The Chronicles of the Angry Geologist

Another adventure from the Big Orange Box.

Yesterday, at the garden register....(BTW, just so we're clear, I'm a front end associate, not a garden associate)

This one started off innocently.  I had no customers at my register, so as I'm want to do, I pace around (just a quirk I have).  Anyway, a couple walked up to me and said they wanted 15 bags of the white marble chips that we sell.  I told them where they could find it.  They had not told me they needed help yet.  They went to get a big cart for the order.  Then they stopped back by me.  It was at this point they expected ME to help them.  As other BOB members know, as the cashier, I cannot leave my area (it does not matter if there are no customers in the area).  I explained that to the man, and that I can find him help, but I cannot do it.  After a heated back and forth exchange (I'm just getting over a cold, so I couldn't get too loud with him), he finally left.  Good riddance.  I mentioned it to the LP, and she agreed with me.

I've had other WTFs, but this has been the only really sucky one as of late.

 This is part bad service on my part, and part customer suck.....

I get a call from a woman who says she has a reservation here and when I go to pull it up, I find we don't have a reservation under her name. I tell her this and she proceeds to tell me how she has called three different places only to get transferred each time before finally reaching me. She tells me that the reservation was made with a gift certificate. I again tell her that I'm not seeing her name but I am willing to help her. I ask her if she has the gift certificate on her. She says no. I ask if she has any cash or credit on her as I could simply walk her in. She says no. I immediatly find this odd as if the reservation was made with a gift certificate, she would need it on her so that we could authenticate the gift certificate. 

By this point, she's getting pissed, calling me incompetent and saying she's going to make a complaint with guest relations. I tell her I'm sorry but without the gift certificate, I couldn't get her a free night. Without any cash or credit, I couldn't get her a room. Eventually after many frustrating minutes of going back and forth on this, she hangs up.

A short time later, I get a call from guest relations and I tell them the situation. (Why guest relations is in the UK, I'm not sure).

The woman then calls back, still upset about the matter so I ask for her name again as well as the spelling of it. This is where the bad service comes in. Turns out I had misspelled the name and that was why I couldn't find it. I felt so bad about this that when they arrived, I made the first night free and gave them a free complimentary breakfast and the woman apologizes for losing it on me.

Now here's the part that makes me go 'hmmm....'. She said the reservation was made with a gift certificate, but there was nothing about it on the reservation. She also said that she didn't have any credit cards on her, yet when I asked for one from her husband, he handed one over so that I could make an imprint for incidentals.  The reservation had a rate of $119 on it instead of the usual zero for gift certificates.

I ask you this my fellow Customer_Suckers(ees)(whatever we're called here), was I just scammed?

I've pimped livelongnmarry before. - a fandom auction in support of gay marriage. And of course I'd be pleased if more people bid on my auction... but I'd be even more pleased if you went and donated in aid of something that floats your boat.


But I feel that it's worth mentioning that new auctions keep rolling in... and they're pretty damn impressive. People keep falling over themselves to offer interesting, creative, unique, and just plain weird stuff. You can have a specialist critique for your novel from a lawyer or a dominatrix. You can acquire anything from jewelry, over regular letters to care packages from around the world; from obscure japanese candy to - of course - fanfic/icon design/webdesign.

*Lots* of good stuff. I am impressed not just by the generosity of people donating for a good cause, but by their inventiveness.

Many members of my flist are offering. I hope that some of you will bid.

And yes, maybe there are more worthy causes on the planet - there always are, *whatever* you choose, and if you wait to help the neediest person in the world before you help anyone else, nothing will ever get done. But what impresses me is the way in which people rally from all over the planet to contribute to making the world a better place. And, y'know, that spirit is going to rub off.

Dear Touchy Customer:
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do NOT suddenly grab my hand and hold it tightly to display how cold you are.
The air conditioning is BROKEN. It stays like that all the time.
I am WORKING there in the cold, trust me I know it's cold.
I am very very very jumpy when people touch me. Especially unknown older men. Don't EVER grab me again and then try and come around behind the desk or I will freak out and squeak like a little kid when I tell you not to (goddamn) do it.
Why would you grab someone suddenly in the first place? I DO NOT KNOW.
Grabbing my hand and then proceeding to flirt with me is disgusting, I saw your wedding ring, you're old, I want NOTHING. TO. DO. WITH. YOU.
Thanks,
Jumpy Check-out Chick

Hello all!

I've kind of been lurking for awhile now just waiting for that perfect pattern question I could answer or a time when I desperately needed help.

I now, desperately need help. I am throwing a birthday party themed Alice in Wonderland and I am looking to make an Alice Dress. Here's the problem. I'm not a child sized, at all. I've done a bit of research and it looks to me like there are no suitable dress patterns out there for adults. Apparently you used to be able to convert a Minnie Mouse dress, but that has gone out of print.

Any advice you guys have would be wonderful!!! Thank you so much!!!

( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. )

Ok, so I haven't posted in a long time, but that's because I haven't been working. The cellphone company "where you can experence life at the speed of running quickly" has decided that they don't care if you're getting verbal abuse over the phone, you are to stay on the line at all possible times and hang things up to a Supervisour (even if you're already on Escalations) should there be a problem.

Now, I don't remember the way it went down *exactly* as this happened back in April, but I'll do my best.

( Cust for space savings! )

So, I've been job hunting for the past about 3 months, which is great and not so great at the same time. Pretty crazy though, huh?

Because I am exhausted and don't want to type out full stories, here are three quick letters to my special customers of the night.

Brought to you, as always, by Bustblocker.

1. Dear sir,

You did not use your account for a year, and there was a hold on the account because you had a balance way back then that you didn't pay. It was only $5; be glad it wasn't $43. I've seen it. I'm sorry you don't think late fees are fair, or that they don't make sense. I'm honestly sorry I can't look back in the records that far to see what the charge was for. If I could do anything about it, I would. All I can tell you is that there is this charge on your account. You've never heard of having late fees? Huh. Won't be using us again? All right. But sir? LATE FEES DO MAKE SENSE. They happen everywhere. You can't just keep the movies forever without paying. Thanks. (Mild WTF, I realize, but he kept insisting that late fees didn't make sense, and that was the whole reason he was angry.)

2. Dear ma'am,

I apologize, but our company is really cracking down on people renting on other people's accounts. Yes, I'm glad you know your member number -- most people don't! -- but unfortunately, I'm not going to risk it and I'm going to ask for your ID. When you don't come up in the computer, don't get huffy with me -- it will actually take me less time to look you up on our other computer with the ID you already gave me than to type in your number. And then you'll be added into our system. And when it asks me for your credit card info, don't keep saying you've been to a million of our stores and you don't know why this is a problem now. The number may be the same, but I've had a lot of cases where the number doesn't match up, even though the customer said it did. So please to not be giving me attitude! Thanks.

3. Dear sir,

Please do not hump the counter. While I am standing there, ringing up your movies. And then laugh it off when your wife, in shock, scolds you. It's gross, and I don't need it. Thanks.

( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. )

( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. )

I work at a McDonald's in a pretty busy town during the summer (for safety's sake, I don't want to name the town). We have a lot going on during the summer, including an arts center that hosts a slew of major concerts. Which attract a lot of late-night idiots. I was on front counter tonight, watching one of the rudest customers I've seen yet.

And if you think this was bad, you should have seen the pre-show. Our store gets exhange students about twice a year. Right now, we have a whole herd of them, all but two of them younger girls. Two guys kept loitering around the restaurant, hitting on them and inviting them to their "house party" in the neighborhood. I got the impression the girls thought this was a joke, so they kept humoring them. So, they kept coming back. And I guess they got in a fight somewhere, because one came back and finally bought something and his friend followed right behind him, dropping f-bombs. Oh, and there was a family with little kids right behind them, not that they cared.

Real classy, bro. About as classy as your over-sized hat, with the brim pointed strategically to the side. And your baggy pants with your underwear hanging out. I know you can't judge a book by it's cover, but talking from experience, every guy that I've seen like this has been nothing but trouble. And no, I'm not racist, because this kid was white, along with every other guy I've seen wearing this style. The majority of the black people I've seen wear normal clothes.  

I applaud the creativity of any and all in this community that makes various steam gadgets, widgets and other fun things but I remember some time ago when I would look up steampunk on etsy and get... 15 pages, on the rare occassion. But now, I'm getting 215 pages of the same things, repeated over and over and I'm kinda bored of what I'm seeing. I just don't know why there are a hundred or so sellers making gear cuff links(hyperbole but possibly not too far from the truth). I'm sorry if the post comes across as somewhat negative but I'm curious to know how some of you feel about this. I feel that steampunk fashion is and was amazingly creative and I'm becoming kinda bored by seeing the exact same thing over and over again, I can't even tell the sellers apart anymore.

Dear Walmart Shoppers with kids:

How hard is it to watch your kid? How hard is it to care about when your kid might be in danger of falling down, getting their fingers caught in something, and just generally keeping an eye out and, you know. CONTROLLING YOUR CHILD?

It is not a good idea to put your toddler on the conveyor belt. I MEAN REALLY PEOPLE. I will stop what I'm doing, total up your purchase so that my items-per-hour clock isn't ticking, and wait for you to put your child down. I don't mind waiting; I have all the time in the world. You giving me odd looks wondering what I'm doing not ringing up your things will not make me continue because that is my ass on the line if your child gets hurt. I can't believe I have to TELL you to get your kid off the damn belt. Does common sense not tell you that as the conveyor belt stops and starts, your kid might lose his balance and FALL DOWN three-plus feet and crack his head open on the concrete floor?

I dunno about you, but I don't really want to clean that kind of mess up, kthx.

Secondly. The carousel at my register is not the kind with horses and lollypops and sprinkles. It holds the bags so that I may bag your things so that you can put the bags in your cart, pay and get the hell out of my line so that I may continue with the next customer.

IE., your child sitting there spinning the damn thing (or trying to, because I've got hold of it so they can't -- which ties up one of my available hands which makes me move SLOWER) does not help me in doing my job and therefore does not let you get out of my line quicker. Neither is it productive to have your kid climb all over the thing.

In short, Walmart is not a jungle gym. If you must drag your kid all through creation for hours while you do your shopping, don't let them take out their boredom on me because believe me, I will not be a happy camper.

Also: we should charge double if you have a screaming child.

>:/

Thank you,
Your Disgruntled Walmart Cashier

(First post ftw. xD)

So I work at olive garden. Its just for the summer, so, TBH, I'm not really taking it SUPER seriously (you know how some resteraunt workers are so life or death about their resteraunt, and their entire life revolves around it? Yeah, not me.) But I mean, I'm polite. I do my job. I'm a hostess. Our job is to smile and be polite. And I'm polite to EVERYONE. I say hi to everyone who walks through the door and "have a great night!" to everyone who walks out of it. So I know I didn't skip this one particular couple ... story:

One day I waltz into work in my little tie and "hospitaliano" badge (that's SO not fucking italian, btw!) with my hair *gasp* DOWN. All of my, like, inch of pink hair is kindasorta showing. Well a few hours into my shift a server comes up and is all, omg my table is like SUPER offended by your hair! They are totally going to call corporate and get you fired tomorrow! Just lettin ya know! to which I was like, uh, thanks, what? Its just hair. And she was like yeah but it's pink, I mean like, it's so UNPROFFESSIONAL (because we all know how completely proffessional olive garden is. It's like the Vincenzo's of chain resteraunts, yes? We wear TIES and everything!) Her example was that people at Steak And Shake might have pink hair, but never olive garden.

But who gets OFFENDED because their hostess has pink hair? And then is SO upset about it that they have a conversation with their server and ask for the number of the higher-ups JUST to get some little college student fired over an inch of pink fucking hair? Pink hair, by the way, which was clearly in view when I got hired, when I got trained, and every time I talked to my managers about everything. They haven't said shit.

Anyway long story short I didn't get fired yet, though the news of my pink hair may still be trickling down manager to manager. I guess old bitchy couple forgot to call corporate or whatever. Also just to drive in how obnoxious the whole pink-hair complaint was, ( here is a pic of me the day the couple complained )

Shoulda posted earlier, but:

Home now. Safe. All is well. Cats are happy. (there was tuna involved in that.)

Gonna go sleep on the couch now, as the loft is not really the coolest place to be atm.

Customers?

Yeah, hi. Please don't jump into the middle of a conversation between me and my co-worker, assume you know what we're talking about, and assume it's your right to correct and lecture us on our customer service skills. It was dead quiet, our conversation was in low voices and was not bad-mouthing customers, did not have swearing in it, and didn't have a damn thing to do with you. You weren't even queuing!

I don't interrupt your conversations, now do I?
Go away.

---

You know, I don't actually care that you don't like our register queuing system. You didn't listen to the directions, so it's your own fault you got lost and confused. There's a jillion customers to serve and you having a bigass tantrum and trying to rally customers into supporting you? Doesn't help us get said customers through quickly, although it does make you look like a fool.

I wish you had come through my register instead of the new kid's. I'd have told you right-quick how to lodge a complaint, because doing what you did for the previous five minutes in queue? Pretty darn useless.

---

And to one lady from yesterday: no, it is NOT my job to scrabble on the counter trying to pick up 10c and 5c coints, and be EVER SO GRATEFUL that you've allowed me to do so. My job is to serve customers in a fast, friendly and efficient manner. You dumping your change on the counter, instead of into my outstretched hand, screws that up really good.

I'm just fortunate that I had my (already) dark temper in check and caught myself before I gave you an honest answer, one which probably would have gotten me fired. The glare you gave me when I took a breath and said to have a nice day?

Niiiiice.

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Customer: Do you have this in a size 7.5?
Me: :Checks, and finds that the last size/smallest size is like, a 8.5: I'm sorry. The smallest we have is an 8.5. I can order you a 7.5, if you'd like.
Customer: Oh... do you have a 7.5?
Me: ...No, smallest is an 8.5.
Customer: Oh... do you have a 7?
Me: -_-! ...Nope, 8.5 is the smallest.
Customer: Ah... can I see the 8.5?
Me: :Brings out the 8.5:
Customer: This is pretty big... do you have a 7.5?


SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU FUCKING IDIOT.

-

Also, I can't stand it when customers interrupt. This conversation happened today:

Me: This is a really good brand. They put a really strong arch support into-
Customer: Do you have it in black?
Me: Oh... um, yeah, lemme grab it. :Runs back to grab a black, and hands it to customer.: So, like I was saying, a lot of doctors really recommend this shoe for-
Customer: Do you have this in red?
Me: No, it doesn't come in red. BUT anyway, like I was saying, it's really good for-
Customer: What size is this?
Me: :Getting really annoyed: It's a 7, like you asked for. Danskos are meant to fit a bit-
Customer: Seems a little big.
Me: Yeah, I know. Sorry, I was trying to tell you that it's supposed to fit a bit loosely. The sole on the shoe-
Customer: Do you have it in a 6.5?
Me: I DON'T KNOW, LET ME GO CHECK -_-!!!!!


Once again, STFU YOU IDIOT.




One final complaint. My coworkers and I really pride ourselves in our knowledge of shoes and feet. We aren't like Payless- we know about a dozen (or so) different foot problems, are familiar with the muscles in feet, know about how different types of leather are produced, understand the differences between rubber and polyurethane, and can go on for about 5 minutes when asked about ANY SHOE in our store (and we probably have 200-300 different ones). We know what we're talking about. So, please, do NOT approach me with "So, do you know anything about feet?" And when I bring out a shoe, do not start telling me about the shoe. 90% of the time, when a customer does that, they are relaying incorrect information (ex: it's "plantar fasciitis", not "planters infatis"). It drives me nuts. Do not treat me like an idiot. I've been there for 1.5 years, working an average of 30 hours a week. I know my shoes.

I work at a movie theatre, in box office. Recently, the movie Hancock started playing.

( One customer got inappropriate. )

Another suck. Our prices went up! Woo hoo, right? Children and seniors are the same price, but matinee went up 50 cents, and evening adult went up a quarter, and student went up 50 cents. We've gotten some complaints, but there's nothing we can do. One lady asked us if we were trying to drive customers away. Another man asked me "How do you sleep at night?". Tonight, this happened.

Guy: Two students for [movie].
Me: That'll be $16.00 :D
Girl: No, that's not right, students are $6.50.
Me: Students are actually $8 currently, the price went up from $7.50 about two or three weeks ago.
Girl: No, your sign says students are $6.50 *points up at scrolling marquee under times*

*pause* Here is what the marquee says, by the way. "ADULTS $9.00 CHILDREN 3-11 $6.50 SENIORS 60+ $6.50 STUDENTS W/ ID WHILE ORDERING TICKETS $8.00 MATINEE BEFORE 6 PM $7.00" So I can see why she thought it was $6.50 for students, but usually, you say what the item is, then the price, not the other way around.

Me: No, that says students are $8.00.
Girl: I just saw it.
Me: *feeling a bit cranky* I've read the marquee there several times, and I can see the prices on my screen.
Girl: I've been coming here for years. Students are always $6.50.
Me: Students were $7.50 when I started working here, and have just recently gone up. Children and seniors are $6.50.
Girl: $8.00 is not a discount.
Me: Regular admission is $9.00, so yes, it is a discount.
Girl: Whatever. This is such a rip-off!

I think people just need to realize that going to the movies is no longer a cheap thing unless you have passes... And hey, clearly the price increase hasn't changed anyone's mind about coming, because even as they complain, they're giving me the money.

Listed as Gothic Lolita
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