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Hardware store employee smiling at customer. -
Entitled woman tried to pull a fast one (tried)
"About 8 years ago, I was working at Lowe’s in the flooring department. I was freshly and honorably discharged from the army about 6 months prior to getting the job at Lowe’s. This will become relevant a little later on.
Granted, I hadn’t worked at the store very long, so I didn’t know everything there was to know about flooring and was by no means an expert… but the one thing I knew for sure was not to let customers take the folders that contained the flooring details (measurements done by contractors for flooring to be installed) for personal use. This was stressed to me during my training by both the computer training modules and my manager. Customers are NOT to take the detail that was done. This was because we often offered free flooring details and quotes, and if the customer had their free detail measurements in hand, they could simply take the measurements to another business and have them do the installation for a potentially better price. Lowe’s didn’t want that happening."
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USA Army vet walks down a dusty road on his way home. -
A veteran deserves respect, always. Who knows what they went through! However, I would also argue that you should treat everyone with respect until proven unworthy… So like, when you approach a customer service employee, you should be respectful. Period. When this entitled woman came to this vet's customer service desk at a hardware store trying to yell her way around, he handled it beautifully.
It might have been only his second month on the job, but this wasn't his first rodeo with yelling. It didn't matter how loud this woman got, he didn't even flinch. He calmly told her he was an Army Sergeant and that her yelling was ineffective. He took his time and escorted her to a manager and went on about his day. She never got her way, and he taught her a thing or two about respect.
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"Enter the absolute unit of an entitled woman and her submissive husband. I’m busy at the flooring desk taking calls and helping customers, and this woman walks up to the desk. She claims she had a detail done recently and (you guessed it) she wants to take her folder home with her. I politely, but firmly, explain to her that it’s against store policy for customers to take their measurements home with them. She starts causing a scene, exclaiming that these were HER measurements done on HER house so they belong to HER. I tell her that I am happy to get my manager on the phone so they can better explain the policy to her and confirm that I am telling her the right information. She begins berating me, invading my personal space and getting in my face, being absolutely obnoxious.
(As I’m trying to reach my manager on the phone): 'WHY DO YOU NEED TO CALL A MANAGER, WHY DO YOU NEED TO CALL YOUR MANAGER, YOU’RE NEW HERE, ARE YOU STUPID OR SOMETHING?!'"
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Hardware store employee stands high up in a ladder as he reaches for a product on a top shelf. -
We hope we don't have to tell you this, but just in case: Treat customer service employees with respect. PERIOD. Like, whether they're a vet or not, but especially if they are a vet. You don't have to agree with them, but they are a human being, are they not? And they are just trying to do their job the best they can. Can't you try to be a human with humanity and empathy the best you can??
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"See, I was used to people screaming in my face in the military. Didn’t bother me in the slightest. Where I drew the line was when she called me stupid. I’m not usually one to pull the Veteran card, but I wasn’t about to let this woman walk all over me. She needed to know. I was finally in a position where I didn’t have to put up with people screaming in my face and could tell them off.
My manager was busy and wasn’t answering the phone. I hung up the phone and calmly responded, “Ma’am, I was a Sergeant in the army. I’m not some 18 year old who you can walk all over. Just so you know, I don’t *need* this job. And I definitely don’t need you screaming in my face telling me that I’m stupid. Now, I’m happy to walk up to the front of the store with you so we can speak to a manager and get this resolved. I’m here to help you. So, *how can I help you*?”
She huffed and started cussing and making an even bigger scene as she gathered her purse and her husband and they began walking up to customer service. I grabbed her folder, and the people who were standing in line behind her began apologizing saying things like, “I’m so sorry you have to deal with that.” I just shrugged, thanked them for their patience, and said I would be right back. I took my sweet time walking up to the front."
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A pile of paperwork in color folders. -
Luckily, the Karen didn't win in this instance. We love it when justice prevails. And we love seeing a customer service employee stand up for themselves. Maybe all customer service employees should do the same training as an Army Sergeant? That way, they can be well prepared for the inevitable, and they encounter a customer who thinks yelling will get them their way.
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"By the time I get up to the customer service desk, I spot the lady already complaining to the customer service staff. I quickly spotted my manager who asked me what was going on. Folder in hand, I simply said, “She’s trying to take the folder. 🤷🏼” My manager, a very tall, muscular woman who didn’t take anyone’s *hit, said “WHO?” I gestured toward the EW. My manager asks for the folder from me and said “Okay, thank you. You can go back to flooring now.” I happily handed her the folder and began comfortably strolling back to my department.
Ask I was walking away, I hear this woman absolutely losing it, “blah blah blah IM CALLING CORPORATE, DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?! Blah blah blah.” I just smiled, cool as a cucumber knowing I did something right.
She didn’t get her way. I didn’t get walked all over. I didn’t lose my job. Never heard another word about it from anyone. Don’t *iss off the Veteran working in the customer service industry. Anyone working in customer service, for that matter. We’re just trying to *help* you."
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imthat*cking*itch
My 20-year-old son currently works at Lowe's and was extremely happy when he got his new position in fulfillment bc he was ready to smack people at the customer service desk.
Plenty_Tension4689
Well done. She sounds like the very reason this rule was adopted
Grand_Airline413
The audacity to think store policy doesn’t apply to her because “it’s her house” is wild. You handled that way better than most people would, especially with her getting in your face like that. Some people really think bvllying will magically change the rules.
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SoggySuccotash5351
It’s wild how she thought screaming louder would somehow change store policy. Also love how the “these are MY measurements” argument ignores the fact the store literally paid someone to gather them. People like this are the reason retail workers deserve hazard pay.
AlternativeeMoney
There is nothing more satisfying than watching an Entitled Parent (EP) realize their screaming "tactic" doesn't work on someone who has been shouted at by a Drill Sergeant. Your "I don't need this job" line is the ultimate power move.
EyelanderSam
Exactly! Help me to help you, duh!!! Screaming and berating isn't the language of co-operation.
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Inevitable-Divide933
I’m retired Army and always looking forward to telling someone off. It was always fun at work talking to some idiot on the phone who was trying to harass a coworker.
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