TalesFromRetail

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/Diligent_Elk_688 on 2024-11-22 23:28:28+00:00.

A few years ago at this point, I was working in a grocery store, unlike the sports equipment store I work at now. I remember this story well, because two days in a row, something stupid happened, and this is one of them.

Two days before our national day, I was at work during the evening. Suddenly, while I am having my lunch break, my colleagues come in and asks me for help. I follow them and on the way am briefed about a thief having stolen a bike from the store entrance.

A man who was a regular customer, who always rode his bike, had his bike stolen from the store entrance. He'd parked it inside for whatever reason. Well, lucky for him, there are cameras in the entrance that caught the culprit red handed. The hillarity ensued from here.

I go to check the security tapes to prep for the police to show up (victim had called). This is what I observed:

• About 5 minutes after the bike was left in the entrance, the culprit shows up, looks back and forth a few times, puts on some gloves and walks off with the bike, his face was in clear view.
• Fast forward about 7 minutes, the thief returns to the store, the victim is still there and they start talking together, turns out they know eachother. No way in hell can we tell the victim that it's the thief, we have no idea if he becomes violent or not.

We keep our eyes on the thief, something he eventually notices. On the camera feed, you can see him walking around and shoving stuff into his shirt and pants all sneaky-beaky like. When he notices us observing him, he panics and starts emptying the stolen goods from his pants and shirt in random locations around the store before leaving.

Cops show up immediately after he left. I show them the tapes and we identify the guy, they already knew him. While I was talking with the police, the bike had magically shown up in the entrance again. The police left to pick him up anyway. Safe to say, the thief got cold feet.

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/Diligent_Elk_688 on 2024-11-22 07:44:00+00:00.

For context, I work in a store that sells sports, camping, outdoor and hunting equipment. This includes hunting rifles and air rifles. I work there as a cashier, said cashier is at the exit of this relatively large store. I have many strange stories from this store and a previous store, this is one of them.

One day I am behind the only open register, and a 50-something man comes stomping into the store, straight up to my register, and without me even being able to say hi, he says:

"I need my receipt NOW!" in a slightly irritated voice. Dumbfounded, I respond "Oookay, when did you come here for the purchase and what was it?" He responds, still slightly irritated "I don't know when" I kinda just stare at him for a second before he continues: "Look, it should be around a year ago-ish?, my insurance company said you have it on record" Trying hard not to roll my eyes at him, I ask "Do you have a more specific timeframe, what month?" He gets slightly louder and more irritated, before he says "Look, I don't have time for this, let me write down my info, I purchased an air rifle last year and I need the receipt" I have him write down his info before I ask one final question that would help me locate his receipt. "Are you a member of our store?" "Yes, I am" I check his number, ofcourse he isn't a member. Before I even get to tell him this, he's already on his way out of the store, even angrier now for whatever reason.

This guy really thinks I would manually look for his receipt from "around last year" with "an air rifle" on it among several hundred thousand receipts?, keeping in mind that receipts aren't even kept in record that far back, at least not that I, a basic cashier would have access to.

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/Theeldritchwriter on 2024-11-17 21:41:54+00:00.

Had a customer come in earlier, on a motorcycle, got some gas and some snacks, no issue, started off as friendly guy. As he was paying he looked back out the window at his motorcycle, still parked at the pump, and started telling me “that should be a good enough spot to leave my bike. I’ve got to grab some things from the (grocery store next door)”

Y’all know why that’s just a no-no thing. It’s common sense not to do. Kind of surprised I even had to explain to the guy that no, you can’t leave your motorcycle parked at the gas pumps while you go shopping in another store. You’d think I was trying to explain astrophysics to him for how confused he was by that. I did point out that he’s welcome to bring his bike to park at the side of the building, or in any of the parking spots in the grocery stores parking lot. It’s literally next door, we share parking spaces, it’s not gonna be any more effort for him to take his bike over there than it is walking to the store.

Then he started getting that “how dare you tell me what I can’t do” kind of aggressive as he tried to argue that he was just going to grab a few things so it’ll be quick. It’s just a motorcycle, it’s not taking up much space. Like man, that’s not the issue, you can’t park at the pumps and dip out because then customers who need it can’t use the gas pumps.

I don’t think he ever understood why he can’t just park and bail, because that requires thinking about something other than yourself, but he begrudgingly said he’d just take his bike over to the grocery store like it was the biggest inconvenience in the world.

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/DisastrousTarget5060 on 2024-11-15 17:55:28+00:00.

I wanted to share a funny (for me) interaction with a customer from a few days ago.

This guy comes in to pick up a package for his friend but I can't find it. I find out that it's still in the process of being delivered and that it's a laptop.

I tell him that it's still on a truck somewhere and also warn him that because of what it is, we will not be able to give it to him. I tell him that this is a hard rule and we will not budge on. I suggest that he gets the person who the package is for to contact the shipper and try to get his name put on the shipping label. I give him a pieces of paper with this information.

A couple days later he's back and holding the piece of paper I had given him. The package is here but his name is not on the label so I refuse to give it to him. My boss can hear him getting mad and comes over to help. My boss tries explaining to him a few times that it doesn't matter what he shows or who he calls. His name isn't on the label so he doesn't get the package.

He gets his friend on the phone and insists my boss speak to them. My boss does and tells them the same thing along with their options: come get the package themselves or we'll send it back and they can make arrangements with the shipper. Friend chooses the second option so back on the truck it goes.

I really don't know what was going through this guy's head when he came back. I warned him that this would happen and lo and behold! It did

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/throwaway-25434 on 2024-11-15 00:03:27+00:00.

Today was my last day in retail. I start a new job in a hospital next Monday. After applying to 100+ jobs since leaving HE, went to 5 interviews, and accepted an offer for a receptionist position. uses all the same fundamental skills but gets me out of the endless cycle of doom. I even worked a full weeks notice, more consideration than management has ever given me regarding my own schedule, but hey ho!

I've worked at my present clothes retailer/cafe combo for almost 2 years. Having had years of retail experience (1 major national chain and 1 local volunteering role.) I started in the bookstore part. In an effort to develop my communication skills, I trained at a local non-profit, helping out with some telephone administrative duties. Lately I've been spending more and more time in the stock room because the main operations manager left and hadn't been replaced and we kept losing workers who are mainly temp students. It's been work up there ever since, and that’s an understatement.

So my last day is a long one in the stock room, as usual… The only difference being the satisfaction of wearing a plain black shirt instead of the usual company uniform, almost symbolising similar essence to that of a funeral setting, which I found quite amusing.

We're running light on bodies so there are just the two of us for much of the day and during the other one's lunch breaks we have to handle things alone. I hate working alone in the back! But we get through it and I say goodbye to the full-time regulars who are awfully nice and are absolute troopers, wishing me well and saying they'll miss me.

Don’t get me wrong, part of me wanted to walk out halfway through the day but if I made it this far I should probably just stick it out, either way, what a relief. Go to see my manager to say goodbye and she's got a card waiting for me where everyone has written a bit to see me off: congratulations, best wishes, nice working with you, know you'll do great etc.

Even during my exit interview, a manager who I barely spoke to, but had a cordial relationship with, seemed genuinely upset at the prospect of me leaving, expressed genuine excitement for my future, being one of the youngest long-term workers in the store. Wished me luck and encouraged me to keep in touch, and all the managers did the same.

I vow to NEVER work a retail job again…

(Just needed to vent! 😜)

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/BowloRamaGuy on 2024-11-11 06:56:01+00:00.

I was working as a cashier / salesperson at a now defunct chain that carried electronics, car audio, appliances, computers, CD's, etc. This was back when heavy tube televisions were still a thing.

The store manager gives us a game plan for Black Friday and my station was in the television department first register closest to the front door.

The doors open and immediately I have a line of people.

One rather large man asks "Where are the 32 inch televisions?" and instinctively I said "The next aisle over" and he goes over there. I mean, technically my answer wasn't wrong. They were in that aisle. He meant the ones on sale lol oops. He came back and I had to tell him they were already out of stock.. Boy was he mad.

A few hours later the store manager pulls out a few 32 inch tv's from the back he was hiding so it looked like the store still had a few in stock and people at like 1PM were getting a deal.

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/Clown-Chan_0904 on 2024-11-07 17:34:42+00:00.

I live in an european country, and I work part time at a grocery store, hopefully full time someday (when I am not suffering from 8+ diagnoses anymore).

I was at a shelf, doing the usual stuff.

An elderly male customer walked over to me with a plastic wicker basket and ask me "hun, what color is this"?

It was 100% white, no nuances, no shade, not a slightly warmer or colder white, just WHITE-white.

So I tried to keep a straight face and gave him the answer.

He didn't believe it. He KEPT THINKING it cannot possibly be white. He just wouldn't accept the truth. I had to send him to the manager, I just couldn't deal with it.

He kept insisting thay the basket wasn't white.

He was not blind, I am absolutely certain.

Are there some kind of special colorblindness where you cannot see the color white? I don't know.

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/TemptationTapestry on 2024-11-06 23:29:04+00:00.

Last Friday, it was business as usual at the register when a man strode up with purpose, holding a crinkled receipt in one hand and a store flyer in the other. “I need a refund,” he announced firmly, with the air of someone about to right a great wrong.

I glanced down at the receipt, just two days old. The item in question? A can of soup. The refund he wanted? Eight cents.

Before I could ask why he was so insistent, he pointed to the flyer. Apparently, the soup was supposed to be eight cents cheaper, and he was there to make sure he got the advertised discount. “It’s not the money,” he said, with a serious look in his eye. “It’s the principle.”

I tried explaining that the register couldn’t process refunds this small, hoping he’d laugh it off and move on. But he just stood there, arms crossed, resolute.

So I sighed, reached into my pocket, and pulled out a dime. Placing it in his hand, I kept a straight face and said, “Here you go, sir. Keep the change.”

He blinked for a moment, clearly not expecting that, then pocketed the dime with a satisfied nod. “Thank you,” he said. “That’s all I wanted.” With that, he turned and strode out of the store.

As soon as he was out the door, I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself. Sometimes, customer satisfaction really does come down to the smallest of change.

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/Paffio_ on 2024-11-01 03:33:47+00:00.

About 25 minutes before my shift ended this lady with her family were standing on the end of the last isle which is right before the register and the first cashier was busy. She was looking at dresses and almost everyone waiting in line does that so I called out “are you ready” and she turned around and gave me a weird look but I ignored it and raised my hand and said “next on two”. She then proceeded to say something I couldn’t hear except the last part which was “sorry if you didn’t like my answer” as she slowly backed away. Since it’s halloween today my work let me dress up and I was a bloody clown so I assumed she didn’t like clowns or something so I said to my coworker on one that she might have to take them instead because I think she’s scared of clowns but she had to go on break so I was left there alone. The lady and her family then started walking to the other side of the store and kept giving me looks and like a minute later she came back and asked me to call the manager and I said okay and called her up. She came up and the lady started saying she had a horrible experience today and said I yelled “are you going to pay” at her and was giving her nasty looks and attitude. My manager sent me away because the lady kept looking at me. Luckily my manager knows me and knows I wouldn’t do that. I am absolutely baffled I started crying afterwards like what 😭. The lady even said I should go back to training and not have me up at the register. Also this shouldn’t really be important but I have a 4g septum piercing that I got to keep in for today because it matched my costume and I have a hunch she has something against people who dress alternatively. I was just trying to ring her up I’m so confused and she wouldn’t stand within 5 feet of me like I was gonna get her 😨. The more I’ve been thinking about it the crazier it seems like genuinely what’s the issue because every customer I’ve had has always had good things to say about me unless it was about some store policy I have to follow.

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/Majur_Wulf on 2024-10-29 01:19:19+00:00.

Here is a bit of context: I work at a grocery store that requires us to scan (or enter manually if they cant be scanned) everyone's ID for any age restricted item (Alcohol, tobacco, cold medicine, etc) regardless of age. Annoying I know...

Story Starts Here:

I had a guy come up to the register with some cold medicine which triggered the prompt to scan ID. Me: "Ok sir, I am going to need to see your ID?" Customer: " Why do you need ID for cold medicine? Plus I am in my 30s..." At this point it was no longer about store policy asking for ID but state law which dictates we ID anyone 40 years or younger. Me: "Well there is ingredients in cold medicine that are used in the making of some of the hard drugs, which is why its a age restricted item. Also it is company policy to ID everyone regardless of age." Customer: "I don't do drugs." Me: " Sir, I didn't say you do just explaining why an ID is required." The guy didnt have an ID on him but he had a picture on his phone of the temporary ID you get from the DMV while you wait for the card itself in the mail. Me: "Sir, I'm sorry, but I can't take this as I need the physical ID as a photo can be altered." Customer: "Ok I have it in my car just let me go get it." Customer returns a few minutes later carrying a piece of paper and hands it to me. Me: "Sir, I need the actual temporary ID not a physical picture of the temporary ID. As again a picture can be altered." There was a little more back and forth with him questioning why we couldn't accept it, and I decided to call for the acting manager on duty. Who told him exactly what I said and to come back with the actual documentation.

TL/DR: Customer brought in a printed out picture of his temporary ID when told we can't accept pictures of IDs.

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/Mid_Night_Rose on 2024-10-28 16:51:20+00:00.

Last season, I was working at a little winter gear shop in a ski town, one of those places where everything from snowboards to mittens is stacked to the ceiling. One snowy Saturday, a couple came in with their two kids. The kids went straight for the helmets and ski boots, eagerly pulling their parents around, begging to try on every single item. While the mom was distracted, the dad came up to me, casting a quick look over his shoulder. With a grin, he whispered, “Don’t let my wife see, I’ve been eyeing this hat for weeks.” He slipped me €30, and I rang him up, casually chatting about the powder forecast as I tucked the beanie into his bag. Just as he finished, his wife approached, wrangling the kids. She made her way over to the same rack of hats and leaned over the counter with a knowing smile. “Don’t let my husband see, but he’s been needing this hat.” She handed me the cash, winked, and went back to gathering up their gear. They left with a little secret smile on each of their faces and I knew they’d just bought each other the same hat!

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/Naturegirl516 on 2024-10-27 04:41:44+00:00.

This retail experience was kinda funny. A couple years back, when my coworker was 17, she asked me to help ring up the alcohol she had. She told me ahead of time that the group did not look old enough. It was a group of like 6-8 teenage boys. The excuse they told my coworker was that they were college. (Really bro? I was in college at 18.) For something like this I would have to check ALL of their IDs. I decided to start by asking if I could see ONE ID... They said they ALL left their IDs at home. I smirked at them and took the case of beer away and said "Then you don't get this!" and walked away. 🤣 They all left without buying anything after that. 🤣💀

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/Naturegirl516 on 2024-10-27 04:26:14+00:00.

Apologies this is kinda long cuz there's a lot to tell... I've worked at a grocery store for about 2 years now. My first bad customer experience was a couple weeks after I started working there. Basically a lady refused to show me her ID for the alcohol she was buying. She said she was "3x my age" (which would've made her like 66, so she was probably underestimating how old I was 💀), and told me that she wanted a manager to bypass the ID check. (Btw it's TN, no matter your age we HAVE to check ID.) I was panicked and didn't know what to do so I talked to one of my friends who was a manager, and she told the lady that we needed ID. I had a pretty long line of people behind her, so she paid for her order and my friend said they could help her at customer service when she came back (She went out to her car to get her ID). So I continued with the next customer and a couple minutes later, the lady came back in trying to show me her ID when I was in the middle of helping another customer. My coworker was trying to get her to come to customer service for assistance, but the lady just blew up at us and said "Oh nevermind! I guess they don't want our business! We'll take our business somewhere else!" (She was talking to her husband). My coworker and I were just kinda shocked and went on with our day. I was still pretty shaken up from the whole interaction. The customer I was taking care of during the whole blow up, was very kind to me and told me that lady was over the top and told me to ignore her. Later in my shift I was telling another customer about the interaction cuz I was still shaken up about it, and she opened the fancy chocolate she had just bought and gave me one. 🥹 Always so lovely when you find the compassionate customers 💕

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/nhooligan27 on 2024-10-26 11:13:53+00:00.

I woke up thinking of this story and I figured this was the perfect place to air it.

Years ago I was managing a certain gag gift store in the mall, yes that one.

I had a couple with a stroller come through and as they were checking I was dealing with the lady of the couple.

She had purchased a few random items, t-shirt, jewelry, and a couple of other small items.

As I rang her up I grabbed a bag and start placing her things in a bag.

She says: “I don’t need them in a bag”

I say: “okay” and put the bag back

She says: “but I want the bag”

We make eye contact and I look confused. I slowly grab the same bag from under the counter and gently place it on top of her stuff without putting anything in it and say “Here’s your bag” still confused..

THE NEXT DAY.

The same couple comes back into the store, approaches my assistant manager, where the lady proceeds to ask to speak to the manager, my assistant comes to get me, I walk over to the couple, who I didn’t know was the same couple at the time.

The lady sees me and says “NEVERMIND!” And leaves

And honestly, to this day I am still just as confused.

What was your complaint? I would have liked to hear it. My only thought is that I didn’t read her mind?

I don’t get it.

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/Expensive-Love-6785 on 2024-10-24 05:49:16+00:00.

For context, this happened about 2 years ago when I worked at a boba shop. It was located in a mall and 1/2 of the only locations in our city. All employees, except managers, were teenagers or college students, ages ranging from 14-19.

Okay, the story:

This day was pretty slow and it was just me (15F) and my coworker (17F) working that day. These two women come up and are starting to order, asking a few questions, but it’s normal.

I was on cashier and one of the ladies asks me if she can get extra sugar in the matcha milk. I tell her that our matcha powder is already a formulated powder with sugar in it, so we really aren’t allowed to put more sugar in it. (You’ll see why, it’s two different sugars. It’s stupid, but it’s our rules.)

She starts getting an attitude, rudely asking why. So I politely explain that our sugar is a thick, syrupy cane sugar and we aren’t really allowed.

She starts throwing a tantrum and makes a big deal out of picking a new drink. Panicked, me and my coworker, trying to people-please, tell her that we can put the sugar in for her and put it in our shakers, but the milk might turn out a little frothy.

She says “No. no. It’s whatever.”, all curt. Her friend is literally laughing at her tantrum at this point and trying to tell her to just compromise but she’s getting a bigger attitude with her friend.

So she settles for another drink and it’s time to pay. The tip question comes up on our tablet and I really don’t expect her to tip, or care if she does.

But she does this dramatic snort-laugh and goes “Tuh!” before dramatically clicking what I know is the 0% option.

Bet she felt so nice leaving with her drink knowing she made two teenage girls’ jobs harder!!🤗 Probably added more flavor to the drink!

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/Expensive-Love-6785 on 2024-10-23 18:45:44+00:00.

So this happened almost 2 years ago but I remembered it when joining this subreddit.

For context, I worked at a well known boba shop in a busy mall. All the employees were either highschool students or college kids, ages ranging from 14-20 and the 2 managers were married. The owner almost abandoned this location to focus on another one.

Our managers were very cheap and never wanted to waste a single drop of product or give a refund unless really needed.

Now the story, my (at the time, 18F) coworker and I (at the time, 15F) were working on a mildly busy day. This woman comes with her three kids, her oldest daughter, middle son, and youngest daughter. They ordered their 3 drinks like normal and some of them got slushes instead of milk tea, whatever pretty normal.

When we hand them their drinks on the other side of the kiosk, they try it right there. Could have moved for other customers, but okay.

A little bit later she comes back in line and starts asking my coworker for a refund because her youngest daughter didn't like the slush. Not an exchange for something she might've liked, but an entire refund.

So, my coworker tells her that since we didn't make her drink incorrectly we cannot give her a refund, as we have a policy to only give refunds when it is a mistake on our part.

She argues with her for way too long before asking to speak to the manager. My coworker tells her that our manager isn't here at this moment, but we can get her on the phone.

At this point, I can't remember if there were other customers behind her or if we had finished the line.

Anyways, my coworker goes in the back and calls our boss to explain the situation. She comes to the front, puts her phone on speaker, and the woman explains her side of the story. My boss then says the same thing, "Since it was no mistake on our part & they did not mess up your drinks, we will not be able to give you a refund.".

She basically storms off after that, with all her kids, to a sitting area right in front of our shop/kiosk, practically vibrating with anger as her kids look sad or maybe embarrassed.

Eventually after some time, they leave and I see she left all of the drinks in a circle around the edge of the garbage bin where they were sitting.

Like, okay? You wasted your own money, not ours.

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/PaintSea6988 on 2024-10-20 18:27:58+00:00.

So I've been working at my local grocery store for more than a year now, and this happened in the first 3 months after I was hired. We have a store card where you can only receive sales from our store card, which we call the "Bonus Card", and we offer to use a designated "Store Card" For customers who don't yet or don't have one. I had a customer who wanted to get 2 boxes of shaved ice cups that were a 2-for-something sale. when I pressed total he asked me about it, and I asked him if he had a bonus card, and if he didn't have one I could offer him our "Store Card", I also mentioned that the sale wouldn't come off without it. Before I could even push the number for the store card, he ran out of the store, leaving the groceries on the conveyor belt. I haven't seen him since, and I told my coach what happened. She just offered to take the shaved ice back to the freezer section. to this day we still like to laugh about the experience because of how unexpected it was lol

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/cwu007 on 2024-10-10 19:33:33+00:00.

To premise this, I am a Shift Supervisor for a retail drug store chain. Like a lot of retailers we are having a very bad shoplifting problem. Thieves will come and fill bags with hundreds, if not thousands of dollars of merchandise and walk out. (We are well aware that these are apart of much larger crime rings) Most are repeat offenders to the point where we have nicknames for them. We are told by our higher ups to please tally up what was stolen, save the surveillance footage and file a police report along with store security report. Due to the repeat offenders I created a file system in the office where we have the multiple reports filed under each nickname.

For a few months we had a repeat offender who we nicknamed Tall. He was very tall, think 6’4” to 6’6”. He would come in and steal expensive skin and hair care. Usually several thousand dollars in one go.

One day we see a man walk out with a large pillow case full of merchandise. A customer tells us she saw him in the hair care section waiting for her to leave. I check the cameras and immediately recognize Tall. I get on the phone with police. While I’m on the phone my employee gets a call from a customer. It’s a man stating that the thief is at the park near the store. You hear a little girl in the background yelling “Daddy the bad man is in the bathroom.” I relay the message to the dispatcher. I don’t know if the customer had followed Tall or just happened to go to the park as well. Fast forward 30 minutes later I get a call from a police officer asking if I could text him a picture of our thief. They have detained someone matching the general description. I comply. Fast forward another half hour and we have 2 police cars in front of our store and an officer asking who would like to make an eyewitness identification. My employee volunteers. After confirming the officer comes in with a large drawstring bag full of merchandise. We are tallying everything up as the officer keeps removing stuff from the bag. It felt like a bad game show as the total went up. In total nearly $2000 worth of stolen merchandise. I grab Tall’s file and give the officer all the other police reports we have on Tall. But this is only the beginning.

A few days later I receive a call from an investigator with the police department. She has a few questions about Tall, she also mentions his girlfriend. A few days later she sends me an email stating that other retailers also have cases open with a suspect matching Tall’s description and his girlfriend. Some are confirmed, others are in the process of confirming. Everything is slowly piling up.

This week the investigator paid us a visit. She told us that Tall and his girlfriend have been charged with multiple felony counts. I won’t say the exact number but it’s in the double digits. Their bail has also been set at a 7 figure mark.

Two prolific thieves got arrested and multiple cases were solved all thanks to an observant customer who decided to call and let us know. Not all heroes wear capes or have martial art skills. Some are armed with a phone and their superpower is being observant. As for the customer, he has never come forward so we’ve never had the opportunity to thank him.

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/Chaos-and-Spite1389 on 2024-10-08 12:01:41+00:00.

I work as a supervisor at a small convenience store. In my area, there is a law where if we sell a product that is eligible to be returned for a bottle deposit, we must take it back if asked to. However, we are also directly across the street from a large grocery store that has redemption machines.

The other day, an older woman comes in with her husband to buy some stuff and return some bottles. She is notorious for doing this, usually when we are busy.

When my cashier saw her come in the store, she asked me to stand behind the register with her in case there was any trouble. Of course, I said I would and pretended to be looking over the schedule.

She rings the lady up for her purchases and then starts counting the bottles and cans. It comes out to be worth $2.40. My cashier tells the customer that she will process the bottle return today, but that if she comes back next time with over $1 worth we will refuse to do it and send her across the street because they are better equipped.

As expected, this woman starts throwing a hissy fit. She brings up the fact that it is illegal to refuse her and that, if we do, she’s going to call the state police to report us and we’ll all be fired. My cashier apologizes and mentions that the only reason she suggests for her to go across the street is that it will be quicker for the customer. She hates this idea too. She says that, obviously, we hate her and don’t want her business.

My cashier tries to explain but the customer keeps cutting her off, talking about how nobody cares about her anymore. Eventually, she starts yelling about how everybody she ever loved is dead now because she’s so old.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I felt a little bad about that. However, I also felt it was unnecessary for her to try and use that against us. After a few minutes of this, the transaction is over and she eventually leaves. I still don’t understand why she doesn’t just go across the street but I guess we’ll never know.

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/HaIfhearted on 2024-10-08 07:47:58+00:00.

I am a shift supervisor at a thrift store in the US.

The other day at the registers there was a woman who was waiting in line while on her phone and didn't notice when my cashier called her turn so he called her again.

Apparently she took great offense to this and started doing the whole Karen routine while my cashier was trying to explain that he didn't mean any offense and I ended up stepping in after about 10-15 seconds of her increasingly rude nonsense.

She decided to wait and use a different line instead, me and the first cashier just looked at each other confused.

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/cwu007 on 2024-10-04 18:24:24+00:00.

I’m a Shift Supervisor for a retail drug store chain. One if the services we provide is photo. Like a lot of places our main type of photo is digital. We do offer film development however it is a send out service and could take 2 to 3 weeks. Usually when people call asking if we provide film service I tell them of the wait time. If they sound upset or ask where has faster service, I let them know that it is illegal to process film in our state. That way the customer doesn’t waste their time calling other retailers. It’s illegal due to EPA violations and corrosion to pipes. Usually a customer is still upset but thanks me for saving them a lot of time. Depending on how the conversation goes I do inform customers that if a hobbyist has a closet darkroom one could technically get away with it. However I do not know where to find them.

So one day I’m in the photo department when I receive this Karen phone call:

Me: Photo department! OP speaking. How can I help you?

Karen: do you do disposable cameras?

Me: Yes! However it is a send out order and it takes 2 to 3 weeks.

Karen: 2 TO 3 WEEKS!!!! My son needs these pictures next week. Know anywhere that has one hour photo?

Me: It is illegal to process film in this state so all places will be send outs and have a significant wait time.

Karen: ILLEGAL TO PRINT PHOTOS!?!?! My son needs these photos for his project next week or he will fail. Can’t you just print his photos?

Me: in order to print film, first the film needs to be processed in a bunch of chemicals. Then the film is run thru a light machine. We no longer have any of that stuff. The chemicals harm the environment and cause pipe damage, which is why film processing is illegal in this state.

Karen: if it’s illegal where do you send them.

Me: to a state where it’s still legal.

Karen: which state?

Me: (mentions state)

The state I live in is on one coast of the USA, the state where we send them is on the other coast.

Karen: (STATE)!!!! No wonder it takes so long. Don’t you have anywhere closer?

Me: the company that we have a contract with is in that state.

Karen: my son needs these photos next week. Can’t you just do them.

By now I’m juggling whether I should tell her about closet dark rooms but I decide not to.

This goes for several rounds of it’s illegal and we don’t have the equipment.

Me: I don’t know what to tell you.

Karen: thanks a lot for failing my son. (Hangs up)

Hate the law, not the messenger.

Edit: just a clear up. There’s no specific wording in my state that says film processing is illegal. However disposal of the chemicals used to process film are an EPA violation in my state and the chemicals are known to harm the pipes. If one were to come up with a more eco friendly way to process film then one could legally process film in my state. However given that the current chemicals are illegal in my state. One can say it’s illegal to process film in my state.

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/cwu007 on 2024-10-03 01:43:31+00:00.

Some background. I’m a Shift Supervisor for a retail drug store chain. One service our store offers is pick up and drop off for one of those package delivery companies, DC. If a package has an age restricted item it’s usually dropped at our store. So are packages where the recipient wasn’t home for a few days. Sometimes customers ask for their package to be rerouted to our store so porch pirates can’t get to them. We strongly emphasize that we are only associated with DC, not any of its competitors and due to us being third party we have a very limited service and a lot of restrictions. Whenever a package is picked up or dropped off we must scan into DC’s system.

A few weeks ago we received 2 packages addressed to our DC service however they weren’t scanning. We first brushed it off as a glitch. We noted it had the same name, Karen. Karen came and got her packages. I got suspicious when a third package came but it was delivered by Amazon. Due to it being the rush hour I just took the package.

Two weeks ago an employee received the mail from the post office and along with the store’s mail there was a package for Karen addressed to our DC service. Employee showed me the package an hour later. I attempted to scan it in to no avail. I showed it to my store manager. Store manager said if a package does not scan to give it back to the delivery person and to let employees know that only management will take mail and deliveries from now on.

Well last week we got our answer to the mysterious Karen packages. I’m working a late shift when I get a call.

Customer: Hi I had a package delivered two days ago to your store. I have another package being delivered tomorrow. However I won’t be able to come get it for another few days. Will you hold it until then.

Me: (thinking she’s talking about DC) DC has us hold packages on site for at least a week. Longer if we ask.

Customer: it’s not from DC.

Me: we’re a third party pick up and drop off site for DC. We only accept packages from DC.

Customer: can you check if my package it there? My name is Karen.

Everything clicked.

Me: actually we are no longer accepting your packages. They do not scan. If they do not they will be given back to the delivery person.

Karen: I was told I could store my packages at your place.

Me: we’re are a third party DC location. We only accept and store packages for DC.

This went back and forth for a while. I told her at least 3 times we’re a third party pick up and drop off site for DC. I did check for her packages, none were here. I informed Karen of that.

Karen: so how do I get my packages?

Me: You’ll have to contact the delivery company.

Karen hung up and I sent a bulk text out to all of management stating the mystery of the Karen packages has been solved. She is using our DC service for her personal package storage and to not receive any and to make sure employees don’t receive any.

I had the next 2 days off, however when I returned my colleagues had a crazy story to tell.

Karen had come in looking for her packages claiming that I, specifically mentioning my name, stated she could and that I could print out a DC label for her. She even described me as a white woman which almost caused one employee to burst out laughing. For the record I’m an oriental Asian woman. One look at me and it’s unmistakable. I was born and raised in the USA so I speak perfect English with no accents. I do have an American first name which is used at work. My last name is also American sounding due to marriage however it’s seldomly used with customers. My colleagues also know I don’t take s*** from anybody and I’m a pretty strict follower of the rules and can be quite tough when others don’t follow them. Pretty much I would have never made a promise that to Karen. It got so bad that my store manger had to get involved. He tells Karen the same thing I told her. Somewhere in the conversation Karen mentions a friend or something online telling her to do this so her packages won’t get stolen.

We reported Karen to our District Manager and to all the other stores in the area. It’s been a week and so far no more packages addressed to Karen have come in. Let’s hope it stays that way.

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/TheAskewOne on 2024-10-01 10:34:58+00:00.

Happened two days ago:

Customer: "Hey! Can you help me? I'm looking for [famous brand] spicy tomato ketchup! The shelf label says there should be some but it's not where it's supposed to be!"

Me: "Yes of course, let me check with you."

It's a bit strange because that aisle was being restocked two hours ago, but what do I know. I walk up to the aisle with the customer and she starts gesticulating towards the shelf.

Customer: "See, it's not where it should be and I can't find it."

I look and see a dozen bottles of [famous brand] spicy tomato ketchup, exactly where they're supposed to be. The first one in the row, though, is turned backwards and the label faces the back of the shelf. Probably someone took it and put it back the wrong way. I turn it the right way and show her the label, but instead of thanking me she goes on a rant.

Customer: "How was I supposed to know what it was? I KNOW you people turn the bottles the wrong way ON PURPOSE to confuse people!"

Me: "Ma'am, no we would never do that, we try and limit interactions with angry customers like you!"

Well... that's what I wanted to say.

What I said for real was more like "Sorry for the inconvenience, can I help you with anything else?

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/ValentinesStar on 2024-10-01 03:48:14+00:00.

With Halloween coming up, I thought I'd share this cautionary tale for anyone planning on carving pumpkins.

Last year, I was working at a place that sold pumpkins at Halloween. By October 20th, our pumpkins weren't really in good shape. We would get all of our pumpkins in early to mid-September and they were kept outside in our garden section. Some of them were kept in places where they were covered, but some of them were not. Which in hindsight was probably a poor idea. The place I live has very erratic weather. It can snow one day and be very warm the next day. It also tends to start snowing here around October. This means the pumpkins would get snowed on, maybe even get frozen, but the snow or ice would melt pretty either that day or the next day and they'd be wet while in the sun all day. A lot of the pumpkins we had at the very end of October were pretty rotten and mushy.

This story happened the day before Halloween. By that point, we didn't have a lot of pumpkins left because most people get their pumpkins weeks before Halloween. The pumpkins we still did have could be squished. On that day, it was really cold and it had snowed fairly recently and some of the pumpkins were actually frozen solid. Quite a few people were buying last-minute pumpkins that day and a lot of them were pretty unhappy we had no good ones left. There was this one woman who came in with a few kids to get pumpkins. They were outside looking at the ones we had left for a while before they came in. Each kid had their own small pumpkin.

The woman seemed a bit frazzled. While I was checking her out, I asked the woman how her day had been and she looked at me, looking really upset and mad, and said "I've been going on a wild goose chase for moldy pumpkins since I got off work". She told me she and her kids went to a local pumpkin patch to get pumpkins earlier that evening, but there were none there and they'd gone to another store before us where there also were none. She started ranting to me about how her even had been and about how she expected it'd be easy to go grab pumpkins and I just let her because this woman really did look she'd had a tough night. I can't quite remember, but I'm pretty sure I did give her and everyone else getting pumpkins a discount because they were so past their prime.

I felt bad for her, but at the same time, you really cannot expect it to be easy to find good pumpkins the day before Halloween.

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The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/ohatlast on 2024-09-30 00:32:31+00:00.

I work at one of those stores who don't like to clearly put price tags on the shelves. The price tags are so small and at the corners "for the aesthetic." So many customers do not see them and ask about the price, which they then forget about quickly.

Yesterday, I had a customer trying on 3 items, 2 were more expensive and 1 was cheaper. Even though I told her the price, she later thought that all 3 were the same expensive price. So she only bought one (the expensive one.)

Later on, she calls the store. I'm not sure why my store has a line that customers can directly call. We get so many calls of people asking to reserve this item because they want to try it on, or just to ask random questions. Anyways, she calls to tell me that the cheaper one is selling for cheaper online, but it is in fact the same original price at the store. Then she starts going off about why didn't I tell her that it was cheaper than the one she bought, and how she would have bought it too if she had known.

Then she specifically asks me if I will be working on the day that she wants to come down again to buy the item, because she wants to meet me personally. Good lord. Anyways, I'm seeing her again next week to apologize for something I didn't do wrong. Why did I choose to work at a "fancy" store.