Thursday, July 27, 2006
Today's Jackass Award
In an effort to create something on-going, I plan on nominating someone on a daily basis to receive the Jackass Award. This might be a customer, random person related to the job, manager, or the corporation as a whole. The JA is an award of distinction and honor and though the recipients will never know, there just might a little extra trip in their step.
Today's JA goes to Mr. "I Want a Non-existent Discount".
Mr. IWANED shows up at the store today, and doesn't understand why the book he wants is no longer discounted. It was discounted last week because it was a bestseller last week; this week is has gone the way of so many bright shining literary works - publisher listed price. But today's honoree refuses to allow this.
Apparently, he told someone last week that he would be in to purchase said book in a week or so and how dare that bookseller not tell him that the book might not be discounted at this later undetermined date. Full of piss, vinegar, and more piss, he threw such a stink, I called over a manager.
When the manager confirmed everything I had already said, Mr. IWANED took out his membership card, waved it wildly in the air and announced that if "that is the way you do business, I want this card cancelled immediately!" The manager exhibiting more restraint than I would have in the situation, insisted that it was just luck of the draw that the book in question was no longer a bestseller and not some grand scheme to deprive our customers of the vital $3 savings. But our favorite person would still not be swayed and waved his card around some more, this time way above his head.
Giving in (probably to end the transaction and get the jackass out of the store), the manager sold him the book with the discount that no longer existed. The tone in Mr. IWANED's voice changed at once and he declared how delighted he'd be to continue being a member of our fine institution.
Congratulations, sir, on a job well done. You are a jackass of the highest caliber.
Today's JA goes to Mr. "I Want a Non-existent Discount".
Mr. IWANED shows up at the store today, and doesn't understand why the book he wants is no longer discounted. It was discounted last week because it was a bestseller last week; this week is has gone the way of so many bright shining literary works - publisher listed price. But today's honoree refuses to allow this.
Apparently, he told someone last week that he would be in to purchase said book in a week or so and how dare that bookseller not tell him that the book might not be discounted at this later undetermined date. Full of piss, vinegar, and more piss, he threw such a stink, I called over a manager.
When the manager confirmed everything I had already said, Mr. IWANED took out his membership card, waved it wildly in the air and announced that if "that is the way you do business, I want this card cancelled immediately!" The manager exhibiting more restraint than I would have in the situation, insisted that it was just luck of the draw that the book in question was no longer a bestseller and not some grand scheme to deprive our customers of the vital $3 savings. But our favorite person would still not be swayed and waved his card around some more, this time way above his head.
Giving in (probably to end the transaction and get the jackass out of the store), the manager sold him the book with the discount that no longer existed. The tone in Mr. IWANED's voice changed at once and he declared how delighted he'd be to continue being a member of our fine institution.
Congratulations, sir, on a job well done. You are a jackass of the highest caliber.
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"You'll lose my business forever" is a set of magic words when it comes to getting what you want from a store. I've used it, but never in such a ridiculous way. I wonder at what point it becomes less of a loss for a store to just let somebody like that leave forever, because you have to figure somebody like that is going to pull more of the same crap down the line.
This blog reminds me of Behind the Counter, which is one of my favorite blogs. I hope you keep writing.
This blog reminds me of Behind the Counter, which is one of my favorite blogs. I hope you keep writing.
I think it depends on which manager is dealing with the difficult customer. Some just want to please everyone and some just want to get through the day with as little blood shed as possible.
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