Stupid Customer!
I used to really dig indie music stores. Of course, this was back in the day when I could walk into such a store and know more than 30% of the bands in the bestseller section, but I digress.
I was never totally comfortable with the default attitude of indie music store clerks. We all know what they're like: assholes. On the other hand, you gotta love their pluck. Witness the following, pulled from an indie-store industry newsgroup.
From: xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 12:17 AM
To: xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: the indie record store; TOO good not to share>From xxxx, [Dinkypeter Records] in [Springfield City]:
Well, Dinkypeter bought 400 [of the Tom Waits box set]. We pre-sold 179 copies, and I wanted to be the only place in [Springfield] with 'em on 12/24. Yesterday, this dude calls and says, "Will you match the Best Buy price on the Tom Waits box?" We'll refer to him as BBF (you know, Best Buy's Friend) in the dialogue below.
BBF: "Will you match the Best Buy price on the Tom Waits box?"
Me: "What's the price?"
BBF: "$44.99."
Me: "Sure, I'll do that. And I'll put $44.99 on it, so there's no confusion."
BBF: "Cool, because I think your shop is awesome. Can you put one back under the name 'Dave'?"
Me: "Yup, not a problem at all. See ya in a bit."
Then, about 10 minutes later...
BBF: "I spoke to someone on the phone, they're holding a Waits box. The guy said he would match Best Buy's price. He said he would put a note on it."
Me: "Yeah, that was me. All right, it comes to $47.91."
BBF: "Your price tag says '$39.99'."
Me: "You asked us to match Best Buy's price. Our price is $39.99 Theirs, you said, was $44.99, so it comes to $47.91 with tax."
BBF: "Dude, that's a f*(king sh!tty thing to do."
Me: "I'm not sure I understand. You asked us to match Best Buy's price, and we are."
BBF: "F*(k you, man. I'm not shopping here again."
Meanwhile, I turn around and put the box set back on the shelf next to ones for the winners that got signed editions.
Me: "OK, so I can put this back? Because this is the last signed one we have, and we'll just put it back for the next person."
BBF: "What do you mean it's signed?"
Me: "We got signed ones, direct from the label."
BBF: "That's bullsh!t. Let me see."
I reach back and get a signed one from the stack next to it, and...
BBF: "OK, I'll take it."
Me: "You said you were never gonna shop here again. I don't want to see you make yourself be a liar."
BBF: "I'm serious, man. I'll take it."
Me: "Dude, it's not worth it. Your personal integrity is more important than this signed Waits CD. Believe me, you'll hate yourself later for going back on your word."
And now the big ending...
BBF: "F*(K YOU!&#*#*^(@*$(^$(@Y$(&$@*&(*&@$!!!!!"
Next customer in line: "That was awesome."
on
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§ 5 Comments
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Funny. Also self-defeating.
Funny. Also self-defeating. I'm sure the sales clerk there is all proud of himself. But he just made his own little contribution to the eventual extinction of his own livelihood and WalMart's bottom line.
I'd rather deal with the generalized incompetence and lack of English speaking skills found in the average Walmart employee than that snarky asshole's personalized insults. God forbid that you attempt to buy something that he didn't approve of.
Yes, ACE is a chain but has
Yes, ACE is a chain but has two points in the "pro" column:
1), The physical dimensions of the stores are human-scale, not built for the confort and convenience of the 30' tall shopper with pre-programmed knowledge of every blueprint of everything already and with RFID locators to find the widgets he needs in the place, and
2), All the mom and pop hardware stores are now ACEs in my area so there's little alternative.
But like I said, the ACE in my town and one next town over I go to sometimes have super-helpful and pleasant people who actually, you know, work, and I can circumnavigate the entire premises in about 5 minutes and don't need a fucking monorail to get around in it.
I was serious before- ACE is my sole source for my lawnmower blades and machete needs.
Don't get me wrong - I
Don't get me wrong - I patronize small stores whenever feasible. I just wouldn't want to shop at *that* asshole's store. I like the small hardware stores especially - even ACE is a chain, after all.
What I was thinking of when I
What I was thinking of when I used the word "Patronize" in the comment above was a small stop and rob in Columbus, Ohio near where I once lived. They had a small sign over the check out counter that proudly proclaimed, "Thank you for patronizing us." It took all my willpower to avoid making comments in line with their stated wish.
Yeah B, I get that, and feel
Yeah B, I get that, and feel the same way.
Usually.
But a big offender in my AO is the Home Depot. I guess because I am so non handy or mechanically inclined, so when I go looking for a tool or part or something, I really do need someone who knows what he's talking about to help me. Usually, I can't even find anyone- I know it's a big structure, but sheesh, you'd think a couple worker bees would be around, you know?
And then when I finally do find someone, he or she tells me what aisle to go to and then vanishes.
Now I go to the ACE Hardware in my town. Yes it's a big coporation and whatnot, but the store is pretty small, and there are friendly people actually visibly present and helpful.
I get all my machetes there now.