I work retail, and recently I had a really bad exchange with a customer.
She came into the store with another woman and a child. Right away, the child was running around, being extremely loud, knocking things over, and banging on the glass display case that holds our consoles. I told her she needed to stop the child because he could get hurt. The child did not listen and started crying and screaming.
At the same time, the woman herself was talking so loudly that it sounded like she was yelling. The customer I was helping was visibly annoyed because she was basically screaming next to his ear.
While I was in the middle of doing a trade-in for that customer, she kept grabbing items off the shelves and interrupting me about five or six times, completely ignoring my coworker who was on the register right next to me. I eventually had to clearly tell her that my coworker would be checking her out because I was busy with the trade-in.
She picked three items, and one of them was mislabeled. A coworker had been sick and was not able to change the price tag, so the sticker still said $9.99 even though the system had already updated it to $11.99.
When my coworker rang her up and she saw the total, she said it was wrong. I checked and explained that I could not change the price and that a manager handles price overrides like that. Before I could fully explain, she became aggressive and louder, saying that by law I had to honor the price and that Publix would do it with no problem. We are not Publix, so I did not understand why that comparison was needed.
I calmly explained the situation two more times, but she kept getting louder and more aggressive. At that point, I told her we were refusing to serve her.
So, AITA?
NTA. If she can’t be respectful, you don’t have to serve her, plain and simple. Either call a manager to let them handle it, or ask her to leave.
NTA.
I also work retail, in fact, I am on the clock right now [slow day, we only get one delivery].
The fact that you explained that your manager is the one who needs to be spoken to is more than enough.
However, I would recommend you go and fix that price tag ASAP, even if it’s not your section
NTA
She sure is though. You didn’t even refuse to sell her the thing she wanted at the lower price, you just told her that you aren’t physically capable of doing so and a manager will have to come do so. I feel bad for her kid having to be born to a woman like that. Hopefully he gets some (appropriate) discipline from someone at some point.
One think ive noticed in shops is they will put out prices on card promoting a cheaper price then you get to the counter and its the normal price .. theres no reason they can’t change the price first.. apparently this is illegal but they keep on doing it even after being fined… the fines must be a joke
Yeah, companies get away with all sorts of shit. If you steal a hundred dollars from a store you get tossed in jail, but if you steal millions of dollars from thousands of different people, they just slap you with a fine that’s probably less then the amount you stole and “sternly” tell you not to do that again as they wag their finger at you and fail to give you a stern look.
NTA businesses have the right to refuse service. Not enough places exercise this right and that’s how we end up with customers like her. I would’ve kicked her out sooner. Let her know if she can’t respect the property or fellow customers she needs to leave.
Good for you I did nine years of retail you are absolutely right to do so as a matter as current security formal retail I take deep personal pleasure kicking people out so I’m sure loss prevention will be with you too best part of the job
NTA. Retail workers are not punching bags and a mislabeled price is not a free pass to go feral. You explained it calmly and she chose chaos. Refusing service was valid. Customer service doesn’t mean customer dictatorship.
Obvs NTA but basic contract law is clear that you absolutely don’t have to honour that price anyway.
Confidently stated but not true everywhere. Massachusetts item pricing law includes this:
* **Lowest Price Rule:** If an item’s marked price, shelf price, or advertised price differs, the retailer must charge the lowest price.
NTA, there’s just no reasoning with some people.
I hate people like that they just do it to get over on you ,call the manager
NTA …
It is not unusual for require management approval for a price override.
It’s definitely not acceptable to get aggressive with retail staff.
NTA. She and her child were extremely rude.
However, at least where I live, the lower ticketed price legally has to be honoured. Doesn’t matter if someone put the wrong price tag on or forgot to change the tag after a sale, you are legally required to give the item to the customer at that price.