People are just not nice!

[DiaDeGuadalupe]

We even had people (grown adults) use the bathroom (#2) in the fitting rooms!!!

I could write a book!~!!!

Ok, EWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!

I think it's gross enough that people don't know how to flush in the public restrooms but THAT! OMG

 

[chesirekate]

The best, though, were the people who came in for updos (prom season, military ball season, etc.). They knew up front what the cost would be, and after a stylist would work on the client's hair for 1 1/2 hours +, the client would try to get away with the "I hate it" excuse and not pay. One of the best updo people in the shop had this happen, and as soon as he heard about the no pay client (who was still at the front desk), he calmly walked up and quietly started taking the pins out of the 'do and letting it all fall. The girl was mortified. Let's just say that suddenly the hair was beautiful and she paid up. The entire salon decided that Le was the hero. LOL!

Now THAT is how you deal with scammers! There should be a way to do something like that to every idiot who tries to get something for nothing. The world would be a better place and all the bad people might have to crawl under rocks to live because they couldn't live with us in the civilized world and still run their cons.

 

[Nancy]

I feel for you, I really do. I've worked customer service in a grocery store and believe me they are just as bad with returns there. We used to be "the customer is always right" store but now we are much more into following policies while trying to maintain good customer service...sometimes not an easy thing to do. we will not take back an item that doesn't scan in our system, if it doesn't scan it wasn't bought at our store! I used to work the overnight shift and had people tell me "they do it for me all the time" in reference to cashing payroll checks after 11:00pm..."No, we don't" I would tell them that i am the only person overnight and I don't do that..then I would hear...'It's the person who works when you're not here" Nope, she wouldn't do it eityher, we would get fired. Then we get told..."They do it at the Amherst store all the time" Well, then go to the Amherst store to cash your check, don't come here!

I have never been able to understand why people think they have the right to treat someone like dirt just because they are following policy and doing their jobs. They are not out to "get" every consumer...I hear that one all the time, like I overcharged on purpose because I'm keeping the money or we're just trying to screw the consumer. Sometimes the computers make mistakes...but 99.9% of the time the customer is wrong about something being on sale and not ringing up that way. I've worked with the public for 27 years and it gets harder and harder. thank god for the people that are sweethearts and smile back at me and appreciate the hard work the cashiers do.

 

[Nancy]

Ooh, sorry to hear about the bad day
There will always be people like that sharing our air (sad, isn't it?) and I'm another who believes that what goes around comes around.

I was a hairdresser for a long time, and we'd get people like that, too. I don't know how a person could use 3/4 of a bottle of shampoo, then demand we refund the money because "it wasn't good". Well if it wasn't good, wouldn't you have figured it out within the first few tries? Uh, yeah. Then there were a few people who would do the same with conditioner, but DILUTE the leftover stuff with water! Like we wouldn't notice...

The best, though, were the people who came in for updos (prom season, military ball season, etc.). They knew up front what the cost would be, and after a stylist would work on the client's hair for 1 1/2 hours +, the client would try to get away with the "I hate it" excuse and not pay. One of the best updo people in the shop had this happen, and as soon as he heard about the no pay client (who was still at the front desk), he calmly walked up and quietly started taking the pins out of the 'do and letting it all fall. The girl was mortified. Let's just say that suddenly the hair was beautiful and she paid up. The entire salon decided that Le was the hero. LOL!

Keep your chin up, and remember that for every rotten jerk that comes through, there are 10 nice people who appreciate what you do

I started out as a hirdresser many. many years ago, even owned my own shop way back then and I just loved your story! There were days when I wish i would have thought of that!

 

[DiaDeGuadalupe]

It's too bad that the retail people can't just pull bobby pins out of the scammers' hair, huh?

I think that those who are out to con the stores and get caught should get their faces written on with sharpies as punishment. Of course, this should be posted so they know what they're getting into before they make their final decision to scam, of course

The ladies can get the devil goatee and the men can get big red circles on their cheeks and blue noses. Ya think my idea would go over well in the retail industry? hmmmmmm..... hahahahaha!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I have come to this conclusion several times this past weekend. I work customer service at Kohls. I have come across the rudiest,nastiest,miserable people. We had one lady who wanted 44.00 griddles for 14.00 because that's what a cashier told her so she should get them at that price. What does the store do? They gave them to her for 14.00. Then she says her candles rang up wrong. We explained she had different ones then the ones that are cheaper. She again complaines,so they give her that too. The next day she comes back to return some items. I'm the lucky one to get her again. After returning her items she mentions a pair of pants she bought rang up wrong. That day we had our district manger and regional manager in the store. I get the one manger who isn't tied up with the big bosses. She explaines the pants she wanted are different then the cheaper ones on the rack. She starts yelling about the customer is always deceived and that she wants these pants for the 20.00 price not the sale price of 34.00. She then goes on a rant about dvd players that we sold out of the day after Thanksgiving. That they again deceived the customer and the store is going to have many lawsuites. Just as she is yelling this our big managers show up. They tell us to give her a dvd player we have in the back, it's bigger than the one pictured in the ad. She then gets it and complains it doesn't come with a case. At that point I want to hit her in the head with it. She says she does this to help other consumers. She has researched all the retail laws on line and will not be taken advantage of. Nuts is all I will say. People are rude to others . They don't care what they do as long as they get what they want. I'm sure these are the same ones that show up every Sunday for church. We also gave out 10.00 coupons for every 50.00 that was spent. If you return 50.00 you have to give one coupon back. I'm sure this makes sense? so when they return items I inform them they have to return the coupon. They never seem to have the coupon on them or they say, "What coupon?" I then tell them we have to deduct 10.00 off the bill if they don'yt return the coupon. A miracle then happens, the coupon shows up. They will lie right to your face and could careless that they are doing it. I am so sick of mean ,lying, rude people. Everyday new ones show up with different stories to tell. What I think should happen is when a person treats another person badly they should be given the same treatment back. I will never go out of my way for a rotten person. The nice ones I will do whatever I can. If they forget a dicount card at home I will make sure I give them one. It pays to be nice to people. A lesson so many need to learn!

I can relate!

 

[chesirekate]

It's too bad that the retail people can't just pull bobby pins out of the scammers' hair, huh?

I think that those who are out to con the stores and get caught should get their faces written on with sharpies as punishment. Of course, this should be posted so they know what they're getting into before they make their final decision to scam, of course

The ladies can get the devil goatee and the men can get big red circles on their cheeks and blue noses. Ya think my idea would go over well in the retail industry? hmmmmmm..... hahahahaha!

Oh yeah, I could have had some fun with that!

 

[LeftCoaster]

Ok, EWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!

I think it's gross enough that people don't know how to flush in the public restrooms but THAT! OMG

I'm sick and tired of having to throw out women's bathing suit bottoms. Yes, this happens multiple times a year. I don't care if you're leaving for Hawaii tomorrow. There are just certain times when women should not be trying on swimsuits.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

To the OP, the Wall Street journal had an article yesterday about new software that tracks people's returns. The jist is, they scan their license when they return, and then they track them (by name/address, no description, so this still could be scammed) to see what kind of stuff they return and how often. I hope more stores start to use something like this--they can track "used" stuff, or returning without receipt, or just plain "serial returners". And then those people can be banned from returning stuff. Of scourse, the first article they published on this, a couple weeks ago, was some unfortunate woman who liked to shop and bought too many duplicate type stuff (say, 8 pairs of khaki chinos), and she got banned, and oh, boo-hoo. But this sort of software is getting more sophisticated, and even if it's a "legitimate" return, it still costs the stores, so I really think they should all start doing this. Especially the big chains--do they really want to retain such customers? And they would aslo have a paper trail that would be useful in a threatened lawsuit.

I just wanted to let you know, there is something that can be done--but keep your chin up, you're really out in the trenches on this. Please know that 99% of the population appreciates you.

 

[RickinNYC]

I have to say that "serial returners" drive me insane. I don't work in retail, but a woman I know would buy an item, one year it was Coach handbags, the next it was winter coats, and then she'd return it in two to four days because she decided she didn't like it.

Doesn't sound so bad though, does it? It is. She would but a Coach bag, return it, buy another, return that, and again and again and again. It became a joke until her fiancee at the time showed me his Am Ex bill. Since it takes time for stores to submit credits, she had tallied up almost $10,000. On HIS card and not hers! The following year, it was winter jackets. And again, several thousand dollars were charged to HIS card. Ridiculous and in my mind, incredibly immature. They never did get married.

And this is a habit she picked up from her mother who would return a canteloupe. No joke. She returned a canteloupe to the market since she decided she didn't feel like eating it but it had been sitting in her fridge for a few days.

 

[LisaTx]

Last week when they called to say they were ordering it, I was told they would deliver the new track. Today they called, the new track is in and I can *come and pick it up* at any time. Well I had to bribe a family member into driving me to get the other ones, they don't fit in my car. He's not available for several weeks, I'm going out of town (twice) in the next month, and I just don't have time to figure out how I'm going to get the track from there to here. I'm sorry, but a) it was their choice to replace the track, not mine and b) they said they'd deliver it, so I want it delivered.

I'm sure the customer service rep that called thinks I'm being unreasonable, but I just want them to do what they said they would. Mind you she also said that she'd call back shortly, and that was 10 hours ago.

That does seem silly. If you do have to go pick it up, just take the clips off and leave the rest there. No need to worry about whether it will fit in your car or not.

 

[Pop Daddy]

I know I am mean

 

[piglet too]

As far as "serial returners" goes, TRU has been tracking that for awhile. Have no clue what the magic formula is that sets off the warning bells, but we have turned away guests on their returns. I do have to say, that it would seem that the biggest "alarm" would be too many returns without receipts.

It amazes me what some people will do when they are shopping. There are certain customers that we cringe whenever they come in because we know there will be problems.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

I feel for those of you in retail, especially this time of year. But how about this for a customer perspective:

I found a swimsuit I really liked a SEARs a couple of years ago, and was very excited to see it on sale for 25% off. It was exactly what I was looking for and with the $ I was saving, I could also buy a sarong/skirt/wrap to go with it. So I get to the counter, and the suit rings up full price. I said "Excuse me, that is supposed to be 25% off." The cashier looks at me like I am crazy and continues ringing up my purchase. I mentioned again that it was supposed to be 25% off. She said that particular suit was not on sale. I then pointed out the rack that I got it from that had several of the same suits on it. She huffed over to check and came back insisting that suit was not on sale. So I asked to see a manager. The reality was, that suit was NOT on sale; however, the manager did give me the 25% off.

As I was leaving, I asked the manager to walk over to the rack with me. There wer 7 or 8 racks all together. The rack I had chosen a suit from was the ONLY rack not on sale. I suggested to the manager that they clearly mark the non-sale rack or move it away from the sale racks so that another customer does not make the same mistake. The manager actually had the gaul to tell me they didn't need to do that because not everyone would make such a stupid mistake (implying that I was stupid). After that I walked out. I felt like that store was trying to "scam" me by the way they had their floor set up. All I wanted was a swimsuit!

 

[julia & nicks mom]

I think people are unbelieveable sometimes - I always make sure I am as nice to the sales and customer service clerks as possible - there is no way they will give you a break if you are snotty and I think that being nice always seems to get me little bonuses!!

 

[Keli]

I rarely ever return any item I buy but I like the reassurance that I will be able to return something if necessary. You would not believe the difference this makes for me when I am purchasing something. If I am in a store that I know doesn't have a return policy or has a difficult one I will think two, three, four times or more about whether I really want to purchase anything because I won't be able to return it later if it's not what I need/want. Most of the time I end up putting the items back and deciding to go to a return friendly store and see if they have it too or something else that will fill the same need. It's too funny since I rarely return anything. In 2004 I returned (actually exchanged) four or six pair of pants for my dh, all within a couple of days and with reciepts (two at a time) but that was it for the whole year. The man will not come try on clothes in the store and he's picky about the fit of his pants and the length so I usually have to buy/return, buy return, buy/keep before I get the right sizes in the right brand.

 

[kasar]

I hate making returns so I can't imagine someone making a hobby out of it. I always forget to bring it back, can't find the receipt, the tags have been taken off, whatever. I'm just not good at it which could be why I rarely buy for the kids without them present.

Target does a funky thing with their tags. If you return something there they scan the tag and then they credit the card that it was bought on. Somehow they know who bought what. It must catch the scammers as well. I love it!

 

[OhMari]

I worked at Kohl's and the statement they stand by of the customer is always right-is wrong in my opinion also. But they say it only takes 1 person to tell 7 of their friends and they tell their friends, then their friends will all shop at JCPenny.

I wrote a letter to corporate at Kohl's and told them they are absolutely ridiucous with their sale pricing, it can change up to 4 times a week.

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

I have worked in returns for 13 years. I am used to miserable people. I just notice the change in the attitudes of customers more now. They want everything a store can give them. They are right the store is wrong. The mentality has changed. I don't even think they would be happy if it said free on a item. Parents come in with their kids and cause scenes. This gives the impression to their children this is okay. The world is changing and not in a good way. When I leave for the day I can't wait to get out and not look at another person again. I think everyone should work with the direct public for one day and see what goes on. I could write a book on what I see. This is from a middle to upper class area. I think the more you have the worse you treat people. Again, this isn't about everyone. The nice people are out there. I did have a lady who lost a cabbage patch doll she had on hold. I looked and could not find it. I gave her a 15% coupon to use on her purchases for the inconvience. She only wanted the doll because it was named after her grandaughter. I told her to give me her name and number and I would see what I could do. The next day I found the doll. I called and told her I found the doll. She was so happy.I even gave her another 15% off just for making a return trip. I would always go out of my way for a nice person. So for all you shoppers out there, have patience and treat people like you would want to be treated.

 

[chesirekate]

I don't suppose you're at the new Kohl's in Okemos? I haven't been in there yet but you mentioned that it was a middle/upper class area and I thought you might be there. I've been to the Kohl's on Saginaw in Lansing and I think there's one in either Novi or by GLC that I've been to.

And for those who may have taken offense about doing returns, I don't think anyone on this thread is talking about people who do legitimate returns. I never had a problem doing a return because the person received a duplicate or just didn't want the CD or whatever legitimate reason a person has for doing a return. It's those people who deliberately return items that they didn't buy at the store (or chain), or have stolen, or are trying to take advantage of a store's return policy for their own benefit when they don't actually qualify for it. Stores that cater to scammers and con-artists lose money by doing so and that ends up hurting honest customers because the company will generally pass those losses onto the good customers by raising prices.