumers leans in over the counter and asks me (while interrupting me while i was finishing the purchase with the other costumers ahead of him) in a whispering voice “Is it okay to have Sex in the store?” and after i asked him to repeat the question because i could not fathom what he was asking i told him no, and he actually looked surprised…"

#4 This one proves that there s no hope for America. The Derps have taken over.

"Super Target is Target

Working guest service.

Guest: “I got this DVD set as a gift and I already have it, but he didn’t give me the receipt. My friend thinks he got it here”

Me: scan the item, “I’m sorry it looks like it is not ours”

Guest: “Okay, thank you”

Guest’s Girlfriend: “Wait, hun this is Super Target, I bet he got it at regular Target”

OMG."

#5 Don't you just hate douchebags that always come in your store to hassle you but never buy anything?

"A guy who’s been a frequent visitor but rare customer who always stays in the store way too long and often in terrible locations, aloofly blocking either me or other customers from traveling freely around the store, just finally tried my patience for the last time.

He comes in once a month or more to tell me that he’s going to have the money to buy things soon and just wants to try stuff on, but he always tries the same two items on, a pair of thermally insulated rain pants and a hoodie. He tries on about four different sizes each time. He requests literally $600 dollars worth of merchandise come out of the packaging each time he comes, draping it all over various fixtures. He bought one five dollar pair of gloves and a $15 fleece over the past year. He also had the nerve to come strutting by wearing a Walmart quality pullover fleece that he proudly told me he bought for $10, and that it was cheaper than mine. I DON’T EVEN REMEMBER WHAT I SAID, SOMETHING THINLY VEILED REGARDING VALUE OF THE TWO ITEMS NOT BEING COMPARABLE.

ANYWAY, HE COMES IN AGAIN TODAY, makes me climb up the ladder to get the damn insulated winter pants again, he asks for a 2X this time (he’s tried every size from XL to 6X, he hasn’t changed weight or anything) and when I relay that I’m out of 2X’s at the moment, he just dully says “oh, wow. :(” and starts walking out before grabbing a dozen gloves and suddenly asking who I get them from."

"I laugh and joke that it’s classified information, and then add in, “unless you mean what company makes them? I can tell you that,”

And he says that he wants to simply buy them from my supplier several dozen at a time “so that he doesn’t have to come in all the time.”

MOTHERFUCKER YOU HAVEN’T BOUGHT SHIT FROM ME, ARE YOU IMAGINING ALL THESE PURCHASES EVERY TIME YOU TRY SOMETHING ON??? NOT TO MENTION THAT, AS HE SAYS THIS, HE HAS PICKED UP THAT VERY PACKAGE OF GLOVES FROM A DISPLAY OF LITERALLY TWENTY DOZEN???????

I AM VERY FED UP WITH THIS GUY. HE ALSO REFERS TO HIMSELF AS A GOOD CUSTOMER WHEN I WON’T DROP THE PRICE FOR HIM ON THE ITEMS HE ASKS FOR."

#6 I honestly didn't know people still played Farmville. I thought it had gone extinct long ago.

"Farmville Fiasco

I work at a convenience store. Near the beginning of my shift an older woman came in to buy a “farmville” game gift card. All was pleasant and polite until I told her (as we are required by store policy) that gift cards could not be returned and asked her if that was okay. She responded by telling me that I was not telling her the truth. I apologized for the perceived insult, explained that it was a corporate policy, that the card would come with an activation receipt, and said that I could ask the manager to come and explain the policy if she wanted. She responded by yelling that she didn’t believe me but would buy the gift card anyway and would come back to the store and “physically tear me apart” if it did not work correctly. Thankfully she never came back. The card must have worked and she was able to get her “farmville” fix without dismembering me. "

#7 People, please try to teach your kids not to be entitled little assholes. It will save them a lot of trouble in the future.

"I work at a very popular retail store. I am an assistant manager. One night, as I was finishing up my recovery two young boys came in the store and immediately started running toward the electronics aisle. I sternly told them that running was not allowed in the store. They didn’t listen. A few minutes later, I peeked around the corner to see what all the noise they were making was about. They were now playing baseball with one of those out of reach grabber things and a roll of duct tape. That was it. I told the boys not to come back in my store without their parents present. They left and ten minutes later, brought dad in. He wasn’t happy. I got a scolding while the kids sat and watched, laughing, even though they were the ones out of line. Not cool… F#!& that D?$@h B@g and his two kids."

#8 What a shitty day. What kind of super nasty person does some shit like the shit you are about to read?

"Are you Serious! Crapping in my Store!

I own a small business, a Pack Mail. A man comes in and asks me to use the rest room. I never let anyone use my bathroom, I am very weird about sharing personal space with strangers. I asked him #1 or #2. He said #1. I believed him and reluctantly let him go. He walked to the back of the store and closed the bathroom door behind him. Mind you, my store has about 1100 sq feet. (small store)

I am busy with customers while this is happening, probably why I allowed it. So, a few minutes later I realize he is still in there. I am pissed, I can picture him crapping on my toilet after he told me “#1” ooofff…

More customers flood in, and he finally emerges. He passes me by and says, “Don’t worry I washed my hands.”

I felt like punching him in the mouth, but instead smiled and said I “I hope so,” and continued with my customers.

I noticed a wave of nasty crap like smell hit me in the face when he walked by, and I know at least one of my customers noticed it because they made a face when he walked by them.

I pretended to ignore it. ooof..

All customers are gone now, and I am youtubing on my PC.

i notice that hellish smell again. WTF?>!?!?

I look to my left by my work station in the back, and there is this mountain of shit on the floor. Instantly I vomited on the floor beside me. I was in SHOCK! I never thought in a million years this could/would happen. As I am vomiting two elderly women walk in to the store. I screech at them GET OUT!!! It came out yelling because I was trying to stop them from entering and I was throwing up at the same time. Phone rings, more customers attempt to enter. I am $%^#$%^ pissed!"

"I rip the phone cord out of the wall. I lock the front door, and I escape out the back.

15 minutes, and a half pack of cigs later I return. I go to re inspect the extent of the damage this crap artist had inflicted. Not only did he go on the floor in my work area. (of course the actual bathroom was a disaster). The Bastard stepped on it, and went parading around my store with his shit stamping shoes. Idk how he did it, why he did it..or if he even knew he did it. Bastard. I cleaned it up, threw up a few more times, cursed him out a few more times. I used a gallon of bleach for this mess. WOW I was pissed.

Bastard comes in the next day, like nothing happened. So I shot him. (in my mind)

The show must go on..bastard."

#9 This old guy was not only rude, he was obviously sexist. Why else would he act the way he did? Read on:

"Women don't know stuff, right?

I was working at a national sporting goods chain. The store sells guns and ammo. The store does not receive either item as a return or exchange for legal and liability reasons.

Four people were working: A seasoned, young, female cashier, myself (a young, female supervisor), a female manager, and a brand new, quite young, male associate.

Old Guy: I would like to return this ammunition.

Cashier: I’m sorry, we don’t accept ammunition in returns. It’s the law. Our return policy is on the back of your receipt.

Old Guy: HEM HAW. I want to talk to your supervisor.

*I turn around*

Me: Sir, she is right. We don’t take ammo back in. It’s the law. It could also present substantial liability issues for the company. I’m sorry, but we can’t return your ammo.

Old Guy: *Anger has risen* Get me your manager!

*Manager comes up, story is relayed*

Manager: They are right, sir, no returns on ammo. We cannot make exceptions for legal reasons."

"Old Guy was quite upset by this point. He was clearly not leaving anytime soon. He was going on about how we don’t know anything and he didn’t do anything to the ammo etc. I saw the new associate walking up to see what the commotion was about. I walked to meet him and relayed the return policy to him before he reached the conversation.

Old Guy saw him and seized on him.

Old Guy: Can I return this ammo? These three say I can’t!

Associate: No. [Exact same things we’d been saying the whole time]

Old Guy: Oh. *To the three women* Why didn’t you just say that?"