*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!!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
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 19, 2012
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.*
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 16, 2012
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.
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 13, 2012
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
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."*
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 23, 2012
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.
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.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Monday, March 19th, 2012
*A customer approaches the register with an Iphone in her hand that has a charger from the store currently plugged into it.*
Customer: I just bought this charger. And I put it into my phone and now it won't come out.
Employee: Really? We have never had that problem before with any of our chargers. Can I see the phone?
*The employee examines the phone and the charger is, in fact, stuck in the port. The cause of this however is obviously due to a rubberized case accessory on the phone and not the charger directly.*
Employee: Well the reason this is stuck in the phone is because you forced the charger into the slot even though the case was blocking it.
Customer: No I didn't!
Employee: The case is partially jammed in the port between the charger and the contacts in the phone.
Customer: I didn't force it.
Employee: There is no way that this didn't require a lot of effort to do. I'll try to get it out for you anyway...
Customer: But it went in really easy!!
*The case ended up binding the charger and phone to such an extent that the employee had to destroy the charger completely to remove it from the phone. Despite the damaged charger and hassle being completely her fault, the customer still wanted a refund for the item.*
Customer: I just bought this charger. And I put it into my phone and now it won't come out.
Employee: Really? We have never had that problem before with any of our chargers. Can I see the phone?
*The employee examines the phone and the charger is, in fact, stuck in the port. The cause of this however is obviously due to a rubberized case accessory on the phone and not the charger directly.*
Employee: Well the reason this is stuck in the phone is because you forced the charger into the slot even though the case was blocking it.
Customer: No I didn't!
Employee: The case is partially jammed in the port between the charger and the contacts in the phone.
Customer: I didn't force it.
Employee: There is no way that this didn't require a lot of effort to do. I'll try to get it out for you anyway...
Customer: But it went in really easy!!
*The case ended up binding the charger and phone to such an extent that the employee had to destroy the charger completely to remove it from the phone. Despite the damaged charger and hassle being completely her fault, the customer still wanted a refund for the item.*
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Friday, March 10th, 2012
Customer: Is this game compatible with Windows 7 operating system?
Employee: Ma'am that game is for Game Boy Advance.
Employee: Ma'am that game is for Game Boy Advance.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Sunday, March 4th, 2012
*Employee is helping a customer. Another customer approaches the employee and interrupts their conversation.*
Customer: Where are the MyTouch cases?
Employee: We don't have MyTouch cases.
*The employee returns to helping the original customer. The second customer again interrupts.*
Customer: What???
Employee: I'm sorry but we don't carry cases for the MyTouch.
Customer: WELL! I have SEEN them here before so.
*Customer glares angrily at the employee while she continues to look for a case for the MyTouch that does not exist.*
Customer: Where are the MyTouch cases?
Employee: We don't have MyTouch cases.
*The employee returns to helping the original customer. The second customer again interrupts.*
Customer: What???
Employee: I'm sorry but we don't carry cases for the MyTouch.
Customer: WELL! I have SEEN them here before so.
*Customer glares angrily at the employee while she continues to look for a case for the MyTouch that does not exist.*
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012
*Customer approaches register with his Iphone and a case for it in his hand.*
Customer: I bought this case and it doesn't fit my phone.
Employee: Okay what kind of phone do you have?
Customer: Iphone 4s.
Employee: Then this case will fit your phone.
Customer: No this is for the Iphone4.
Employee: Yes, but they are the same size so it will fit.
*The customer holds his phone up next to the case to see the size comparison. He points out to the employee that the holes and buttons on his phone do not line up with the ones for the case. This is because he is holding his phone upside-down.*
Employee: Sir you are holding the phone the wrong way.
*The customer's wife then explains to her husband that he is holding the phone the incorrect way and tells him to turn it around. The customer does so and faces his phone the correct way. He stares at it for a few seconds blankly, then proceeds to turn the phone back over to its original orientation.*
Customer: No it doesn't line up right.
Customer: I bought this case and it doesn't fit my phone.
Employee: Okay what kind of phone do you have?
Customer: Iphone 4s.
Employee: Then this case will fit your phone.
Customer: No this is for the Iphone4.
Employee: Yes, but they are the same size so it will fit.
*The customer holds his phone up next to the case to see the size comparison. He points out to the employee that the holes and buttons on his phone do not line up with the ones for the case. This is because he is holding his phone upside-down.*
Employee: Sir you are holding the phone the wrong way.
*The customer's wife then explains to her husband that he is holding the phone the incorrect way and tells him to turn it around. The customer does so and faces his phone the correct way. He stares at it for a few seconds blankly, then proceeds to turn the phone back over to its original orientation.*
Customer: No it doesn't line up right.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
*Customer approaches an employee holding a green lanyard.*
Customer: Excuse me. Do you have any other lanyards?
Employee: Well we keep them in a few places around the store, I'm not sure where you looked.
Customer: ...
Employee: Okay well we have some up front-
Customer: Oh... those are all of them??
Employee: ...If you already saw those, like I said we have them in a few places. There are also some in the back by the poster display.
*Customer stares blankly at the employee until he physically leads her down down the aisle to the poster display that was clearly visible from where they were originally standing.*
Customer: Oh...do you have any team ones?
Employee: We don't have any sports team lanyards in stock right now if that's what you mean.
Customer: Oh...so you don't carry them?
Employee: No, we just don't have them in stock. We'll get some eventually but I wouldn't be able to tell you exactly when.
Customer: Oh...so...you don't know when?
Employee: No, we don't. It could be next week or it could be months.
Customer: Oh...
*The employee excuses himself from the customer to return to what he was working on originally. After a few minutes pass, the customer again approaches the employee.*
Customer: So... so you don't have any team ones?
Employee: We don't have any in stock right now, no.
Customer: Oh...so...do you know when you will be getting them in? Cause you used to have them.
Employee: No we do not.
Customer: Oh...
Customer: Excuse me. Do you have any other lanyards?
Employee: Well we keep them in a few places around the store, I'm not sure where you looked.
Customer: ...
Employee: Okay well we have some up front-
Customer: Oh... those are all of them??
Employee: ...If you already saw those, like I said we have them in a few places. There are also some in the back by the poster display.
*Customer stares blankly at the employee until he physically leads her down down the aisle to the poster display that was clearly visible from where they were originally standing.*
Customer: Oh...do you have any team ones?
Employee: We don't have any sports team lanyards in stock right now if that's what you mean.
Customer: Oh...so you don't carry them?
Employee: No, we just don't have them in stock. We'll get some eventually but I wouldn't be able to tell you exactly when.
Customer: Oh...so...you don't know when?
Employee: No, we don't. It could be next week or it could be months.
Customer: Oh...
*The employee excuses himself from the customer to return to what he was working on originally. After a few minutes pass, the customer again approaches the employee.*
Customer: So... so you don't have any team ones?
Employee: We don't have any in stock right now, no.
Customer: Oh...so...do you know when you will be getting them in? Cause you used to have them.
Employee: No we do not.
Customer: Oh...
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Sunday, February 19th, 2012
*Customer approaches the register.*
Employee: Hello.
Customer: Hi.
Employee: How are you today?
Customer: Are you the one that's getting married!?
Employee: ...No?
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Wednesday, February 15th, 2012
*A customer approaches an employee holding an Iphone in her hand.*
Customer: Can you help me find a case for an Iphone 3gs?
Employee: Sure, but just letting you know, the phone you're holding is an Iphone 4.
Customer: Well, how am I supposed to know that!?
*The customer storms off.*
Customer: Can you help me find a case for an Iphone 3gs?
Employee: Sure, but just letting you know, the phone you're holding is an Iphone 4.
Customer: Well, how am I supposed to know that!?
*The customer storms off.*
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Customer: Do you guys have that thing so I can listen to my Ipod in my car?
Employee: We have a few things for that, do you have a preference for what kind you get?
Customer: Wait what?
Employee: Okay, we have auxiliary cables that you can use if your car has a port for it.
Customer: No...I don't think I have one of those.
Employee: Okay, we have cassette adapters if you have a cassette player.
Customer: I have a CD player.
Employee: Well then your best bet is an FM transmitter which can play your Ipod through your car radio by setting the radio station to match it.
Customer: Hm... You guys used to have the ones like the cassette adapter but for CD players. Do you still have those?
Employee: We have never had anything like that.
Customer: No I've seen them. You can play an Ipod through the CD player. You guys used to have them.
Employee: Not only do we not have them, but such an item does not exist.
Customer: No! You guys definitely used to have them. My friend got one here.
Employee: They really don't exist.
Customer: But I'm sure...
*It took a lengthy explanation of exactly how CDs, CD players, and Cassette adapters work before the customer was convinced that her desired item was in fact fictional.*
Employee: We have a few things for that, do you have a preference for what kind you get?
Customer: Wait what?
Employee: Okay, we have auxiliary cables that you can use if your car has a port for it.
Customer: No...I don't think I have one of those.
Employee: Okay, we have cassette adapters if you have a cassette player.
Customer: I have a CD player.
Employee: Well then your best bet is an FM transmitter which can play your Ipod through your car radio by setting the radio station to match it.
Customer: Hm... You guys used to have the ones like the cassette adapter but for CD players. Do you still have those?
Employee: We have never had anything like that.
Customer: No I've seen them. You can play an Ipod through the CD player. You guys used to have them.
Employee: Not only do we not have them, but such an item does not exist.
Customer: No! You guys definitely used to have them. My friend got one here.
Employee: They really don't exist.
Customer: But I'm sure...
*It took a lengthy explanation of exactly how CDs, CD players, and Cassette adapters work before the customer was convinced that her desired item was in fact fictional.*
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
*Customer approaches employee holding a novelty candy item.*
Customer: If I buy a lot of these can I get a discount?
Employee: No sorry; we can't give volume discounts.
Customer: But I want to buy a lot of them.
Employee: That's fine, but it will still be the normal price.
Customer: But what if I buy a whole bunch?
Employee: No matter how much you buy, it is the same price.
Customer: What if I buy all of them though??
Employee: Same price.
Customer: Really?
Employee: Yea, really.
Customer: Seriously?
Customer: If I buy a lot of these can I get a discount?
Employee: No sorry; we can't give volume discounts.
Customer: But I want to buy a lot of them.
Employee: That's fine, but it will still be the normal price.
Customer: But what if I buy a whole bunch?
Employee: No matter how much you buy, it is the same price.
Customer: What if I buy all of them though??
Employee: Same price.
Customer: Really?
Employee: Yea, really.
Customer: Seriously?
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
New Website and Facebook Page
We are now located at www.whileworkingretail.com.
Our old address of www.whileworkingretail.blogspot.com will still function and no links or bookmarks need to be adjusted.
Also, please Like our new Facebook page by clicking the Like button at the top right of the page or by following this link and Liking it there.
More retail tales to come in the near future. Thanks for reading.
Our old address of www.whileworkingretail.blogspot.com will still function and no links or bookmarks need to be adjusted.
Also, please Like our new Facebook page by clicking the Like button at the top right of the page or by following this link and Liking it there.
More retail tales to come in the near future. Thanks for reading.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday, January 30th, 2012
Customer: I would like to return this item.
Employee: I'm sorry but we don't accept returns. The best we can do is offer you an even exchange.
Customer: The girl at the counter the other day said I could do exchanges.
Employee: Yes, you can exchange it.
Customer: But she said I could return it.
Employee: ...You can exchange it.
Customer: Alright I'll look around.
*The customer meanders around the store for a bit and eventually returns with items to exchange.*
Customer: The girl said I could return this if I didn't like it though.
Employee: I'm sorry about that but store policy is that we only accept exchanges.
Customer: Well she said I could exchange it. But now you say I'm not allowed to return it. I wouldn't have gotten this if I didn't know you could exchange it.
Employee: ...You CAN exchange it.
Customer: But I thought I could return it. That's what she said!
Employee: I'm sorry but we don't accept returns. The best we can do is offer you an even exchange.
Customer: The girl at the counter the other day said I could do exchanges.
Employee: Yes, you can exchange it.
Customer: But she said I could return it.
Employee: ...You can exchange it.
Customer: Alright I'll look around.
*The customer meanders around the store for a bit and eventually returns with items to exchange.*
Customer: The girl said I could return this if I didn't like it though.
Employee: I'm sorry about that but store policy is that we only accept exchanges.
Customer: Well she said I could exchange it. But now you say I'm not allowed to return it. I wouldn't have gotten this if I didn't know you could exchange it.
Employee: ...You CAN exchange it.
Customer: But I thought I could return it. That's what she said!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Friday, January 27th, 2012
*Customer approaches the register holding a lava lamp in a box.*
Customer: Is this lava lamp pink?
Employee: No it's green.
Customer: Are you sure it's not pink?
Employee: Yea I'm sure. It's green.
Customer: But, can you check to make sure?
Employee: The color of the lamp is listed on the top of the box. I am absolutely sure this is green.
Customer: So like, you can't open it to check?
Employee: No.
Customer: Is this lava lamp pink?
Employee: No it's green.
Customer: Are you sure it's not pink?
Employee: Yea I'm sure. It's green.
Customer: But, can you check to make sure?
Employee: The color of the lamp is listed on the top of the box. I am absolutely sure this is green.
Customer: So like, you can't open it to check?
Employee: No.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Wednesday, January 18th, 2012
*As a customer is approaching the register, she turns and places an item she was carrying into the water cooler near the register. An employee that is currently ringing customers at the register addresses the customer.*
Employee: Excuse me ma'am!
Customer: Yes?
Employee: If you don't want that item, then I can take it for you.
Customer: No no, it's okay!
Employee: No, I would actually really appreciate it if you could give it to me.
Customer: No really it's fine.
Employee: Please just give me the item; it doesn't belong there.
Customer: It's fine, don't worry about it. I don't want to give you any more work.
Employee: No, it really isn't any more work.
Customer: No no no, it's okay there.
*The customer refused to give the item to the employee and proceeded to check out and leave the store with the item remaining in the water cooler.*
Employee: Excuse me ma'am!
Customer: Yes?
Employee: If you don't want that item, then I can take it for you.
Customer: No no, it's okay!
Employee: No, I would actually really appreciate it if you could give it to me.
Customer: No really it's fine.
Employee: Please just give me the item; it doesn't belong there.
Customer: It's fine, don't worry about it. I don't want to give you any more work.
Employee: No, it really isn't any more work.
Customer: No no no, it's okay there.
*The customer refused to give the item to the employee and proceeded to check out and leave the store with the item remaining in the water cooler.*
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
Customer: Will this case fit my phone?
Employee: What kind of phone do you have?
Customer: This one.
*The customer takes his phone out of his pocket but completely covers it in his hand so that it is impossible to see almost any part of it.*
Employee: Sir can I see the phone?
Customer: Here this one.
*Still palming the phone so its invisible.*
Employee: Okay, I have no idea what phone you have, but those cases fit the Iphone 4.
Customer: So it won't fit this phone?
*The customer finally makes the phone visible.*
Employee: No, it won't. And we don't carry any cases in the store that will fit it.
Customer: But the case says 4g!
Employee: I says Iphone 4, and even if it did say 4g, that is not a type of phone.
Customer: Okay...
*The customer immerses himself in the phone section for a while before finding the employee again.*
Customer: Will any of those cases fit my phone?
Employee: No, those are all Iphone4 cases. As I already said, none of the cases we have will fit your phone.
Customer: But they say 4g!
Employee: No they don't.
*A woman that is presumably the customer's wife approaches with another case.*
Customer: What about this one!?
Employee: No...that is for a different phone. Like I said, none of the cases in this store will fit your phone.
Customer: But it says 4g!!!!
Employee: Yes, this one actually does say 4g on the case, but it is for a different phone. 4g is not a type of phone.
Customer: Are you sure?
Employee: Yes...
Customer: ...Really...?
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