Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

*Customer approaches an employee while holding a Yoga block.*

Customer:  Excuse me, are these the only Yoga mats you have?
Employee:  We have Yoga mats down that aisle.
Customer:  So these are the only ones you have?
Employee:  If you have seen the ones down that aisle then yes those are all we have.
Customer:  So...this is the only kind?

*The customer now presents the item she is holding as if to imply it is a Yoga mat.*

Employee:  That isn't a Yoga mat.  That's a Yoga block.
Customer:  So...this is the only kind of mat you have?
Employee:  That is not a Yoga mat.  It is something else used to support your body during Yoga but it is not a mat.
Customer:  Okay...so do you have other Yoga mats??
Employee:  ...That is not a Yoga mat.  Our Yoga mats are down that aisle I showed you a moment ago.
Customer:  Ooooooohhhhh!!

Saturday, April 28th, 2012

*Customer is holding a pair of 5lb dumbbells.*

Customer:  Hi, do these weights come any heavier?

Employee:  No sorry 5 pounds is the heaviest we carry.

Customer:  Oh okay.  Do you think I should get two or only one?

Employee:  Well that is really up to what you want to do with them.  Most people buy a pair though.

Customer:  Yeah I never understood that.  Why would you buy two dumbbells when you can do the same thing with just one?

Employee:  What...?

Customer:  Like you only actually need one, there is no reason to buy two of them.  It's a waste of money.

Employee:  People buy two so they can exercise both arms at once...

Customer:  OH!  I never thought of that!!

Thursday, April 19th, 2012

Customer:  Hi.  I called earlier.
Employee:  Okay.
Customer:  ...
Employee:  Can I help you with something?
Customer:  My name is Cynthia.
Employee:  Okay?
Customer:  I had something on hold.
Employee:  Okay what was it?
Customer:  It was a black thing.

*The customer makes a square shape with her hands.*

Employee: ...What kind of black thing?
Customer:  My name is Cynthia.
Employee:  I understand that, but what item did you have on hold?
Customer:  A black thing.  You know.

*After several minutes the "black thing" was discovered to be a bag designed to hold wet bathing suits that had bright peace signs all over it.*

Monday, April 16th, 2012

Customer:  Hi.  Do you have waterproof markers?
Employee:  Yeah we have a whole bunch of them actually.

*The employee escorts the customer to the stationary section where there are dozens of marker choices.*

Employee:  All of these here are waterproof permanent markers.
Customer:  No, not this kind.  The non-permanent kind.
Employee:  Non-permanent?
Customer:  Yeah like to write on white boards.
Employee:  Dry erase markers?
Customer:  Yeah those, only waterproof.
Employee:  So you want waterproof...dry erase markers?
Customer:  Yes.

Friday, April 13th, 2012

Customer:  Excuse me, I need to find a puzzle for a child.

Employee:  Okay well we have a bunch of kids puzzles over here.

Customer:  It's for a 4 year old.

Employee:  Okay well most of these puzzles should be good for that age.

*The employee shows the customer a variety of children's puzzles.  The customer selects one at random from the group.*

Customer:  This box says its for ages 5 and up.  

Employee:  That's just a recommendation, you can certainly give it to a 4 year old if you want.

Customer:  But it says for ages 5 and up.

Employee:  Okay...If you think that will be too difficult, then what about this one?

Customer:  That one says for ages 3 and up.

Employee:  Right so it should be fine.

Customer:  But hes 4 years old.

Employee:  Right so this will be fine.

Customer:  But it says for 3 and up...

Employee:  Yeah, so it's for 4 year olds as well.

Customer:  But he is 4, so the box should say for age 4.

Employee:  So you want the box to say his exact age on it?

Customer:  Well yes, this one will be too hard and this one will be too easy.

*After some more searching the customer was referred to a larger toy store since we did not have any puzzles that said they were for exactly 4 year olds.*

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

*Customer approaches employee holding a set of headphones.*

Customer:  Excuse me, will these fit for an...I...I...I...I...uhm...pod...?
Employee:  Yes.
Customer:  ...
Employee:  ...

*The customer stares blankly at the employee for almost a minute.*  


Customer:  Not the Iphone.
Employee:  I understand.
Customer:  ...
Employee:  ...
Customer:  So...they'll work?
Employee:  Yes.
Customer:  What about these other ones?
Employee:  All of our headphone are compatible with all Ipods, Iphones, Ipad and most other common music devices.
Customer:  Oh...

*The customer wanders off before finding the employee again, but holding a new set of headphones.*

Customer:  What about these??
Employee:  All of our headphones will work.
Customer:  Okay...

*Once again the customer leaves and returns several minutes later with a different set of headphones.*

Customer:  Just making sure!  What about these??
Employee:  All of them.
Customer:  Are you sure?
Employee:  All of them.

*The customer still returned an additional time "just to make sure."*

Friday, March 23rd, 2012

Customer:  Hi, I have a return.  Should I get in line?
Employee:  Sorry but we don't accept returns, we can only do exchanges.
Customer:  Oh yeah that's fine...do I get in line?
Employee:  Do you have the item you would like to exchange for?
Customer:  No...but do I get in line?
Employee:  Well first you need to pick out something to exchange your purchase for.
Customer:  Oh...okay...so do I just get in line or.....
Employee:  Choose something to exchange your item for first.  Then once you have something to exchange it for, you can get in line with both items and the person at the register will do the exchange for you.
Customer:  Okay...then I get in line?
Employee:  Once you have your original item AND the item to exchange it for, THEN yes, you get in line.
Customer:  Oh, okay.