Tales from the trenches

[Cricket1]

Well, as I mentioned before, I work in customer service in retail. We have our fair share of irate customers, but usually they are few and far between. Probably about once every month to month and a half, we get a real doozy of a customer. These are the ones that we discuss and laugh at the second they leave our site! Believe me, they make for great break room fodder.

Recently, I and others, have noticed how many more of these customers we have. We have not changed our return policy and I honestly think people are really hurting for money and it shows up at the returns desk. Over the past three weeks, we've gotten atleast 3 customers per week that have been horrendous. Beyond the two year old temper tantrums they usually have. We have had two slamming and banging the returns desk with their fists (two different people, two separate occasions) and one guy recently turned his whole cart of flooring tiles over and then kicked it because his credit card got declined. We had another guy punching the credit card machine because he was angry. The other day I had someone yelling at me because he wanted a refund for his dead trees that he bought last year--usually not a problem, BUT they have to bring in the dead trees so we can get credit from the vendor. He just had his receipt and said that if he had to dig them up, he would just come in and dump them and I would have to clean up the mess! LOL. :surprise:We also had a woman recently bring in a receipt from four years ago because she was overcharged $8.00 and she wanted that money back. She wasn't from the area, but my goodness--four years ago?!?!?!?

Does anyone else work in a sector where you can clearly see the effect the economy is having on people?

[coup]

I hear what you are saying. I work for a social service agency. Yes, people are getting so desperate that they are acting crazy.

We had an incident yesterday of an irate man. He was asking us for assitance with something we simply don't do (help get a picture ID). We had a training by our local PD a few months back and basically the officer told us that when people act this way there is no way to rationalize with them. They are too hung up on their issue to think clearly.

Our policy is if you feel threatened or uncomfortable in any way to leave the front desk area, go into an office, shut door, call police. If you need assisatnce from a staff member, you ring the fron tdesk bell twice. The rest of us will appear within seconds for reinforcement. Sad but true, we also have pepper spray in all of our desks. But we haven't had to use it yet.

On a side note, we have had 5 local bank robberies since December of last year. Many other types of thefts have occurred.

I stand by my statement that people are getting deperate. Everyone else must remain vigilant to reduce our chances of becoming a victim. Please keep your eyes and ears open at all times!

[PrairieGirl]

I dont work in the retail sector but I can see why people's tempers are flaring up right now. I sure as heck am rethinking purchases that I've made.....I'm not excusing their behaviour and it sucks that they're taking it out on you and your fellow co workers. I hope things get better for you soon!!

[blitzen]

I have worked in retail and food service all my life and it never ceases to amaze me how people will act.

[Jskell911]

Yes, yes, yes! I work in car rental and obviously the travel indusrty is hurting. So our rates are the lowest I have seen in 12 years at the same job. I mean the difference between $40/day to $14/day. They didn't bat any eyelash before, but now.... OMG. They get an "estimate total" when they call for the rate. Now if that varies by, I kid you NOT 40 cents, they are in my face. Hmmm, I know $$ is tight. I get that, hence my participation on this forum, right? BUT what part of "estimate" do they not understand????

[StartingOver]

I work for a financial services company, I've seen a lot of people cash in their life insurance and annuities.

[kaykwilts]

When some people get desparate they resort to criminal behavior. I hope we do not see more of that.

[Dancing Lotus]

I have not worked in retail in about 4 yrs but I will never forget all the weirdo's. Yes people act strange and expect unrealistic things.

I had a woman try to return two pairs of shorts that were two yrs old.

When I go out now I keep a much closer eye on my purse these days. But if someone did take it I would laugh to see there face when they see I have only a little cash and no credit cards....

[Marie78]

I work for non-profit in the mental health industry and we have had an influx of people with new diagnosis and many of them are currently unemployed or underemployed and haven't had any luck with the lack of jobs and more places of employment shutting down on a regular basis.

I compared the number of people we serviced in 2005 through 2007 and the numbers were steady for 2005 and 2006, then the number of people needing help with mental health doubled in 2007, it will be interesting to see if that number continues to go up for 2008. I believe the economy plays a roll in all areas of our life!

[McD]

I work as a supervisor at a bank. People treat me as if it is MY fault that c.d. rates suck. And just f.y.i old crapfaces, just because you have 80K in a c.d. just not mean you can treat me like dirt. You WILL NOT GET WHAT YOU WANT THAT WAY! I am more likely to help out the customer who has 15K with us but is NICE to me.

Bank robberies have also increased here.

[larabelle]

There have been a record number of home burglaries in my city. I think people are desperate. The police today mentioned this on the radio and reminded people to utilize their home alarms at all times.

[Cricket1]

Mrs. McDowell--I used to work in banking years ago and I know exactly what you mean. Customers see YOU as responsible for setting the rates! LOL.

[cab54]

Mrs. McDowell--I used to work in banking years ago and I know exactly what you mean. Customers see YOU as responsible for setting the rates! LOL.

We know it's you guys--you're all part of a big master plan! J/K---It's a shame people feel the need to take it out on clerks and banking folks. I am already seeing the angst in people in stores and etc.

[Sonnenwende]

I had a woman try to return two pairs of shorts that were two yrs old.

When my mother was working at K-Mart a few years ago at the service desk, some woman went completely insane at my mom for not refunding the full price of a pair of shoes that had since went on clearance (it had been nearly 90 days between the purchase and the return). She threw the shoes at my mother's face and then stormed out vowing never to return. My mother didn't make the rules and there had recently been a crackdown against wonton price adjusting.

[Tango]

I have recently started working as a cashier. I certainly notice alot of people angry when you tell them the total. I also have some strange random comments like: "I should be ashamed to charge that for milk." I should be embarrassed at the state of my vegatables and they should be free." "When did I increase the price of rice and flour." I'd love to put up a sign saying "I am just your cashier, I do not own everything in the store and try to sell it to you at inflated prices. Now how can I help you?" I also recently had one woman who just couldn't pay for her items. She wasn't angry, she just had a complete look of defeat on her face. she just stood there almost crying with her three children standing beside her and trying to decide which items she could put back. for three children they all looked like neccessities to me. I felt really bad for her. I was glad that when I called my supervisor they immediatly took her to customer service to handle it away from other customers.
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Krissy