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1ajbs2z
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TalesFromYourServer
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Dear customers
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Why do you come into a packed restaurant with a long ass wait, demand to be seated when you can see everyone is struggling, see everyone struggling, and get shocked when you have subpar service?
for context it’s sunday night which is typically busier than weekdays but slower than friday and saturday. so we were staffed for a sunday. but with this AYCE bullshit (applebees) it was absolutely nuts tonight. if it was any other time we could’ve handled it. but the fact that it’s AYCE means we can’t turn tables, tables are there forever, and the kitchen is flooded with orders. it’s a smaller joint and when you’re packed to capacity with three servers and three cooks nothing goes well. you come in on the busiest day with the bullshit promotion and get mad when shit takes like 20 minutes to get to you. it’s not our fault, the cooks fault, just too many goddamn people and small number of staff. hell even when we have a shit ton of staff shit takes forever cause you can only cook so many at a time with all the goddamn orders. your server has 13 tables and you bitch and moan cause you waited five minutes for a refill?
and then you take it out on us. even when you see the server is doing everything they can for everyone at once you don’t tip shit but demand top tier service. i’m not saying bad service should get good tips but there’s a difference between bad service and just the whole place being up in flames and everyone busting their ass. and don’t yell at them or insult them, they know shit is going bad and are just trying to fix it. just tip them and don’t go again if you can acknowledge how poorly everything is run
after 7 hours i made $76. sales were $985. not even 10% average. it’s a running joke in my place to say “AYCE brings in the- i’m not gonna say it” “trashiest cheapest rudest people” “yep”
and then corporate has the gall to get mad we get bad reviews. like what tf did you expect with a promotion like this. and you throw all this shit on limited staff and expect it to go perfectly. my place is a perfect example of a “haven’t recovered since c*vid and is a sinking ship” place. we do fine most of the year. AYCE we do not. i’ve heard from the staff who have been there a while we used to be great and never got back to it
so dear customers, don’t expect unrealistic things and get pissy when they don’t go your way. we all know this is a shit show we are not unaware. take it up with the big bosses and not the ppl working their ass off for so little. we aren’t sitting here twiddling our thumbs we are working as best we can. at this point my reward for a busy shift isn’t bigger money, it’s getting out in one piece. this AYCE is a dumbass idea because we’ve had a busier rush than this and done great and had people happy. but it calms down cause it’s one goddamn order. not a million fucking reorders and ppl being there for hours
TL;DR stop being an ass and leave the struggling staff alone. we know it’s bad. don’t take it out on us
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1ajbs2z/dear_customers/
| 104 | 51 | 1,707,121,754 | 8 |
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hot
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1adlrzc
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TalesFromYourServer
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Notes From An Old Server
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It’s been 27 years in this industry and I feel like my clock is winding down. I’m starting to consider other options and plan for an eventual exit. I’ve been thinking a lot about how different my experience waiting tables is now from what it was when I first started, or even ten years ago. I’ve been recalling all the little tidbits that were passed down to me from my hospitality elders early on, and all the small things I’ve learned along the way that have made a big difference in the way I do my job and the level of success - both monetary and personal - I have achieved. I wanted to pass on a few pieces to any server who is just starting out, or who may simply be looking for guidance:
- when you make an error (because you will, it’s inevitable) that can’t be fixed without the guest knowing, accept responsibility and only apologize *once*. No need for endless repetitions of “I’m so sorry!” or excessive handwringing. Address it, apologize, fix it, and move forward. Taking clear responsibility and moving on with a firm solution shows maturity and professionalism; appearing emotional, overly apologetic, and offering the guest the moon in order to make things right demonstrates instability and undermines their faith in your abilities. Yes, there are the occasional customers that want to feel like they can bring you to your knees, but mostly, people want to relax and simply be taken care of, and walking their server back from a breakdown over an error isn’t part of that. Also, people respond well to strength: my tips improved once I stopped making every error into a disaster.
- every server has a “restaurant personality”, similar to the same way a receptionist has a “customer service voice”. I think it’s important to have a restaurant personality, customers often feel entitled to almost all parts of ourselves, and I believe in not giving them everything; I also feel like it helps create a professional boundary (if it’s a regular customer and you feel comfortable with them and you develop an organic relationship, that’s a different story). Other servers I’ve known have disagreed and believe in being 100% authentic to their true selves at all times. To each their own. If you choose to adopt an RP, my advice is to keep it close enough to your own personality that it still feels natural, to yourself and to the guest. If it feels fake to you, you will be uncomfortable and won’t be at your best; guests will also be able to tell if you’re being fake and it will in turn make *them* uncomfortable. So then everyone’s uncomfortable, no one’s having a good time, and your tip will suffer lol.
- the tip percentage that support staff receives from you is their money, not yours. Do not think of it as *you* tipping *them* out from *your* tips; each tip received is for every tipped employee, you just happen to be the one holding the money until the end of the night.
- there will be tables that don’t tip or tip terribly; suck it up and move on. Of course it won’t feel great, especially if it’s a high cost check or if you felt like you had a good rapport with the guests. Unfortunately it’s one of the risks of working in this industry, but I promise, most people tip, and tip appropriately. Set a weekly or monthly goal for yourself, and you’ll see that truly, it all balances out in the end.
- you don’t have to go out every night after work, or even most nights. You’re not
missing out on anything.
- I have a few more, but this post is already hella long, so I just want to end with one of the most important — you are the captain of the ship! It may not seem like it now, but in truth, YOU are in control of that table. You run the show. And I don’t mean in an overbearing, obnoxious way, and yes, you engage and listen to the guest, but there are ways to move things along that will best benefit the guest and the needs of the establishment. It takes time and practice to learn this skill, but you can do it. Be confident! Serving is a valuable, skilled job that can become a lucrative, knowledgeable, career. Don’t listen to anyone that tells you serving is only for the lazy and unambitious.
Best of luck and let me know if you want any more tips!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1adlrzc/notes_from_an_old_server/
| 41 | 3 | 1,706,499,959 | 8 |
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hot
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193ookg
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TalesFromYourServer
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Screwed by another server
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Mobile post, sorry if formatting sucks
For context, in my area it has been sleeting and snowing for about 3 days now, so my store is operating on “skeleton crew” which for us is 5 servers, 1 host, and 1 busier for FOH. This story happened yesterday.
I was set for a 4-close (10pm) shift on a snow day, so we were pretty slow all night, no more than 1 table at a time for each server. Another server, let’s call her Mary, was scheduled for a 5:30-close shift but called saying she wouldn’t be in until 6. No big deal, we’re dead.
About a month ago Mary was pregnant, so while she wasn’t able to run around and do “normal” server stuff she was hosting, so she knows how our host system works and DEFINITELY knows how server rotation works. She has also been with the restaurant for about 2 years, while I’ve been there since this past august
We were slow enough all night for my GM to send a bunch of people home early, leaving us with our BOH guys, to go people and just me and Mary for hosting, bussing and serving. Fine by me, less people to tip out.
Around 9pm, I had the only table in the restaurant while she sat by the to go stand on her phone. A couple walked in and I was busy with my table, so I asked them to wait a minute before I sat them. Mary came to the host stand, sat them in a random section, and left without telling anyone. Apparently she checked out with our to go specialists earlier and decided to leave without consulting our manager. I had been here a full 2 hours longer than her.
The cherry on top? She didn’t even put it into the host system that we had another table, so I couldn’t tell we had a table at all despite having a system in the back that shows which tables are seated. So the couple ended up coming to the side station where I was eating my own food and asked where their server was. I assumed it was Mary and said I’d find her, only to find her gone. Ended up getting tipped 40% by them since they felt bad.
Tl;dr- another server sat a table in a random section and left without telling anyone despite being there barely half as long as I had been.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/193ookg/screwed_by_another_server/
| 160 | 17 | 1,704,934,799 | 8 |
big tip
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hot
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16ukaxm
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TalesFromYourServer
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Patrons Suffering From The Main-Character Syndrome
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The way some people think is honestly fascinating to me. Being convinced that the world revolves around you must be such a wild experience. This mindset just doesn't compute with me & I've stopped taking shit from entitled people after 10+ years in the industry. To the story now.
There's some comedian performing in the city, from what I've heard, & some musician somewhere nearby too. Our location is close to both venues. Traffic is wild. It's around 5PM, I get relieved from my main job, & I walk into absolute chaos. We have 4 big reservations & the rest of it is just walk-in tables. People are LINED UP TO BE SEATED (something I haven't witnessed EVER since I've started working at the place). There's only 3 servers (who work as bartenders as well) & 3 cooks (1 of which is still in training). After the main COVID hit, our place had significantly slowed down & is staffed as such.
Obviously, I get right into it. Can tell off the bat 2 other server girls are already overwhelmed. There's completely 0 structure. We normally work on rotation for taking tables but today that just doesn't exist. I help girls to clean their tables, new guests get greeted, everyone is informed that their orders may take twice as long to take care of. Whoever is okay with waiting gets seated (the performances hadn't started yet, so people had some time to burn).
In walks a very positive & polite woman, asks for a table of 4. She says that she's here for the comedy show & her joiners are arriving shortly. 2 ladies had joined her in about 10 minutes. 4th woman is MIA for now. I pour them all some beer on tap, make them some cocktails, make sure that they aren't ready to order their food just yet, & we're rock-n-rolling with the rest of the pub. We don't stop for a minute to stretch, hydrate, graze, scream in the walk-in, piss, shit, or smoke. Everyone's in the zone & we all are doing our best to keep this going. We're very supportive of each other in this place, both FOH & BOH.
After 45 minutes of the aforementioned table being seated, the OH (short for Old Hag) finally joins them & they start looking through the food menu. I get back to them in about 5 minutes & of course everyone is ready with their orders except for the OH. I asked if they'd like me to come back & take everyone's orders at once but I think they are just sick of waiting on her & they start ordering, forcing her to make a choice as well. She gives me some dirty looks & attitude, obviously, because she feels rushed (like she didn't cause that herself) & places a very complicated/specific order but I honestly don't even have time to give it a second thought because I'm running like 7 other tables & bar seats, while cleaning everyone else's tables on top of that.
I'm on the top of serving the ladies' table, having silverware, napkins & condiments out right away, promptly refilling their drinks, & politely conversing with them every time I approach them. 40 minutes goes by since they've placed their food order, I'm taking care of someone else at the bar & punching in an order for another table. OH runs up to me, I let her know I'll be with her in a moment. She starts slapping the bar with her wrist, saying that "WE'VE GOT TO GO TO THE CONCERT & OUR FOOD ISN'T EVEN READY YET??". I explain that I understand her frustration, the kitchen is almost done working on it, & if they had placed their order sooner, it would be ready by now, however the delay was caused by her being late & there isn't much we can do at this point, as our kitchen is slammed. Her table is looking at me with nothing but sympathy at this point.
Another 5 minutes passes by, I finally hear BOH ringing for their dishes. What a relief. Plates & trays come out extremely hot & I only manage to take out 2 entrees at a time for these folks. While I'm delivering their dishes for them, she is rolling her eyes because it wasn't her plate I was bringing over. Well, too bad - you'll have to wait another minute. I bring over 2 other dishes, including the Old Hag's one, & she starts SCREECHING at me "I've ordered CHIIIIPS on the side, WWWHYYY ARE THEY NOT HERE YYYETTT??"
At this point, I have no more patience for this woman:
"I'm sorry ma'am but PLEASE LOOK AROUND YOU! 90% of the people also have places to be at after they're done dining. I'm sorry I don't have 6 hands but I'm doing my best with what I have. The kitchen is behind & your table had been informed of that before getting seated. Your table had to wait on you & this is exactly how you've ended up in the situation. I've been here for your table this entire time, so I don't understand why you feel the need to make a scene out of this situation. I'll be bringing your side in a minute but I'm asking you to remember that you are NOT the only person here & NOT the only one who has someplace to be."
I bring her the side of chips & see that her friends are absolutely mortified at this point. To break the ice wall the Old Hag had created, I offer everyone more refills & ask how their food is tasting. They all instantly perk up, converse with me, & she just huffs & looks away. Fine then, enjoy your wings & chips with those ice cubes you've got hanging around in your cup.
Of course she is the first one ready to close her bill. I happily close everyone's bills before hers, bring out takeout containers for them, all while she keeps turning her nose away from me, all toddler-like. All these wonderful ladies tip 20-25%, which I'm sincerely surprised & grateful to see. Needless to say, the Old Hag decides that my reality check wasn't gratitude-worthy for her & I just widely smile right after I see her receipt, following by a private & very personal, yet outspoken, "what a surprise" remark. She scuffs at me & I wish the ladies a wonderful night. They wish the same back to us & off they go.
TL;DR: an entitled woman who is 45 minutes late to join her party (waiting for her to place their food order), turns into a complete c\*nt after realizing that her food takes time to be made, loses it on me, & gets a reality check.
EDIT: formatting.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/16ukaxm/patrons_suffering_from_the_maincharacter_syndrome/
| 255 | 18 | 1,695,917,860 | 8 |
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hot
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16ptzmq
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TalesFromYourServer
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Allergen scare
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TLDR: sous chef didn’t say seat numbers, took a pasta with nuts in it to a guest with a nut allergy and guest ate some of it. Guest was OK, nothing bad happened, but I feel terrible
I’m currently a food runner/busser at a busy semi-casual restaurant in a big city. A couple of years ago at a fast food job I had a terrible experience with someone who had a nut allergy. It was a mix up and the person ate nuts by accident (they were totally ok, it ended up being nut flavoring) but since then I’ve been super conscientious about allergens and I take it really seriously.
Anyways so tonight at work the sous chef (who honestly no one likes working with) calls hands but doesn’t say seat numbers. There’s two pastas in front of me (same dish) that look the same. I hear chef mention something about an allergen but he’s not talking to me and doesn’t say anything to me except to run the food to table etc.
I bring the food out and it’s an 8-top and I ask who ordered the pasta. This girl looks at me blankly and says “pesto?” Which sometimes this happens and I have no idea why because there’s only a little bit of pesto in the pasta.
I say the pasta dish name again and she just goes “pesto?” I say it’s the fusilli and finally she nods yes and I set it down and walk away.
Ten minutes later MOD comes up to me and asks if I was given a seat number for the fusilli at table etc. I say no? What’s wrong. And MOD tells me how even though she’s ok the girl I gave the pasta to has a nut allergy and she ate some of it.
He asks me again if I was given a seat number and how if I was given one he’s going to need to talk to me but if I wasn’t then he’ll talk to chef.
So then he talks to the chef and chef says how he *did* give out seat numbers which is bulllllllllshitttttttttttttt. And then MOD tells me how I need to be more careful and watch out for things like that because even though the girl was ok it could have ended terribly.
Idk but the entire situation made me so upset and frustrated. I felt like an idiot and then of course the table tips the poor server 10% and will most likely leave a terrible review.
I kind of want to put my two weeks in because my anxiety is saying “you almost killed someone today”
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/16ptzmq/allergen_scare/
| 28 | 14 | 1,695,440,117 | 8 |
big tip
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hot
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16i9cug
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TalesFromYourServer
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Lazy Servers with Pre-Bussing
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I honestly cannot take this anymore. I work as a Busser at this casual-upscale restaurant and the sheer amount of servers that half-ass pre-bussing is starting to piss me off.
We have to carry bustubs. And honestly I’m starting to think that’s issue number one. The fact that we’re carrying around these big bustubs enables the servers to think that we can just fit in their plates that they were too lazy to pre-buss. Of course, it’s not much of a problem to help a server out when it’s really busy, but they do this shit all the time. So when I say lazy, I mean lazy. Sometimes I get so irritated to where I leave a dirty table (i just take the glasses) and don’t come back to it for almost half an hour and what do you know? The server did not pre-buss it.
I can count on one hand the amount of servers that consistently prebuss, and even they admit that some of the servers that work here are “some lazy motherfuckers.” If they can do it, why can’t the majority of the other servers? Why am I doing the servers job for them? There’s a reason they get paid twice as much as me, so am I wrong for something to expect them to do their job? How am I supposed to do my job (resetting tables ASAP) when my bustub is full after clearing two tables?
The other bussers don’t care nearly as much as I do, and so they take plates of food regardless. Maybe if the other bussers cared as much as I do, then maybe the servers would be forced to do their job. I hate being perceived as lazy too for just wanting to do my job, not another persons.
Management is unfortunately not doing enough. Most they’ll do is give them a slap on the wrist. It’s frustrating.
The place where I work, we get 1% of all sales of the restaurant as our tip out. So servers pretty much never tip you out extra.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/16i9cug/lazy_servers_with_prebussing/
| 12 | 19 | 1,694,667,910 | 8 |
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hot
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ao5gf0
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TalesFromYourServer
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Make the best of a bad situation
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It was a calm evening on a normal Saturday night. We were busy but not over the top. I walked out of the kitchen to run someone’s food and looked over towards the door. About thirty people are standing there waiting. We didn’t expect any large parties so I was a little confused. I dropped off the food and asked a friend what was happening. All I got was, “I don’t know dude.” As I walked up to the host’s stand to investigate, ten more people walked in. I questioned the host and realized he was as bewildered as I was. Then another group walked in, and another, and another.
Apparently there was a local tournament that just finished up and all of the guests decided to come to our restaurant. Eventually, the patrons filled up the entire waiting area and were pouring out into the aisles. We all know how messy and infuriating it can be to have people in your way when you’re trying to rush by with full trays. We couldn’t seat them fast enough. They just kept coming, and the bulk of them were large parties.
In the midst of it, most of my tables were cashing out and leaving. Naturally, I could feel a triple seat coming. Nothing. By that point the smallest party was eight and I had a small section with mostly booths. I did have two four tops available, so I clawed my way through the mass of people to the wait list. Looking down it I found the first group available that could fit. I told the host that I’d push my tables and seat the eight top. (Our hosts aren’t confident in tough situations.) One of the members of that party heard me say eight and they chimed in, “that’s us.” I told them to give me a moment and I’d get them in ASAP.
I sat them at my table and gave my intro and they ordered a bunch of apps and meals, yada yada yada. There were four adults and four kids. (We know that could go either way in the end but I treat everyone the same.) They were kind and patient considering the volume which is better than a good tip. The food came out late but no big deal. They told me how they wanted it split and I was about to go grab their checks. Then, the “that’s us” guy calls me over and says, “You did a wonderful job tonight and we really appreciate it.” He goes to shake my hand and palms me a bill. Alright, not bad. I figured if they are splitting it there might be something reasonable from everyone. As I start to walk away, a guy on the opposite end calls me over. He leans in and whispers, “let me know the total and I might just cover it myself.”
I went over to the POS and got the total and walked back. After hearing the total he agreed to pay it. I grabbed the check, took it to him, and he was counting out cash as I walked up. He hands me a significant tip and then the payment. Of course the rest of the table reacted normally, “you didn’t have to do that” or, “thanks so much.” I thanked them for coming and told them to have a good evening. My job was done. (Well sort of, I always tell tables that I’m still here after they cash out so if they need anything just let me know.)
After calculating the tip, I received 40%. I was so relieved because most of my tables were hitting the lower end that night. It’s not much of a story but it made me feel good to serve a table that understands how hectic a restaurant can be. Anyways, if you made it this far, thanks for reading.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/ao5gf0/make_the_best_of_a_bad_situation/
| 1,902 | 36 | 1,549,556,787 | 8 |
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top
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cv6udn
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TalesFromYourServer
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Entitled Table Didn't Like Our Live Music
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I had a real doozy of a table in the pub tonight.
I'm a bartender at a large, busy pub. We were slammed tonight on a packed Saturday. Dinner rush until late night, it was not stop. We have a big open outdoor patio with it's own bar and 12 cocktail tables, and a larger inside bar with 14 tables, where I had a cocktail server covering the tables while I was behind the bar. We had an acoustic guitarist who was great, had people singing along and whatnot, and everyone seemed to enjoy having him there. Everything seems to be going smoothly, people are happy, and we're all making money.
Here comes cocktail table #4, a 6 top. Rude from the beginning, asking my server when the guitar man was done and if we could unplug him and turn on the jukebox. Sorry guys, he's here until 1. This party was rude from the moment they sat down. They told her that nobody wanted to hear him and that the music was terrible, and to pull the plug on him. If you don't like the music, leave, right? Well, no I guess.
Cocktail waitress and I work very closely, so I was watching. They had a round of drinks, and then one of the girls put her phone into an empty glass. You know the trick to amplify the music, and she put on whatever hip hop that she was playing. I was behind the bar and heard the music.
Server comes up to me and says, "these people are so fucking rude, they're playing music at the table because they say the music here sucks". Not cool, I walk over to the table, and give her the universal "cut it" gesture and say "you have to turn that off." She said "turn what off" with a smirk. I gave her a sideways look and said "the music you're playing". She fucking said "what music?" and gave me a the same smirk. I said "OKAY".
Now my manager on duty is a very passive guy. He's super chill, loves his job, smokes a lot of weed, but is also a large and intimidating figure when he needs to be. Shaking his hand is like grabbing a bunch of bananas. I told him the situation, and he said okay no problem, and went over to talk to the table, while I didn't stray far behind. He told them very politely that we paid good money for entertainment tonight, and that it was disrespectful for them to be playing music over him, especially when we could hear it from the kitchen.
These people did not take kindly to this. They said that the guy sucked, nobody wanted to hear him, and that they could play music at their table because nobody else could hear it. He told them that actually, everyone else could hear it and they were being disrespectful to the musician. I didn't hear the rest of the conversation, because I had bar guests to attend to, but I saw MOD get heated. Apparently they gave him some shit, and he got PISSED. He started to clear the table, taking away full drinks, gave them their check, and told them to GTFO. On the way out they said "(owners name) is going to hear about this!" Good, fucking tell him how big of an asshole you were being.
So we had their name on file from the tab they started, MOD called the owner and told him what happened and to expect a complaint, and ownerman told him that he had no idea who they were. Shocking.
I've never had to deal with people this blatantly rude to our musicians before, but it was awesome to have a manager actually give a fuck and kick them out. They actually tipped 20% on their tab when they left, too. Maybe the one paying realized how shitty they were? Whatever, it was a good money night for all of us.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/cv6udn/entitled_table_didnt_like_our_live_music/
| 1,688 | 80 | 1,566,728,233 | 8 |
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top
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366zs3
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TalesFromYourServer
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Do you acknowledge previous generous tips on future visits?
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Had a guest tip me 80 on a 70 check. Was wondering if I should acknowledge it the next time he comes back. I was thinking ,"thanks for being so generous last week. It really helped me out of a tight spot and I appreciate it and having you as a guest"
Or should you not acknowledge the tip but welcome him Back and provide great service.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/366zs3/do_you_acknowledge_previous_generous_tips_on/
| 46 | 15 | 1,431,805,377 | 8 |
generous tip
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relevance
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z8te5z
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TalesFromYourServer
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Lurker Question
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Doing a restaurant “buyout” for a large group during the holidays which includes food and a limited number of drinks for guests, then a cash bar. Restaurant is charging a 20% autograt. What are the expectations of staff on whether guests are expected to tip on orders outside of the included package?
Thanks, and love reading your stories. Makes me try harder not to be “that customer.”
Update: this was phenomenally fucking successful, with a great crowd, and an appreciative staff. Evidently my peers were generous with their tips!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/z8te5z/lurker_question/
| 189 | 65 | 1,669,819,797 | 8 |
generous tip
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relevance
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vbufei
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TalesFromYourServer
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An embarrassing thing I did today
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I worked a 55 hour week, and today was my “Friday”. I worked doubles Saturday & Sunday (12 hours each) so you could say I was pretty tired today. We have 4 servers total, and 2 are on vacation right now so i’ve been closing alone at night this week (my manager stayed to help me a few nights.) We don’t have a hostess, food runners, or bussers, so when we’re busy, I try to get things done as fast as I can.
Tonight during a pop I had these two guys (dad and son) that both went to the bathroom at the same time. I had just put their order in and then started cleaning tables. I wasn’t even thinking about it and bussed their drinks and wiped their table. It was really embarrassing. The dad was clearly upset when they came back. They tipped me 10%, but it was understandable. Thankfully, most of my other people were pretty generous tonight. TGIF on a Monday!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/vbufei/an_embarrassing_thing_i_did_today/
| 90 | 17 | 1,655,178,413 | 8 |
generous tip
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hot
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mg67p3
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TalesFromYourServer
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The owners at my job are assholes
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We are short staffed on bussers at my job so two of the newer servers who just moved up from busser to server, were bussers the other night while me and someone else served. So at the end of the night we gave them a bussers cut which is 35% of the tips split which in my opinion is very generous. The owners got mad and told the bussers it should of been split evenly because “all the servers do is take menus to the table”. And it pissed me off I’m still shaking. There’s so much knowledge about food and wine that goes into serving and multi tasking. It makes me so angry when people act like serving isnt a real job it’s a skill and not everyone is cut out for it.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/mg67p3/the_owners_at_my_job_are_assholes/
| 22 | 10 | 1,617,072,649 | 8 |
generous tip
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hot
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eeb7f9
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TalesFromYourServer
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People during the holidays
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I’ve been in the industry for 8 years now. I started whenever I was 16 and couldn’t serve any alcohol, but I am now working my way up in one of the more classy restaurants in my town. I’ve been at this place a couple of months, and I’ve always had great success around the holidays. I don’t know if it’s people are feeling more generous or they feel bad I am not like them and with their families. Anyway, had a table of 9 last night celebrating a graduation because the grandparents were in town. We at my place have an automatic 18% grat on any table over 8. I inform the lady who asked for the tab as well as I told her about the automatic grat that had already been added. She told me that it wasn’t a problem, and she was happy that was in place. Later after they had finished paying the grandmother came up to me and thanked me for the corny jokes with the family and the excellent service and handed me some money that was folded up. I thanked her and said that she was too kind for anything left over. Well whenever I got back the serving station at my place I reach into my pocket and found that her and her family had gave me 200 dollars extra. I quickly ran out back out on to the floor and tried to thank them again, however by this time they were long gone.
I then did what almost every server I know would do, I went to my local watering hole and tipped my bartender over the bill cost.
Happy holiday y’all. Keep grinding good people are out there!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/eeb7f9/people_during_the_holidays/
| 261 | 7 | 1,577,052,980 | 8 |
generous tip
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top
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91km4m
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TalesFromRetail
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Everyone interrupts every private party.
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I am so surprised at how long it took me to finally stumble across this subreddit. I have been living for these stories and I have a few years worth of my own to add.
I work in a popular franchise that lets you paint pottery and do a few other mediums as well. We also host those paint and drink parties. For all the years that I have been there, we only host adult private drinking parties AFTER HOURS. I cannot stress that fact enough. Yet we always get calls from angry customers saying they couldn't pick their pottery pieces up the night before because we had a party and a sign saying they can't come in. Every time we tell them it was after hours, so even if a party hadn't been in the studio, they still could not have picked up their pieces. Anyway, the sign doesn't stop everyone. We have our hours posted on our door, and if there's a party, a sign next to it saying, "Private party. Do not knock or disturb." There has never been a single party where at least one customer doesn't bang on the door or force their way in.
On to my most recent incident of this. I was hosting a party with a rather miserable woman. She was upset that we would not close the studio two hours early to accommodate her party. She made it very clear that she would definitely not tip if outside people tried to come in while she was there with her group. Naturally, about an hour and 20 minutes into this party, I see the telltale sign of someone about to bust in. A pregnant woman and two kids are at the door. I see her reading the sign with our hours. I see her look at the sign saying "Private Party." I see her do a double take and then yank on the handle. I go flying over. Me = me Pregnant Lady = PL
Me: Excuse me ma'am, I can't let you in right now. There is a private party.
PL: I'm here to pick up my pieces.
Me: I'm sorry, you will have to come back tomorrow when we are open.
PL: You're open now. People are in there.
Me: Actually, we closed over an hour ago. There's a sign right here asking people to not disturb this private party.
PL: That's ridiculous. Let me in. I'm just picking something up. It will only take you a second.
Me: I can't let you in. This is a private party. We are not allowed to serve customers when the studio is not open.
PL: This is insane! I drove forty minutes to get here to pick up these pieces. You have to let me in.
(Here is where I explain, probably for the 10,000th time in my job here to the 10.000th customer to have done this, that we are not open. Our hours are posted online, and she can check those for future reference. If a party was not currently in the studio and she still drove all the way out here without checking our hours, she would have walked up on a closed, dark store and still could not have gotten her pieces)
PL: This is an outrage. I will be calling tomorrow to speak to someone about what a terrible employee you are! After that, I'm going to call the better business bureau!
(At this time, my party person is making it clear that I have spent too much time at the door and she needs attention. I can feel this tip slipping away and I can already tell this party will stay past their designated time and trash the place)
Me: I'm sorry ma'am, I have to go now.
PL (pulls on door as I am shutting it) No, you have to let me in! I drove forty minutes!
Me: Ma'am, I am the only person here and I am supposed to be helping this party. I need you to leave.
I finally shut and lock the door. I would have kept it locked, but people from the party kept stepping outside to smoke. Anyway, the two kids look a little down, but ultimately don't seem to care. PL, on the other hand, bangs on the door off and on for ten minutes. Finally, I look back up and she flips me off before walking back into the night.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/91km4m/everyone_interrupts_every_private_party/
| 1,767 | 245 | 1,532,461,019 | 8 |
tip
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relevance
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5s78fq
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TalesFromRetail
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The 6 Month Tip
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Gonna keep this short, because Emma on my lunch and need to get back.
This story involves me (M) and woman (W), and for once, it's not a bad one.
*W comes into store and asks for help, she's shopping for an item for her son, she gives me some parameters and I head into the back to find what she needs*
>M: We only have a few items that fit your guidelines
>W: No worries, I think he'll like this one best.
>M: Alrighty, if you just come with me I'll get you rung up
>W: Thank you
*while I'm ringing her up we just get to chatting about life*
>M: Okay, you're all done.
>W: Thank you, enjoy the rest of your shift
*then something peculiar happened*
*W crosses the street, turns around, and walks back into the store, and approaches me*
>W: Hey do you frequent [LOCAL FAST FOOD PLACE]?
>M: I'm in there a couple times a week, why do you ask?
*W produces a little card with a Barcode on each side*
>W: Take this, it'll last until August and you'll get a breakfast and lunch meal for £2 whenever you want to use it.
*I'm beyond words, it may seem small, but this gesture was huge to me*
*W hands me the card, smiles, and walks out*
I saw her later that day when I decided to use the card, turns out she manages [LOCAL FAST FOOD PLACE], and she recognized me when I walked in
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/5s78fq/the_6_month_tip/
| 181 | 8 | 1,486,299,453 | 8 |
tip
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relevance
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jnqleo
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TalesFromRetail
|
Customer threatens to sue me because he decided to jump a turnstile
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So heads up I'm on Mobile so sorry for any misspelling and formatting issues.
Quick backstory so when I was just out of high-school I worked in a small liquor store in a high risk area. Other then the pay the job was pretty good and the manager loved me took my side in basically anything cause I was usually right and he had a policy that if customer's are being a problem boot'em.
So it's a cold winters night and we're about to lock up I'm moping the floors while my coworker is closing out her till and hear they come. our cast me is op my coworker is cw and these two "valued" customer's C1 and C2. As I'm putting my mop away cw tells me I should come watch this on the security camera there's 2 guys running at the store full sprint trying to make it before we lock up in 5 minutes. My rule is simple if you get in before I lock the doors ill serve you but if you take longer then 10 minutes after close i'll ask you to leave with no purchase cause it's after 1 am and I want to go get some sleep. So C1 comes barreling into the store and instead of walking in like a normal person he decides to try and jump the turnstile at the entrance to stop shoplifters from trying to run out the front door. And low and behold as he runs past the wet floor sign directly in front of the turnstile he slipps and only makes it half way and collides directly with the arm of the turnstile tip to tip. His buddy helps pick him up laughing at him and they start browsing. Cw goes outside and locks the doors and finishes up closing until my till is the only thing left to do.
Low and behold there ten minutes are up and they haven't made a single choice yet. I pipe up " hey you guys the store closed 10 minutes ago I need you to pick what you want now or leave" well C1 takes offense to me telling him that he has to leave the closed store and replies " you know I got hurt on your property so I can take however long I'd like and you should be giving me everything I want for at least half off if not free unless you want me to sue you" him and C2 started laughing and walking around and joking about what they should help themselves to.
Cw looks at them like they are idiots and tells them they can get the hell out of the store right now or she will call the police and have them removed.
Well once again C1 and C2 don't like being told what to do and walk up to the counter snickering and ask how we would like going to court. I look at them tired and tell them that right now they have 2 choices 1 they buy something and leave now or we call the police cw already has the phone all ready to go and that we don't care if they sue us cause we don't own the store and his injury was self inflicted. he ignored the wet floor sign, and tried to jump the turnstile when he could just walk through. C1" well can I at least get a discount" C2 at this point realizes that we are pissed as he grabs the closest 12 pack and says "okay well get this and leave". So here we are 20-30 minutes after closing and finally get to go home. Those 2 never did bother to come back or sue us but I still made sure my manager got all the footage ready just incase.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/jnqleo/customer_threatens_to_sue_me_because_he_decided/
| 1,003 | 29 | 1,604,466,091 | 8 |
tip
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hot
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jjplmk
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TalesFromRetail
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A Random Act of Kindness in a Halloween Store
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Happy Halloween, Redditors! Ooga booga booga!
​
In this festive time of candy and horror delights, I thought back on my first and last time working at a Halloween store as a side job from my main job in the same shopping plaza. I say the "last time" because of the lousy manager who was 22 but acted 16, and the constant snatch-and-run thievery that happened almost daily. Great experience and I had fun getting into character, being an active cosplayer, but I'll never do it again. No no no, god no.
​
HOWEVER, the job had its perks and I enjoyed assisting people look for costumes and often worked the fitting room. I loved helping kids with their costumes if something didn't fit right or something was backwards before they checked out the mirror and got feedback from their parents. I didn't expect to love that part of the job so much since I was never very good with kids, but I remembered how much I loved the holiday at that age. They were so cute and my heart nearly exploded helping this little girl tie a ninja costume because it was her first time trick-or-treating.
​
Anyway, I finished my 9AM to 2PM shift at my retail job and jogged across the parking lot to the Halloween store, changed into the company shirt and got to work. I was asked to work the fitting station and I helped this woman with her grandkids. While the kids changed, I chatted with the grandma, she asked me how I liked working there. I was honest and said it was fun and how I liked helping the kids the most.
​
My stomach had been growling since before I started my shift (I only had a bagel all day) and the lady heard it. She said she hoped I had a break soon so I could eat. I told her since I worked part-time at my main job and immediately came here part-time, I wouldn't be able to eat until my shift ended around 6PM, but I did have a Payday bar I was nibbling on and off.
​
Her grandkids loved their costumes (I think the boy was Link from one of the Zelda games and the girl was a zombie cheerleader) and the grandma said she'd get the costumes. She asked where the makeup and face paint was and I showed her.
​
It was slow in the store so I offered to put the costumes back in the packages before they checked them out. While I did that, the grandma handed me a $20 bill. I just looked at her when she said, "Get yourself some food, baby. You're a very sweet girl."
​
Of course, I politely refused and told her we didn't do tips at this store. She winked and told me, "It's not a tip. I'm just paying for your lunch."
​
I was always a giving person growing up. Gave my snacks to friends, gave money if I had a little to spare, gave food to my coworkers when I cooked/baked something at home. For me to be given something out of the goodness of someone else's heart... That almost never happened to me, so I was really taken aback. I wanted to cry and thanked the grandma for her kindness.
​
My main paycheck just barely covered my bills, leaving me with just enough for Uber fare to get to work and home, and little extra for food. But my last paycheck was lighter than usual (worked 15 hours instead of my usual 18 to 22) so I didn't have much. My faith in humanity was strengthened that day.
​
Little acts of kindness, people. NEVER stop showing them. You never know how someone's day is going. Your little act of kindness might be the best part of someone's otherwise crappy day.
​
Have a safe and fun Halloween. Focus more on sharing, not scaring.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/jjplmk/a_random_act_of_kindness_in_a_halloween_store/
| 146 | 4 | 1,603,898,055 | 8 |
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hot
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imyjoi
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TalesFromRetail
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Had to find a severed finger
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This is from when I worked in a supermarket when I was 18 but I thought I would share! At our supermarket you can get joints of meat cut like ham or turkey. And my coworker was slicing some beef on this machine that had a spinning blade and she accidentally cut the end of her finger off and there was blood everywhere. The walls the floor just everywhere. She was then taken to hospital whilst me and the manager had to look for the end of the finger. When we eventually found it my MANAGER threw it away in the bin inside a plastic pot. We then got a call from the hospital that they wanted the finger but my manager had already threw it away in these trash bags. The trash bags belonged to a different department that cooked meat like chicken or ribs so they were full of grease and other disgusting stuff. My manager THEN ASKED ME TO SEARCH THE BAGS for the finger SHE threw away. There were 7 bags. So I search through all the bags for this olive pot and probably already crusty finger tip. I get to the LAST BAG and I find the pot but the finger is missing and as I am holding the bag open looking inside like ??? The finger is next to my hand sliding down the plastic.
That's when I realized I hate my job x
They didn't reattach the finger and I bought my colleague a condolence card and flowers for her lost finger tip.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/imyjoi/had_to_find_a_severed_finger/
| 672 | 52 | 1,599,299,666 | 8 |
tip
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hot
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bhb4ci
|
TalesFromRetail
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The tale of Milk Boy and the tester
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I worked for a very large chain of corporate run vape shops and at this shop they had tester bays for all the vape flavors. They have a memebership you would sign up for to get to try out the flavors. So the normal procedure of testing juice is giving me your ID and I pull up your membership in the system and give you a rubber tip to put on the tester tanks.
One day. This guy who we called Milk Boy (I can tell you the story of how he got this name) comes in and says "I need juice." Then walks over to the tester for a lemonade flavor and just shoves the tester into his mouth. These testers are about 8 inches long including the tank. He deep throated this tester before I can even formulate what he has done and I just stood there in shock before saying "Woah man lemme get you a tester tip for that.." He looks over says. "I don't have my wallet" and just runs out the store.
I've never been more shocked and confused at work in my life
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/bhb4ci/the_tale_of_milk_boy_and_the_tester/
| 43 | 5 | 1,556,212,019 | 8 |
tip
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hot
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av85qf
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TalesFromRetail
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Customer thinks it's totally alright to mock the front desk person
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This may not be as big as some other stories on here but it's been one of the most surprising events that has happened to me personally. Also apologies if the grammar/structure is weird. I'm not an avid storyteller.
​
TL;DR at the bottom
​
Some background: my dad runs and owns a car audio and video store where our main job is selling and installing speakers, radios, subwoofers, LEDs, etc. A few months ago he lost his main installer (the guy had some personal stuff going on and moved on to greener pastures) and since I was in the middle of a job search he asked if I could help run the front of the store until he could find a new installer. Since I don't know much about cars and my expertise was more in the computer/graphic design field, my main job became managing our inventory, website, and social media as well as creating vinyl designs for t-shirts and car decorations. We did eventually got a new installer but I stuck around to help out. Over the months I've been able to pick up on different aspects of the products and installations of some vehicles and help with the sales, but when I don't know what the customer is looking for or they have questions I can't answer I call up my dad for clarification.
​
So yesterday was a strangely busy day for us with a large number of calls and installations going on, and to top it off my dad had to run several errands so he wasn't in the shop. During those peak busy hours, two men came in looking for wire for a specific job they wanted to do, so I called over our installer to help them out since he had more knowledge about those type of things, and while he was helping him out, I called up my dad to ask him to pick up some items for an installation scheduled later (this is important). When I was done with the call, the two men asked me the details about a radio and ended it "or do you need to call your daddy." Found this comment strange but tried to laugh it off cause some customers like to joke with us. But then they kept it up. Every single time they asked about a product or I would ask the installer to help with something, they would say something like "why don't you call daddy for help" and each time it was said in a more demeaning and mocking way (especially when I had to actually call my dad up for the his pricing and a strange project) and it was starting to get to me. Like, I've dealt with rude and difficult customers before but have never been continuously mocked by them before. By the end of it they were treating me like an idiot (and I felt like one), and to top it off with all the stuff going on in the shop I accidentally gave them the wrong price. I ended up correcting it, but the one guy paying said, the most demeaning voice possible, "since you can't seem to do anything without daddy dearest, here's a tip for your troubles" and slid me a dollar across the countertop. I told him we don't accept tips (since at that point I felt so low I didn't even feel like that I should accept it), returned the dollar bill and his change and told them to have a nice day as they left. A few hours later my dad showed up, saw I seemed down and asked me what happened. I told him about the interaction and he just said that he's sorry that that happened but that customers like that show up, and if those type of people show up again I have every right to refuse them service and kick them out of the store.
​
Flash forward to today: it's a slow day, my dad is working on an installation, and I'm in the front updating our inventory. I hear some customers approaching, so I look out the window to see who it is and who else but the same two mocking men from the day before. I head to the back where the installation is going on, tell my dad that "those" customers are back again and if he can see what they want cause I would prefer not to deal with them if possible. My dad put on his customer service face and went to the front, giving a usual jolly greeting/benefit of the doubt attitude incase a sale could be made. The guy gave an equally cheerful greeting back and then exclaimed in a taunting voice loud enough for me to hear, "Where is the little kid!?!?" My dad gave a smile, closed the door, and all I could see from the surveillance camera in the garage is him put his arm around the man, pull him close, and say something. A few seconds later I see the guy scurry out the door and drive off in his truck. Asked my dad what happened and he said he simply told him that he should probably do his shopping elsewhere from now on and that the man agreed.
​
TL;DR
Customers for some reason think it's totally alright to mock me for contacting my dad for info in order to help run the store, return the next day only to leave with their tail between their legs after they trying to mock again but this time with my dad present.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/av85qf/customer_thinks_its_totally_alright_to_mock_the/
| 249 | 17 | 1,551,235,658 | 8 |
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hot
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2kczp0
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TalesFromRetail
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Shot a customer down hard.
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**UPDATE: The community helped to raise over $3300 for the family! It isn't much in the grand scheme of things, but it will be a big help in this first month or so. The raffles (the neighboring butcher and produce market also provided platters!) have been drawn and winners given their platters, and we still have customers opening their hearts and wallets. I'm going to push to make this an annual thing to celebrate our coworker's life and bring the community together.**
You guys may remember my post about my co-worker dying suddenly. Team morale is pretty much at zero, counselling is underway for team members, and the funeral is this week. The entire store is going, which means we're pulling from all stores nearby to cover. I still think a coworker's death and funeral should warrant a day of closure, but hey.
We've started letting regular customers know what happened. The majority of regular customers we have are wonderful, all very caring about the store and staff - some were just as devastated as we were.
She left behind two daughters, who are understandably finding it very hard to financially find their feet, so we've thrown a fundraising weekend. All-day sausage sizzle, raffles (all approved and supplied by the company) and donation cans on each register, an explanation taped around the can. They all read:
>Recently, we've lost a team member and friend. All proceeds will go directly to ____'s daughters to assist them in this difficult time. We thank you for your patience regarding this shock loss.
Most people have been curious by the cans and read it, then talked to us about it and/or donated anything they could. I almost cried when an elderly lady pulled out a $50 bill and handed it to me to put in the can. Today a middle-aged couple offered carpentry work.
Then I started serving a guy with his girlfriend. Ignored me when I greeted them. He took one glance at the can and laughed at it, saying "Look, they want MORE money from us!"
Before I could say anything, he continues, "Don't they get enough money or something? Sheesh. I bet it goes straight to their pockets. Does it?"
>Me: No, i-
>Guy: Oh? *-turns to gf-* Yeah, right.
>Me: It's goi-
>Guy: Going to YOUR pocket? Is it a tip jar??
>Me: No, tips are illegal.
>Guy: So it is going to [Company]! You're feeding their greed!
>GF: *-reads the can, gets a horrified look-*
I'm pissed. Really pissed. I may have overstepped a line, but at this point I didn't care. Dude was being insensitive, her death is still a very raw pain in the store. Coworkers are still crying and tormented. If he had bothered to read the tag on the can he'd know. So I shoved his own foot in his big mouth.
>Me: *-picks up can-* It's for our coworker, who DIED last weekend. We're sending ALL donations to her daughters to give some financial assistance. [Company] is getting NONE of this, nor am I. The sausage sizzle, raffle, and cans are ALL for her daughters.
His face went from a smirk to total dejection, and I finished serving in total silence. Didn't say their total, didn't ask if they wanted cash back, didn't bid them good day.
TL;DR: Customer accuses me and store of greed-driven donations. Donations are for dead coworker's grieving family.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/2kczp0/shot_a_customer_down_hard/
| 1,636 | 130 | 1,414,319,554 | 8 |
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top
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1m0y10
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TalesFromRetail
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Do you have gas sir ? (funny quip from a amazing customer)
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Now working in a petrol station in the UK i'm used to asking customers if they have any petrol. But to avoid any confusion with tourists if anyone has a north american accent i'll use the phrase "do you have any gas" instead. This becomes important later.
Standing at the till slaving away as usual when a couple come in after filling up, i overhear them talking to each other with an American accent while they are picking up snacks and drinks. When they come up to the counter i greet them with a smile and start to scan their items, Once i've done this i ask if they paying for gas today. I know they are as i watched them fill up but it's a requirement for us to ask everyone.
ME : Do you have any gas today sir ?
GUY : (with a huge grin) Yeah buddy, ever since we tried that Scottish haggis of yours i've had gas.
ME : That was you ? i thought the drains had backed up again.
GUY : Yes sorry about that but you can't hold what's not in your hands.
I start to laugh and his wife/girlfriend looks shocked at what we've said to each other and with a glint in her eye tells us that we should be ashamed of ourselves. We chat for a while about the local area and how much they are enjoying their time over here. I give them some things that they might like to try in and about town and where to avoid. from chatting i discover the couple come from San Francisco, and i mention that i've seen quite a lot of the area due to being a mythbusters fan. i ask them about living with the earthquakes and to my horror the wife/girlfriend says "Oh honey, you've not lived until you've felt the earth move"
Right now i'm lost for words. The silence was growing when thankfully she broke the silence by saying she was just teasing me.
By now i've swiped their credit card and just as they are about to leave the guy puts a £5 note on the counter and thanks me for being so friendly. I thank him but must refuse as we are not allowed to take tips. He says "oh go on, nobody will know" i look up at the cctv camera and he gets the message. Once again as they leave they thank me and wave goodbye when they drive off the forecourt.
A little while later just as i'm due to go on lunch my supervisor ask's me to go over to the main store as the duty manager would like a word. I ask if i've did something wrong and she tells me that she does not know of any problems.
Well i get to the office in the main store and the boss is sitting there with a huge smile on his face. Sit down rumple, don't worry you're not in any trouble.
I just had a gentleman come in store this morning praising you on your customer service and how you made them feel welcome not only here but to the country too. He told me that he tried to offer you a tip but you politely refused, So he came in here and asked me to give you this instead.
He stands up shakes my hand and gives me a envelope containing a letter of commendation from the company and TWO £20 gift cards. One from the company and the other along with a small hand written note from the American couple thanking me again. Below was a email address asking me to contact them if i'm ever on their side of the pond.
I feel kinda guilty as i was just doing my job and here i am with £40 and a letter of commendation. My manager sees this on my face and tells me to enjoy it. it's not that often that people come in to praise his staff. He then asks me just what the couple and i were talking about. I told him mainly touristy things and what local events are going on. I thought it best not to mention the fart jokes...
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1m0y10/do_you_have_gas_sir_funny_quip_from_a_amazing/
| 1,019 | 61 | 1,378,722,825 | 8 |
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top
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2kagb4
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TalesFromRetail
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The time a customer attempted a coup
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Several years ago I was working as a host/cashier at a fairly popular local restaurant and bar. It’s located downtown and surrounded by many banks, law offices, and government building, and because it’s one of the few restaurants open during the day the weekday lunch rush and carry-out business is crazy.
A typical Friday lunch was pretty busy. If you weren’t accustomed to running around like a toddler on Ritalin it could be overwhelming, so we never scheduled new people for that shift. Through a series of inexplicably stupid events, not only did a newbie get scheduled, but the third person for the front of the house couldn’t show up. No big deal, as long as things didn’t get too out of hand we’d be fine. First off, the newbie in question had ZERO idea how to run the register, so we decided that she’d just bag food and bring it up from the kitchen while I cashed people out. If I had to, I could call a manager up from the back and get him to work the second till. We got this.
Around noon, the floodgates open. Everyone and their uncle decides at the same time that they just absolutely NEED a fresh-made sandwich from the local deli/bar, and goddammit they need it NOW. For some reason, despite only having 30 minutes for lunch (of which I am reminded no less than 30 times) no one saw fit to call ahead for their carry-out order. We’ve got a line out the door and no one seems to want to dine in. I ask my little newbito companion to go back and ask one of the managers (there were two on duty, including the DM) if they can come up and help me. She returns to inform me that I am on my own as they have more important things to deal with (background: at this particular company, managers are essentially over-paid cooks. They’re not like the ones at Applebee’s or whatever that walk through the dining room checking on customers’ meals). Being the magnificent stallion I am (read: insane person) I open the second register and proceed to work them both. This works well for a while. Most of the customers are regulars who I’ve gotten to know over the year or so I’d worked there and not only do they understand but actually tip me quite well for my trouble.
Then, suddenly, it happens. A woman who had ordered and paid just a few minutes ago is standing on the bench usually used by people waiting for their food (or a cab should they imbibe too much at the bar and have their keys taken). What the hell is this? I wonder as she clears her throat and everyone turns to face her. On that day, from atop her park bench, a 60-some year old woman attempted to lead a coup against the foul, money-stealing employees of the local eatery. How DARE we take her money and not deliver her food IMMEDIATELY? Surely the BBB would be informed of our devious ways and we’d be forced out of business, to fester in the pit of despair and self-loathing that the workers of such a filth-ridden establishment are deserving of. The customers should not stand for such injustice. With her as their leader, they were going rise up and overthrow the vile delicatessen that would make them wait 15 minutes for a sandwich when they have BETTER THINGS TO DO GODDAMMIT!
After her rousing speech was delivered, one of the other patrons calls her a stupid bitch, another tells her to shut the fuck up, and she is thoroughly embarrassed. 15 minutes later her food is done and brought to the front. She takes it and leaves without saying a word. Everyone else leaves a tip for my having to deal with such an idiot.
She never came back.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/2kagb4/the_time_a_customer_attempted_a_coup/
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99gjf1
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TalesFromRetail
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Army officer believes his basic understanding of how a retail business operates will get him a discount
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So I’m one of the managers at a retail auto parts store. Our store is located near a military base so we’re no strangers to giving out 10% courtesy discounts to military members. But a few weeks ago I had a rather pompous Army officer who was new to the area that decided he was gonna come shopping for some parts.
After looking up the part he was looking for he was upset and informed me that he could get the same part online for 1/5th of the price and suggested we lower the price to match the part he’d found. I very politely informed him that we can’t price match online retailers for a number of reasons and assured him that the part we would be selling him may be more expensive, but he would know exactly what he’s getting and it would be backed by a lifetime warranty that the online part likely didn’t have. He then assured me that we were just grossly overpricing the part because the one he’d found on eBay was a direct OEM replacement, after all it had Ford stamped right on the product! I told him it’s very possible that he did find a really good deal, but that many such parts often come from Chinese retailers where copyright laws are basically nonexistent and they’ll stamp whatever brand name they want to on crap products and sell them with impunity. He conceded for a moment and I thought I’d finally convinced him that the price was justified, but then he hit me with a new move I’d never seen before.
After realizing his plan to drop the price using sketchy eBay parts wouldn’t work, he resorted to using his masterful understanding of retail to lower our price. He informed me that he knows we charge more for parts then we pay for them, and that we should offer him a better price due to that fact. I told him that I’m only authorized to change prices if it’s to price match a comparable part from another parts retailer or under special circumstances to compensate customers for issues receiving or using a part, but that id be more than happy to give him a 10% discount for his military service. His attempt was something along the lines of. “I mean even if you guys only sell it to me $1 above cost then you’re making a profit on the part. So my question is what is the cost on that part to you guys and how close to that can we get.”
I was honestly a little baffled for a moment that he’d even thought that this move would work, so I struggled as best as I could to remain professional and not sound condescending when I explained the next part to him. With such a profound knowledge of how business operates I would’ve figured he would understand logistics, but I proceeded to explain to him that the markup on a part is not straight profit and that it must take into account the transportation of the part to the store, the wages of the employees to sell the part, the electricity to run the store, etc etc. And that we would be losing money on the part to sell it to him at cost, and that I have no way of even looking up what it is we pay the manufacturer for the part. He of course got even more agitated that this plan wasn’t going so well either and he asked me one last time if there was anything I could do for him on the price. I told him that I would be more than happy to give him a 10% military discount, and he promptly stormed out of the store mumbling something about going to one of our competitors.
The end.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/99gjf1/army_officer_believes_his_basic_understanding_of/
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i7a3b6
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TalesFromRetail
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“Can you call a manager?” “I am the manager.”
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For context, I’m the manager of a small family-owned boutique and since we’re a small business, we don’t have the same return policy as, say, Walmart. For that reason, we have our return policy posted at the register and on our receipts. All our clearance items have a red sale tag on them and can’t be returned for a full refund, but can be exchanged for other items or store credit. Today a lady came in to exchange a clearance item for a non-sale item that was about $10 cheaper.
Me: Does the return and rings up the new blanket. Ok, there’s a $10 difference. Did you want that put on an account as store credit or did you want to purchase something else with it?
Customer: I want it put back on my card.
Me: I’m sorry but we can’t refund it to a card since the blanket you purchased was a sale item.
Customer: Why???
Me: It’s our store policy that sale items can’t be returned for a full refund but they can be exchanged for other items or store credit.
Customer: What?! But I didn’t use it. You can see it’s still in the bag with the receipt.
Me: Yes I know you didn’t use it, but that’s not why we can’t do a full refund; it’s because it’s a sale item.
Customer: Well you should have told me that when I bought it.
Me: We have it written on our return policy right here *points to the printed return policy right in front of her face*
Customer: You expect people to read that??
Me: Yes.
Customer: Even if I did read that.. it says floor models, special orders, and clearance items. It doesn’t say sale items.
Me: Our clearance items are the ones with the sale tags on them. They’re the same thing.
Customer: No they’re not.
Me: Yes they are.
Customer: NO, they’re not. I’ve been around a few years and they’re not.
Me: Well, they are here.
Customer: Oh so now you’re making up your own rules?? Can you call a manager?
Me: I am the manager.
Customer: Oh of course you’re the manager. How do you expect people to keep shopping here if the customer service is terrible?
Me: Sorry, I didn’t make the store policy, I just have to follow it.
Customer: Well you tell whoever is in charge they need to change some things.
Me: Ok, I’ll let the owner know you don’t like our store policy. So did you want this put on an account as store credit?
Customer: No, I don’t need anything else. Just give me a voucher or something and I’ll give it to someone. What a waste of money.
Me: Ok, here’s a gift certificate for $10. Sorry about that!
Customer: Mumbles something angrily and walks out.
EDIT: I forgot to mention the item she had originally bought was 50% off and left over from our summer clearance sale.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/i7a3b6/can_you_call_a_manager_i_am_the_manager/
| 1,705 | 111 | 1,597,082,960 | 8 |
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8vi2uc
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TalesFromRetail
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The Day a "Lady" caused a Policy Change to her detriment.
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Hi fellow retailees! Apologies for the essay, but don't we all love a long tale, right?
We get semi-regular business from a group/club of people that represent a conservative business orientated "social club" of sorts, that comprises who they consider to be people who "contribute significantly to local business and politics and the conservative agenda blah blah blah..."
Anyway, you get the idea.
So, they often award "certificates" to local business people and politicians, praising them for their contributions and such. It's a made up thing that seems to be an excuse for them to get together and have a cocktail party and pat each other on the back. We frame their certificates for them. I should also note, they are too tight to get a frame made to the "proper" size, so they make do with another design that doesn't quite fit properly. It looks so second rate no matter what we do...
As customers, the two women i usually deal with are generally, self-entitled, rude and self-important. The boss-lady however is USUALLY more understanding and reasonable. Because she has done a bit of stuff with us, i cut her a break from time to time by doing things quickly.
Enter the more miserable of the two - who i am fairly sure is the assistant to the other lady whom we have had a longer relationship with. She has "The Haircut" - you know exactly which one i am talking about.
She called early in the afternoon to find out if she would be able to get a particular frame we have been using for their certificates. We had sold out last time they had been in, and we had ordered some more in for them. They had arrived earlier that day, so she was coming in to get a couple. No drama, see you when you get here (you're going to turn up 10 mins before close aren't you...)
Cut to 4:30pm - i'm sneaking in a last 10 minute break before it's closing time (5pm), so she's talking to my colleague. I overhear the inevitable
> "So, i want you to put it in the frame for me..."
Now, we usually do this, for free, if they've brought a frame from us. We do expect the customer to understand that while this is a free service, it's not necessarily an *INSTANT* service. Normally we ask them to go away for an hour or so and we will fit it in between other PAYING jobs. 99% of people are fine with this. This lady represents the 1% in more ways than one.
I've finished my break at this point, and i'm trying to pack away the rest of the frame delivery, so i had arms full of stock when my colleague comes over and says
> "Can you please put this in the frame... i'm swamped with film orders and i can't really leave them, i have customers waiting..."
> "Yeah no worries, just give me a minute to finish here and i'll do it as soon as i get a opportunity."
I guess i said it a little too loud... because this lovely specimen of humanity stormed over and...
>Cust: "EXCUSE ME?! What do you mean you'll do it when you get a minute? I don't have time to wait for you, you need to do it right now. I buy so much stuff from here *(no, YOU really haven't...)*, and you're attitude is disgusting."
>Me: "I beg your pardon? I'm going to do your frame for you, i just need to put this stock down. I'm doing this for you for no charge, in a rush at the end of the day, and all i'm asking is for you to give me some time to do it."
>Cust: "Your attitude is terrible. I don't have time to wait for you to stuff around instead of helping me. The other girl always does it..."
>Me: "And i'm going to do it too, you just need to take a seat and have some patience while i do it."
I put down what i was doing and did her frame (perfectly, so she had nothing to moan about), finished it up, she left.
I found out the next day she lodged a complaint. Excellent. I was hoping she would.
When confronted by my boss i explained the situation. Seeing as how i didn't really do anything actually wrong, there was no real backlash. They pay me to deal with the customers, so it's usually sweet. Now, i know that i will NEVER get into trouble for refusing to do a job for free for a customer, so i upped the ante.
>"So boss, i was thinking, lets make sure we can justify doing these kind of jobs urgently - let's charge $15 to set up a frame immediately for a customer, or give them the option to have it done for free if they leave it with us for 24 hours. You know, you pay with your money, or you pay with your time"
>"Excellent idea, institute that immediately. I don't mind offering good customer service for people, but we aren't a charity. I mean, it's not that hard for a customer to put a print in a frame is it?"
>"No, most people manage it on their own"
Fast forward 2 weeks, and the boss lady from this club comes in with a few more certificates (end of the day again).
> "...so, i need them in the frames for tonight, so can you put them in?"
> "Sure, but i need to let you know we have a new policy in place, that for us to put them into the frames for you, there is a $15 fee. Otherwise, you can leave them with us for 24 hours for no charge"
>"What? That's ridiculous, you always put them in for me"
>"Well, it's funny you should mention that - after your colleague was in the other week, she pointed out that we should be available to do this at any time, no matter what else is happening. In order to be able to meet this requirement, we have instituted a $15 fee per frame to make sure that we can justify doing these at the expense of other paying customers. If you don't want to spend the money, that's fine, you'll just need to pick them up tomorrow. But rush jobs attract a fee"
>" I will speak to the owners!"
>"Well, ok, but it's their policy that they put in place after the feedback from your colleague the other week, so i don't imagine they will change it"
We went back and forward on this a few times, with her getting increasingly huffy, but eventually she had to eat the fee.
As she was getting ready to leave, i took her aside and said one more thing to her...
> Me: "I should mention one other thing to you as well... the conduct of the other lady who came in from your club the other week was... well it was quite rude. She was demanding, insulting and quite frankly i very nearly declined to serve her, but as you have been a customer for quite some time, i didn't want to put you in a difficult position given you had your function that night. As a result of her feedback, we have instituted this new policy. I just thought you should know, as we had other customers here, and they were very off-put by the way she spoke to us, especially as we were trying hard to get the job she needed done in a short time frame, at the end of the day. As she was representing your club - the certificates were visible on the counter - i am concerned she left a bad taste in their mouth. A few of them actually commented on it after she left..."
> ".......thank you for telling me, i apologise and i will see you next time".
It was a satisfying day.
Just because you're self-important, doesn't mean you're actually important. Also, poor planning on your part, doesn't constitute an emergency on my part.
TL;DR: Customer demanded free service, in an unreasonable way. Now, we no longer offer that service for free - a service that she relies on.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/8vi2uc/the_day_a_lady_caused_a_policy_change_to_her/
| 2,462 | 100 | 1,530,532,958 | 8 |
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jtidqx
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TalesFromRetail
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We "wasted" 20 minutes of this lady's time because the check machine wasn't working
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So this happened in 2019, I think later 2019 I don't remember exactly when this happened. It was about an hour left in my shift and of course I was ready to go home. I think this woman come up ready to check out and it started out like every other transaction. I said my usual greeting and she was nice...at first. I finished ringing up her items and told her her total. She decided her choice of method was check (yes we still take check).
Now I would like to point out (as it says in the title) that the check machine on the register I was on wasn't working. I know this because I had this problem with my last customer literally before my break. Luckily the couple was very understanding and patient while we were trying to fix that.
Anyway, back to the story. The woman filled out the check and gave it to me and after filling out the necessary information on the check (just some driver's license info). I then started to put the check in the check machine and of course as expected it didn't run through.
Now I admit I should've told this woman that the machine wasn't working, but for some reason I was thinking it would work this time. So I did what I did last time this happened. I called someone over my walkie to come to my register.
Now I apologized to this woman for the inconvenience as one of my coworker came over to help me out. I told her how the machine wasn't working right and I was getting someone to help get it to work so we can get her receipt (someone from customer service). Now this is where things start to go downhill.
The cast of this story is me, RL (rude lady) CW 1 (coworker 1), CW 2 (coworker 2, who doesn't really talk or interact in this story, but does play a minor role), and M (manager, who also has a minor role). The following conversation may not be 100% accurate due to this happening a while ago.
Me: I apologize ma'am, but the machine isn't working. It wasn't working earlier so I will get someone over here to help fix the issue
RL: oh...well I don't have time for this. Can't I just go to another register to pay?
Now I would like to point out that the money that she paid was already in the system so if she went to another register, she would've been double charged and her total was almost at $100. But I didn't know that at the time.
Me: well...um...
So RL went to CW 2's register to "check out" and I stood there dumbfounded and not knowing what to do. A few moments later, CW 1 walked up to my register and asked what the issue was. I told her what was going on and my eyes shifted to RL who was at CW 2's register. She followed my gaze and she walked up to her.
CW 1: ma'am, you're going to have to come back here and finish your transaction. Your check has already went through the system so you're going to be charged again if you continue checking out with her (CW 2).
RL looks at us before walking back over. Now I would like to say, I didn't really say anything for this next part, and as I said in another story, I'm nonconfrontational so in a way I felt like I was being protected a little in some way from feeling RL's anger and frustration by myself.
RL: I don't have time for this! I'm in a rush! I've been here trying to check out for 20 minutes (it was more like 5-10 minutes)! I need to pick up my kids!
CW 1: I understand ma'am, but we were having problems with the machine earlier so we'll try to figure this out.
RL: well then I should've paid in cash shouldn't I?!
CW 1: Ma'am, let me fin-
RL: no! Hush and let me finish! I'm in a rush! I've been here for 20 minutes now! I need my receipt!
So after a few back and forth, CW 1 eventually called M over the walkie. She said she would try to find her transaction and try to get this sorted out.
I don't remember how, but we eventually got her receipt. I apologized to RL and she kind of ignored both of us and looked at CW 2 (who was kind of watching this interaction happen) and thanked her for her help and left. At that point, CW 1 told me to go to a different register for the rest of my shift since the check machine wasn't working.
At that point there were 45 minutes left in my shift and I was just ready to go home. I soon then talked to CW 2 about the incident since I was just done with my shift at that point.
I just hope wherever that lady had to be in order to talk to us like we were incompetent, she got there on time.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/jtidqx/we_wasted_20_minutes_of_this_ladys_time_because/
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hot
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d0qkof
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TalesFromRetail
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Getting Yelled At Because I Won't Break Store Policy
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Background: I work at the customer service desk in a membership-based warehouse chain. I've been working at the store for two years, and at customer service since the beginning of the summer.
Every so often, our store mails out flyers that people can bring in to either 1) Get a free 3-month trial membership or 2) Get a full-year membership for less than half the normal cost. The free trial is for new customers only (and says as much in large text right under the offer), but the discounted offer is good for anyone, even to renew an existing account.
The other night, a woman (W) and her husband (H) walk up to me with the flyer in hand:
>W: Hi, I'd like to use this free 3 month offer, please.
>Me: Have you ever had a membership with us before?
>W: Yup, I have, but it expired.
>Me: Unfortunately, as it says on the flyer, the trial is only good for new members. If you'd like to renew your existing account, I can process the renewal at the discounted rate of $25 (rather than the regular $55).
>W: (getting annoyed) Well they've done it for me before.
>Me: Even if I was allowed to per corporate policy, our computer system won't allow me to process a trial if you've already been a member.
*This is actually true. If we try to open a trial membership, the computer system will search for a matching driver's license in existing accounts and block the new account from being opened.*
>W: (Pissed off) FINE. WELL MY HUSBAND HAS NEVER BEEN A MEMBER SO I'LL HAVE HIM DO IT.
Before I can say anything, she yells:
>W: [HUSBAND]! COME OVER HERE!
H comes over, looking confused.
W gestures at me.
>W: HE'S TRYING TO TELL ME THAT SINCE WE'VE BEEN MEMBERS BEFORE, WE CAN'T DO A TRIAL. SO OPEN UP A CARD IN YOUR NAME.
We technically can't refuse this, so I ask for his ID. Valid identification is required no matter what.
>H: Oh... I don't have my wallet with me.
>Me: Without some form of ID I won't be able to process a new account at all. I can still renew your existing account, though.
>W: WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO SHOP IF I DON'T RENEW?
>Me: Yes, but you'll be charged a 20% surcharge for shopping as a non-member.
*We used to make exceptions to this rule and offer a "grace period" after expiration, but people started to abuse it so we began enforcing it as a hard limit.*
>W: FINE. I GUESS I'LL DO THAT THEN!
Later on, I actually saw her again as she was leaving the store (I also occasionally check receipts at the front door, and was covering a break at the time). She glared at me as she walked out and very sarcastically said "YOU TOO!" When I told her to have a good night.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/d0qkof/getting_yelled_at_because_i_wont_break_store/
| 74 | 8 | 1,567,824,199 | 8 |
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hot
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69zovn
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TalesFromRetail
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Your employees made me look like an idiot, what are you going to do about it?
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Me=Me
C=Customer
E= Employee
C drops off a laptop for repair, the next day the Employee calls the C to let them know the laptop is dead, and they need to replace it.
C lets E know that he needs to think about it, and he will get back with us. The following week E calls C again to see what he wants to do, and also informs C that we have a nice used laptop that we could sell C, and move there data files over from the old laptop. C tells E once again he needs to think about it.
This goes on for three weeks, and C finally brings in a new laptop, and wants his data transferred over to the new laptop. E explains that we will charge $90 for the data transfer, and C is pissed because E had told C before it would be free. E informs C that it would have been free if he bought the laptop from us.
C agrees to pay us for moving over the data "Now that we have his laptop hostage"
The next day E calls C and lets him know it's ready for pickup.
C comes in and picks up the laptop, and pays for the service, and leaves happy.
Later that day C comes back pissed that we didn't give his powercord back, the notes didn't say that a cord was dropped off with the laptop, but the E attempts to find it anyway. After sometime the employee can't find the exact cord, so hands the customer another cord that will work, and just assumes the customer is right.
30 minutes later C is back, and this time he has a photo of the exact cord that was dropped off with the laptop. So E and three other employees start digging around for this cord, and can't find it. Now C is completely pissed off that we have lost his cord. I decided to review the security cameras so I can try to figure out where the employees misplaced the cord at.
A few minutes later we find the error, the videos show C didn't bring in a cord when he dropped off the laptop. I have the video playing on a screen that C can see. C apologies for the mistake and leaves.
Than night I get this huge email from him laying out 100% of everything that E did wrong. However he is complaining that it took to long to get everything completed (It took him three weeks to figure out what he wanted to do) Then C goes on to say the lost cord is basically 100% our fault, even though we never even had the cord on our store.
In the email C went on to say hes always been happy with using us, but we need to apologize for making him feel like an idiot.
I never replied to the email, go screw yourself buddy, you wasted about three hours of E's time, and you want to lay the blame on us for your stupidity. We hope he never comes back, guy was a complete waste of time.
EDIT: the customer did not keep our power cord.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/69zovn/your_employees_made_me_look_like_an_idiot_what/
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top
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21gmqi
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TalesFromRetail
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You'll never amount to anything. Said the Pompous Doctor.
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This one comes from about 6 years ago. I was working in a local, family owned restaurant which was located in one of the wealthier areas of town. It's early in the evening shift, so we only have a handful of people in for an early dinner. I was working the section on our patio that night and it was nice day, so I'm expecting at least a few tables to keep me occupied throughout my shift.
Enter Pompous Doctor (PD) and his wife.
For the first part of dinner, everything is going well. They have their drinks, appetizer. Meal comes out fine. I check in to make sure the food is good, it is. I come out a little bit later to bus their empty plates and offer desert etc..
PD: Are you going to school here? (It's a University town)
Me: (happy to have some conversation). Yes, I'm a junior.
PD: What are you studying
Me: Political Science and Philosophy
PD: Not very practical.
Me: Well, I'm trying to join the State Department after I graduate and be in the Diplomatic Corps.
PD: You should reconsider. You work in a restaurant right now and Political Science is absolutely useless. You're not going to find a job after college and probably end up being a waiter for the rest of your life so I hope you enjoy this line of work.
Me: ....
PD: I'm a Doctor. I go into work everyday and save lives. What are you going to do with your life.
Me: Be the person who signs treaties which prevent wars. Saving thousands of lives.
PD: Whatever. You'll never amount to what I've accomplished.
Me: Okay. Would you like dessert?
They decline dessert, I bring out the check. The PD leaves in the meantime and his wife pays the bill. As I drop off the check, she apologizes to me for her husband being a douche (actually says Sorry he was such a jerk to you) leaves me a 30% tip and walks out.
On one hand, I never did get a job in the government. So he was right about that. On the other hand, I am instead a computer engineer at one of the world's largest tech companies. So whatd'ya know. Made something of myself after all.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/21gmqi/youll_never_amount_to_anything_said_the_pompous/
| 101 | 21 | 1,395,878,272 | 8 |
restaurant tip
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relevance
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1p6hue
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TalesFromRetail
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The time I was the most demanding customer ever, and kitchen loved me for it.
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I lived down in El Paso, Texas for a while. Originally being from Maine, I have a certain soft spot in my heart for a nice Maine lobster, and the ones at the grocery store were always suspect. So one year for my birthday, I went to Red Lobster to get my fix. Obviously this place will do in a pinch, but I wanted my lobster done in a certain way they normally don't prepare it. I told my server in advance that I was going to be demanding. He got very nervous at this point, the poor kid. I asked him if the kitchen could accommodate my request. When he said yes, they could, I laid it all out for him.
Normally when you get a live lobster there, they cut it up, sodomize it a little bit, stick it on a plate then expect you to eat it. NOPE. I told them I wanted them to get a pot, fill it with water and add salt. Bring it to a boil, drop that sucker in (more cooking instructions, etc) and that's how I wanted it. So he scurried off to the kitchen to give the order. A minute later he came back and asked if I wanted it cut and cleaned, and I told him no. From the tank to the pot.
I also told my sever that I wanted some "napkins", by which I meant the cloths they wipe tables with, as a real Mainer eating lobster can get messy. Oh, yeah, I'm also going to need a bowl for all the parts and pieces. Off to the manager he went to find out if he could do that. I swear it was his first day, he was so nervous.
A little later when he brought my plate out to me, he told me the *entire* kitchen staff, plus the bus boys and whatever servers were not busy, all gathered around the pot as my dinner went in. They were all curious to know if the screaming lobster tales were true. They had all been wondering for a long time, and were very happy to finally get their answer.
God the mess. If you have never seen someone eat a lobster that knows what they are doing, picture cookie monster let loose in a Mrs. Fields.
40% tip that night, and restaurant lobster ain't cheap.
To all you retail guys, on behalf of the couchcanoes out there, I'm sorry for their actions. But some of us truely appreciate what you do to make our experience above par.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1p6hue/the_time_i_was_the_most_demanding_customer_ever/
| 81 | 16 | 1,382,684,990 | 8 |
restaurant tip
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relevance
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1mwzp0
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TalesFromRetail
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I just wanted new potatoes...
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Last night I was celebrating my 30th birthday with a large party, around 24 people. We went to a Southern barbeque place in Cerritos. Yummy. The restaurant's parametres'? Had to have at least half my party, and we had a two-hour time limit. Okay. But if it's a two-hour time limit, our waitperson(s) need to be on the ball.
And they were. This is not surprising, as this is the only barbeque restaurant I frequent, and it is fabulously staffed. About an hour or so in, I dig in to my mashed potatoes--and pull out a piece of plastic. I also found a hair in the plate, but figured that was either mine or my fiancé's, as we both have long hair. But the plastic? No. No, that wasn't mine.
Several people were horrified to see me pull out a rather large piece of plastic. I was grossed out, but I know what horrible customers are like, so all I kept saying was, "I'm not gonna scream." I walked over to the bar where the manager was, and discreetly handed him the mashed potato-covered plastic, in a napkin. I told him, "I found this in my mashed potatoes. And that's gross. Can I please have new mashed potatoes?" He ushered me back to my table, apologizing for the mishap.
Our waitress (a super-duper girl I'm going to applaud on Yelp) said the manager comped my meal. I felt bad, because I ate my food, it was delicious, I just wanted new potatoes. But I said thank you, I was very appreciative. And I never did get a new bowl of potatoes.
BTW: In case anybody was wondering, because it was a large party, everyone was given the 18% grat on their bill, which everyone paid--and then tipped over, because our waitress was awesome.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1mwzp0/i_just_wanted_new_potatoes/
| 64 | 4 | 1,379,884,437 | 8 |
restaurant tip
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hot
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2hcr91
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TalesFromRetail
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Köszönöm for being awesome!
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I'm a server at a golf course, and most of the time customers are pretty chill, but we do get our share of rude and crazy customers (including one who called black people "one of those Hitler problems"...).
Anyways, last night, this married couple came in and the man had a deep slavic accent. I've lived in Eastern Europe, and can speak Czech and Russian, so I'm always excited to meet customers from the area. I asked the guy where he was from (I'm always a bit wary of this question, but I was too curious), and he said Budapest. I *love* Budapest, so I was super stoked to talk to him about the city!
Turns out he hadn't been home in a while, and was also really happy to talk about it. We ended up talking for like 10+ minutes (the golf course was pretty much empty yesterday, so they were one of four total tables), and in there, he and his wife also asked me about my plans, and I told them I'm taking the year off to apply to PhD programs and save up some money. They very kindly wished me the best of luck in the future, and seemed very genuinely hopeful for me.
I could not get over how sweet they were, and I made sure to pull out my extensive Hungarian... so I told them egészségedre (cheers) when I brought their beer and köszönöm (thanks) for coming in. Okay, so I only know two words.
Anyways, I had already told my coworkers inside how awesome the table was, and how sweet they were, and they had genuinely made my night at that point. When they left, I picked up their ticket, and they tipped 55%! I'm going through some family issues right now that I haven't yet processed, so I'm a bit overly emotional at this point, but I started to tear up when I saw that.
It was wonderful to have a table that was genuinely interested in talking to me, and was so thoughtful and hopeful for my future. The tip was really just the icing on the cake, but it also added to the image of them being truly amazing people, since it was so unnecessary!
TL;DR: I had a lovely table who gave me an unnecessarily large tip, and I'll never forget them.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/2hcr91/köszönöm_for_being_awesome/
| 102 | 10 | 1,411,583,779 | 8 |
server tip
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relevance
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zcqkk
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TalesFromRetail
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The other side of the table.
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About once a week I eat out during lunch, just as a treat and when I need to get away from the office. I usually head to this Japanese buffet nearby. It’s close, clean and not too costly. I’ve been going there long enough that the wait staff knows me and when they see me walk in they have my drink and a set of chopsticks already on a table for me.
Today I come in, wave to the girls and go back to wash my hands and lighten a load. While I’m in there there’s some guy in the handicapped stall on his phone. I’m not sure what he was speaking, it might have been Japanese. I’m washing my hands and he walks out still on his phone. Now there’s no flush, no putting the seat down, it seems like he’s just in there on his phone. By his shirt I can tell that he works there. He hangs up, washes his hands and walks out.
As I’ve said I’ve eaten there a long time and I have a routine. I have a plate of sushi and salad, then a plate of whatever and then a little desert. The staff knows that when I get the dessert I’m just about done and bring me my check, I give them my card, they run it and bring back the slip and a pen so I can sign it. They just leave it on the table and I sign before I leave. I like to read while I eat so usually my hands are full.
Today this new guy comes over with the check and a pen and starts shoving it at me, tapping the check with the pen. Now, I’ve got my eReader in one hand and a piece of watermelon in the other. I’m just looking at him while he’s tapping the paper. Finally I go, “dude, I see it, just put it down”. He makes a huffing sound and drops it on the table.
I’m a little shocked at this point and turn to look at one of the wait staff. She gives her head a little shake and looks like she’s saying. “Don’t say anything” I finish and then sign the slip leaving a 40% tip.
He appears as if by magic, snatches the slip and looks at it, then looks at me, then looks at the slip again and walks off
As I’m walking out the girl at the register usually will say something like, “See you next week” or “Bye-bye Now with a little wave. This time she just looking down and goes, “Please come back” as if she was afraid I’d never come back. I don’t know, maybe he’s new, maybe he’s just rude, maybe people were walking out without paying.
Sorry for the wall of text.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/zcqkk/the_other_side_of_the_table/
| 48 | 17 | 1,346,790,401 | 8 |
server tip
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relevance
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1316i5x
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TalesFromRetail
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Buying a laptop at a drugstore
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Last night I had to deal with one of the most entitled customers I've ever had the displeasure of helping.
I work at a drugstore. We mainly sell food, makeup, and fill prescriptions, but we also sell electronics at ridiculously marked-up prices (as if everything else isn't ridiculously marked-up). We keep a lot of the more expensive items behind the cash register in lock and key so no one steals them.
I was doing my job as a cashier and an old couple approaches me. There are a lot of elderly who shop here in our area, and most of them are rather friendly 99% of the time. Unfortunately, the 1% still roam here, and I could tell I was in for (at least) an inconvenient time immediately. As soon as the old man opened his mouth, he loudly inquired about one of the Acer laptops behind the glass case, specifically the specs like ram and disk space.
I got the keys and took it out of the glass case. You see, the thing about these laptops is that they're shipped to us in plain brown boxes. The most you'll learn from the box is the model number, UPC and serial number. I couldn't help them without bringing out my phone and looking it up- that's something my bosses don't really want me doing in front of customers, so I couldn't be of any help; in addition, my phone wasn't even on me.
The guy tells me to read the price tag, and all I can get from that is the screen size (15 inch) and disk space (128 gigabytes). It's something, but not enough for him.
"Can you scan the barcode and see what the specs are?" No... that would... ring it up on the cash register... like everything else in the store...
The woman asks if they can buy it, open it and then return it if they don't like it. Can't do that- store has a policy against returning open products, especially $350 electronics. They get irate when I tell them this- as if I'm the one who decides such policies. I tell them; "Listen, I'm just a worker, head office decides these things- I know it's stupid, but I can't do anything about it."
As I try speaking, they keep interrupting me. Specifically, the rather polite old man- every time the lady tried to speak, he shushed her, and then shushed me. It was an endless loop of the same questions, asked with more aggression and confusion each time, like some sort of feedback loop.
I had an idea for a second- write down the model number so they can look it up at home and do research that way! I was quick on my feet with that one. Not too bad of a resolution here- *until the old man tries grabbing the box out of my hands aggressively.*
The gall of this guy, like I'm too incompetent to read a box, yet alone the lack of manners. I turn away from his grip. "No, no, no- you can't do that. These are behind the register for a reason. I can't give this to customers, anyone could walk out of the store with it. It's a security policy, sir."
That's when I figured out I was in harm's way. Me, the lone worker who must be making all of these draconian and unreasonable policies- how dare I do my job! They thought this was a free country!
The old man starts yelling. "How dare you! I've been in this country for 50 years and I don't need a little kid like you (I'm not a kid) accusing me of stealing! You think I'm going to steal from you? How dare you. This is fucking ridiculous!" and so on. He repeatedly cocks his fist at me as if he's going to knock my lights out, then lowers, and repeats. So naturally I start to get a little bit worried.
He tries to lunge at me to grab the laptop again. I try to explain... these aren't MY rules! These are company policies, and they surely aren't personal (as much as, deep down inside in my own heart, it was). What the fuck else do I do?
Then the woman starts squawking. "You should be ashamed, first you don't let us return such a thing and now you're saying he's stealing, he's an honorable man! He would never do such a thing! What is the point of buying anything from you people?" And as always, came threats of me losing my job- for refusing to do things that will, inevitably, cost me my job.
Oh great, now everyone else is looking at us. I don't blame them, what else are you going to do when you hear such a commotion? This guy was about to throw hands, I was seriously considering just giving them the laptop because it wasn't worth this hassle of being ganged up on, and I don't get paid enough for this shit.
I pleaded with them that I would call my supervisor- which I would have done much earlier if they weren't giving me sensory overload. My coworker already noticed the commotion and brought the supervisor over before I could pick up the phone.
She asks what's wrong... the couple try their best to paint me like a villain, saying "I wasn't letting them return it", or "I wasn't letting him inspect it", or "I was accusing them of theft".
My coworker goes- "Yeah, no, they didn't do anything wrong. That's all policy." Phew, these guys were legitimately gaslighting me into thinking I was doing something wrong here for a second. I'm just that dumb, surely.
They ask for the supervisor again- my supervisor, right next to me and a lot shorter, speaks up- "I *am* the supervisor." The couple's face light up. Surely that woman can't be supervisor!
Of course, my supervisor says the exact same things I told them. And funnily enough, these two were actually capable of reasonable emotion- using phrases like "I understand" and "Oh, I see". And no threats of physical violence! I was astonished.
To spray down the greasefire a bit more, she looked up the model number on her phone on the manufacturer's site. As always, it was much cheaper on the site, so she just referred it to them, and told them to buy it there. They were both glad they got what they wanted (I guess?)
With all my teeth and facial features intact the same way they were 10 minutes ago, they both left and thanked my supervisor for the help. Of course, no apology to me. My supervisor flipped them off on the way out behind their backs (she already gave her two weeks, so she had nothing to lose). Good coworker right there. Both my coworkers tell me I did nothing wrong. I was so very unreasonably (/s) shaken up, so I had to take a breather.
This is another example of that classic retail trope; the first person you speak to just doesn't know anything, but the second person does. Also, threatening minimum wagers no matter how explicit or implicit said threats are will always work out. But also; good coworkers will stand up for you and help you out in the wake of these threats, which can be hard to come by these days.
My advice to the lovely couple? Next time, go to some place like Best Buy- where they give you... I dunno, a *warranty*, and *a chance to inspect the item freely*. This all could have been prevented if they were educated on what they were fighting for- **an overpriced laptop from a drugstore**.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1316i5x/buying_a_laptop_at_a_drugstore/
| 114 | 18 | 1,682,628,870 | 8 |
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hot
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ur49ii
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TalesFromRetail
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Rude Customer™ doesn't like return policy is shut down in front of his kid
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This happened about 8-9 years ago around 2013 when I worked at a small midwest music store. I could go on and on about the many stories of wicked customers that entered that store over the 4 years I worked there, but I'll share the most satisfying one.
I was young, still in high school, working as a sales associate in an upper middleclass suburban midwest music store. The store catered mostly to kids in school band, selling cheap orchestra instruments on 0% interest 0 down payment plans that you could cancel at anytime. It was their bread and butter. During peak season (end of summer) we would have lines out the door each person filling out one of these contracts.
This brings me to Rude Customer™. It was a day like any other when a huge pickup pulled into the front spot and what today would be described as a MAGA dad and his son hop out and into the store.
He places a piano lesson book onto the counter and asks to return it. I look at the receipt and see that it is not within our return policy time of 30 days. Now, normally I would just accept the return, but I had just had a talking to by the manager about accepting returns past 30 days, so I politely told him that the book was unable to be returned.
Now this book was no more than $8, and it was clear that the kid had finished the book and moved on to the next book, but still Rude Dad™ started to get angry. I politely reminded him of our return policy that was laminated to the counter and that I would get in trouble if I returned it.
>"Well maybe I should just return the $800 clarinet I bought the other day too!"
Young, and shaken from being yelled at, I just took the book and began the return process. At that moment my older coworker, who had heard the whole thing, turned around looked this guy in the eye and said something along the lines of:
>"You're returning your kid's clarinet because you're upset that we wont return an $8 book you've clearly used?? What do you think purpose of having a return policy is, SIR?! If you would like to return your kid's clarinet go ahead."
I froze, he froze. I looked at his embarrassed young kid just wanting to hide. Rude Dad™ snatched his book off the counter and stormed out. He stood out in front of our store for another 15-20 minutes walking up to cars pulling in clearly talking to them about what happened, gesturing towards us in the store and then drove off never to return.
Thankfully my coworker was one of the best employees with the highest sales numbers so he was safe from upper management. He immediately called our manager to tell him what happened to get ahead of it and neither of us received any repercussions. I was really glad he stepped up and yelled at that guy. It was satisfying seeing him storm out like a child and try and get people to not shop here.
Hopefully that kid is doing alright.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/ur49ii/rude_customer_doesnt_like_return_policy_is_shut/
| 1,118 | 29 | 1,652,730,332 | 8 |
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hot
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pzol3x
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TalesFromRetail
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Closing time chaos
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So this was a few years back. I worked in a clothing store. At the time we had a buy one get one 70% off sale on clearance. Brought in lots of people. The type of people who would drive 30 minutes home and then another 30 back to the store so we could adjust their bill and save them 50 cents.
Now, the 70% was taken off the lowest priced item. This is common. What it meant for us, however, was people standing at the till for 20 minutes sorting out their piles to try to get the best deals. Buy the $30 stuff in one transaction, $40 stuff in another, $10 stuff in yet another...because who wants 70% off of $5 when it's all bought together, right?
And to be honest we didn't necessarily mind doing it. Most people were at least semi decent about it and we liked getting them the best deals.
Except for one night. These people were in just before closing. And...we weren't allowed to say anything to make them leave. We also only had 30 minutes to clean, count tills, do the bank deposit, fill out all the reports, etc. and get out. So, these people were in and out of the fitting rooms, browsing away, and finally 15 minutes after closing came up to pay.
My manager rang them up. Put everything together on one bill to get them out faster. And cue the meltdown. They want to know which ones got the discounts. Got mad when they realized they could be saving more. Demanded we redo everything. Manager sighs and starts undoing everything on the computer. While that's processing and the customers are sorting piles, manager picks up the phone behind cash and calls her husband and tells him not to start dinner. Customer gets livid and says we're incredibly rude. Tries to storm out the door, except it's locked.
I followed them to the vestibule to unlock the door and said "I'm sorry for what's happened but we're closed. We have been closed for a while now and we only have a certain amount of time to get the closing tasks done before we're supposed to leave. We're just...running out of time..."
They look from the door to me and one replies "you might be closed but she doesn't have to be so rude!"
By then manager was also there. She told them she would still ring up their stuff if they wanted it. Their choice. They came back in and got their stuff. We let them out. I don't think many chores got done that night. Manager and I were both frazzled. I ran around grabbing hanger bins and garbage and she did as quick a count as she could manage.
Wish we could actually say we're closed...
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/pzol3x/closing_time_chaos/
| 491 | 73 | 1,633,150,042 | 8 |
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hot
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67j9wd
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TalesFromRetail
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Is it still $20?
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Owner of a tailor shop here!
_____
So this one just happened. Literally... so I am writing it up now so I don't forget.
The phone rang an hour ago.
> Me: Good afternoon, [Tailor Shop]!
> Lady: -rambles for a minute before getting to the point- I have a curtain that is like waaaaaaaaaaay too long. It is for my sons room and it only needs to be about 3ft5in long. How much would it cost to shorten it, then make the other piece into a curtain for my room?
This is aaaalmost like hemming two curtains. The majority of the work is in measuring and marking to make sure everything is perfectly straight (which can be annoying on curtains because they often come from the factory lopsided). My cost for unlined curtains is $15 per panel.
> Me: It would cost something between $20 and $30 per panel.
> Lady: -Hmmmms for a moment- So it would be $20?
> Me: -Would have charged a little more, but decides to be generous.- Yeah sure... plus GST of course (5% tax in my province).
> Lady: Okay! I am at [Car Dealership] around the corner, so I will be there when I am done here.
> Me: Sounds great! See you then, goodbye!
I hang up and attend to other customers. Pretty much exactly an hour later she comes in with some black fabric in her arms. She puts it on the counter and I see there are two panels. She unfolds one curtain and holds it up to show how long it is.
> Lady: So yeah, all his windows need is 3ft5in for curtains! This is like... 8ft!
> Me: Yeah, that is really long. Doing what you want should be no problem at all. -clicks 'check in' on the computer and gets her name and phone number- Okay, so you have two panels here...
> Lady: Is it still going to be $20?
> Me: Ah, that is per panel, so it will be twice that since you have two panels.
> Lady: -huffily starts folding up the unfolded curtain- Well! It would be less money to buy new curtains!!
> Me: Well, the cost on curtain alterations primarily comes from all of the careful measuring and marking to get everything just perfect.... not in just the sewing part. That is the easiest part.
> Lady: I will just take these somewhere cheaper!
> Me: -feeling cheeky- Well I have to say that you are unlikely to find a shop that will do it for cheaper, but you are -of course- welcome to try!
> Lady: -stomps out-
> Me: Good luck! Have a nice day!
> Lady: -peels out of the parking lot-
... Yeah, good luck. I had someone a week or two ago that dropped off two panels for hemming and was shocked that her total was only $31.50 because she said another place she went to charged $80 for two panels.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/67j9wd/is_it_still_20/
| 2,536 | 89 | 1,493,152,193 | 8 |
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2diyq1
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TalesFromRetail
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The cake.
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This story is my favourite one to tell new staff members about how the customer doesn't ALWAYS win. It's a long read but very worth it. By the way this story takes place in Australia.
I worked at a bakery as a manager of sorts which involved a lot of disputes about baked goods (we made cakes entirely from scratch, something that's uncommon where I live)
On a Friday afternoon a couple of old ladies in nice clothes come in and completely ignore the queue and anxiously shout that they need a cake for tomorrow (a bakers nightmare). I politely tell them that I'll be with them as soon as I can as the shop was filled with regulars who were loyal to the shop and I didn't want to invalidate them.
This concept seemed to be lost on these lovely ladies as they pushed their way to the coffee machine and told the barista (a timid 16 year old girl) that they URGENTLY needed to order a cake. She seemed a bit intimidated by them but stood her ground and informed them that she's not in charge of that, earning her a high five from me later.
They literally huffed, I could hear both their 'huffs' separately at the same time. I had taken a mental note of where they were in the line and gave one of the regulars (a former employee) an exasperated look and he winked and gestured for them to be served, earning him a free coffee for the day.
The following conversation is word for word. The ladies are known as arrogant birch 1 & 2 (AB1 & AB2)
Me: "Hi there, sorry about...
AB1: "Finally!!!"
Me: "...the wait, it's pretty frantic at the momen-"
AB2: "I'M HAVING A PARTY I NEED TO ORDER A CAKE FOR TOMORROW!"
Me: "We usually require 48 hours notice on cake orders, otherwise there is a $10 surcharge." (This was optional on my end, I was going to try to build some rapport).
AB2: "Oh.. We only found out about it this morning" (yeah... A party you heard about this morning and need a custom cake for)
I looked over my shoulder and quietly told them that I understand and I hate that policy so I'll waive the fee if we keep it between us. You would think they would be appreciative, but no... They smelled weakness.
I showed them our cakes and they decided on an 10"x12" vanilla slice cake with blue icing on top with some edible flowers ($65, I smelled Chanel No5 and she had an Oroton bag. I could've charged $95) and I took their $15 deposit. I had showed them our range of blue colours and they agreed on a specific shade of blue.
I started at 1:30am that Saturday as I was learning how to cook, as I was trained in coffee mainly. So it was me and the owner, a total character.
He was 110% Irish so naturally we had a few beers and he taught me and we joked around till opening time which was always a blast. I told him about AB1&2 and he rolled his eyes and called them 'feckin cunts' and taught me how to hand craft chocolate flowers for their cake (which was fucking awesome).
By 2pm we were exhausted but had some fresh staff handling the customers.
Enter AB2 (the bitchier one). I could hear her shouting into her phone from the back. I gave Irish a look making him chuckle and throw air punches, before heading out the front with her cake.
Me: "Hi there AB2 (she saw me and gave a look of contempt, great start) we just finished your cake (3-4 hours ago) would you like to have a look?"
AB2: "OF COURSE! YOU THINK I'LL TAKE IT WITHOUT SEEING IT?"
I chuckled and showed her the cake and she let out a disgusted groan.
AB2: "THIS ISN'T WHAT I ORDERED!"
Me: "Oh I'm sorry (I was tired and gave her the benefit of the doubt), what did you order?"
AB2: "ITS THE WRONG COLOUR!"
Me: "Oh I'm sorry what was it meant to be?"
AB2: "ITS THE WRONG BLUE!" She then proceeds to pull out a selection of blue swatches USED FOR PAINT COLOURS!!
AB2: "I WANTED THIS ONE... GIVE ME A DISCOUNT!" I've had enough by now.
Me: "The price is $65 and with your $15 deposit the remaining due is $50."
AB2: "THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE I.. DEMAND.. TO SPEAK TO YOUR MANAG-"
Me: "I AM the manager." (Pretty much true at the time)
AB2: "WELL... I WANT TO SPEAK TO THE OWNER!"
Me: "k"
I fetch Irish who's already in a shit mood as his wife's coming in soon and he comes out the front.
IRISH: "ALLRIGHHT WHATS THEE COHMMOOTION?!" He knows everyone within a 10mile radius at all times, so a barrage of greetings hit him and he says hello to 10 people is 10 seconds in 10 different ways (a skill he had).
AB2: "YOUR-"
IRISH: "DO YA WAN' THE 'FECKING' CAIKE OR NOT?!"
AB2: "I was just.. discount-"
IRISH: "THEE PRICE ES WHATAVER HE SAYS ITIS!" He then proceeds to hold he cake over the bin!
IRISH: "YEES OR NOH?"
AB2: "I wan-" BAM! HE THROWS THE CAKE IN THE BIN AND THE STORE ERUPTS IN LAUGHTER!! And I thrust her deposit into her hands.
IRISH: "NHEXT!!"
She didn't come back.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/2diyq1/the_cake/
| 2,465 | 164 | 1,408,011,813 | 8 |
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2h7lrw
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TalesFromRetail
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$20,000+ purchase $5 nearly destroyed everything
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I sell cars and in my industry is not unheard of to straight up pay stuff for customers. Floor matts? Sure no problem...a small bank fee? Yea sure, some tag fee? Yup got that.
But then you get that customer who stretches you to the limit. I had worked a deal on a vehicle, I was making NOTHING on the deal as I had already committed 75% of my $100 in commission to the purchase of her 2nd gas tank...(I really wanted her business for a bonus) she beat us up OVER EVERYTHING.
Then finally it came to closing on finance, I was tired, worn out, and calculating the amount of money I was going make on this sale and how much per hour I was getting ($25/14=$1.78 an hour) and thinking if this woman gives me one more bit of hassle I'm just going fucking walk away from the deal.
And then finally, a partner credit union had approved her at a special rate of .99% for 60 months! They had ONE SINGLE FEE which they add onto the loan its a $5 deposit...which when you close the account gets mailed back to you.
However she wasn't having it. She said "Do you know how much interest I'll pay on this? I'm not letting you guys get away with this"
The interest on $5 over the course of 5 yrs at .99%...is 40 cents.
I broke I said (this was in the 14th hr...)
"Look its $5...which one day when you close the account you will get back you can either pay the $5 or go home without a car"
She goes "Excuse me?"
I fired back "Within the next 10 minutes I want one of two things to happen, you finalize on this loan and drive away or you walk out of this office without a car and I want to be in the bar with a nice cold beer...your call you either pay the $5 and get the car or leave with no car"
She looked at me and said "Fine I'll pay it"
Within 10 minutes she was done, her delivery was me handing her the keys and the brochure still wrapped up as the factory had sent it and me driving away.
I got perfect 5 on the survey :)
A lot of credit unions like to get you to finance with them so they can earn your business on other stuff...we got one partner credit union our dealergroup took it from a pretty small credit union through a pretty decently mid-size credit union over the course of 7~ yrs.
Their VP said we bring in the customers, they operate their new car sales loan department basically at cost but they heavily advertise credit cards/cds/investments/mortgages etc
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/2h7lrw/20000_purchase_5_nearly_destroyed_everything/
| 1,074 | 332 | 1,411,459,218 | 8 |
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relevance
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cdxhhu
|
TalesFromRetail
|
"But it was cheaper 20 years ago!"
|
I work in a large chain craft store in the fabric department. Right now were trying to get rid of a bunch of home decor fabric, so it's marked with red signage of "CLEARANCE" and has the new price on a tag attached to the bolts.
A guy was so excited that he found a fabric that he bought 20 years ago, but wouldn't understand why the price wasn't the same. You would've thought I kicked his dog. He still got a couple yards, complaining the whole time, saying I should drop the price for him. Nah dude, it's $11.49 per yard and that's it.
Gets up to the register and acts like the price is surprise and wanted to use a 40% coupon instead. Cashier rang it up, and oh my god, the price is higher than before?! 40$ off < 50% off. He went on a huge rant and rave about how he bought the same fabric three days ago and it was cheaper and he's going to bring in his receipt to show the manager and get his money that he deserves.
TLDR ; man doesn't understand inflation then lies about when he bought ugly fabric.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/cdxhhu/but_it_was_cheaper_20_years_ago/
| 1,961 | 100 | 1,563,285,988 | 8 |
20%
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relevance
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8sa6xk
|
TalesFromRetail
|
"This says 30% off, so it's 30% off, right?" "Actually, it's 50%-" "No 'actually!' It says 30% off so it's 30% off!" "..."
|
Another tale from the game store. We've had a Clearance Sale for quite a while now with clearance collectible items (plushies, action figures, small toys, etc.) at 30% off, with signs posted as such. My boss made a small sign for a particular item, a big NERF gun, highlighting the deal. It's normally $100, the sign said, "$70 after discount!"
This happened on the day the sale changed to 50% off. I didn't get around to changing the signs, but I let people know if they appeared interested in the clearance items.
In comes a woman with her child. She walks around the store for a bit and notices the NERF gun. It piques her interest. I'm helping another customer as I see her study the sign my boss made (which is inaccurate at this point). I finish with my customer and go up to her, and before I can get a word out she says, "This is 30% off, right? This sign says so."
I should have chosen my words better when I responded to her (but that still doesn't excuse her from lashing out).
"Oh, actually, it's not *30*% off, it's-"
She cuts me off. "What do you mean?! It says right here! $70! You have to honor that!"
It's really annoying when people misuse "honor" when it comes to retail, but it didn't really matter, as I still hadn't properly explained the change in the deal.
"I'm sorry ma'am, let me explain-"
"No, there's no explanation needed. The sign says it's 30% off so you have to sell it to me for 30% off."
Now, I know what most of you are thinking. I should just placate her and ring it up, and manually increase the price in the computer by $20. But I didn't think she deserved that. Rather, she did deserve it, but I wasn't going to be the one to cheat her out of twenty bucks.
"Ma'am, I'm trying to explain something, can you please let me explain?"
"Fine, but I still want it for 30% off."
"Okay. So the 30% off deal changed to-"
"But it says right here!"
"MA'AM. Please. Let me finish."
She crosses her arms and stays silent, like whatever I'm going to say isn't going to change anything.
"The deal is now 50% off instead of 30% off. So it costs less than what is listed."
The look on her face was one of supreme embarrassment. She still ended up buying it, but was so embarrassed that she didn't say anything else. Didn't even respond when I asked if she had a rewards cards (which she did, since I was the one who actually set her up).
I wish people weren't so impatient.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/8sa6xk/this_says_30_off_so_its_30_off_right_actually_its/
| 4,623 | 226 | 1,529,425,453 | 8 |
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relevance
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1cndcbd
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AskReddit
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What is your #1 driving tip that if everyone followed, we'd all be better off?
| null |
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1cndcbd/what_is_your_1_driving_tip_that_if_everyone/
| 2,986 | 4,605 | 1,715,197,103 | 8 |
tip
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relevance
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1jvayzv
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
I had a work dream almost a year after my last day.
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My Dead Mobster closed May 13, 2024. I had a work dream last night. Omg, I forgot their beers, lol. And it was definitely not a place I've ever worked or even been in. My subconscious is apparently an architect now. And the snaky bastard ended the dream before I could pick up the tab and see how much they tipped.
Usually work dreams are from stress, what the excuse this time, PTSD? Sigh.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1jvayzv/i_had_a_work_dream_almost_a_year_after_my_last_day/
| 16 | 7 | 1,744,218,406 | 7 |
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hot
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1jm4edv
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TalesFromYourServer
|
Daytime bartender doesnt ring in early regulars drinks until happy hour starts
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So theres a group of daytime regulars who come in everyday between 12-2 and hour happy doesnt start til 3 well the main daytime bartender never rings their drinks in until 3pm so they can get happy hour prices. Whenever theres another bartender working for her they always ring in their drinks when they arrive and they regulars get really mad and either stiffs or tips them really poorly. Thoughts?
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1jm4edv/daytime_bartender_doesnt_ring_in_early_regulars/
| 1,443 | 188 | 1,743,192,715 | 7 |
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hot
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1iqu4bc
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TalesFromYourServer
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Yesterday i made a mistake in the end of my shift and my boss got so mad that i didn't knew what to do
|
Yesterday was a pretty good day, my square was divided for two servers, my colleague got the harsh part(20gst in tables designed for 14gst, so the operation was pretty hard even with my help, and i got 4 tables (10gst total)
Everything went good, no compliances, everyone drank and was happy. I even got a tip (20USD).
As the end of my shift approached, i started to clean up the square(bottles,salt and pepper) and mounting up the misenplace for the next shift. i cross the restaurant and a client bought of my attention bcz he needeed a pen to pay his check, i gave to him and then a procedeed to close to check(we don't have cashiers) but i made the mistake of checking a whole different table to his room.
His original bill was like 15USD and the wrong bill was like 200USD. I didn't realized at the moment, but before leaving i checked all the pending checks and i saw the mistake, quickly i realized what i've done and i called my manager.
But damn boy, he was so mad! "Holy fuck, the night was perfect till now. Holy shit"
And yes, he fixed, my sommelier help me to find the check in the system. but i felt bad.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1iqu4bc/yesterday_i_made_a_mistake_in_the_end_of_my_shift/
| 159 | 6 | 1,739,718,380 | 7 |
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hot
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1ibk32z
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Orlando or Tampa? Server life
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(Doesn’t have to specifically be Tampa but just reasonable driving distance near it, Sarasota, st Pete.)
Hey everyone had a few questions regarding the business/people/pay and overall server life in both of these cities. I live about 14 minutes away from Orlando and roughly 1 hour and 20 from Tampa.
I'm graduating HS this year and I know that I want to get into hospitality. My hospitality teacher at my school told me that Orlando is by far one of the most dominant service industry cities in the US and it will only get bigger. I don't plan on going to college, don't really have a reason to (at least for now). I have my 3rd and final interview for a host position at a longhorn that's 5 mins away from Walt Disney resort and Disney springs so I would assume it gets busy. My goal for right now is to get a feel for the industry and upgrade to server in that place when I reach the qualified age (I'm 17).
My goal in the long run is to get into upscale/fine dining if I decide to pursue this career, I'm talking Ruth Chris, Eddie Vs, and just about any upscale restaurant or steakhouse you could name. The reason being isn't JUST for the beautiful money but also because I believe starting at a turn and burn place like longhorn would be a perfect transition to fine dining as it is more slow paced and calmer in a sense if you know what I mean, and I don't think for the sake of my body and mental health that I want to be in a fast paced environment for a long time lol. The smart thing for me to do would be once I get more senior I would go be a server at Disney but if I'm being honest it's not really my style, those jobs tend to be hard to break into as servers wouldn't ever think to quit/leave...and I don't plan on being in Orlando for more than 5-6 years. However I was in Tampa the other day and thought to myself this would be a very more relaxed work/life balance for serving lol idk why but I just thought it would be perfect for more senior/fine dining. Although I'm pretty sure Orlando is a better place for this type of work due to tourism but I think the difference is negligible for upscale/fine dining compared to casual since the upscale money is good anywhere, just a matter of preferred lifestyle/ location. And I would love to be near the beach haha that's definitely another reason, also Orlando is getting REALLY expensive. I just figured to share my thoughts and plans and wanted to know what you experienced folks out there thought about it. This even to me comes off very optimistic as I'm not listing any cons or drawbacks but I'm sure this was is someone's life so it's definitely not impossible. Also what do y'all think about the possibility of tips not being taxed in the near future?
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1ibk32z/orlando_or_tampa_server_life/
| 4 | 2 | 1,738,011,980 | 7 |
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hot
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1hogu7q
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
fine dining serving
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i got a serving job at a very fancy seasonal fine dining restaurant. The customers pay $100k+ for their seats for the season. I don’t have any serving experience but was a fast food manager for a year.. I start in a week and literally only had 1 hour of hands on training. We practiced opening wine bottles with the cork, we have to hold it with one hand and take the cork out, and pouring them. I feel like i need to practice opening 100 wine bottles to get it right.
Edit: I’m not taking any food orders, strictly drinks. There is an open buffet for the guests.
anyone have any tips, experience, or youtube videos to watch😀 kind of freaking out
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1hogu7q/fine_dining_serving/
| 112 | 19 | 1,735,424,230 | 7 |
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hot
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14ody7k
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Table of three walks out on their tab... but one forgets her purse.
|
This was a wild one today and I feel obligated to share. I work in a casual corporate applebeesesque restaurant. There was a table of 3 young women today (mom and 2 daughters I believe) seated in the bar area today for lunch. Immediately our bartender waiting on them commented about their bad attitude excess questions and requests etc. You all know the kind of table I am talking about. Fast forward 45 minutes or so and they have left without paying their 80$ check. She's pissed and it's just kind of a kick in the pants to all of us, because it happens far to often at our location. So 5 minutes later as she is cleaning the table... retribution... she finds a small purse and returns it to the manager. Now this is where things get interesting. The bartender and manager immediately begin tearing into the purse like wild dogs having found a fresh carcass. I suppose the justification is to look for some sort of ID which is fair enough, but they didn't find that. There was a bank envelope with 120$ of which they took the 80 to pay the check and returned the rest, and then a bag of weed which the bartender took as her tip. This is where things get even more interesting. Of course the young thieving dine and dasher needs to reclaim her purse so she returns within the hour. Asks to speak to the manager who returns her purse minus the cash for their check and her precious drugs. He greets her by saying 'so you walked out on your check, right?' She proceeds to complain about service etc. He informs her that we settled her check with the cash from her purse and to her protest he responds 'what did you think was going to happen?'. She leaves. Here is where things become slightly more interesting. Within a couple of minutes (the time it took to go to the car and discover her drugs were gone) the three return in force and demand to speak to the manager again. They claim that something else was missing from her purse. He says 'I don't know what to tell you' they threaten to call the police... yes to report their missing illegal drugs... but soon thought better of it as the manager continued to stonewall them and they left in a huff. Perhaps this was not the most ethical way of handling the situation, but boy was it satisfying. Almost made it all worth it to see some semblance at least of justice served. And it's nice to know they won't be returning any time soon.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/14ody7k/table_of_three_walks_out_on_their_tab_but_one/
| 11,598 | 689 | 1,688,268,866 | 7 |
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top
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prs8r9
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TalesFromYourServer
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Worked as a Bartender for a decade and had a record breaking customer tonight
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This guy comes in, he immediately orders 300 dollar bottle of wine I start presenting it and he says I’m easy you don’t have to do all that and then ordered 250 dollars worth of food and told me not to course it out but just let it come whenever, he doesn’t care. Then in an hour this person ate about ten different menu items and two bottles of top shelf wine. He poured the wine himself and clearly stacked the dishes he was done with making it easy as possible for me. and then bill was like 700 dollars he just dropped 2,000 dollars worth of 100 dollar bills and strutted out the door.
Il still in shock at what happened. I never made anywhere close to a tip like that. I’d this normal in fine dining restaurants?
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/prs8r9/worked_as_a_bartender_for_a_decade_and_had_a/
| 10,440 | 413 | 1,632,134,559 | 7 |
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top
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nk0x8s
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Nightmare customer tries to build their own off-menu pasta dish then gets upset when charged full price
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Being a picky eater is fine, but at minimum you have to work within the confines of what's actually available.
Enter one stubborn asshole who took the menu items not as a suggestion, but as a point of negotiation. "I'm looking at the pastas. Do you have any rotini?"
"Uhh, no. Just spaghetti, rigatoni, fettucine, penne, and bowtie pasta, I believe. That page has all the available pasta dishes we serve."
"Hmm, well you should carry rotini. But I'll start with fettucine base, and I'd like to add bolognese... mushrooms... basil... bell p--"
"I'm sorry to cut you off sir, but we don't offer build-your-own pastas. We only offer what's listed on the menu, and I can make a couple modifications."
"Well that's ridiculous. If you have the items, you should be able to make it."
"It's restaurant policy. It helps the kitchen flow."
He stares angrily at me. "Well then I'm gonna need a minute." (No problem, bud. I hadn't even asked if your table was ready to order before you started firing away anyway.)
I talk to the kitchen manager to give him a heads up, and he doubles down on not allowing grand modifications.
I return after a few, and this guy's body language tells me he's already prepared an opening statement for the courtroom. "Okay so I'm gonna start with the chicken alfredo, but instead of the cream sauce, I want bolognese, no tomatoes, I want extra mushrooms, add basil, bell peppers, no parmigiono, and instead of chicken I want the fresh cod."
"Uhh sir, I can only do a couple substitutions, and our fresh cod is a separate dish entirely."
"Look, please talk to your kitchen, it's what I want." This guy seemed like he was just trying to really impress his friends, who all looked pretty mortified.
I find the kitchen manager again. He shakes his head and goes, "Alright, well ring in both a pasta bolognese and fresh fish of the day." $42 pasta. Bravo, buddy.
The table gets their food, and this guy flashes me the most idiotic smirk like he just got one over on us. "See? That wasn't so hard. And by the way, it's delicious! You should think about adding it to your menu!" This self-satisfied piece of work...
They finally get the bill, and this dude's face is priceless -- well, there definitely was a price to his expression -- about $42. "Did you really charge me for two entrees?"
"Yes, I told you the cod was a separate dish." He didn't have much room to argue there.
Thankfully his friend paid and left a fat tip, probably out of vicarious embarrassment.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/nk0x8s/nightmare_customer_tries_to_build_their_own/
| 8,023 | 578 | 1,621,871,021 | 7 |
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top
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114pg4p
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TalesFromYourServer
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My coworker is mad that I wouldn't work without clocking in
|
So I'm 16 and have a part time job working carryout for a chain restaurant. It's hourly plus tips.
So Tuesday night I was scheduled 4-9. I don't drive but my ride dropped me off like 15 minutes early. No big deal, I thought.
There's a whole section of the restaurant that's only used on weekend nights. So during the week employees sit at the tables if they're on break during a double.
So since it's winter and I can't clock in more than 5 minutes before my shift. I figured I'd sit there and play on my phone or talk to coworkers.
I wasn't there long and one of the hosts that I thought I was cool with "Sara" came up to me and said "carryout is really busy and Tim needs help".
I said "okay I'll go find a manager and ask to clock in".
Sara was like "you can't just help him?"
I said "yea as soon as I clock in". She rolled her eyes and walked away.
I had to walk all over looking for a manager, including past the host stand.
When I walked by the host stand Sara said "you're seriously not going to help Tim for a few minutes ".
Eventually I found my boss and clocked in.
The other host said Sara kept bitching about it all night.
I mean I see both sides, it was probably annoying that carryout was busy, because if the carryout phone isn't answered in so many rings it goes to the host stand. So it probably made more work for the hosts.
My reasons for not working were, 1 I want to be paid for my time obviously, but 2 my parents always told me not to because if I get hurt working off the clock the company won't care. 3, if I did it once Sara would expect it all the time.
I worked with Sara yesterday and she still had an attitude.
Sara is a few years older than me and has worked there longer and people lik her so I might have just made myself the disliked coworker over a couple minutes.
Was I wrong
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/114pg4p/my_coworker_is_mad_that_i_wouldnt_work_without/
| 6,807 | 774 | 1,676,649,042 | 7 |
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top
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1ezqic8
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TalesFromYourServer
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Table wearing swastika hat
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Dude just sat in my section and is a visible neonazi. I’ve been told we have to serve him. This seems fucked to me? What would yall do
Edit: I refused service and another server was assigned to the table. Management wouldn’t kick him out or ask him to remove the hat. I passed him as he walked out the door and told him with a smile that he was a disgusting POS who never should have been allowed in the building.
Edit 2: nazi sympathizers in my DMs…fuck off
Edit 3: manager on duty made so many excuses for the dude. Saying he tipped, didn’t cause any problems, and talked to a gay server so he “couldn’t be that bad”. I’m going to have a conversation with the GM when I see him and voice my concerns about how this was handled. His response may determine if I stick around.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1ezqic8/table_wearing_swastika_hat/
| 6,226 | 903 | 1,724,454,141 | 7 |
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top
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ggk5q9
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
My boss defended me, as only a Mother can
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I worked for years in an upscale restaurant owned by a greek family. If u have ever worked for a greek family, u know that if ur there for years, you ARE family.
In the decade that I waited tables there, I had exactly 2 experiences that upset me due to customers. One involved the grabbing of my bodypart by a drunk customer and ended up with the owner, head waiter, 2 busboys, the chef and dishwasher yelling at him in 4 different languages. He ended up in the dumpster, i am not sure he knows completely what happened.
The other was this:
The man was by himself and a pr**k to start out. He was wearing a very nice suit with a pocket square. He was whatever a male karen is called. His food was too slow, not right, too cold... blablabla. The 4th time his reorder came, it was apparently fine. Or the 3 martini's kicked in.
The staff was keeping an eye on him too because I never complained about a customer. Except him. When I came by to ask if he wanted any desert, his response was "you covered in whipped cream honey!" Then he slapped my ass.
I. WAS. LIVID.
I had a pitcher in my hand to refill water. Yep. Right over his head. He started screaming and yelled for the owner. She came out and he stood there dripping wet yelling at her that he wanted me fired immediately. I just stood there with my arms crossed. She looked at me and said
"you dump water on him?"
"Yep."
He smirked. "He deserves or accident?" He turnes red getting ready to yell again.
"He absolutely deserved it." I replied.
She started out in english, but at some point went to greek. Without turning around she made a 'come here' gesture tward the kitchen. Every male in the kitchen came out and stood behind us. After a bit of back and forth she ended with "This good girl. She not mad easy. She handle party of 60 herself. She do this then you a bad man. You pay. Leave good tip. Then you never come back to any of my restaurants."
I think the table of firemen, some regulars of mine btw, standing up also helped make her point. She took his picture and made sure all 5 of her restaurants in our not very big town had a copy and his name.
Edit: wow, thank u guys so much for the awards!
2nd edit: Because of the comments I have gotten I realized something. I never, at any point, even considered that I would get in trouble or that she wouldnt have my back. Margaret is an amazing women who loved me, and still does. She treated us all like family. And we really were a family. I knew she would defend me. I have eaten at her other restaurants, and to this day, she will not accept payment when I do. I was lucky to have such an amazing boss.
3rd edit: i just called her to wish her a happy mother's day. She told me to bring my kids by and come eat on monday so we can catch up
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/ggk5q9/my_boss_defended_me_as_only_a_mother_can/
| 5,033 | 238 | 1,589,047,028 | 7 |
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top
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a40xy1
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Girl had a meltdown because the food came out exactly she ordered it
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So I work at a Mediterranean restaurant/hookah lounge. We have all the Mediterranean classics as well as some other foods (tacos, burritos, chicken tenders, etc). The restaurant is really close to a college campus, so we end up with a lot of students. Any time we have issues, it’s with these students.
So this group of regulars come in, order their food, and sit down. They got two chicken shawarmas, pretty standard. Well, the order comes up, I check the ticket to make sure it’s right, and take it up to them (it’s two stories, so I have to take the stairs). When I set it on the table, everyone recoiled. Knowing they were about to complain, I waited. We’ll call the two girls G1 and G2.
G1: “this is supposed to come in a tortilla.”
Me: “Uhhhh, no? Shwarmas come in pita.”
G2: “No it always comes in a tortilla.”
Me: “Okay, well that’s not how it comes, so I’m not sure how you got it in a tortilla, but I’ll see what we can do.”
So I take it back down to the kitchen and ask if there’s anything we can do. The owner tells me that we’re almost out of tortillas and since it came out as ordered, we can’t change/refund it. Great. I take the food back upstairs to this table (who also didn’t tip, funny enough), and set it down. Before I can finish explaining that we don’t have tortillas and it has to be ordered properly, G2 snatches the food and runs down the stairs and over to the kitchen and starts hysterically yelling at the owner.
G2: “ this isn’t right, put it in a tortilla.”
Owner: “I’m not putting it in a tortilla. It came out as ordered and I don’t have extra tortillas.”
G2: “What if I pay for it?”
O: “No, we don’t have extras”
So G2 takes the plate off the counter and just tosses it on the ground and storms out, but stands right outside to keep poking her head in to call O a bitch. Her friend comes downstairs to apologize to us and try and calm G2 down, as she’s still having a temper tantrum. I clean up the food and go back to work.
The friend then comes up to the register, apologizes, tells me the friend didn’t mean to yell, she’s just northern and that’s how they talk, and then politely informs me that I don’t need to refund the wrap. I don’t need to refund a wrap that was prepared literally the way it was ordered. I hate students.
Edit: please note that I had no control over the situation, I was just doing as I was told. I’m not the asshole here, just pissed off
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/a40xy1/girl_had_a_meltdown_because_the_food_came_out/
| 4,888 | 486 | 1,544,196,884 | 7 |
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top
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8c6y18
|
TalesFromYourServer
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"Its my birthday"
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I work at a..... chain food restaurant. If someone declares "its my birthday" we have to sing and give them a dessert on us. This is standard procedure; however you always get those tables coming in that say it just to grt a dessert.
Well this happens a LOT. So yesterday two people come in and I start "Hey my name's Brian and-"
"Its my birthday so y'all better sing to me"
"Happy birthday! Ill see about that"
"Anyways can I get a house margarita?"
Yeah no, checked his ID, he was born August 26th. Not April 13th.
At the end of the meal, he asked for a dessert, I gave it to him, along with the check with the $9 dessert on it.
He was pissed we didn't sing and that dessert was on the check. "But sir, your birthday is August 26th"
Yeah I got no tip but I wasnt expecting any regardless. And it was WORTH
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/8c6y18/its_my_birthday/
| 4,877 | 222 | 1,523,704,771 | 7 |
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top
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qa7yf8
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
I. Hate. Teenagers.
|
Don’t get me wrong I can tell when teenagers were raised right and know how to treat their servers with respect but last night was homecoming night and some of it was unbearable. My only table that stiffed me was a homecoming couple but one of my coworkers had a 12 top until an hour after close and I could tell she was pissed off by them the entire time. Oh and two of them went out of their way to order wings with one of every sauce while this restraint was on a wait list so you know the kitchen was packed with orders. In the end they didn’t tip her a fucking dime and made her cry. I don’t understand how out of TWELVE people not one of them saw anything wrong with that
Edit: just to let you know how bad it is, no, there’s no such thing as auto gratuity as this restaurant. If you get stiffed the managers don’t gaf
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/qa7yf8/i_hate_teenagers/
| 2,550 | 314 | 1,634,505,489 | 7 |
gratuity
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relevance
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rjfr1p
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
To the customers who insisted on taking up 2 sections for their white elephant exchange:
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I’m so glad you had a wonderful Christmas celebration. The server you told to “go the fck home” because he kindly asked to move your gifts into a closed section, when he knew you had already been told you couldn’t use random tables for them, lost an entire shift of money because of you.
You came in at open and stayed until shift change. Your party of 18, already taking up a 5 table section, chose to take all of the tables on the wall next to you- not for people, but for gifts. You took not one but two servers sections away from them, using literally 10 tables to celebrate your holiday. You showed no regard for other peoples emotions- you just wanted to open your gifts in the middle of a busy Friday shift before Christmas. I wish you had come in 10 mins later, because all of those tables would have been sat.
But no, you came in and made demands, tried to get a server fired for doing his job, and still got your stupid way. I can’t believe my manager didn’t kick you out. Whatever sliver of faith I had left in humanity in this holiday season was crushed when I heard you- an alleged middle school principal- cuss out one of the 20 year old servers who just had to take it and deal with it. He was moved upstairs to a different section but the server who was supposed to be in the section showed up after 30 minutes. He made a tip off of ONE table that whole shift, not even yours. Because you wasted his time, and broke rules, and, because of the people pleasing corporation I work for, still got your way. He was sent home before your lazy asses even left.
Imagine being so selfish that you already have gifts, friends, and time to organize this- but you show no regard for the workers suffering over you. The workers who haven’t bought their own Christmas presents yet. The workers looking forward to the added gratuity from a big table, which you disputed with your credit card company and got taken off. Imagine being a middle school teacher and showing no regard for other working class young adults, who have to deal with people like you daily.
There is a sweet, special place in hell for people like you. You almost made me quit on the spot, and you weren’t even my table. I hope the toaster oven that you brought that took up an entire booth ended up not working. I hope it blew up when you plugged it in and you lost the return receipt. Screw you.
Edit: well aware my management sucks. We have brand new managers and I think they’re scared for losing their jobs too if they step the wrong way. These people had already gotten their drinks and appetizers started and she didn’t want to kick them out. If it wasn’t before Christmas I would quit.
Edit 2: I did not expect this sort of attention honestly, so I’m finding it hard to reply to all of you. Since most of it is the same subject I’ll put a general response here- YES it is the managers fault and no she did not charge them extra or get paid off. If y’all read my story from earlier this week, a manager literally got swung on by a customer and didn’t press charges. Because they are people pleasers. I know I can get a new job but it being right before Christmas I can’t afford to walk out or waste shifts getting paid minimum wage for training right now. After Christmas will be a different story. Also, if I had thought to get the name or school I would have come up with a way to- but that was an after thought. They mentioned it to their server that they were a group of teachers, the leader and the biggest asshole being the principal. He casually mentioned it to me and I didn’t even consider how I could use that against the group, which I wish I would have. Thank you all for your support though you have helped me realize how crazy the company I work for is. They don’t give AF about us! Thank you guys!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/rjfr1p/to_the_customers_who_insisted_on_taking_up_2/
| 2,387 | 171 | 1,639,859,029 | 7 |
gratuity
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relevance
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1h0c4fi
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
I Hate Doordash (And Greedy Shitty Bosses), NOT Doordashers..
|
I just quit a kitchen job and doordash was a determining factor. I've done research on this since it effected my life so much, and what I gather from the discourse is a lot of misunderstanding on both ends, dashers and cooks and a lot of misplaced anger on both parts.
1. I don't think a dasher should tip out of their own pocket, they are also underpaid and get treated poorly
2. Dashers should expect that kitchen employees are going to prioritize in house orders, because that's where tips come from and it is human nature to do what pays you more
3. Employees often cannot just turn off delivery apps, they risk getting fired or reprimanded for that
I was a kitchen employee at a place with a skeleton crew (most restaurants do this) because my boss is greedy and expects to make money without spending any. The restaurant was almost always steady to busy with in-house orders alone. Delivery app orders made it unmanageable at times because there wasn't enough staff or capacity to handle the influx of orders. I sometimes had a midshifter, I was a closer, and the boss based how busy the restaurant was on the sales report which didn't account for delivery app orders and would often demand I send my coworker home, even if the delivery app orders justified keeping my coworker on the clock. She and her simp manager believed that those orders didn't count when taking into account how busy the restaurant was. My mindset was, if it doesn't count, then I shouldn't have to cook it, but again I risked getting canned if I said that or turned off their stupid fucking tablets.
As a closer, I noticed that Doordash basically decided if I had to stay an hour late or three hours late. My boss (and I'm sure a lot of cooks have unethical bosses that do this or similar tactics) only paid for an hour after the restaurant closed with the expectation that it should take an hour to close. That being said, I'd often have no coworker, couldn't get anything done until we locked the doors and often got Doordash orders in the last 15 minutes, which is also reflective of people being shitty customers, knowing the joint is about to close but placing an order anyway. So, I often worked three hours unpaid to close the place, and a major contributing factor was Doordash orders. I hate the company and it's business model, I don't hate the dashers and I never took it out on them. I know that the app would send dashers early, which made me feel like I was being rushed by a ghost boss that doesn't pay.
This is often why employees hate Doordash. Sketchy bosses that cut corners and try to get twice the work out of one person so they only have to write one paycheck when they should be writing two or three. The Doordash incoming order ding haunts me even after I quit. As someone who believes in worker solidarity, I will NEVER use one of these apps as it is the bane of every cooks existence. I believe that these companies should have to pay a mandatory gratuity directly to the employee cooking their food, and not to the restaurant, because the greedy boss would probably try to steal it. Employees like me feel like we have a second boss that doesn't pay and rightfully so.
Doordash is unfair to everyone. The Doordashers, the restaurant cooks, the customers, etc. Fuck Doordash and all those delivery apps, and to the customers who use it, touch grass. I saw another post about this that said delivery is for Pizza and Chinese food. I agree. Doordash has turned every restaurant that wasn't delivery capable into a delivery restaurant because of the greedy bosses who don't give a fuck about their employees and only care about their bottom line.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1h0c4fi/i_hate_doordash_and_greedy_shitty_bosses_not/
| 61 | 29 | 1,732,628,471 | 7 |
gratuity
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hot
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14xuy82
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
[UPDATE] to “was promised a server position. Need a advice”
|
To any of you that saw my last post, (I ended up getting fired the 2nd day of training after speaking to the managers about the situation)….
The first day of training I originally met and spoke with the server manager (who is not the one who hired me) and he told me he doesn’t see me becoming a server any time soon because he has 25 people waiting to be servers. I then explained to him what I was told during the hiring process and also tried to sell myself by explaining what a great sever I would be but he seemed to be annoyed by me telling him my skills and what I was promised when I was hired.
(What the SERVER manager told me was contrary to what I was told by the HIRING manager who told me I would be given a server position as soon as one is available)
So the next day i went and spoke again with the HIRING manager (WHO TURNS OUT TO BE ABOVE THE SERVER MANAGER) and told him I was a bit worried because I’m being told 2 different things and that my passion is serving not bussing. He reassured me and told me “i don’t lie I told you I’ll make you a sever and I meant it but it was was unprofessional to go speaking to multiple managers about this situation after we originally spoke”
Well after speaking to him about 5 minutes later, the GM comes and speaks with me and tells me “we have to let you go because some of the managers are not comfortable with your confidence in this position” “you signed up to be a busser/runner and we need to see that you’re motivated to work and will work hard” which i told him “I apologize if I came off a little worried but I just wanted to clear up being told separate things from different managers,I’m very passionate about being a sever and I absolutely will work hard and are willing to put in my best work to eventually become a server”
Well he didn’t buy it, he said the managers already lost their confidence with me and that I was wrong for going up to multiple managers and to go be “passionate” at another restaurant or come back within a month and see if there’s a server position available.
Even though I would love to serve there due to the vibe of the restaurant, the auto gratuity and how busy that area is, I honestly don’t know if it’s a good idea to come back and ask for a server position. It sucks that I waited this long to start training (1 month since I got hired) only to be let go the 2nd day of training, I felt comfortable because they act like we’re all family there and we can come and speak to anyone whenever but clearly that wasn’t true.
Also to the people saying they’ll lie to me and keep me as a busser/runner because they’re the grunts of restaurants, this wasn’t the case for this place.
I feel like I missed out on an amazing opportunity because I let myself get a little worried and felt too comfortable with management. I’ve been searching for a restaurant job for almost 3 months now and when I finally found a good opportunity I ended up losing it
Anyways sorry for the long post and thank you to everyone who gave me their input. It really helped hearing from all of you so Thank you
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/14xuy82/update_to_was_promised_a_server_position_need_a/
| 26 | 47 | 1,689,182,817 | 7 |
gratuity
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hot
|
14gqrj2
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Need this off my chest
|
Gotta vent because I'm still fuming. Tonight started off super slow, the other server gets cut two hours early, it's been dead as hell all day and the last few days have been as well. It's been storming bad those few days and nobody is willing to risk their lives over pancakes and bacon. Close to 8pm it's raining bad, it's just me and a newbie server, a small group walks in informs us it'll be fifteen. Okay cool. They sit in my section, I start getting drinks going then quickly grab the orders of my other two tables.
Rest of the party starts coming in, I realize quickly these people cannot count but what's an extra three folks? Well, I hear the front open -- oh great dinner rush has finally began, an 8 top, 5 top, 2, 4 tops, 3 tops. Fun. I got food up for my other tables and have to get the rest of the drinks for my party, have pull my manager out the kitchen to help me run food and make sure the other tables are OK. I realize there is two 5 tops sitting in my section, my heart sinks and I automatically knew this was about to be a damn nightmare. My fifteen top turns out to be a fucking 30 top. Yep. New server is sinking up front, my 2 tops are being neglected because I'm stuck taking this huge party's order and I cannot get back to them. Manager is in the kitchen cooking because one cook had to leave for an emergency and the other cook will drown.
This 30 top ran me worse than a dog. Refills. Refills. Refills. Stupid questions. Constantly needing extra napkins. Their food starts coming up and godforbid its in the order I sent it because fuck me I guess. Some get pissy as others get their food before them or this person is didn't get their nachos yet blah blah. Yeah I know, it's coming, can't just leave the food in window...Meanwhile, my other tables are now at the register glaring daggers at me and all I can do is mouthed a quick sorry as they cash out.
Even after getting their food, I'm still being ran to death and this whole ordeal takes 2 and half hours of my remaining shift. Intitally the ticket was all one, then it's decided it'll be split different ways -- of course! My other tables stiffed me, and with an overall bill of 400, I prayed this 30 top is worth my time. They left 30 dollars altogether 🙃. My section is a mess now, my time wasted, and I just want to cry.
These folks acted like they were the only ones in the restaurant, ran me to fucking death, took up the last two hours of my shift, and ruined my chances of actually making some money.
Denny's can fuck off with that no automatic gratuity. Made 78 dollars. I'm still so fucking pissed off.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/14gqrj2/need_this_off_my_chest/
| 165 | 16 | 1,687,501,168 | 7 |
gratuity
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hot
|
zo3aoi
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Any experience as a Banquet server at hotels? Like the Hilton's
|
Hi there, just wondering what it's like being a Banquet server. I hear it requires a lot of physical labor, however it seems half half on whether or not the pay is good. Is it true that places that add gratuity can average out to $30-50/hour?
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/zo3aoi/any_experience_as_a_banquet_server_at_hotels_like/
| 8 | 17 | 1,671,271,958 | 7 |
gratuity
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hot
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xb8qbd
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
It's Homecoming season.
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A young couple came in tonight looking dapper as fuck, so I realized what's going on in the area. Homecoming.
I already had the worst section. We had mostly reservations and the walk-ins would get into my section, down the hill and across the parking lot. I was probably the only one capable of taking that section today, so it's Gucci.
We got a phone call. An 18 top for dinner. In my section. So Gucci.
They get there. ALL high school kids, for homecoming. They asked if I had a full bar and I was like "Huh" then this girl asked for a Shirley temple.
I work at a winery that doesn't have grenadine. I actually searched for it after her request, to no avail. When I told her no, she asked "But do you have Virgin Shirley Temples?"
Bless her heart. It was a cute question. I was the bad guy here. So they just drank their water and I told the manager we need Shirley Temples for homecoming season. So we'll get them soon. She agreed.
They proceeded to order. My section is big and that's the only good thing about it. They were taking up 5 tables of it and we had to turn people down. They were barely ordering. And they're in high school so I wasn't expecting much. There's always gratuity.
My dumbass forgot to grat them. I didn't realize until after I dropped the checks down. I dug my own grave. It's fine. Whatever. I wouldn't be so annoyed if they weren't taking up 5 tables in my already terrible section and their bill as a whole wasn't only $124.
Cashed them out. The ones that paid cash said to keep the change. Most of them tipped me terribly. The girl that tried to order the Shirley Temple tipped me nothing at all.
But one of these kids. One of them left me $100 on her $10 tab.
I was dumbfounded. I'm never gonna stereotype my tables again. Gonna get these Shirley Temples on the menu and let's go homecoming season
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/xb8qbd/its_homecoming_season/
| 233 | 7 | 1,662,869,119 | 7 |
gratuity
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hot
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7lep0c
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
I promised you a story. This is not this story. This is the Christmas "fuck you, you asshole" story, with a surprise ending.
|
Scene: mid-price Italian restaurant with pizza delivery attached.
Time: Christmas Eve, from 3:30 PM till well after midnight (closing was at 9 that night)
I'd been there since 9 in the morning, opening the damn place, putting up the lunch buffet, running my ass off, taking down the buffet. Place was small; when short of servers, the manager has to serve, bartend, bus, or even cook (if up to it, which I wasn't, no fucking clue how. I can cook quite well, just not in a restaurant situation, and damn, how do they do all that shit)
We closed at 2 for an afternoon break; took me an hour to straighten the place up even with busboy help. Finally got my food and
BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG
on the door. JFC what now?!
It's that dipshit who placed a 40 person reservation that some~~one~~ idiot saw fit to honor. We don't have room for this! And it's for 5...it's 3:30.
I'm never going to get to eat, am I.
Nope.
This guy blew in like he'd bought the damn place. Demanded that they sit in non-smoking. Had to explain it cannot sit 40 people. Then he demanded that everyone in the bar and in the smoking area not smoke. Ha ha ha, very amusing sir. (this was in the early 90's k)
Once he accepted that, he took offense to how the smoking section was set up. 8 booths, seating 4 each; 6 tables, seating a total of 20. He can't have his party broken up like this! I explained fire codes, and servers needing to get through, and whatnot. He kept flashing his platinum card at me and saying he'd paid for it and he wants it and by god he will have it!
Wrestling match ensued. He took the tables out of the damn booths, put the little ones in ("for the kids" - "oh HELL no!"), and created a fucking blockade. His "table" stretched across the entire section, entirely blocking the kitchen. I was putting them back, explaining reality to him, he kept hauling them out again. What the fuck, dude, why is it so damn important to have this weird medieval table setup. PUT THAT DAMN TABLE BACK.
It was now 4:25, and I was about ready to eat my arm, I was so hungry; and he *unlocked the door* while I was in the bathroom and let the first of them in.
The new servers showed up about then as well, and I am amazed they didn't quit on the spot; people were milling all over the restaurant, as if they'd bought the whole thing and the staff too; yanking on arms, demanding to know when the bartender will show up, I want a drink, dammit! My newbs were 16 or so, still in training, and knew better than to ever get behind the bar. I felt so damn bad for them.
More and more kept coming in.
And bringing kids.
And the original guy just kept waving his stupid platinum card around, hollering, "it's all on me! Get whatever you want!" Fucking Platinum Claus.
Rest of the staff showed up, bartender was immediately inundated. Never had a chance to even slice limes. I sent the two newbies off to handle the non-smoking section, which is supposed to have four people, and instructed the hostess to explain to people that we have some chaos tonight, might be best to get takeout.
We all got ran so ragged that "ragged" doesn't even cover it. The newbs were totally out of their depth, struggling. The hostess was doing her best, helping wherever she could, which is pretty damn good (you better believe she got some tipout), but that wasn't enough. Bartender normally would have, but was buried. Why?
Because every motherfucking time I got near this party of "40" - hahaha, they didn't mention the kids, more like 60; and you ask me why I don't have more high chairs? FUCK YOU BITCH - every time I got near them, about 5 wanted another drink. I was here two minutes ago, can y'all get your shit together? PICK YOUR TODDLER UP MADAM, HE NEARLY GOT KILLED. Tripping over feral kids all over the place while their drunk-ass parents ordered drink after drink and sent food back because it's Christmas and they should be having fun and one asshole even stuck out a foot to trip me while I was carrying a tray full of soups. Didn't work, he laughed. THAT kind of group.
I was polite, I swear, but I was getting tightly-wound by closing time. At 9. Because Christmas Eve. I'll have to take a cab for $50 to get home if I miss the train. At last, my stupid party was the last left, so I sent everyone else home. (Newbs made fucking bank that night; they did as I told them, explained to everyone that sorry, I'm new, and we are short-staffed, I'm really sorry, I'll have that out as soon as I can, etc. People were very understanding, seeing the unbridled chaos going on in the smoking section)
Well, I missed the train. They don't run that often on holidays. The last one was at 11. Think about that.
Man, they were mad at me for not serving any more drinks. "BUT IT'S CHRISTMAS!" Don't care. Liquor license says no. Get out.
FINALLY. 12:30 in the morning. Only me and the busboys and the bartender left, and the platinum card guy, who is sagging in his seat like his bones have forgotten how to calcify. Busboys and I are trying to address the incredible fucking catastrophe mess as I present the bill.
And then it happens.
He bitches about the automatic gratuity, and says he's not going to pay it. Loudly. "WHAS THIS GRASHOITEE LAW SHEZ I DON HAVE TO PAY"
All of us just stopped what we were doing, and looked at him as if he were something we were about to hunt down and slowly kill. I don't recall the exact amounts, and they're from like 97 or so anyway, but all of us needed that fucking money. We don't work for free. I'm going to guess here, okay; all that booze, 40 people, 20 brats, prob about $2000, so $400 split among us. Not much for that much time or effort, even then.
I asked him, ever so sweetly, why.
He said, "Did you see all these kids here? I can't afford to tip!" (I am transcribing from drunk asshole)
I said, "If you can afford to wave your platinum card around all damn night, hollering that it's on you, then you damn well can"
He said, "I WANNA SEE YOUR MANAGER!!!1!"
My favorite words. Ohhh baby.
I took off my apron and said, "So, you want to fuck over my employees?"
sputter sputter sputter sputter
Then he wants to call the cops. All righty then. Being a nice, sweet, giving motherfucker, I did it for him.
Cop wandered by, from the cop shop just across the street, asked me what's up. (this is where my "give cops free food" policy suddenly paid off for the first time) Dude made a fool out of himself. Cop advised him to just pay up.
He did, screaming that he wasn't giving us any extra.
Edited in upon request: he had this cop looming over him, plus three large and pissed-off busboys, one large and pissed-off bartender, and my not-so-intimidating self.
As he was signing, he was shrcreaming "BUT I AIN GON GIVE YA ANY ESSHTRA" - didn't expect any, thanks.
I told him that he was banned.
I can only hope - with a great deal of confidence that it was so - that the cops staked out the place and popped him for DUI immediately after he left. Easy bust.
He showed up two months later, with some dudes in business suits. Nope. Still banned. What a scene that was, lol. He was humiliated. I can only hope his business associates ditched him. It's too much to hope that it was for an interview.
~~~~~~~~~~~
This isn't the story I meant to tell you, but it fits the whole Christmas thing; here's my Christmas miracle story.
Stay strong, people. I mean it. I will always tip you!
EDIT: as for how I got home: this will come up in a later story. Across the tracks about two blocks away, was this seriously gross dive bar that I went to when I had to wait for a train. I'd have a beer, read a book, and thoroughly enjoy telling the skeevy guys who wanted to know what I was doing was that I was reading a book, ever seen one before? Truly a wonder of technology.
Anyway, there was this guy who'd been popped for DUI too many times, went teetotaler, would drive you home for much cheaper than a cab, so that's what I did. Trains had quit running, fuck it, have an extra 20 on me, Troy, you're fucking awesome. Quicker than a cab, too.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/7lep0c/i_promised_you_a_story_this_is_not_this_story/
| 1,090 | 79 | 1,513,912,533 | 7 |
gratuity
|
top
|
ch3ew7
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
This bitch
|
So I work at a fancy Italian restaurant owned by a man who has worked his ass off for this place. He is the sole owner and this is the only restaurant. Not a chain. So when you steal from this restaurant, you are stealing from a small family. Also keep in mind that this restaurant is barely open after a year of being closed due to hurricane Harvey.
So we had a “wine tasting” today which I put in quotations because basically people just drank free wine and ate free appetizers.
This was all free and donated for purposes of clientele returning. The owner did not agree to the arrangement prior to the advertisement. But he went ahead with the plan.
Since it was free we had “gratuity envelopes “ placed around the room.
We ( the other server and I who worked the party) were told not to touch the envelopes and we did not. But 2 were missing and only one actually had money in it, 5$. And the manager swore one had at least $40 in it.
So the manager replayed the tapes and saw that a guest from the party took the envelopes. She actually filled one envelope with the cash from another and left the empty one.
These people are part of a very wealthy neighborhood.
What the hell.
Update!:
So I found out from the other server that they called the lady who reserved the party and told her what happed. The woman’s husband returned with the envelopes with 27$ even though the manager swears there was a $20 bill in one that night and there was no 20...
Then the woman who reserved told the owner she would never book with him again because her guests left hungry...MIND YOU THIS WAS ALL FREE and they drank a total of 25 bottles of wine. The owner basically told her to fuck off then she called back crying and apologized.
Fin
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/ch3ew7/this_bitch/
| 1,083 | 68 | 1,563,942,657 | 7 |
gratuity
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top
|
toi3wj
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Funeral reception with amazing party and tip
|
We had a group that was supposed to be 75 but ended up probably 50 at once and 65 total. It was a reception after a funeral for a military member who planned his own funeral. I'm not sure on the circumstances of his passing but being deployed and military he made peace early and told his family exactly what he wanted should something happen.
When it first started a couple people tried to open tabs and we told them it was an open bar. One of them asked his mom, can't I open a tab so you don't have to cover me?
"No, he was very clear that he wanted an open bar and said, "don't skimp on the fucking liquor!" They got our premium open bar package where anything not insane goes. Mind you a conversation between two older ladies, and I'm pretty sure this guy set up a fund just for his funeral.
These people partied for him. They probably spent all morning crying at the funeral, when they got to us they went hard on alcohol, not a tear, laughter, stories. A true celebration of life. He had made clear he wanted his passing to be a real party bringing people together.
Their autograt was $1750, it was all settled in advance but the mom insisted on getting a check to sign. Added $950 to the gratuity. Which is also probably also what he wanted. I didn't know Brian but I wish I did from working that party.
I can imagine this guy being like, you better tip the fuck out of them.
It was a sad day that made us all emotional, but damn he had the exact reception I want.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/toi3wj/funeral_reception_with_amazing_party_and_tip/
| 1,064 | 22 | 1,648,274,073 | 7 |
gratuity
|
top
|
r7be6x
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Split check for a large party turns into a carnival of nightmares
|
Oh boy. This had to be the most frustrated and stressed out I have ever felt at my job.
I'm just gonna lay this one out in bullet points because it's a real doozy...
* I'm working a five-table section, party of 8 walks in and we push two of my tables together
* Everything seems cool, and then the bill arrives
* "Can you split the check?"
* 8-ways *gulp*
* I kindly let them know to let a server know at the beginning of the meal in the future
* Hand them a pen and extra paper to highlight how they want the bill split
* I overhear, "I don't remember what I ordered."
* Several drinks unaccounted for
* Some confusion arises because some people still have open tabs at the bar
* Some appetizers they want split(?) between two or three people
* I have to transfer a couple new tables because I've been at the POS for 10 mins trying to split their items
* Finally done, and I hate my life
* Some people in the party grew bored of waiting and just threw down cash "guesstimates" of how much they thought was owed
* They were indeed short (thankfully someone covered)
* I'm wondering why she didn't just put the whole thing on her card
* Three people need cash change
* Two of the cards came back declined
* I've now transferred my last other table
* I feel like a loan shark having to shake these idiots down
* All told, still $10 short, I tell them not to worry about it because I am beyond broken (I would have given up the entire gratuity to have that hour back)
* Host asks me if I'm ready for another 8-top
* I shoot her daggers
* She seats me a couple smaller parties and I sigh in relief (that's why she earns the big bucks)
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/r7be6x/split_check_for_a_large_party_turns_into_a/
| 556 | 125 | 1,638,463,071 | 7 |
gratuity
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top
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9jkb45
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
So apparently I’m racist. I’m sorry, we don’t allow outside drinks.
|
I work in a very popular restaurant, in a very popular district in Miami. It’s a really chill place. Very laidback with outdoor seating. It’s a really cool environment and though I bitch and moan about working in the service industry, I’m glad I at least work somewhere fun.
I had a three top earlier tonight that off the bat were kind of annoying. You know the bunch. Sending you on multiple trips for refills, sending drinks and food back left and right since they weren’t prepared to their liking. They literally sent back a drink from the bar because they wanted different shaped ice...
Now I’m pretty patient guy since you sort of have to be in this industry, ya know? It was getting to the point where this table was consuming so much of my time, that it was affecting my other tables as well. I wasn’t in the weeds, but I guess you could say that I was in some tall grass.
Everything up until this point was fine and dandy. Sure the people were annoying, but they were still pretty nice to me for the most part. Things were going smoothly right up until two more individuals joined the table. They had outside drinks. I approached them and told them to chug the drinks or throw them away before my manager saw them. I didn’t care that they had them, I just didn’t want to get shit for it from my MOD. This is when all hell broke loose.
Female Customer 1 : “what do you mean I have to chug my drink? I just bought it at your bar and sat down with my friends.”
Me: “Ma’am, I saw you walk in with it.”
FC1: “well that’s because I walked outside to smoke a cigarette before sitting down.”
Me: “Ma’am, we don’t serve drinks in plastic cups.. and especially not in plastic cups that have the name of the bar down the street written on them..”
FC1: “this is ridiculous. You’re calling me a liar? You’re only saying I can’t have my drink because you’re a racist piece of shit. I want to talk to your manager.”
Now guys, I’m a really cool guy, really laid back. Nothing really ever bothers me. But this... this got me mad. So because I’m not allowing you to drink your drink that you brought in from an OUTSIDE bar, when no restaurant on the face of the earth allows outside food or drink, I’m the racist? I’m just following policy.
I was kind of shocked that she had said that and I just stared at her like she was an idiot. Then one of the original ladies that was sitting at the table started chiming in... loudly.
FC2: “OH HELL NO! This is so fucked up! You would think that in such a hip area and such a progressive city, people would be much more sensitive about hiring racists at their establishment.... blah blah blah.”
Everybody in the patio is quiet and watching these ladies cause a scene, while I’m trying to keep my composure but internally flipping a shit.
FC2: “This is ridiculous! I’m writing a review about you, and how you’re a racist. You’re gonna lose your job.”
At this point I was so mad that I had to really try my best to bite my tongue and choose my words wisely. But instead, I went to my manager who had been watching the whole time and asked him to drop the check for me while I took a “break”. I went straight to the keg room and had a beer.
Apparently the ladies continued to argue with my manager about how they were being treated unfairly and that I should be reprimanded. Oh well. He dropped the check. It was about $215 or so, with about $45ish in gratuity which my manager put on even though they’re only for parties of 6 or more (good guy).
The men at the table (who sat and watched horrified the whole time the show went on) payed and didn’t question a thing. I poked my head out of the server station as they were leaving to watch them go. The two ladies huffing and puffing and the three gentlemen looking rather embarrassed.
All in all, it wasn’t too bad and could have definitely ended a whole lot worse. The rest of my tables who witnessed the incident all tipped me really well since I guess they assumed I didn’t make any money on my problem table and wanted to help a guy out. A few of them even apologized for what happened.
Still waiting for that review to go up.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/9jkb45/so_apparently_im_racist_im_sorry_we_dont_allow/
| 471 | 54 | 1,538,112,836 | 7 |
gratuity
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top
|
655zs4
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
The type of regulars we all hate
|
I'm the daytime bartender at a chain restaurant. Every Wednesday we do all you can eat boneless wings. We also serve Pepsi products(in the Deep South, bad move). For the last 7 FUCKING WEEKS NOW I've had the same two people come in at 12:45 and ask to sit at the bar and it goes the exact same way EVERY FUCKING TIME.
Me: What can I get you started off with to drink?
Her: Can I get a Coke
Him: can I get a sprite
Me: is a Pepsi and Sierra Mist okay?
Them(again, every week): Ummmmm hmmmmm uhhhhhhhhhh weeeeelllllll honey do you still want to eat here yeah sure uhhhhhhhh ummmmmm yeah that's fine
Me: 🙃
Me: have y'all made a decision on what we're eating today?
Him: yeah we'll get the all you can eat boneless wings.
Me: okay and your sauce sir?
Him: Mild with ranch
Me: alright, and you ma'am?
Him: oh we're sharing
Me: I'm sorry, the all you can eat boneless wing special is for one guest only(internally: like I told you last week, and the week before, and the week before...)
Him: We were in last week and the bartender let us share
Me, knowing full well they remember me: I'm sorry sir I know we've hired some new bartenders that may have made a mistake, but company policy says only one customer can eat off of the all you can eat boneless plate.
Them: Ummmmm hmmmmm uhhhhhhhhhh weeeeelllllll honey do you still want to eat here yeah sure uhhhhhhhh ummmmmm okay well can I get honey BBQ with ranch?
Them, after I try to make conversation with them, since they're usually my only guests: *ignores me*
Me: here you go, mild wings with ranch, honey BBQ wings with ranch, anything else I can grab you?
Them: more ranch
Me, after weeks 1 and 2 when I realized that I won't be making a cent off of them: Extra ranch is $0.49, would you still like it?
Them: Ummmmm hmmmmm uhhhhhhhhhh weeeeelllllll honey do you still want to eat here yeah sure uhhhhhhhh ummmmmm okay well yeah but this is stupid
Them, after 20 minutes: can we get a refill on our wings?
Me: absolutely! Here you go!
Them, immediately: can we get a box?
Me: I'm sorry but the all you can eat wings can not be taken to go.
Them: we need to see your manager
Me: Not a problem!(internally: and she's going to tell you the same thing she told you for the last 6 FUCKING WEEKS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN HERE AND WE HAVE HAD THIS EXACT CONVERSATION)
Them, to manager: We were never told that the wings can't be taken to go
Manager: yes my apologies but unfortunately the all you can eat wings are dine in only, and to go boxes are not available for them.
Them: can we just get our check.
Me: absolutely, your total is 26.45(yes this is exact trust me I remember). I'll be right back with your change for your $30(this is where a decent human being would say "no keep it" but that is not what we are dealing with here) alright here you go, $3.55 can I get you anything else?
Them, as they grab the change and leave me nothing and with a strong hint of sarcasm: no thank you for your great service
Me, with an equally strong if not stronger hint of sarcasm: thank YOU SO much, I appreciate you SO MUCH! Have a GREAT day!
7 fucking weeks. Almost $200 worth of food and service. Having this conversation almost verbatim 7 times. Asking for the manager 7 times, just to be told the same thing 7 FUCKING TIMES. ASKING FOR COKE PRODUCTS 7 WEEKS IN A ROW WHEN YOU HAVE NEVER GOTTEN A FUCKING COKE IN THIS FUCKING STORE. Not a single cent left in gratuity.
I fucking hate people, y'all.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/655zs4/the_type_of_regulars_we_all_hate/
| 382 | 63 | 1,492,095,626 | 7 |
gratuity
|
top
|
17kjtux
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Some people are just rude.
|
Sorry this is kind of a vent. I don't really tend to get angry easily in my job. Many people if they're rude I can chalk it up to having a bad day or just brush it off, at the end of the day it's them that are miserable and not me.
But last night we had a group of about 15 people walk in, ignore my manager at the host stand and just walk halfway into the restaurant before being stopped and asked if they needed anything. Weird but okay, we get that sometimes, some people just go to establishments where you seat yourself. They were told that we needed a few minutes to set up a table for their party size, and once it was done they just ignored the table that we made for them and started sitting in smaller groups all around the restaurant in tables which were reserved for others. My manager told them that they had to sit on the table that we had organized for them because the other tables were unavailable and eventually they moved.
When my co-worker went over to serve them they were immediately waving their hands in her face when they wanted to order and just being generally rude. No please no thank you. Barely even any eye contact. Only a couple of people were ready to order but they insisted that they had their order put in now and not wait for everybody else. Fine. I guess that could be okay. But when my co-worker returned to take the rest of the orders only a few more were ready and even when they were she would go over to them and ask what they would like and they wouldn't even look at her or respond. It was as if they weren't even listening. Other people who had already ordered started waving their hands in her face and saying they wanted to order something else as well.
Eventually when I was helping her bring over some of the food items for people who had already ordered, some people hadn't ordered yet. I went over and I asked, "Hey, who got the X?"
Some guy starts waving his hand in my face. I say oh this is yours? He suddenly looks surprised and shakes his head and then I look around and try and find out who the food is actually for. I told the guy that I'll take his order in a second when I have put all the food down. It takes me a minute or so to actually get everybody's attention to find out who actually got what. Every time I put down an oscar of food, the same guy waves his hand as if I'm now ready to take his order.
Eventually once everyone has everything they start complaining that they only ordered three of the cheese fries and not four. This is incorrect and both me and my co-worker knew this. It's just that none of them were communicating about what each other got and they were planning on sharing a few things. They ate it all anyway but then decided they wanted the fourth one taken off the bill (which we didn't do obviously).
When it came time to pay the bill, obviously they all wanted to pay separately for what they got which my co-worker refused because it just takes far too much time during busy service to split the bill individually between 15 plus people. She asked them to look at the bill and tell her how much they wanted to pay towards it. All of a sudden they all hopped up from their seata and surround her, and started staring at the device she's using to pay the bills which also has the items they ordered on it. They were all arguing very loudly and one person eventually started screaming everybody else to listen and calm down. Obviously my co-worker starts to feel very overwhelmed having all these adult men around her screaming about what they want to pay and not taking their turn at all.
Eventually, she manages it and before we can even calculate that they paid the right amount as some of it was in cash and some was in card (the servers aren't permitted to cash off here, just to take care payments) plus they took off the service charge, they just get up and walk out.
What especially pissed me off is in my section, I had a small bucket of sweets tucked away that I would hand out to the children (Halloween, and all). On their way past each of them walked over, reached in and grabbed a handful, yelling "Happy Halloween" as they walked out. That was the last that I had because it was later in the evening, so many of the children in my section then went without sweets for the rest of the day because they really picked that bucket clean. I paid for it with my money, too, so it felt really personal.
The most irritating part of this encounter is that we had a similar size table of younger girls who are unsupervised by a parent celebrating their friends 16th birthday, and they were the sweetest most respectful people that we've ever had in a big group. They weren't loud, they were polite, they even tipped which is quite uncommon in England. How can a group of literal children behave better than a group of adult men?
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/17kjtux/some_people_are_just_rude/
| 131 | 11 | 1,698,755,191 | 7 |
service charge
|
hot
|
ycjca4
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Help Yourself-The Five Finger Discount
|
So I've had the luxury of working behind the scenes at our family's restaurant for years helping with random administrative stuff, but post-Covid it was all hands on deck. Weirdos, bad tippers, good tippers, meth heads in the bathroom, it's been a real crash course in FoH stuff.
Last Saturday while I was out, a family of 8+ rolls in, with the usual chaos. Kids running around grabbing stuff, big orders, shit tip. You know the type. When they leave, we we realize they lifted a bottle of hand soap refill before going on their merry way. I realize I've heard about everything from steak knives to glasses to wall paintings making their way into customers hands. So what's the weirdest or most hot ticket item customers have tried to lift from your restaurant?
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/ycjca4/help_yourselfthe_five_finger_discount/
| 770 | 284 | 1,666,637,576 | 7 |
bad tipper
|
relevance
|
7hcov0
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
The table most others hated
|
Back when I worked as a server at a certain franchised pizzeria/restaurant (12 years ago), there was one table everyone hated. It was a man in probably his 60s and his mother in her 80s-90s. They were very particular, asked only for glasses of ice (they brought their own soda), bad tippers, and were quite surly. I always had a policy for the worst tables: kill them with kindness. Always polite, always smiling, always joking (even if they didn’t laugh).
My first encounter with these guests, they had been coming to the restaurant once a month for about 8-9 months. They walked in, and the other waitstaff groaned, and rolled their eyes. When they were sat in their usual table, it happened to be in my section for the day. The host apologized to me, the other waitstaff looked at me with pity, and I took a deep breath and put my best smile on. They were curt during my greeting, and ordered their glasses of ice with an air of demand. We all knew they brought in their own soda. But the GM still let them come in. Throughout the rest of this first time, I made sure to sparkle, and by the end, they had warmed up a bit. The tip wasn’t great, but I didn’t expect it to be.
The next time Mom and Son came in, they requested me. Their usual table wasn’t in my section, but the server in that section gladly let me take it, and I gave her a table in my section to make up for it. They were all smiles when I approached the table, but still left the same meager tip.
They came in and requested me monthly for the next 2 years I worked there (until my oldest son was born and I left to take care of him). In that time, I get to know them and learned that the son was living off a small amount of money monthly, but still took his mother out for lunch every month. The soda they brought in was diet orange, the only kind Mom really liked and could drink (and we didn’t have). They were sweet, kind, and loving, and all it took was someone treating them with kindness and joy a couple times for them to open up.
They were the table everyone hates, and the tip was awful, but they were my favorite. I’m sure the mother has passed by now, but I hope that the son thinks back and remembers those lunch dates with her and thinks of me as fondly as I do of them.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/7hcov0/the_table_most_others_hated/
| 1,596 | 69 | 1,512,338,011 | 7 |
bad tipper
|
relevance
|
pxony9
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
What are your top 5 server pet peeves?
|
My top 5 are
1. Customers sitting or requesting to sit at a table that’s dirty when there’s plenty of clean tables available
2. Parents who don’t parent their children. They let their kids draw all over the table with crayons and allow them to throw their food all over the floor.
3. When someone asks for the check and you drop it off and they take forever to put a card or cash down. It’s annoying especially when busy because in the back of my head I’m worrying that they need to leave or it’s the last table and I just want to run my check out.
4. When a large party asks for a split tab, and I tell them that I can do it as long as everyone stays in the seat their sitting to make it easier to track everything. They all agree and then not 5 minutes later everyone is jumbled around and mixed up. I mean if you’re going to do that, that’s fine, but at least just put everything on one check and figure it out between yourselves at the end.
5. Needy and bad tippers. I don’t necessarily get super mad when a customer leaves a bad tip if they were a generally easy no fuss table, but when you get those needy ass people that are always asking for things or complaining and then tip poorly, then that gets on my nerves.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/pxony9/what_are_your_top_5_server_pet_peeves/
| 96 | 48 | 1,632,892,988 | 7 |
bad tipper
|
relevance
|
lfjel3
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
The worst customer I’ve ever had
|
Alright here’s the thing. I can usually take on rude people, or bad tippers, or senior citizens (which, in my experience, is really a combination of the two). But once in a while you get a lady like DB (DB=Dumb Bitch).
I was pretty new to serving at this point and on this unholy night we were so busy that I was taking care of 7 tables all at once, 2 of those tables having 6 people each. This is in a Tex Mex restaurant so you can probably imagine what kind of food we have on our menu and what kind of casual atmosphere we maintain.
I’m rushing around getting orders, and I take the order for DB and her husband who are sat at their own table. She ordered brisket tacos with no modifiers, her husband ordered who the fuck cares. So I go get everything entered into the POS take care of a big tops drinks, go back to the kitchen and get the food for DB’s table and do the whole “How does everything look.” “Perfect.” “Awesome please enjoy” conversation. Then I start running around again knowing that there’s too much shit still to be done.
HERE’S WHERE IT HAPPENS. DB flags me down and I walk over:
“Yes ma’am? How can I help you?”
“What is this green stuff on my brisket tacos?”
“Oh that, that’s salsa fresca.” (A sauce we make out of tomatillos and avocados)
“Well it’s never been on my brisket tacos, and I eat here all the time.”
“Oh I apologize ma’am, I’ve only worked here for a few months so maybe they added it to the menu right before then. Would you like me to get you another one?”
“No thank you.”
“Are you sure? It’d be no trouble.”
“No, it’s okay.”
“Okay, well enjoy.”
Now that might not have seemed so bad but I start helping my other tables and about ten minutes later she flags me down AGAIN.
“Yes ma’am, how can I help you?”
“Where’s my new brisket taco?”
And in my mind I start thinking, oh shit, I misheard her earlier and she wanted a new one. So I say:
“I apologize ma’am, I must have misheard you earlier I thought you said you didn’t want a new one.”
TO WHICH SHE SAYS:
“I only said that because you were arguing with me.”
The look on my face must have been the human expression of a computer rebooting trying to process how a human being can be that much of a dumb bitch. I got her the new taco, got them free dessert to make up for the mistake. Then I got tipped 2 on a 40.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/lfjel3/the_worst_customer_ive_ever_had/
| 105 | 7 | 1,612,811,992 | 7 |
bad tipper
|
relevance
|
oysrol
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Does management use tips as a performance measurement tool?
|
Do managers hold it against servers if their tips are low? I always pay with a cc to track expenses and leave a few dollars on the cc so the waitstaff can declare something (even if on paper it looks like I’m a bad tipper) and then I leave a larger tip in cash that the server can do whatever they want with. Declare/don’t declare I’m not the IRS or your priest. If I leave a bad tip on my cc, will your manager think I’m unhappy with the service and judge your performance?
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/oysrol/does_management_use_tips_as_a_performance/
| 10 | 14 | 1,628,200,374 | 7 |
bad tipper
|
relevance
|
crrmdi
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
When your tables ignore you talking to them
|
This is a quick rant because im frustrated at work and have been having rude people and bad tippers all day. (most likely because im working the lunch shift and thats when cheap people come in for the special we have) I came back to work today for the first time after being out of town for 3 weeks. I think my tolerance for rude people has dwindled while i was away. I have a 4 top right now and when i asked them how they were doing and introduced myself no one responded. Now i came back and asked if they wanted apps and no one answered. I just said ill give you a few minutes and walked away. I hate when people treat us like were not human. Its so insanely disrespectful and awkward
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/crrmdi/when_your_tables_ignore_you_talking_to_them/
| 21 | 5 | 1,566,074,386 | 7 |
bad tipper
|
hot
|
70h39k
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Miscommunication and accommodation
|
I really need to get this story off my chest because I keep on thinking about it.
I live in Central Florida at a chain restaurant that specializes in endless soup and salad for lunch. This was a week after Hurricane Irma so we had a limited menu. The biggest thing to take away from this is that the morning of this day I was told there was no "ground beef burgers".
This elderly couple comes in and the lady wants a burger, I explain to her that we are out of ground-beef burgers, but we have chicken sandwiches and the like. She instead orders the endless Soup and Salad or ESS. She asks that instead of soup, she wants a side of broccoli.
I explain that "If you are ordering ESS, then it has to be strictly Soup and Salad as the menu suggests." She acknowledges and I wait for her food. When I bring her the food she says "You know I was very accommodating when you said you didn't have any burgers and now I see multiple tables around me with burgers and I feel cheated."
I apologize about the burger part, because I see she is right and I assure her I will get to the bottom of it.
I asked the manager why did she tell me "no ground beef" but I see multiple tables get burgers and she said "Those are grass-fed burgers, not beef". This is how the conversation goes.
Me: "Okay, so what animal does a grass-fed burger come from?"
Her: A Cow
Me: "And what animal does a regular burger come from?"
Her: "They are the same animal, but they are fed differently"
Me: "Honestly you could feed a cow shit and a cow piss, and it won't change the fact that its a cow"
She repeatedly tried to argue with me that grass-fed cow is not beef.
What got me more worked up was the elderly lady said she was very "accommodating". What the hell does this mean? Even if she wasn't accommodating, we still wouldn't have had burgers.
I was stiffed on a twenty dollar check, but that's okay. I remember bad tippers for next time.
Please excuse my rant and formatting errors.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/70h39k/miscommunication_and_accommodation/
| 63 | 12 | 1,505,571,311 | 7 |
bad tipper
|
hot
|
21fh72
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
The 86 List and News
|
**Last Update: 9/5/2014 7:25 PM EST**
**About:** One sticky post that will encompass all updates and notes from us as mods. Don't upvote/downvote. Comments WILL be deleted on this since this post will be edited all the time with different topics. Message us with comments/problems instead if a link to a more detailed post isn't provided.
*Please check this consistently.*
**Updates:**
*9/5* [On Reporting and Personal Information](http://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/2fkgth/reporting_and_personal_information/)
*8/30* [What are some of your favorite industry related blogs, websites, apps, instagrams, vines, facebooks, etc?](http://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/2f1vbh/what_are_some_of_your_favorite_industry_related/)
*7/2* "Weekend War" has been 86ed. It wasn't getting a lot of responses or attention so it is now discontinued.
*5/10* Hey guys! Yesterday, I forgot to post the [WEEKLY] WEEKEND WAR thread until late last night. Sorry about that. The thing is, apparently you need to a computer that is always on to act as a server for a bot (which I don't have) or I can rent one (HA!) so pretty much I have to manually set it up every week which is kinda hard for me to remember.
I have a request from you guys: if you don't see it posted on Fridays by 11:29 A.M. EST, please send a message to the mods to post it. Just until we figure out a bot thing eventually...
*4/7* Three things:
* Poll says ya'll like stories from the customer's point of view so we're keeping that.
* "Motherfucking Mondays" have been moved to Fridays under the title "Weekend War" so that the thread is there when you get home from work. Please try to keep things that belong in that thread (i.e. rants that aren't stories) IN that thread, and not their own post.
* ....I can't remember the last thing so I'll just say you guys have been really well behaved lately. Keep up the good work :)
*3/31* Please take a short [poll](https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QTHL8H5) on stories from the customer perspective in TFYS.
*3/26* [A note on stereotypes:Stereotyping based on race or religion or any other demographic distinction will not be accepted. Understand this. ...](http://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/21exty/a_note_on_stereotypes/)
*3/25* Fixed the broken chatroom for everyone. Link available in the sidebar.
We're going to start a weekly thread for short questions like "Is it okay for me to ask for more sauce" and common rants like "I hate bad tippers." Keep a look out. [We're open to any title suggestions.](http://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/21c0us/new_chatroom_set_up_lets_try_it_out/)
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/21fh72/the_86_list_and_news/
| 29 | 0 | 1,395,854,654 | 7 |
bad tipper
|
top
|
q345tm
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
The time I opened a bottle of Dom Perignon for a Sunday brunch mimosa
|
This happened quite a few years ago. I grew up in a beach town, very touristy, and I spent my summers making insane money in the service industry as a busgirl/server/bartender/whatever. This was at a very nice restaurant right on the beach boardwalk, the type of place where everyone wore all black and you had to memorize and recite the specials before you were allowed out on the floor. It was also only my second bartending job, my first being a different bar run by the same people, a big dive bar in a restaurant a town away that didn’t do as well. They liked my work ethic and offered me a job at this place after the season was over.
I have to say, although I didn’t stay there for an awful long time, I LOVED working at this place. The atmosphere managed to be both high scale and comfortable, and the owners, a lesbian couple who owned several places in the state, obviously cared deeply about the quality of what they were serving. Every last ingredient, down to the salt, was hand picked by them, and they were both there nightly to taste test and make sure everything was running smoothly. They were also very good to their employees. However, I worked with this older guy behind the bar who obviously didn’t appreciate me being there and asking questions. He was a career bartender and he knew his stuff, and had worked hard to be where he was, so I can understand him not wanting to deal with a young college student who barely knew her way around a Bloody Mary recipe.
The day in question, we were working together during a Sunday brunch special. A group of regulars came in, who were notoriously good tippers, but who were also loud and a little rowdy. My bartender buddy grabbed some empty bottles and high tailed it to the back, so I wandered over to take their orders.
They all ordered your typical brunch cocktails, screwdrivers, Bloody Mary’s and, of course, mimosas. Great, no problem. Keep in mind, this was the first time I’d worked a brunch, and while we were semi-famous for our homemade Bloody Mary recipe, which I also made at the other restaurant, mimosas were not on our regular menu. For a few minutes, as I gathered the drinks I knew how to make, I considered going after my grumpy sidekick to ask him what we use for mimosas, but the bar was filling up and I didn’t want to bother him. So, when I could stall no longer, I shrugged, grabbed the only bottle of champagne we kept stocked at the bar (a $250 bottle of Dom Perignon) and popped the cork.
Cue instant regret. INSTANT. It was like I’d been in a trance, and all of a sudden I came to, cold and pale, holding my week’s paycheck in front of a lady who was eagerly surprised at the sudden upgrade. But what was done was done. As there really was no way to hide what I’d so obviously screwed up, I poured the drinks, took care of the rest of the customers, and as soon as my guy came back, I ducked out and ran to the back office where one of the owners was doing inventory. I fessed up immediately and apologized profusely and told her I would pay for the mistake. She had this funny look on her face as she watched me go through my spiel, then shrugged and just told me we’d figure it out at the end of the brunch and sent me back out.
I spent the remainder of my shift convinced I was going to be fired. I practiced how I would handle it, how I wouldn’t cry or beg or apologize, just how I’d thank them for the chance to learn from such a great group of people and tell them how much I respected their obvious devotion to their work. I’d made a huge mistake and I was willing to deal with the consequences.
The end of brunch comes. I was only scheduled to work the brunch shift, but my bartender buddy was scheduled to work the rest of the day, which happened to be a special event for a wedding party, and another few servers and bartenders started to trickle in. The owner who’d been there called me to the back office, and I walked in to find both owners looking at me with amused expressions on their faces. I promptly forgot everything I had coached myself on and began frantically apologizing again. They stopped me, and told me it was no big deal, to use it as a learning experience, and that the rest of the staff would appreciate having a glass of Dom Perignon at the end of the night, as they planned on serving it to everyone who worked the wedding party. They assured me I wouldn’t have to pay for it and sent me on my way.
I ended up enlisting in the Navy a few months later and put in my notice. When I told them I was leaving, they both told me I’d do great things wherever I went, that I had excellent work ethic and they’d be happy to hire me back if I ever ended up back in town. They’re still the best people I’ve ever worked for.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/q345tm/the_time_i_opened_a_bottle_of_dom_perignon_for_a/
| 1,740 | 94 | 1,633,593,248 | 7 |
good tipper
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relevance
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w51pv2
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Owners and manager stealing from customer, help!!!!!
|
The restaurant I work at is pretty shady and a toxic environment, but last week I found out something that really doesn’t sit right with me.
Here’s the story:
We have this older gentleman who dines with us several times per week, let’s call him Rick. Rick’s a bit gruff and particular, but generally pleasant and a good tipper. He eats with us so often that he has his own tab that the owners or manager will charge and settle every time he comes (I’m not sure if he left his card number with them or if they send him in invoice or what) Anyway, Rick never actually gets the check or asks to see the bill when he eats with us, the owners or manager will just close out the tab when he is done eating and then Rick goes on his way.
So last week I come in at the end of the lunch shift and my coworker is fuming. Apparently, my manager had put a $36 steak on Rick’s tab and settled it even though he did not order a steak. After Rick left, my manager than proceeded to eat the steak. My coworker told me that this happens quite often. I was shocked. I always knew management was greedy (they make us pay for mistakes, walk outs, etc.), but this really made me upset. How could they steal from a regular customer who trusts them enough to let them settle his bill without even looking at it?
Today, I asked another coworker about it. She confirmed that my manager will often put items on Rick’s tab that Rick did not order. I really don’t know what to do. I feel like someone should say something but I also know this doesn’t really involve me. I also am too scared to bring this up to the owners or manager. Any suggestions?
Edit:
1. Okay so some more contexts on the situation:
-The elderly gentleman is completely with it mentally. The owners and manager are taking advantage of his trust not senility.
-I have never seen the padded tab myself, only heard what others have told me. I have no proof and no clue how to look through the system for past transactions
-I’m a college student and only at this restaurant for two more weeks so I don’t have to worry about finding another job
-Also I know paying for mistakes and walkouts is illegal, but it’s always been easier to put up with it (I’ve never had a table walk out on me)
2. I think I am going to try to discreetly warn the gentlemen about this. In the small chance, that he has some sort of agreement with the owners, I don’t want to get the authorities involved immediately. If he wants to get the police involved, he can. I’ll just be happy that I warned him that he is being scammed.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/w51pv2/owners_and_manager_stealing_from_customer_help/
| 746 | 101 | 1,658,465,594 | 7 |
good tipper
|
relevance
|
7nfzuf
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
I get your New Years' Cheer But...
|
I'm a hostess at a fairly small mom-and-pop German place. We have a really strong base of regulars because of our selection of German beers on tap and our huge bar. We have this one couple that always goes straight to the bar and are kind of obnoxious, but otherwise decently behaved and good tippers. Last night though (NYE), the wife decided it would be an excellent idea to bring in glitter and confetti to "help us celebrate German New Year". (Germany is 6 hours ahead, so this all occurs ~6pm, our main dinner rush). So, I'm running around seating like usual; far too busy to be keeping an eye on the lady. I walk past her barstool to get to a table past her and she throws an ENTIRE FISTFUL OF GLITTER IN MY FACE. Come to find a few minutes later, she's done this to every member of my FOH staff and thrown confetti all over the floor in the main dining room. Who does this? Who comes to a restaurant and decides this is okay? We were all hesitant to say anything because they come so frequently, but our bartender almost got a piece of confetti in a beer and very nicely told them to knock it off. Still have glitter in my hair and all over my chest...smh.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/7nfzuf/i_get_your_new_years_cheer_but/
| 213 | 27 | 1,514,824,708 | 7 |
good tipper
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relevance
|
164l2d
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
It Made Me Tear Up Just a Bit
|
I'm working at an Italian restaurant, slightly upscale but casual. Serving a couple. It's a southern state in the US. They're black, I'm white.
After I've dropped the check off the gentleman gets up and intercepts me after I've dropped off somebody else's food. I ask him if he needs anything else, and he says he just wanted to thank me for providing him with great service, and that he's accustomed to waiters giving him poor service because they assume he's not going to be a good tipper because "black people don't tip." So, he said, thanks for making him feel like a valued customer. I shook his hand, and although I didn't want to make a big emotional scene I just told him thanks for appreciation and that he made my day. Of course, when I collected the bill from the table there was a very appreciative tip - a little over the top, actually. It made me happy to think that the extra dollars in my tip would have belonged to other waiters who'd waited on him, who would have gotten better tips if they'd just done their goddamn jobs with pride and not been prejudicial shitsacks.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/164l2d/it_made_me_tear_up_just_a_bit/
| 137 | 21 | 1,357,578,143 | 7 |
good tipper
|
top
|
4l1b86
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Is this a labor violation?
|
I work at a dine-in movie theater here in middle America. I should preface this story by saying that one of the unique nuances of this job is that some movies (e.g. Deadpool) draw crowds that tip well, while others (e.g. Ride Along 2) don't; some movies draw lots of customers (e.g. Civil War), others don't (e.g. Batman vs. Superman).
We were showing Taxi Driver earlier this week, and the scheduling manager forgot and underscheduled the theater, so he had to call around and ask people to come in. That alone is no big deal, but apparently he threatened some servers that if they wanted to be in "good" theaters (busy/good tippers) next week, they would come in. Is such a threat a labor rights violation?
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/4l1b86/is_this_a_labor_violation/
| 40 | 14 | 1,464,203,374 | 7 |
good tipper
|
top
|
9dwepo
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
I promise, we'll only be here for 30 minutes.
|
It is around 8:45 on a Monday evening when a couple walks in. We close early on Mondays so I inform the couple that we'll be closing in 15 minutes but they are welcome to stay until we need to clean their area of the restaurant (Usually around (9:45). "Don't worry", she assures me. "We'll only be here for 30 minutes". After ordering 2 margaritas and guacamole and chips, I tell them they can sit wherever they would like. (Big Mistake). Since they were the only customers we had in the past hour, we had already starting cleaning up FOH. One half of the restaurant had already been cleaned up, and the chairs were up on the table. But this couple decided to take down the chairs and sit in the area that had already been cleaned.
(45 Minutes Later)
The couple ask me what time we close. (I seriously told them when they got here). "We close at 9 PM today". She laughs and replies with, "You guys are closed? Well, I'll only be another 20 minutes."
(45 minutes later)
The couple gets up at finally leaves, but not before coming to me. "I guess it's a good thing we stayed so late, you're now a little bit richer. And plus to help you out we left a tip on the table.
I get the table and notice a very generous tip of 1$. Wow, this will maybe pay for 1/10000th of a textbook. I don't want to sound greedy but only 1$ for staying an extra hour. And also, I am not making more money from staying an extra hour. My hours are capped every week, so in reality you're making stay late when I have school in the morning.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/9dwepo/i_promise_well_only_be_here_for_30_minutes/
| 701 | 57 | 1,536,340,447 | 7 |
generous tip
|
relevance
|
7kzfze
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
My faith in humanity is being restored.
|
I have recently started working at a new restaurant, it’s only been open for about a year and a half and it’s very steadily busy. Great management, great staff, awesome and simple menu. Customers are magically all polite and no one is very needy or rude, and I make considerably more working here than anywhere else I ever have. Exactly the type I have always dreamed of working at, and I love it so far. Anyways, tonight I had a few tables that really struck a chord with me about how much I feel personally rewarded by this job waiting tables, and how great it can feel to know you’re the one helping someone have a wonderful experience and a great meal.
A family of 8 comes in out of the rain and long story short, I patiently and kindly served all 6 of those young little kids and their mom and dad. afterwards, the mother is waiting at the front lobby and asks another server to grab me from the back. I’m ready to deal with an issue at this point just cause I wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted to see me for. So she comes to me as the rest of her family left and handed me a very generous tip (they were not wealthy folks, this was truly an act of genuine gratitude and generosity on their part) and she personally thanked me by saying something like “thank you for giving us such a wonderful meal here tonight. Sometimes people don’t want to wait on a family like ours, but you were outstanding. Everything was perfect and we thank you so much.” For context, this is a VERY conservative region, and our restaurant is in a tiny pocket of a hipster neighborhood in an older part of our city. The family were black, and the kids were close enough in age that I suspect they might be a mix of blood siblings, or maybe sets of siblings that have been fostered and adopted together. It really makes me sad to think that anyone would give a nice family a hard time, or make them feel unwelcome, and I’m proud that they felt so at home with me in my place of business. They seemed like a perfectly lovely family too. All the kids polite and kind to each other, and the parents were so sweet and attentive to all the children. They seemed like awesome parents.
I know waiting tables is a stop gap for a lot of people, but this is work that makes me happy. I love working hard and staying busy, and I love working for a place that stands behind great quality and great service. It’s times like this that make me want to keep doing this as long as my body can keep up! I just feel so proud knowing I’m doing a good thing for people who need it.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/7kzfze/my_faith_in_humanity_is_being_restored/
| 333 | 5 | 1,513,749,099 | 7 |
generous tip
|
top
|
afklqo
|
TalesFromRetail
|
Can you help me steal these steaks?
|
When I was in college, I worked part-time at a local grocery store chain. This was in the mid-2000s, when self-checkout was still somewhat in its infancy at this store, and not as stupid-proof as it is today. It was pretty easy for customers to get away with blatant theft if they had a couple of functioning brain cells and a desire to break the law.
On one particular shift, I was overseeing the self-checkout area, helping customers ring up their purchases, and generally just making sure nobody left with a shopping cart full of unpaid groceries. While monitoring the checkouts, I watched one particularly shady individual walk up with a cart full of ribeye steaks (about a dozen packs of them, each about $12-20), along with an assortment of other groceries. I decided to keep an eye on him, but he went out of his way to make it even easier for me.
After he struggled with the touchscreen checkout for a few seconds, he walked up to my counter to sheepishly ask, "Um, ummm... what's the code for bananas?"
My initial reaction was to tell him "4011", probably the most-used grocery code in the store, but I looked at his cart - which was notably absent of any bananas - so I thought it'd be a good idea to help him with his entire transaction. One of the most popular methods of thievery is to ring up something very expensive -- like ribeye steaks -- as something much cheaper on a per-pound basis, like bananas or potatoes.
"I'm here to help, sir," I eagerly told him. "I'll help you with your entire transaction to make sure you can check out as quickly as possible!"
Before he could object, we were at his cart, and I was scanning each individual item in his cart. $14 in steaks, $19 in steaks, $15 in steaks... over and over, followed by other groceries, altogether totaling over $200. He kept trying to stop me, but he knew he screwed up and silently watched his bill grow higher and higher.
When I gave him his total, I wasn't the least bit surprised when he responded, "Oh damn, sorry, I guess I forgot my wallet at home," so I wished him a good day, and reminded him where the bananas can be found for his next visit to our store. Never saw him again.
Pro tip: if you're going to steal from a grocery store, that's your moral/legal decision to make, but please don't make it as obvious as this idiot.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/afklqo/can_you_help_me_steal_these_steaks/
| 3,231 | 253 | 1,547,395,291 | 7 |
tip
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relevance
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6hjg4j
|
TalesFromRetail
|
It tastes like pen.
|
This is my first post here. I’ve owned a small candy and ice cream shop in a Podunk town in Utah for 15 years, I have dealt with many strange people but this remains my favorite story. This happened around 5 years ago.
A young girl, maybe 11 or 12, comes in and purchases a novelty candy pen. [Like this] (http://imgur.com/TVotHYb) It's a pen on one side and a sucker on the other. It lights up when you press the tip of the pen down.
About an hour or so later she comes back in with ink all over her hands and all around her mouth. I immediately think something has gone terribly wrong until she says "Excuse me, I just bought this here and it tastes like pen!" She places the pen on the counter for me to inspect. She's dissembled the pen side, pulled the ink tube out and sucked it dry.
I kindly show her the sucker on the other side and inform her that’s she eating an actual pen.
"Oh." Then she turns around and walks out.
Man, I fucking died.
I might have felt bad if this was a little kid but she was clearly old enough to recognize a damn pen. I’m completely terrified of this next generation of humans being raised.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/6hjg4j/it_tastes_like_pen/
| 3,253 | 155 | 1,497,576,171 | 7 |
tip
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relevance
|
1csvb6
|
TalesFromRetail
|
"THIS IS MY MONEY! I FOUND IT!"
|
So, I was talking to a co worker, and found out that we both used to frequent the same 24 hour diner. He shared this story with me, and I thought I'd share with you.
So my friend and his friends went to this diner, and were sat next to a very large woman, (probably about five foot nothing, and around 300 pounds) and her very skinny boyfriend. Also, shes really drunk. So Big Fat Drunk Lady (bfdl) demands that her boyfriend give her a dollar, she wants to play the claw machine.
She walks over to the claw machine and drops the dollar. When she bends over to pick it up, her too small sweat shorts dissapear into her butt. My. friend described it as "the largest, grossest, most pock marked and cellulite ridden cottage cheese ass you have ever seen." So, that is pretty gross.
After trying and failing the claw machine, BFDL disappears around the corner for a few minutes. She comes back just as her food gets to the table, but along with the waitress, two cops walked up to the table.
The cops say "ma'am, some of the other patrons said that they saw you take four dollars from a table that they left as a tip".
BFDL immediately starts yelling and cursing at the officers
"OH HELL NO! THATS BULLSHIT!" She pulls some neatly folded twenties in a money clip from one pocket as shes screaming. She pulls from the other pocket, four crinkled ones.
"THIS HEAR IS MY MONEY, I FOUND IT" , she yells as shes trying to smooth out the money. Then she realizes what she said and changes her story "NO, I BROUGHT THESE FROM HOME! THIS IS MY MONEY!"
Finally the officers have had enough, and they say that shes going to have to come with them. BFDL screams no, picks up her plate of food and smashes it against the wall. At this point she goes under the table and comes back up eating a piece of food that hit the floor. The officers lead her out in cuffs at this point, as shes screaming and spraying food chunks everywhere.
The super skinny boyfriend who has not said a single word at this point, looks at his food, lets out a long deep sigh and says "Man. She has the keys"
TL;DR she had the keys.
Edit* I can't spell.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1csvb6/this_is_my_money_i_found_it/
| 1,483 | 166 | 1,366,556,597 | 7 |
tip
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relevance
|
2pned9
|
TalesFromRetail
|
I saw what you did...
|
You, an overworked and underpaid retail worker. Me, just another customer scrambling to purchase Christmas gifts with the tip money I had earned.
The line was long, you were tired. Customer after customer either not acknowledging your presence, or berating you for things you cannot control. I have been there. You see, you and I are not that different. A waitress and a retail worker are one in the same.
I got to your register and said hello. You asked how I was, and I actually responded. And we had a light conversation about the holiday rush and how I hoped you would make it through. You chuckled and said you sure hope so, too. I could see a little relief in your eyes - a customer remembering that you are human.
And then I saw what you did. You slipped up a paper from beside your register, and you scanned it. And my subtotal decreased. Not just a little, either. A little over $20. You didn't say a word, nor did I, but we both smiled.
Thank you. Come to my world and have a beer or two and dessert on me.
Edit: WOW I was not expecting this kind of response! Thanks y'all! And I think I'll go back after the holidays to give him a gift card for my restaurant :)
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/2pned9/i_saw_what_you_did/
| 2,338 | 103 | 1,418,875,181 | 7 |
tip
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relevance
|
13f616j
|
TalesFromRetail
|
One of the reasons to not place an order last minute
|
For context, there is a Prom this Saturday. Right before Mother's Day so things are pretty swamped at work right now, I work at a grocery store in the Floral Department, and we only have one person who is a designer to make all of the hand-held bqts and corsages/boutonniere(s).
A customer came in asking about corsages saying it's for her "mother" for "Mother's Day", she's like in her 40's/50's, I called my Co-worker cause she was asking about the corsage(note, we're not taking anymore orders for Prom, too many for 1 person to do). We did (sadly for us) take the order for Saturday and what tipped us off that it was actually a prom order was that the customer asked for a black ribbon for the corsage, for a Mother on Mother's Day it should be a bright almost pastal color, not black. After the customer left Co-worker and I talked saying that it's actually a prom order cause of the ribbon, also cause they wanted to pick up on Saturday instead of Sunday.
Now cut to about 2 minutes before I get off, we get a phone call for Floral. My Co-worker and I already agreed that Mother's Day order pick up would be Sundays, cause we already have too many orders scheduled to pick up for Saturday, the call was for a corsage for Mother's Day picked up on Saturday. My Co-worker freaking called it, and I had to tell the customer that Mother's Day pick up has to be on Sunday, Customer then said "Oh, ok" and then hung up(I always wait for the Customer to hang up first, just in case they still need something).
Moral of the story (and this can apply to other things): Don't order flowers last minute, especially during busy seasons/holidays.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/13f616j/one_of_the_reasons_to_not_place_an_order_last/
| 845 | 51 | 1,683,853,449 | 7 |
tip
|
hot
|
11jzbgi
|
TalesFromRetail
|
A stolen bag and a used meth pipe
|
I used to work in a department store for a specific accessories brand. Due to the location of the shop, it was quite easy for people to discreetly steal and head straight out the doors onto busses/trains. One day, a lady was clocked attempting to steal things and the police came and arrested her. One of the things she tried to steal was an expensive bag, which was later returned to me that day
Usually I would have to retag the bags and put them back on display, so that’s what I started to do. I opened up the bag and there was a cylinder container in there. I opened it up to see what was in there as she has tried to steal other items from the store too. When I tipped it upside down into my hand - a used, very dirty meth pipe fell into my (20-something week pregnant) hands. I then dropped it and it smashed on my counter
What a fab day that was!
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/11jzbgi/a_stolen_bag_and_a_used_meth_pipe/
| 276 | 17 | 1,678,110,219 | 7 |
tip
|
hot
|
pecsq3
|
TalesFromRetail
|
Plastic vs Glass
|
Hey everyone, I'm back with another story from my new job.
Though this job is in, **every way**, better than my previous job at that aforementioned retailer I worked at in years previous, there is absolutely no shortage of retail stories I have to share here. Since the previous one was received well, I figure I can share another story.
Before I start the story, I think I should give a bit of background.
To those who didn't read my previous post, I am a repair technician for a company owned by a larger cellular insurance company with a handful of certifications. However, this takes place *before* my location was bought out (we're a franchise). On this particular day, I am working on one of the slower Sundays alongside two other coworkers; only one is relevant to the story. The owner (**O**), and myself (**OP**).
On this particularly slow day, we only really had people walking in to price search and get screen protectors installed on their phones. The iPhone 12 was recently released at the time of this story, so we had a good number of people coming in to get a protector installed at least somewhat better than how most people would do without any external tools. In the first hours of the day enters our story's antagonist, Rude Customer (**RC**).
&#x200B;
While I was watching some training videos, I heard an all-too-familiar \*Ding!\*, prompting me to hop up from my seat and hurry to the front of house (FOH), shouting "I'll be right out!"
As I make it to the front register, RC enters with who I assume to be his wife and two children.
OP: "Good morning! What can I do for you today?"
RC: "Hey! I was wondering if you have any screen protectors for the iPhone 12 Pro Max." He shows me his horribly, and I mean **horribly** shattered screen protector. It reminded me for sure how careless people can be and are with their $1,000 phones.
OP: "You're in luck, we just got a shipment of them in. For a tempered glass protector if you'd like me to install it, it'll come out to be $10 + tax."
RC nods, setting the phone down once I grab the protector. Because I have some cleaning tools in the back and other tools I can use to safely remove the glass without damaging the phone, I have to bring it to the back. To get the protector on, it takes a total of 5 minutes MAX if you're a novice like I was, making sure there were no bubbles and no dust specks.
OP: "Wonderful, let me bring this to the back and I'll get that installed. We'll charge you once we're done." I grab the phone once he gives me his nod of approval, and I run to the back.
**BACK OF HOUSE (BOH)**
I ran into the BOH with the phone in my hand, briefly showing it to two of my coworkers, but most prominently the **owner** of the store.
OP: "Just got a screen protector. Anyone have a tool I can use to get this off? Don't want to cut myself by using my nails."
O: "Use a spudger."
A spudger to those who are uninitiated are most commonly plastic tools that are no larger than a pencil in length, have a flat end which is intended for getting under tight spaces, and a rounded, pointy tip on the other end; I have yet to find a use for that side other than to stab my finger by mistake when cleaning adhesive. BUT THAT'S ANOTHER RANT.
I grab the spudger, and use that to lift the screen protector off. Note that I specifically start from the bottom-right corner of the device, get the lift, then pull the destroyed protector off with my hand. It's a process which does no harm to the phone whatsoever. All is going well, so I put a new protector on, smooth everything out, and bring it back to the FOH, handing it back to the customer.
**FOH**
RC: "What is this?" The customer points to a small scratch on his screen, beneath the protector. Notably, this scratch was so tiny and insignificant, you have to tilt the phone and catch the light to see it, and even then it's hardly visible.
OP: "I don't see what you're gesturing to, sir. Did I miss a speck of dust?"
RC then proceeds to shove the phone in my face, getting obviously annoyed. "What are you, blind?" He says to the technician who was, at the time, wearing glasses to see. "There's a fucking scratch. Right there."
I stand for a moment, honestly dumbfounded that a customer would get so outright aggressive. I still couldn't even see the scratch. But, for the sake of diplomacy and customer service I offered a smile and offered to take the phone. "Here, if I can take this to the back I can see if one of my better-sighted colleagues can see this and we can get to the bottom of this. Judging by the damage on that previous protector, it'd honestly be my guess that the scratch is from one of the drops."
RC: "It is not from the fucking drop, there weren't any scratches on my screen." Remember, the screen protector was so badly damaged, the colors of the screen looked horribly washed out and saturated. I was afraid I would expose a destroyed screen by taking the protector off, initially.
OP: "Sir, I understand your frustration. Please let me bring this to the back to see what I can do to make this right."
After a bit more back and forth, the customer FINALLY agrees to let me bring the phone to the back. So, I proceeded to the back.
**BOH**
As I enter the back room, clearly annoyed and admittedly stressed, the owner of the shop is standing there.
O: "What was that about?"
OP: "Apparently I scratched his screen? He's pointing right.. Here." I tilted the phone a bit, finally catching a glimpse in better light. I pointed it out to the owner.
O: "That is nowhere near where you would have used the spudger. Beyond that, soft plastic like that won't scratch gorilla glass unless you were putting a LOT of force in."
OP: "That's what I was trying to tell him, but he insists that I ruined his screen."
The owner is getting frustrated; not with me, but with the situation. He holds his hand out for the phone, and I hand it to him.
O: "I'm going to talk to him. Where's the old protector and the spudger you used?"
I retrieve the discarded protector and the spudger I used, handing them to him. At that moment, I was unsure what he was about to do, but he flashed a small smile to me before telling me to stay in the back while he goes to deal with this.
The next bit is based off of what I heard from the BOH and what I saw on our camera.
**FOH**
O: "It's to my understanding you believe my tech scratched your screen?"
RC: "Yes, there weren't any scratches on my screen until he came back."
O: "He did not scratch your screen." He pulls out the spudger I used (which was a bit beaten up and used) alongside a brand new spudger.
RC proceeds to grab my tool, angrily. "Are you dumb, too? Look at this, that thing could scratch anything!"
The Owner takes the spudger back. "Let me demonstrate." This is what I imagine he said, it was kinda muffled. But the customer's face didn't change at all. Owner proceeds to use my tool to take the **new** protector off, exactly how I did. He showed this to the customer.
RC: "So what? You still scratched my screen, you need to fix it." iPhone 12 Pro Max screens are insanely expensive. Without my price sheet in front of me, I think they're in the realm of $350 + tax out of pocket. Most people just use their insurance and pay the deductible.
O: "I am not. We're not responsible for this damage." He then proceeds to grab the new spudger, and it looked like he tried as hard as he could to scratch the screen up. He even used the stabby end that I mentioned, then showed it to the customer. There was absolutely no scratch on there. Maybe a few smudges but those were easily wiped away. The screen was in no different state than before.
O: "Tell me how my tech scratched your screen with this tool?"
RC looks to the owner, dumbfounded for a moment. Around now is when I tuned out from the whole thing; I find phone repairs themselves actually very relaxing, and I was super stressed from being yelled at for no reason. So, I just went to complete one of the repairs that were in the queue.
After it was all done, the owner came back and sat down.
O: "He didn't get his screen protector, and he refuses to pay for a new screen if the scratch is such a big deal."
&#x200B;
He did come back a few days later, falsely claiming that the owner promised him one of our Apple OEM screens for free, causing further escalations- but he didn't win.
This memory is among my fonder ones in my year working here so far. It shows how managers and owners **should** act in the defense of their technicians, confident in their capabilities and taking no bullshit from bullshitters. I love working here.
Thank you for reading my story!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/pecsq3/plastic_vs_glass/
| 108 | 2 | 1,630,306,294 | 7 |
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hot
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ooutjp
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TalesFromRetail
|
People Like A Helpful Person, I Guess?
|
I work at a grocery store where, as a bagger/stocker, sometimes I help people take groceries to their cars. I don't mind doing so because I like taking a breather before going back to work. I never expected anything in return.
A few days ago, a woman I've helped a few times (Let's just call her Mrs. Smith) stopped me before I went back inside. She gave me $20.
I told her I couldn't accept it because I didn't do that much to help her, and she might need it for something later on. She looked a bit sad...
Mrs. Smith: "Honey, I've been shopping here every Thursday afternoon since this store opened. I've met so many employees over the past few years, but none...NONE...have offered to help me load groceries into my car. The cashier usually asks, then if I say yes, the bagger looks annoyed and does a rushed job. I've had crushed bread, broken eggs, and one even stole some sandwich meat from me. However, I've heard you ask every customer if they need help to their cars. Usually they say no, but you at least offer. Take this as a thank you from us old folk and back pay tips from the past few trips. At least let me do this for you. I know this job probably doesn't pay well right now."
I... didn't know what to say. She stuffed the $20 in my shirt pocket, patted my chest, and walked to the front of her car. As she got in, she asked me how much the job pays and why I'm here.
Me: "$8.25 an hour, but it'll be $10 by the end of the year. I'm getting my own apartment soon, saving up for a car, and my hobbies cost a pretty penny sometimes. I take every hour I can get."
She nodded, said to have a good day, and drove off. When I got my new schedule for this week, I was working every day but Saturday. This was odd, so I asked my manager if something went wrong or if someone quit. He said no.
Manager: "Make sure your apartment is always clean, show me your car when you get it, and if your hobbies are expensive from time to time, let me know when you need more hours to afford them."
Mrs. Smith asked my manager to give me more hours. I almost cried. I never expected anything in return. I just wanted to save money so I can move out of mom's boyfriend's house and get my life together. Now, that might be easier.
THANK YOU, MRS. SMITH!!!
Edit 1: Thanks for the awards, everyone. They mean a lot. 😁👍
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/ooutjp/people_like_a_helpful_person_i_guess/
| 918 | 37 | 1,626,888,905 | 7 |
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idgnmh
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TalesFromRetail
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I paid for her bench
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So since it's a hot summer, people come into our household store asking for a lot of garden accessoires. Years ago we also sold garden furniture in our store but now it's all moved to online. I had a woman come in a few weeks ago who told me she wanted a nice bench for her garden, because she broke up with her ex and he took the old one. I told her we didn't have anything instore but I could check our online point to see if we sold them on our website. We can 'order online' with our internetscreen in case we want to sell someting we don't have in our store. The woman had two notes of 50 so she had a budget, as she didn't have her phone or wallet with her.
We eventually found a bench of 88,99 she liked. I placed her order, filled out all her information and then went to the cash register to check her out. The moment I clicked on her order, the register told me that it was an unknown article and it couldn't be sold.
"Huh, that's weird, never had that happened before", I said. Then I tried another time: I place the order, fill out her information and get back to the till. Again, same error. Then we tried the bench with a different colour cushions. I knew all her information by heart now, so I had gotten very quick in filling it out. Again, my register told me the article was unknown. The woman was quite sad, because she was happy to find a bench within her budget but as it turned out, it was impossible to actually purchase it. Then I tried something else: I wanted to see if it would work on our actual website instead of our instore screen. I took out my phone and went to our store website. I found the bench again, quickly filled out her information, and got to the payment. I did hesitate a bit, but as the woman had the notes of 50 in her pocket and could easily pay me, I could give back the change from my own pocket and no harm would be done. She did tell me she didn't want any trouble for me, but I assured her that wouldn't be the case. I continued the order and paid the 88,99 with my own account, She already gave me her money, but instead of the usual "Thank you for your order!" I got another failure.
"Oh no, not again, did you pay already?" the woman asked worried. I checked my bank account and yes, the money was gone. The woman didn't have her phone on her so she couldn't check her email. I got kinda worried but I thought, either I get my money back automatically or she will give me her cash. I mean, I knew her address and phone number so I was sure I would get it back. She was being very considerate about it and didn't like the debt. The woman promised she would go home and check her email. I promised to call her if I'd get my money back.
Half an hour later she called the store to tell us she got an email with a confirmation of the order. That was rather weird to me because I never got one when I ordered on the website. I also didn't receive a refund. We'd gotten hopeful that the order actually succeeded and she'd get her bench. So, a few days later she came back to my store and told me that she got in contact with our customer service and they assured her that the order worked out and her bench would soon arrive. She was very happy and relieved so she gave me the two 50 notes she very carefully kept in an envelope. I gave her back 10 and could keep the one euro as a 'tip' because she was so grateful for my help and service. I was happy to hear that it worked out and thanked her for being so considerate and giving me my money back even before she actually had her bench.
A few days later she called the store again: the bench had arrived but the cushions hadn't yet. I was afraid it would be a problem but as it turned out, they arrived two days later. So eventually it all worked out!
It was the first time I actually paid in advance for a customer. I'm not sure if I'd do it again, but this was a nice lady and I really wanted to help her. I really hope she enjoyed the bench the past few weeks!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/idgnmh/i_paid_for_her_bench/
| 311 | 4 | 1,597,950,548 | 7 |
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hot
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i19d2b
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TalesFromRetail
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Sir, we can’t set a tent up on a BRICK PATIO
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So some background. I work for a rental company that setups and delivers tables chairs and tents as well as miscellaneous party stuff. Never in my 4 years working for the company have I came across an issue such as this. (Is also like to note we are under new management because of my old boss getting fired (long story, can repost if anyone wants to hear it).
On our contracts, we specifically state that our canopies go up on grass specifically because we have to put in stakes about 2-3 feet into the ground after the tent is laid out. We go to the guys house, the guy has a brick patio but we then tell him we can setup the tent because ya know, the stakes hold up the tent, he freaks out and calls my new boss blaming her when, literally he came to the shop and acknowledged the contracts terms and agreements which he signed. Tells her names I won’t say on reddit for protection sakes and me not wanting to get subreddit banned but they were not nice things to say the least.
After much heated argueing, our boss calls and tells the guys who are setting up the tent to go back and grab a frame tent and water barrels (another type of tent we offer, basically the tent we setup but on top of a frame and is secured by water barrels.)
after they setup the frame tent, to the guys credit, he does tip them graciously among three guys (7$ each), and they go on their way.
Goes to show that sometimes the customer is not always right.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/i19d2b/sir_we_cant_set_a_tent_up_on_a_brick_patio/
| 963 | 51 | 1,596,208,979 | 7 |
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hot
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hd0ahh
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TalesFromRetail
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You're lying! He's not in a meeting!
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So this happened to me yesterday at work. I work at a grocery store as a cashier and we have this points system where depending on the amount of money you spend in the store, you can earn points that can be used to take money off of groceries. This one lady in particular (let's call her Abby) had $35 in points. However, on my end it was showing that she still needed to finish her registration, and until then she cannot access her points. Abby was frustrated by this and turned to the lady behind her (Bitchass Ho) and expressed her anger.
>Abby: This is ridiculous. I want to use my points NOW! (to lady behind her) Isn't this ridiculous?
>Bitchass Ho: Yes, this is absolutely outrageous. (to me) Get the manager to the register RIGHT NOW! I personally know him and know he will fix this!
>Me: (to Abby) Sorry about that ma'am, but even if I did call the manager, there's nothing he could do. You'll have to wait a day after you finish your registration in order to use your points, so nothing can be done today, sorry.
>Bitchass Ho: You're lying! Get the manager here right now, I know he can fix it!
>Me: (calls manager to my register) Alright, he should be here in a second.
>Abby: Oh (starting to feel bad) I didn't want to cause any trouble, I'm just frustrated. Have a good day. (leaves)
>Bitchass Ho: DO NOT SCAN MY GROCERIES! I want the manager! I told you to call him!
>Me: (calls manager again)
At this point my coworker noticed the angry customer and informed us the manager is actually in a meeting and can't come right now.
>Bitchass Ho: You're LYING! I just saw him! He's not in a meeting! Call him up immediately!
>Me: Ma'am, I've called him twice and he hasn't come, he probably can't leave his meeting. Do you need him for anything in particular?
>Bitchass Ho: Yes, to complain about you! You've been nothing but rude, disrespectful, and argumentative this whole time! Now call the manager up immediately!
At this point I can't take this lady seriously anymore and realize that there's nothing I can say to make this better.
>Me: Alright ma'am, I'll call him up once again. (tells manager to come to register immediately)
>Manager: (to Bitchass Ho) Sorry for the hold up, I was in a meeting.
I feel so bad for her husband, he seemed so embarrassed the whole time. The lady ended up complaining to manager about me right in front of me and I thought it was more funny than anything. I feel like I've accomplished something though, I've always wanted to get complained about to my manager by someone who is obviously in the wrong. And after the whole ordeal my day went much better, and I even got tipped for helping load someone's car, which rarely happens. So I guess the moral to the story is sometimes you have to take the bad to get the good.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/hd0ahh/youre_lying_hes_not_in_a_meeting/
| 250 | 12 | 1,592,711,840 | 7 |
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hot
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hc3zox
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TalesFromRetail
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This happened to me while at work..
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So I work at a grocery shop and its a normal busy day until this older married couple comes in. I start to ring up their items and the husband (H) puts a small gas bottle in front of me. We replace soda stream gas canisters for a discounted price if you bring back your old one, and this was the first time i had heard about this because we are only trained to ring things up. We learn everything else as we go. H: Replace this for me. Me: Uh, I’m pretty sure you will have to ask the front desk to do that. H: No. You can do it here. Me: Uh, let me go check... Now I’m on medication for anxiety so I’m not good with confrontations or anything like that. I pop over to an older coworker and ask her about it. Coworker: Yep. Its done at the front desk. So I head back to my register and tell H what my coworker had said. He just scoffs and angrily stomps towards the front desk, on the way stopping to speak to the older coworker. I see him get more upset but I can’t hear whats going on. He moves past her and goes up to the front. I’m still ringing up their items and the wife is giving me a sympathetic/ embarrassed look. Couple seconds later H comes back and says to his wife H: We’re going. And proceeds to pick up all the bags (they brought their own) and tip them upside down emptying all of its contents. I’m just standing there stunned. H: Fu\*king c\*nts And storms off with his wife and bags in tow. I start to tear up and the older coworker sees me crying so she comes over to comfort me. The next lady in the line also try’s to cheer me up. So my coworker pops up my ‘register closed’ sign and asks if i want her to take over the last customer for me. I politely decline and serve the next lady still slightly sobbing. The lady was very nice and made me laugh and feel so much better. If your out there thank you so much!! So I finish serving and head to the staff bathroom where I proceeded to cry for 10 minuets and then head down to finish my shift. When i get down, the older coworker has a bunch of flowers in her hand and says that a customer had bought them for me with the message ‘not all customers are bad’ Made my day a whole lot better and now i still have a chuckle with some coworkers about him. Still don’t know who bought me the flowers though, thank you though!! Have a nice day all.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/hc3zox/this_happened_to_me_while_at_work/
| 41 | 12 | 1,592,584,774 | 7 |
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g73scm
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TalesFromRetail
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The register crashed.
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First time posting here, on mobile, sorry in advance.
Backstory: This happened about 8 years ago.
I was working a summer job at a gas station for boats. In total we were only 4 people working shifts on this little gas-station/convenience-story in the Oslo-fjord.
It was a normal sunny day with lots of customers as usual, when this GIGANTIC sailboat sails in. The dock with our gas-pumps was maybe 30 meters (~100ft) long with six pumps, and this sailboat covered the entire dock and then some.
The owner (some danish guy) and 20 other men all came in ordering burgers and whatnot from our little shop and also starting pumping his boat full of diesel. Being early into my shift I was the only one working there, I believe I has still about an hour until backup arrives. We usually started with one guy opening the shop and then later another would join in. I had never had such a busy hour of work in my life as serving all those guys. When the boats was loaded with water and diesel, the owner came in and ordered the last burger and wanted to take the full bill. 21 burgers, sodas, beer, diesel.. Everything.
Now the total amount wasn’t really THAT high. About 2500$ (25.000NOK) if I remember correctly, but when asked if he wanted to pay by card or cash, this lunatic of a danish person just opened his wallet and began pulling out 50 500NOK bills.
Our register could only keep 2500NOK at a time as a security-measure so when the total was clicked in it just shut down, and would now come back up for the rest of the day.
I was left a 1000NOK (~100$) tip for good service and great food, and they left after they finished their meal, but that was the most absurd and busy day of my life.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/g73scm/the_register_crashed/
| 361 | 52 | 1,587,711,896 | 7 |
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hot
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ch6npk
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TalesFromRetail
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You can just buy those?
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First story, might do more, but I'll start with this one. I'm Irish, so there will UK spellings rather than US (e.g. tyre ) .
So, this is from some time back. I was a bike mechanic when I was younger in a small family owned bike shop. There's stories I might post later about how odd the owner is, as well as the two lifer mechanics who still work there, but this one is about a clueless customer.
When the shop is busy, we often will come out from the workshop and deal with them at the front desk, cos the owner is usually tied up with another customer or looking for something he's mislaid.
So anyhow, I go out to this guy and ask him what he needs.
&#x200B;
Me: Hi, what can I do for you? (Normally, if a customer isn't pushing a bike, it means they're picking up a new bike, repair or a part).
&#x200B;
Customer: Uhm, I need a new wheel.
&#x200B;
Me: Front or back?
&#x200B;
Customer: Does it make a difference?
Me: Uh, yeah. There's no place to attach cogs on a front wheel.
Customer: Oh, yeah... Of course... back wheel.
&#x200B;
Now, at this point, I'm looking upwards, while asking him what size wheel he's after. He is still looking at me, rather than also looking up and doesn't seem to have noticed the 30 or so new wheels hanging from the ceiling above us. Maybe he thinks I'm just being aloof, or not making eye contact because of how clueless he is.
&#x200B;
He tells me the wheel size, and so, that narrows down my mental selection.
I ask him if it was a block or cassette gear system. He looks at me like I've asked him a question in ancient Greek about nuclear physics.
Customer: What?
So, I explain that some types of gears are just the cogs put together, a cassette that slides over the freehub body that is attached to the wheel, and other wheels just have a place to thread in a block (a set of gears with that mechanism incorporated into it, rather than being on the wheel).
Customer: I don't know.
Me: ??? When you took off the gears from the old wheel, did it screw off, or did you take off a cap and slide it off.
Customer: I didn't know you could take them off.
So, blocks are more common on cheap bikes, and rarer on more expensive bikes, or anything with more than 7 gears, so I ask him about the bike.
He tells me the type of bike. It's expensive. He's paid a lot of money, and fits into the "all the gear but no idea" category. But I know he's looking for a wheel that takes a cassette.
So at this stage, I ask him where the old wheel is.
Customer: I threw it away, it was broken, that's why I need a new one.
Me: Usually a good idea to bring in the old part, or a photo of it with markings it makes it quicker to identify details like size, brand etc. So, did it have disc brakes or rim brakes?
Customer: Uhm, disk brakes.
Me: You don't happen to have the brakes either, I suppose.
Customer: Huh?
Me: did you take them *off* the wheel *before* you threw it away?
Customer: ...no...
Me: What happened the wheel? Did someone drive over it?
Customer: No, three of the spokes broke on it.
Me: And you threw it away?
Customer: Yeah.
Me: Has the bin already been emptied, can you take it back out, or...?
Customer: No, this was last week already.
Me: Okay, so did you take *anything* off the wheel? *Tyres* even?
Customer: I thought all that came with it.
Me: When you buy the bike, yes, but watch....
I took down a rear wheel from the overhead hook
Me: Just the wheel. There's no rim tape, no tyre, no gear cogs, no brake disk. People usually just swap those over from the old wheel. And these... (reaching into a box) are spokes... They're 80 cents each. If the rim is good, and you just need to replace individual spokes, you can just buy the correct length spokes and swap them out.
&#x200B;
Customer: You can just r*eplace* those?
Me: Yes. We do it all the time, but if you're a bit handy you can do it yourself. Some people just buy the spokes rather than pay us to do it. So, €2.40 for the three spokes, but add labour to that if we have to put the wheel in the truing stand to swap them out, and get the tension right on them.
&#x200B;
Customer: Okay. And how much is the wheel and that?
I told him how much the wheel was (which wasn't a cheap wheel, cos it was a fancy bike). I then told him how much the new gear cassette would cost, plus a new tyre, rim tape, and brake disks and of course, seeing as he didn't even know these things were detachable, I ball parked the cost of assembling that all for him as well.
&#x200B;
So there's the pro-tip, don't just chuck something if you've no idea about replacing it. Bring it in, show the mechanic. This guy could have either paid €2.40 for new spokes and perhaps an extra €15 for us to install them to save him fumbling about.
Instead he was going to end up buying the wheel, new tyre, new brake disk, rim tape, gear cassette, and pay us to put them all together, which was going to cost over €150.
Luckily, this guy had more money than sense, so he could afford it, but he was still embarrassed that he had thrown away an expensive rear wheel that could have been repaired quickly and cheaply.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/ch6npk/you_can_just_buy_those/
| 112 | 3 | 1,563,965,675 | 7 |
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c45ql3
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TalesFromRetail
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Wood chips, leaves, and an outlet with no power.
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Her name will be Karen. My other co worker will be named Ted. I'm mobile so apologies for any mistakes. *all names are clearly changed*
This happened yesterday and even though it doesn't seem that much of a big deal, scared me. I'm 15 and yesterday at my grocery store was the first time being the mini "manager" of the other cashiers. It was three other girls, two in my grade another in the grade below us.
Karen came in around 9 am to rent out a carpet cleaner we have. She brought another type of thing to use with the carpet cleaner. Renting out our carpet cleaners we have another book/sheet where it gets rented out. You can rent it out for 2,4, or 24 hours. There's also a $10 deposit and once you return the machine, if it's clean, you get $10 back.
My boss, Sid, rents her the carpet cleaner. He explains how he will rent it out for her since I still do not know.
Karen tips back the machine and she goes, "There's wood chips and leaves in here!"
Sid goes to check and, yeah there were wood chips and leaves.
"Oh. I can clean it out for you ma'am."
"Yes please! It's dirty."
Sid goes to clean it out for her and she stays at the counter.
Sid comes back roughly 10 minutes later with the machine. He tells me what the ring up since he finished the paperwork. I ring up what he says, like $49 something. Karen leaves, renting out the carpet cleaner for four hours.
Before this, my bosses, Sid and Fred leave around 12pm saying they will be right back. Four hours later, Karen returns. I can tell from the look of her face she looks mad. We were busy, seeing as it's 1 pm nearly 2 pm. I close down my line to deal with Karen.
M: Hi ma'am-
K: I am upset!
*slight pause*
M: What seems to be the issue?
K: Well! This stupid cleaner still has wood chips and leaves in it! It made a mess all over my carpet.
M: I'm so sorry to hear that ma'am I'm no-
K: AND THEN! When I plugged in the cleaner to my outlet it sparked and that outlet no longer has power!!
M: ... Ma'am I am so sorry to hear that but I'm not sure what to d-
K: I! WANT! A! REFUND!
I try to think for a bit. I don't know if I should give her a refund. If I should wait till Sid or Fred return. I'm thinking. Sometimes we can give refunds, other times we can't. I have one of the girls in my grade try and see if we can contact our four bosses.
Ted: op I think you should give her a refund. She wasn't happy with the service.
M: I.. uhh..
K: Yes! He's right! Give me a refund!
T: op trust me.
M: ma'am. I can try and contact my bosses and I'm not sure how lo-
K: well then I'm leaving. I am very busy.
She leaves the store and a wave of panic sets in. I start freaking out but I'm trying to slow my breathing. I go into the office where I text one of bosses, Jenny, about what just happened. 20 minutes later she responds that yeah, I should give her refund and that it was okay about not knowing what to do as I'm still learning about being mini "manager." I grab the office phone and call Karen. She doesn't answer, so I leave a message.
"Hey Karen, this op, the girl on cashier 5 at the grocery store. I want to apologise for not knowing what to do. My bosses reached back to me and yes, we can give you a refund. Just call back to this number and my bosses can arrange something. Once again, I am so sorry."
Around 3 pm, my bosses Sid, Fred, and Jenny return and I explain the whole story to Sid and Jenny. The co worker who I had to try and contact my bosses tried calming me down because I couldn't.
Tl;dr: Karen buys a carpet cleaner, returns 4 hours later claiming it has wood chips, leaves, and messed up her outlet. Being new to a mini "manger" I freaked out over not knowing what to do. Karen leaves, I tell my boss, I leave Karen a message apologizing and say we can give her a refund.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/c45ql3/wood_chips_leaves_and_an_outlet_with_no_power/
| 27 | 4 | 1,561,301,094 | 7 |
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