Remember the story THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, and how the bedding and stuffed animals of the boy had to be burned? Didn't he have scarlet fever? Anyway, yesterday, this woman returned a bag (garbage bag) of bedding that I think should have been burned. She claimed to have just gotten out of the hospital with pnemonia. I don't know, I never thought of pnemonia as contagious, more something someone gets when an illness goes to ones lungs. Okay, but anyway, I don't know if her coughing was supposed to make me more sympathetic or if it was supposed to distract me from what looked like the result of her emesis all over the bedding. She wanted to keep her own garbage bag, so I had to get another one. Later, after the return was complete, when the woman was in another part of the store,I must have had an expression of disgust on my face, because another customer was sympathetic to what I was doing. She commented what we must have to do at Customer Service sometimes are intolerable things.
Also yesterday, a man brought a pair of jeans from our store that only had a upc on the inner cloth tag. While the cloth tag did match the one on his receipt, I don't for a second believe he wore that pair of jeans only once. He claimed the zipper broke the first time he wore the jeans, but when he went to get another pair, I put gloves on to touch them. The jeans were so soiled with cigarrette dust that they reaked of it and they looked as though they'd been dragged through the dirt and used to wipe out giant ashtrays. Somebody later said some people probably don't do laundry, they just return clothes to the store where they bought them. I put the gloves back on when the customer came back to the return counter with a brand new pair of jeans.. I thought it was interesting how the man kept telling me about the embarrassment of his zipper breaking. Did he want me to give him his money back on those old jeans and have the store reimburse him for what happened to him?
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
What's Your Problem?
Sometimes, it takes everything in me not to yell at the top of my lung capacity, "WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM?" There was a guy yesterday who came up all grumpy wanting to exchange something. He didn't want a refund, he just wanted to go get something else. The second time he approached me, there was still nothing that could crack his surly demeanor. He was crabbed! Okay, so I started to do the exchange, then he threw a fit and accused me of ripping holes in his precious plastic bag. As he straightened his plastic bag, which I noticed had no holes, only a few wrinkles, I saw he didn't share my feelings on plastic bags. When I see plastic bags, I think how they kill animals, fill our oceans and trees and in my mind are one of the worst thing ever invented. I diverge. Next, the man put the new item in the bag, the more expensive item which I hadn't scanned yet! I said nothing to him, as I gingerly pulled back the bag in order to expose the barcode, hoping I didn' set off his simmering temper which was apparent in his body language. I'm the first to admit I have my own issues, but sometimes at work it's hard to realize that somebody else's issues are all his, and that if he pushes my buttons until I yell at him, which I've never done at work, then he's won the match of the psyches. I know I'm way smater than this guy, and I am not going to let him win, because he is annoying as hell.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Let's Break all the Rules and Do What's Wrong
Two male senior citizens give tough competition to a thirty-something female all vying to be the most unreasonable people demanding things at the customer service counter. Trailing in last place is the soft- spoken man without a receipt bringing back the 7 piece pan set he, "bought last Thursday". The employee thought in her head, No way in Hell. Well, there are a few problems, some of which the employee can't mention to the customer. Like she can't inquire, "What did you do take a metal chisel to the non-stick coating?" However, she can ask if he used metal in the pans, or what heat setting he used. He'd never heard of the flu symptoms that can caused by overheated non-stick pan coating. Anyway, then she realizes he can't even count to seven. She does tell him he's missing a pan and missing a lid. At first he tries to argue with her, but she just points to the picture that is on the box that he's supposedly had to look at for almost a week.
The other man starts out pleasant enough, but then starts stamping his foot and yelling like a toddler when he doesn't get back the exact amount he paid for a camera that he claims doesn't work consistently. When the employee explains that he bought it in a state with a 2% higher sales tax than the one where he's returning it, she also tells him he needs to go back to where he bought it if he wants the sales tax difference. Instead of understanding that this is not the repsponsibility of the store, he yells louder and stomps his foot more dramatically. When the manager comes over, she tells him she would want her five dollars too. Yeah, we all understand why the widdle boy is upset! He wants his five dollars, and he wants it now! But techinally, it's $4.94, so the manager says, "Can you count out 6 cents so that then the mean store lady can give you your five dollar bill?"
Our third contender is a woman who actually has a bonafied toddler in the shopping cart with her. The only time she says anything to him, it is to yell at him when all he did was ask when they were going to leave. It's apparent this woman knows how to do little more than yell when she approaches the customer service counter immediately yelling and demanding that store policy be broken for her, because she's somehow entitled. She has a stack of clothes she's returning, but she can't find her receipt. But, store credit won't work for her, because she needs money put back on her credit card. So,when she is told that the store employee won't break store policy, she yells louder that she needs to talk to a manager. The same manager who refunded the state sales tax difference is the one who answers the page. In this case, the manger tells the customer that the customer service representative is following correct store policy. The woman responds by ranting and raving about how store policy was broken for her previously when she couldn't find her receipt. In a calm tone, the manager explains that she doesn't know who broke store policy, but says it shouldn't have been done. Then, she says, "Okay, we will do this for you one more time, but no more." So, for a second time, this manager is giving in to a tantrum, and no lesson will be learned except that if you yell loud enough, you get what you want. Just to rub her victory in the face of the customer service employee, the woman finally her inside voice and says, "I want you to know that I really am a nice person, and that this was nothing personal against you."
The other man starts out pleasant enough, but then starts stamping his foot and yelling like a toddler when he doesn't get back the exact amount he paid for a camera that he claims doesn't work consistently. When the employee explains that he bought it in a state with a 2% higher sales tax than the one where he's returning it, she also tells him he needs to go back to where he bought it if he wants the sales tax difference. Instead of understanding that this is not the repsponsibility of the store, he yells louder and stomps his foot more dramatically. When the manager comes over, she tells him she would want her five dollars too. Yeah, we all understand why the widdle boy is upset! He wants his five dollars, and he wants it now! But techinally, it's $4.94, so the manager says, "Can you count out 6 cents so that then the mean store lady can give you your five dollar bill?"
Our third contender is a woman who actually has a bonafied toddler in the shopping cart with her. The only time she says anything to him, it is to yell at him when all he did was ask when they were going to leave. It's apparent this woman knows how to do little more than yell when she approaches the customer service counter immediately yelling and demanding that store policy be broken for her, because she's somehow entitled. She has a stack of clothes she's returning, but she can't find her receipt. But, store credit won't work for her, because she needs money put back on her credit card. So,when she is told that the store employee won't break store policy, she yells louder that she needs to talk to a manager. The same manager who refunded the state sales tax difference is the one who answers the page. In this case, the manger tells the customer that the customer service representative is following correct store policy. The woman responds by ranting and raving about how store policy was broken for her previously when she couldn't find her receipt. In a calm tone, the manager explains that she doesn't know who broke store policy, but says it shouldn't have been done. Then, she says, "Okay, we will do this for you one more time, but no more." So, for a second time, this manager is giving in to a tantrum, and no lesson will be learned except that if you yell loud enough, you get what you want. Just to rub her victory in the face of the customer service employee, the woman finally her inside voice and says, "I want you to know that I really am a nice person, and that this was nothing personal against you."
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Inventory
Any time a box with multiple things is returned to a store, an inventory of the current contents must be done. This is the case even if the product is defective, because the manufacturer often won't give credit for something that has missing parts. For example, a man was returning an ear piece device to a cell phone accessory store, because the quality of the sound wasn't up to his standards. What did he expect for twenty bucks? Anyway, the employee handling the return couldn't find the usb cord at first, because it was still attached to the adapter. She realized the ear-wrap wire was still attached to the speaker that goes inside the wearer's ear. The customer removed the usb cord and the wire, explaining, "So it will look unused." The saleswoman responded with a tone of amazment, "Oh, well this won't be resold, so you don't need to bother." She was also thinking that would be gross if we lived in a world where someone would stick something in his ear, and then when that item was resold it was stuck in the ear of a perfect stranger.
So, What's the Problem?
Somebody tried to return a box of golfballs to a sporting goods store. He claimed he opened the box to discover there were different brands of balls in the inner boxes. This, of course was the store's fault, because it had supposedly sold the mixed-up box, since the outer box rang up $15 and was from said store. The man said HE purchased the box just as it appeared right then. He said it had no shrinkwrap on it. There was no comment from the woman with him. When management was called, the guy started talking louder and more animated, as though this would make him more convincing. He claimed that the sporting good store would have to pay for it's big problem.
Another way the guy tried to prove his case was to say that one of the inner boxes alone was worth $50. So, the employee of the sporting goods store who was standing there wanted to ask him, why wouldn't he keep the $50 box that came from a $15 one? Wasn't that a real bargain? What was the problem with that? Anyway, when the inner boxes were scanned, they were not from the sporting goods store where they were being returned. That's when the guy's story changed. He turned to the female standing next to him and asked if she got them somewhere else. Hadn't he already said HE bought them? When the return couldn't be completed, the man angrily told the employees to throw away all of the golf balls. Why? Why wouldn't an honest and sane person just take them and leave?
Another way the guy tried to prove his case was to say that one of the inner boxes alone was worth $50. So, the employee of the sporting goods store who was standing there wanted to ask him, why wouldn't he keep the $50 box that came from a $15 one? Wasn't that a real bargain? What was the problem with that? Anyway, when the inner boxes were scanned, they were not from the sporting goods store where they were being returned. That's when the guy's story changed. He turned to the female standing next to him and asked if she got them somewhere else. Hadn't he already said HE bought them? When the return couldn't be completed, the man angrily told the employees to throw away all of the golf balls. Why? Why wouldn't an honest and sane person just take them and leave?
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Yelling Louder
Have you ever noticed, when two people are fighting, sometimes one or both persons will get louder for no good reason? I've gotten louder in a heated conversation without even realizing it. The other day, there was this guy who was also a customer, and he had a complaint about our store. Our big, big, worldwide store. A store so big I used to boycott it long ago, because of its hiring practices. I figured that had to change when I was hired by this store in a heartbeat, when other places rejected me for no good reason, other than someone didn't like the way I had my hair cut or the way I wore my clothing. Now, I am a happy employee of this store that is not about to go belly-up anytime soon, and a good deal of my income goes to this store. So do other people's incomes go to this store. Anyway, this complaining, whining customer demanded to see upper management. So, he did.
I liked how the customer was yelling at the top of his lungs, as though this would make his point more valid, or would prove his point. The manager calmly asked the man what was his proof of the specific offense he claimed that had happened to his product? What the guy was saying was that the item was defective in some way, not working, plus it was missing a thingamuhjigger, and that it was returned to our store and then returned to the shelves before he purchased it. The manager said, "Well, sometimes those don't have a [thingamuhjigger], so how do you know it was supposed to have one?" The guy wasn't being heard, even though he was yelling. The manager wasn't being understanding and kissing up to him. He wasn't giving him whatever the customer wanted beyond what was reasonable. So, the raving customer was saying how he was going to sue our store, and we'd all be sorry. At no point did the manager's own temper seem to rise. He just responded, "Okay, you do that." I almost clapped my hands and said, "Bravo," but then I remembered I was watching real life.
Later that same day, or maybe it was the next, there was a woman trying to return something without a receipt. She was told we don't refund that item without a receipt. She complained. A manager was called over, and told her the same exact policy. The woman asked where it was written that this was our store's policy. I wanted to put in my two cents and say, "Maybe it's on the back of your receipt," but I didn't. Sometimes it's really tempting to be a smart alec with the customers who can be whatever way they choose. I have had people ask me such questions, and I point to our very clear policies written on the wall. The woman wanted to speak to higher management. Luckily, passing by there was the manager from the other incident helping a customer out with a very large object. Unfortunately, it was time for my lunch, and I didn't get to stick around to find out what happened. I meant to ask someone upon my return, but we were so busy I never got a chance. Now that's real life!
I liked how the customer was yelling at the top of his lungs, as though this would make his point more valid, or would prove his point. The manager calmly asked the man what was his proof of the specific offense he claimed that had happened to his product? What the guy was saying was that the item was defective in some way, not working, plus it was missing a thingamuhjigger, and that it was returned to our store and then returned to the shelves before he purchased it. The manager said, "Well, sometimes those don't have a [thingamuhjigger], so how do you know it was supposed to have one?" The guy wasn't being heard, even though he was yelling. The manager wasn't being understanding and kissing up to him. He wasn't giving him whatever the customer wanted beyond what was reasonable. So, the raving customer was saying how he was going to sue our store, and we'd all be sorry. At no point did the manager's own temper seem to rise. He just responded, "Okay, you do that." I almost clapped my hands and said, "Bravo," but then I remembered I was watching real life.
Later that same day, or maybe it was the next, there was a woman trying to return something without a receipt. She was told we don't refund that item without a receipt. She complained. A manager was called over, and told her the same exact policy. The woman asked where it was written that this was our store's policy. I wanted to put in my two cents and say, "Maybe it's on the back of your receipt," but I didn't. Sometimes it's really tempting to be a smart alec with the customers who can be whatever way they choose. I have had people ask me such questions, and I point to our very clear policies written on the wall. The woman wanted to speak to higher management. Luckily, passing by there was the manager from the other incident helping a customer out with a very large object. Unfortunately, it was time for my lunch, and I didn't get to stick around to find out what happened. I meant to ask someone upon my return, but we were so busy I never got a chance. Now that's real life!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Rumors, Plastic, and Cancer
Okay, I'm not sure how this exactly relates to customer service, except it is important for consumers. I was trying to look up what I'd heard about plastic bottles, particularly used ones that had sat unrefridgerated for eight hours or more. I'd heard these bottles were found to leech chemicals and cause breast cancer. The American Cancer Society page says this story started as an email, and it is just a rumor. Apparently, the person who wrote the original email was writing a college thesis. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that the DEHA in plastic bottles is not a carcinogen, or cancer causing agent for humans.
Personally, I still think glass is more natural than plastic. I try to recycle plastic bottles whenever I use them or somebody has used them. Well, actually, I recycle glass too. Glass comes from sand, and it comes from the earth. It's natural. Plastic comes from chemicals, and nobody is going to con me anymore into putting tap water in a plastic bottle and selling it to me as something else. Having said this, I guess I can't tell you that the chemicals in plastic likely cause cancer. However, I can say, I think plastic is unnatural.
Personally, I still think glass is more natural than plastic. I try to recycle plastic bottles whenever I use them or somebody has used them. Well, actually, I recycle glass too. Glass comes from sand, and it comes from the earth. It's natural. Plastic comes from chemicals, and nobody is going to con me anymore into putting tap water in a plastic bottle and selling it to me as something else. Having said this, I guess I can't tell you that the chemicals in plastic likely cause cancer. However, I can say, I think plastic is unnatural.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Interruptions
This morning, I was trying to enjoy my son's birthday when the telephone rang. I thought someone was calling to wish him a Happy Birthday. But it was one of my credit card companies. Maybe I lost one of my cards and didn't notice (not likely). Anyway, it was a marketing company hired by my credit card company to try to sell me insurance. What kind of insurance? "Accident Insurance". I asked was that like life insurance, the customer service woman said it was more like if I fell through my porch and couldn't work.
The woman tried to verify my age so she'd be sure I was eligible. However, she was off by 4 years. I joked that I didn't appreciate how she made me older. Anyway, after I'd already said I wasn't interested, she kept talking. I told her I was scared of anything where the premium amounts weren't mentioned. That's when she said, "Well, I was going to tell you the cost, but that is when you interrupted me the first time." That's when I hung up the phone. Hanging up on someone isn't as satisfying as it used to be. I used to be able to slam down a receiver. Now I press a button on a portable receiver and place it on a charging station. I didn't say anything before I hung up, but I was thinking, isn't SHE the one who interrupted me? Didn't she call me on my son's birthday morning before I have to leave for work and interrupt my time with him to sell me something I don't want?
Okay, that woman is just doing her job, and I'm not saying I could do it any better, but I don't think I would even accept such a position where I'm selling people things they really don't need. If somehow that telemarketing job was the only one I could get, then I wouldn't keep talking when someone politely said she wasn't interested. So, maybe I wouldn't even be offered a sales job like that, since I'm not willing to be an annoying impolite person interrupting people and then accusing them of interrupting me. Even if I did interrupt her, I have ADD, and my brain works differently. I don't interrupt intentionally. When that phone rang, I didn't think, okay, I have to concentrate on not interrupting the annoying sales person. What really bothers me is not that the woman was trying to sell me something or that she's a telemarketer, but that she scolded me for interrupting her. She's not my relative or my partner or my friend, and I don't owe her any of my time. In fact, I'd given her more of my morning than I wanted to give.
The woman tried to verify my age so she'd be sure I was eligible. However, she was off by 4 years. I joked that I didn't appreciate how she made me older. Anyway, after I'd already said I wasn't interested, she kept talking. I told her I was scared of anything where the premium amounts weren't mentioned. That's when she said, "Well, I was going to tell you the cost, but that is when you interrupted me the first time." That's when I hung up the phone. Hanging up on someone isn't as satisfying as it used to be. I used to be able to slam down a receiver. Now I press a button on a portable receiver and place it on a charging station. I didn't say anything before I hung up, but I was thinking, isn't SHE the one who interrupted me? Didn't she call me on my son's birthday morning before I have to leave for work and interrupt my time with him to sell me something I don't want?
Okay, that woman is just doing her job, and I'm not saying I could do it any better, but I don't think I would even accept such a position where I'm selling people things they really don't need. If somehow that telemarketing job was the only one I could get, then I wouldn't keep talking when someone politely said she wasn't interested. So, maybe I wouldn't even be offered a sales job like that, since I'm not willing to be an annoying impolite person interrupting people and then accusing them of interrupting me. Even if I did interrupt her, I have ADD, and my brain works differently. I don't interrupt intentionally. When that phone rang, I didn't think, okay, I have to concentrate on not interrupting the annoying sales person. What really bothers me is not that the woman was trying to sell me something or that she's a telemarketer, but that she scolded me for interrupting her. She's not my relative or my partner or my friend, and I don't owe her any of my time. In fact, I'd given her more of my morning than I wanted to give.
Attitude
Sometimes, in the case of customer service, and in other areas of life, the thing that really makes a difference is attitude. As an employee, I try to think, okay, not everyone is trying to steal from my store. On the other hand, does every customer deserve service with a smile when she herself is being a royal queen bee? I thought this a couple of times yesterday. The first person who made me think this walked up complaining that she hadn't gotten a receipt several hours earlier, and this was due to our machines. I mean the first thing out of her mouth wasn't a civil greeting but an accusation of blame so that I would be responsible for her not having a receipt. Of course, she was exchanging the items she'd purchased at that time of the supposed machine failure. There's just something about someone who is immediately on the war path that makes another person want to put up her defenses. Anyway, I helped her, and she was very friendly to my coworker who was standing nearby, but then before she left she was complaining again in her sarcastic tone about the way I'd handled something else with her return. When she walked off, I discovered that the counter I slammed my hand on was not even intact. I will never forget her face. I think I would have thought she had a pretty face if she hadn't been griping and frowning. I will so remember her the next time she doesn't have a receipt and according to her it's my fault. That's if she didn't anger someone in the parking lot who retaliated and ran over her.
Another person last night complained that somebody in the store had told her the wrong time for a certain service we offer closing in the store. At first the woman acted like she didn't believe me that the said service had ended. So, she walked off, and I mumbled to myself that I wasn't going to argue with her. Then, she returned to my station and demanded to talk to management, because someone on the telephone had supposedly told her the wrong information. A manager came over, and apologized. Then, the manager told me to provide the service to her. So, I did. During that transaction, the woman tried to apologize. I wasn't going to forgive her for being rude and possibly getting me in trouble for something I didn't do (ie. I didn't even talk to her on the phone much less give her the wrong information). I hate when someone is rude and demanding, and then suddenly somehow seems to care about my opinion of her. So, I didn't say anything. I just did my job and acted like I didn't hear her lame apologies. Later, after I'd closed down my own area, I saw the person most likely to have talked to the woman on the phone. She knew the correct time that sevice would have ended, and said she wouldn't have relayed anything else.
Another person last night complained that somebody in the store had told her the wrong time for a certain service we offer closing in the store. At first the woman acted like she didn't believe me that the said service had ended. So, she walked off, and I mumbled to myself that I wasn't going to argue with her. Then, she returned to my station and demanded to talk to management, because someone on the telephone had supposedly told her the wrong information. A manager came over, and apologized. Then, the manager told me to provide the service to her. So, I did. During that transaction, the woman tried to apologize. I wasn't going to forgive her for being rude and possibly getting me in trouble for something I didn't do (ie. I didn't even talk to her on the phone much less give her the wrong information). I hate when someone is rude and demanding, and then suddenly somehow seems to care about my opinion of her. So, I didn't say anything. I just did my job and acted like I didn't hear her lame apologies. Later, after I'd closed down my own area, I saw the person most likely to have talked to the woman on the phone. She knew the correct time that sevice would have ended, and said she wouldn't have relayed anything else.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Thirty Items or Less
Sometimes in the business of returning things, especially without a receipt, it seems like there should be a limit of items. One particular day, I had one customer try to return 21 items that were "gifts". Maybe laundry detergent would be a good house warming gift if I believed his story that he just moved to town. One problem with that: he had a local driver's license, and those usually take months to get to people. Of the 20 items, one was not from our store. Later that day, a guy tried to return 27 DVDS and 2 video games. He had a receipt, but no idea which movies were on there. Anyway, I found four of the movies on there, and because he couldn't produce a driver's license, I told him I'd walk him to the door with all of the 25 things he couldn't return. He asked me, "What does that mean? Walk me to the door?"
A couple of days later, there was a woman returning several things with a receipt, and a couple things without any receipts. Before she walked up, there was someone returning a giant musical/video game with a recent receipt and a system that was obviously older. So, somebody from that department had made her way to the Customer Service Counter and was carefully comparing the new game with the one those wandering customers were returning. So, the woman who had come behind them suddenly became very agitated and impatient. She told us I shouldn't have started to help her if I couldn't focus soley on her. From that point on, I continued with her return, but I felt no need to offer any friendliness or patience with her. I curtly told her, I'll need your driver's license for the items you are returning without a receipt. The first thing she had to sign, she thanked me for the money she got back, but I said nothing. The second time she thanked me I repsponded, "You're welcome" without thanking her like I usually do. When someone is impatient and unfriendly it really warms my heart. I feel so forturnate to have met this person, and I feel that it is no coincidence that I was the one who got to help this customer. I want to get all corny and tell the person that I don't make friends easily, but I hope this person will come back and see me soon to return another thirty items or so.
A couple of days later, there was a woman returning several things with a receipt, and a couple things without any receipts. Before she walked up, there was someone returning a giant musical/video game with a recent receipt and a system that was obviously older. So, somebody from that department had made her way to the Customer Service Counter and was carefully comparing the new game with the one those wandering customers were returning. So, the woman who had come behind them suddenly became very agitated and impatient. She told us I shouldn't have started to help her if I couldn't focus soley on her. From that point on, I continued with her return, but I felt no need to offer any friendliness or patience with her. I curtly told her, I'll need your driver's license for the items you are returning without a receipt. The first thing she had to sign, she thanked me for the money she got back, but I said nothing. The second time she thanked me I repsponded, "You're welcome" without thanking her like I usually do. When someone is impatient and unfriendly it really warms my heart. I feel so forturnate to have met this person, and I feel that it is no coincidence that I was the one who got to help this customer. I want to get all corny and tell the person that I don't make friends easily, but I hope this person will come back and see me soon to return another thirty items or so.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
A Rare Occurence
The last night I worked, a woman was complaining to me, and saying that the policies I was following (copyright laws) were stupid. She was yelling at me, and stormed off in a huff. I said to some bystanders, "Well, I did make the copyright laws myself!" About fifteen minutes later, the phone rang, and I was still the only one there. I answered and the woman asked if she'd talked to me earlier about a cd. I asked if she meant in person. She said that's what she meant. Well, then she apologized to me for being rude. I really appreciated this and told her nobody had ever done this at work. She explained she'd thought about it and realized I was just following policy. I responded, "Well, I could have called a manager over to talk to you." She didn't even think I'd handled that wrong. So, anyway, I thanked her for the rare apology.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Customer Quotes
"Are you a supervisor? Get me your supervisor!' ( yelled by Customer A, who didn't get what he wanted)
"That's not my job!" (response fromCustomer B, who didn't want to follow the store's exchange/return policies)
"Can you hurry this up?" (Customer C says while she's texting)
"Thank you SO much." (Customer C says in a very condescending fashion)
"Very impolite!" (mutters Customer C when nobody says "You're Welcome" or anything else in response to her "thank-you")
"That's not my job!" (response fromCustomer B, who didn't want to follow the store's exchange/return policies)
"Can you hurry this up?" (Customer C says while she's texting)
"Thank you SO much." (Customer C says in a very condescending fashion)
"Very impolite!" (mutters Customer C when nobody says "You're Welcome" or anything else in response to her "thank-you")
Friday, February 5, 2010
No Comment
Sometimes a customer will ask me something personal. Depending on the overall vibes I am picking up from the person, I will decide how to answer or dodge the question. Today, a customer asked me my clothing size. She said, "What size do you wear?" Then, she guessed a size. First of all, I didn't know what article of clothing she was asking about, since everything is sized uniquely. I mean did she want my shirt size, my pant size, my dress size, what? I don't ever wear dresses, so I am not really sure you could say I have a dress size. Anyway, not wanting to tell her any size of clothing I wear, I decided to tell her my height and weight, even though this seemed personal too. She misunderstood my weight, and so then I had to say it again. All the while, I'm wondering why she needs to know any of this.
When I answer the phone at work, a lot of times I will answer a question, and then the person will ask my name. I don't know why exactly, but this is very annoying to me. I think there have been times I've called businesses with questions, and I get the person's name, as though this authenticates what the person has told me.
I guess when I get asked my own name, it just feels like that person is going to hold me personally to anything I say on the phone. Plus, a person might misquote me, and then I will get in trouble for telling someone something that I didn't even say. So, anyway, I don't like saying my name. I want to say something clever with an accent like, "This Penelope. Penelope Cruz. But, I am not the actress Penelope Cruz, I just think I talk like her. However, I am not sure I have ever even heard her speak. My full name is Penelope Cruz Mountain, because I am married to Mr. Mountain. His name is Juan Big Mountain." I mean, I guess I'm saying I want to ramble and be silly, though I know that is not what the person is expecting.
Uuaully, if someone has called with a question, it's when there are other people to help who are standing there in the flesh and in person. But, if things are going very slowly, usually the telephone won't ring either. So, if I answer the phone, I could say my name, I could say the name of someone else who would be answering the phone at customer service,or, finally, I could make up a name, and then be stuck with trying to spell it.
When I answer the phone at work, a lot of times I will answer a question, and then the person will ask my name. I don't know why exactly, but this is very annoying to me. I think there have been times I've called businesses with questions, and I get the person's name, as though this authenticates what the person has told me.
I guess when I get asked my own name, it just feels like that person is going to hold me personally to anything I say on the phone. Plus, a person might misquote me, and then I will get in trouble for telling someone something that I didn't even say. So, anyway, I don't like saying my name. I want to say something clever with an accent like, "This Penelope. Penelope Cruz. But, I am not the actress Penelope Cruz, I just think I talk like her. However, I am not sure I have ever even heard her speak. My full name is Penelope Cruz Mountain, because I am married to Mr. Mountain. His name is Juan Big Mountain." I mean, I guess I'm saying I want to ramble and be silly, though I know that is not what the person is expecting.
Uuaully, if someone has called with a question, it's when there are other people to help who are standing there in the flesh and in person. But, if things are going very slowly, usually the telephone won't ring either. So, if I answer the phone, I could say my name, I could say the name of someone else who would be answering the phone at customer service,or, finally, I could make up a name, and then be stuck with trying to spell it.
Wow! What Service!
The other morning I was out running errands. If you know me, you are now rereading that last sentence to see if you got it right. Yes, I was out of my house before noon! Anyway, I very hungry, so I went to get something to eat.
Well, next thing you know, I was ordering vegetarian fare, as usual. Then, when the very friendly gal asked me if I wanted a drink, I couldn't decide. It was as though this was the most monumental decision of my life. I finally said I'd take a small drink.
Then, after I paid the total, I was thinking my little run to a fast food place didn't cost that much. When I looked at my receipt, I realized I hadn't been charged for the small drink. Then, I wondered if she'd somehow given me a water cup, but realized they are different colors there.
So, I happily got my drink, and then told a couple of people how I'd taken such a long time to decide if I wanted a drink, that I got a free one. Everyone was really happy for me. If that isn't enough happiness for you, after I thanked her for the drink, the woman was still smiling and cheery when she gave me my food.
Well, next thing you know, I was ordering vegetarian fare, as usual. Then, when the very friendly gal asked me if I wanted a drink, I couldn't decide. It was as though this was the most monumental decision of my life. I finally said I'd take a small drink.
Then, after I paid the total, I was thinking my little run to a fast food place didn't cost that much. When I looked at my receipt, I realized I hadn't been charged for the small drink. Then, I wondered if she'd somehow given me a water cup, but realized they are different colors there.
So, I happily got my drink, and then told a couple of people how I'd taken such a long time to decide if I wanted a drink, that I got a free one. Everyone was really happy for me. If that isn't enough happiness for you, after I thanked her for the drink, the woman was still smiling and cheery when she gave me my food.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
My Least Favorite Customers
My least favorite customers are the ones who yell and complain, and ask for managers. The ones who act like you are incompetent because you are following something silly like a store policy or a federal law. The people who can't be real people, because they are too angry, too demanding, and too loud. I had one of those customers yesterday, and she yelled until a manager said to give her what she wanted. Then, when I didn't read her mind and give her the refund exactly how she wanted it, she ordered me to get the manager back again. A second manager even had to come over to help undo the previous transaction, because it was hard to concentrate with all of the yelling. What I learned is that in customer service these are the people you have to help, simply because you want them to leave. You want the screaming to stop. You want this person who doesn't remember that you are even human to get out of your face. You want the person to leave your store where you hope all of her displaced anger will cause her to spontaneously combust into a fire ball in the parking lot.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Check Inside the Box
If a customer service employee ever doubted the necessity of checking inside a box, he needs to read this. A couple was returning automobile speakers with a receipt within the store's time perameters and according to their specific rules for return. The customer service employee called a person from the auto department and asked if she was qualified to check the box for all contents. She was told to check for instructions and speakers. So, she opened the box, looked down in it, saw speakers with egg carton packing material guarding the edges of them. She didn't see any instruction booklets, but there in the empty space next to the speaker were pieces of celery! It was like the ends a person cuts off and doesn't eat. She said, "There is celery in here!"
"Excuse me?" the guy responded. The woman showed the customer the celery, and he explained that the box had been thrown in the garbage before they realized they would be returning them. The employee dumped out the pieces of celery into a trashcan and then asked if there were no instructions. The man said they'd have to go home to get them. So, the employee stickered the box appropriately and expected to see them later. But, they never returned.
"Excuse me?" the guy responded. The woman showed the customer the celery, and he explained that the box had been thrown in the garbage before they realized they would be returning them. The employee dumped out the pieces of celery into a trashcan and then asked if there were no instructions. The man said they'd have to go home to get them. So, the employee stickered the box appropriately and expected to see them later. But, they never returned.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Seriously?
Are you serious that you are returning a light bulb that your husband has been storing in your hen house and that the light bulb's cardboard casing is now covered in mud? Do you expect me to believe that this is the exact lightbulb you purchased that is on your receipt from a few days ago? Seriously? I knew I was young looking, but I didn't think people thought I was born yesterday!
What's that? You want to know if from what you picked up eavesdropping on other customers that it is true you can return things to our store without a receipt? I tell you the policy in detail, but I'm thinking in my head I'm not sure I would take back that muddy light bulb without a receipt.
Oh, those shoes you are returning were worn once and washed once, and then they started falling apart? How is it they have gravel embedded in the soles which are worn for at the very least twenty miles of walking? Oh, you no longer have the receipt for them or the tags? You want to cuss at my coworker and tell her to butt out of this exchange, because you know she already told you that you've used up your returns and exchanges unless you produce some receipts? Seriously?
What's that? You want to know if from what you picked up eavesdropping on other customers that it is true you can return things to our store without a receipt? I tell you the policy in detail, but I'm thinking in my head I'm not sure I would take back that muddy light bulb without a receipt.
Oh, those shoes you are returning were worn once and washed once, and then they started falling apart? How is it they have gravel embedded in the soles which are worn for at the very least twenty miles of walking? Oh, you no longer have the receipt for them or the tags? You want to cuss at my coworker and tell her to butt out of this exchange, because you know she already told you that you've used up your returns and exchanges unless you produce some receipts? Seriously?
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Two Fer
You know how most full service grocery stores will say, "2 for $5," and they hope the customer will assume it would cost more than $2.50 for one? But then sometimes at a convenience store they will actually have a true discount for buying more than one thing?
Okay, so today I stopped by my corner convenience store for some milk. They had a sign that said "2 for $5". This referred to the gallon jugs of milk. Below that in tinier print it said, "single at the regular price." Okay, so I realize I probably only get the discount if I get two gallons. To check this, I look at the sticker on the shelf for the single price. To my surprise, it says "2.49". So, thinking I'm saving a penny, I only pick up one gallon, plus, I chose a bunch of overpriced snacks, but that's beside the point, right?
Then, when I checked out, the cashier didn't remind me to use my discount card from their sister full-service grocery store. Usually the cashiers at my corner convenience store do remind me. I'm not saying it's anybody's responsiblity but my own, I'm just saying it would have been nice if he had done this . I remind customers at my store about using discount cards and coupons. After I paid for the stuff, and my son and I are leaving, I look at my receipt and see I was charged $2.79 for the gallon of milk. I ask the guy about it, and he tells me I'd only get the discount if I bought 2 gallons of milk. So then I tell him the "regular price" was supposed to be $2.49 according to the shelf sticker. The guy helped the next customer, and then he goes back and sees what I'm saying is true. Then he says, "Oh, somebody must have screwed up." But, does he reimburse me the thirty cent difference? Of course not, because he's not all about customer service and pleasing the customer. I'm going to remember his face if he's ever in my store wanting a refund without a receipt or something like that! Just kidding! Kind of!
Okay, so today I stopped by my corner convenience store for some milk. They had a sign that said "2 for $5". This referred to the gallon jugs of milk. Below that in tinier print it said, "single at the regular price." Okay, so I realize I probably only get the discount if I get two gallons. To check this, I look at the sticker on the shelf for the single price. To my surprise, it says "2.49". So, thinking I'm saving a penny, I only pick up one gallon, plus, I chose a bunch of overpriced snacks, but that's beside the point, right?
Then, when I checked out, the cashier didn't remind me to use my discount card from their sister full-service grocery store. Usually the cashiers at my corner convenience store do remind me. I'm not saying it's anybody's responsiblity but my own, I'm just saying it would have been nice if he had done this . I remind customers at my store about using discount cards and coupons. After I paid for the stuff, and my son and I are leaving, I look at my receipt and see I was charged $2.79 for the gallon of milk. I ask the guy about it, and he tells me I'd only get the discount if I bought 2 gallons of milk. So then I tell him the "regular price" was supposed to be $2.49 according to the shelf sticker. The guy helped the next customer, and then he goes back and sees what I'm saying is true. Then he says, "Oh, somebody must have screwed up." But, does he reimburse me the thirty cent difference? Of course not, because he's not all about customer service and pleasing the customer. I'm going to remember his face if he's ever in my store wanting a refund without a receipt or something like that! Just kidding! Kind of!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
The Customer is Always...
A customer returned a microwave to a department store, saying there was a dent in it. Then, a week or so later, she returned to look for another one. She got an employee from the toy department to take a microwave off of the shelf and take it to customer service. It was there that she had three employees take out the microwave to examine it for any possible defects. It was there that the employees carefully removed the microwave and placed it on the counter. The store employees seemed pleased to see that the microwave looked pristine and brand new. However, the customer saw a dent in the top. Everyone else was angling his or her head trying to see what the woman saw. There was a tiny imperfection the size of a pinhead on the top of the microwave. That tiny little shallow dent that could hardly be seen with the human eye was enough to cause an enormous amount of fear in the woman. The customer explained she was afraid of getting radiation from a dented microwave. All three employees nodded, and nobody really said anything until someone clarified that she didn't want that microwave.
After the woman had walked off, the customer service employee said that the microwave could go back on the shelf after it was repacked and retaped, because there was nothing wrong with it. She commented how no man-made product is going to be completely perfect. About a half an hour later, the customer was back up to complain because the store employees had returned the microwave she'd rejected back to the shelves.
It was at this point that a manager pulled aside the customer service employee. She asked, "Do you know how to complete this sentence? The customer is always...?"
The employee answered, "...standing in line?"
After the woman had walked off, the customer service employee said that the microwave could go back on the shelf after it was repacked and retaped, because there was nothing wrong with it. She commented how no man-made product is going to be completely perfect. About a half an hour later, the customer was back up to complain because the store employees had returned the microwave she'd rejected back to the shelves.
It was at this point that a manager pulled aside the customer service employee. She asked, "Do you know how to complete this sentence? The customer is always...?"
The employee answered, "...standing in line?"
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Bloody Ham
Ham is something I gave up for religious purposes, long before I became a vegetarian. I became a vegetarian for a variety of reasons, including my son wanting me to do it, and for moral views. The only reason I mention this is that I was especially disgusted when a woman walked up and said she had a "bloody ham". Later in the day, I said to a coworker who was playing with a returned item, a fishing pole for pets, "How come you get the fun stuff and I get the bloody ham?"
Anyway, this woman, who has brought food back previously, did not have a receipt. So, I told her she needed to trade food for food. She griped about this, but then returned to my register. When I asked for her driver's license, she complained again with a few expletives. Plus, she told me she'd heard my employer, Dingo Stores, Inc. was going to go out of business. I laughed a little and said I wasn't worried. She kept griping as I continued the exchange, and she asked for her gallon milk in a plastic bag. So, I put her gallon milk in a bag with the other two small items that she got to replace the "bloody" ham. She then asked me if I couldn't afford to give her another bag for her milk. So, I gave her another bag, thinking she can spend her little bit of remaining time on Earth filling it with plastic bags, which kill animals, especially turtles, but not excluding farm animals like sweet little pigs named Wilbur who are turned into hams, which a woman will claim is bloody... and life as we know it will continue in the same fashion in a world where our oceans are filled with debris that is mostly (at least 60%) plastic.
Anyway, this woman, who has brought food back previously, did not have a receipt. So, I told her she needed to trade food for food. She griped about this, but then returned to my register. When I asked for her driver's license, she complained again with a few expletives. Plus, she told me she'd heard my employer, Dingo Stores, Inc. was going to go out of business. I laughed a little and said I wasn't worried. She kept griping as I continued the exchange, and she asked for her gallon milk in a plastic bag. So, I put her gallon milk in a bag with the other two small items that she got to replace the "bloody" ham. She then asked me if I couldn't afford to give her another bag for her milk. So, I gave her another bag, thinking she can spend her little bit of remaining time on Earth filling it with plastic bags, which kill animals, especially turtles, but not excluding farm animals like sweet little pigs named Wilbur who are turned into hams, which a woman will claim is bloody... and life as we know it will continue in the same fashion in a world where our oceans are filled with debris that is mostly (at least 60%) plastic.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Fishin' Poles
A father and son go to a sporting goods store and they buy two identical fishing poles together. They are charged $42 before tax. They were overcharged $16. One fishing pole rang up at the correct price, $13. What was the incorrect price of the other one? The correct answer is twenty-nine dollars. However, what the customer service employee did not understand at first is that they had been reimbursed the $16 before receiving two more fishing poles for the holidays. So, then, when they brought back those first two fishing poles, they were entitled to a refund of $26 before taxes. Phew! What a dream!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Serial Numbers Don't Match!
Somebody was returning a game console to Dingo on January 9, 2010 that he'd bought the previous day. He had a receipt for it. He said when he pulled it out of the box, it was missing a vital piece of the machine, the thing that contained the memory. He said he knew it was supposed to come with one, because he'd bought one for his wife as well. The Customer Service employee looked doubtful, but called someone from the Electronic Games Department to come look at it. The woman from the EGD asked if she should bring up another console. The CS employee answered yes, because the man wanted to exchange the defective console with one that was intact.
The woman from the EGD looked at the console and was asking what part was missing. The guy claimed that the console came out the box with that part of it missing. After examining the box and console, the EGD employee said that the serial numbers didn't match. So, then the CS employee typed in the serial number from the console and out printed the information that it had been sold on December 27, 2007 from TV Town, a company commonly known to have closed it's doors permanently. The EGD woman said the other employee should get management. The guy started to say that the box came off of shelf of Dingo with the TV Town console in it. The Dingo employee explained that as soon as those consoles come off of the truck from the factory, they are locked up, so what he was saying was impossible.
At this point, the guy's demeanor changed from accusatory and entitled to apologetic and fearful. He said, "I will just buy the other console, and I won't return this one from TV Town. You don't need to get a manager." In other words, the dog left Dingo with his tail between his legs.
The woman from the EGD looked at the console and was asking what part was missing. The guy claimed that the console came out the box with that part of it missing. After examining the box and console, the EGD employee said that the serial numbers didn't match. So, then the CS employee typed in the serial number from the console and out printed the information that it had been sold on December 27, 2007 from TV Town, a company commonly known to have closed it's doors permanently. The EGD woman said the other employee should get management. The guy started to say that the box came off of shelf of Dingo with the TV Town console in it. The Dingo employee explained that as soon as those consoles come off of the truck from the factory, they are locked up, so what he was saying was impossible.
At this point, the guy's demeanor changed from accusatory and entitled to apologetic and fearful. He said, "I will just buy the other console, and I won't return this one from TV Town. You don't need to get a manager." In other words, the dog left Dingo with his tail between his legs.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Fifteen Hundred Dollars, Please
In the real story, it was one hundred dollars less, but I'm not sure how to spell that number at three o'clock in the morning, so I will just change it. Plus, it's best to try to disguise these stories to protect everyone's privacy. Okay, a woman was cashing her $1500 paycheck at a customer service counter somewhere. The agent thought she requested as many "ones" as possible. Thinking she was mad, the employee wondered how few he could get away with giving her. He almost verified this is what she'd requested. Verifying wouldn't have been a bad idea! Nevertheless, he didn't say anything, silently shaking his head. When the woman saw him counting out a bunch of ones, she said something. Apparently, she'd requested as many one hundreds as possible! The agent thought this was kind of funny, but the customer was bitingly critical and said she was in a hurry. After that was determined, the transaction was finished. However, then the woman wanted to purchase two money orders. The agent told the woman the total of the two money orders, but the customer said that was wrong, and renamed the amount about a thousand dollars off. When the employee explained that the computer calculated the total, and read it again, the woman apologized. Having previously bitten his tongue, the guy tried to lighten things by saying, "Oh, you've just been around me too long!"
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Stuff Breaks
Okay, we all know how a child can break a toy immediately, and then he or she starts playing with the box. I guess the people who return decorations and trees after the holidays also figure they might as well return the toys that are already broken. I admit the tree and decorations thing kind of bothers me. That's like buying a dress, wearing it to a party, and then returning it to the store afterwards.
Back to breaking things. I broke something yesterday morning as soon as I clumsily took it out of the box. After determining I couldn't get the thing to operate properly, I removed the batteries and threw the thing away. However, that's not what I'm really wondering about things that get returned. Do I think that things are not made as well as they used to be? Of course I know this to be true, but what I wonder is did something fall apart on its own, or did someone intentionally break it because he or she thought there wouldn't be a refund on an item with nothing wrong with it? Personally, I'd rather see something being returned that could be resold, not something that is damaged goods. So, I almost want to tell people, don't rip your pants, don't drop things repeatedly on the floor, don't use a sledgehammer on something if you regret your purchase, just take stuff back fairly intact!
Back to breaking things. I broke something yesterday morning as soon as I clumsily took it out of the box. After determining I couldn't get the thing to operate properly, I removed the batteries and threw the thing away. However, that's not what I'm really wondering about things that get returned. Do I think that things are not made as well as they used to be? Of course I know this to be true, but what I wonder is did something fall apart on its own, or did someone intentionally break it because he or she thought there wouldn't be a refund on an item with nothing wrong with it? Personally, I'd rather see something being returned that could be resold, not something that is damaged goods. So, I almost want to tell people, don't rip your pants, don't drop things repeatedly on the floor, don't use a sledgehammer on something if you regret your purchase, just take stuff back fairly intact!
Threatening Customer
After the arrival of the new year, 2010, there was a guy who tried to return an electric razor he'd gotten for a gift, and an ink cartridge that he'd opened. Plus, he had paper without any red on it to prove the cartridge was defective. The employee called a manager over to explain about the ink cartridge, and gave store credit for the unopened electric razor.
When the manager arrived, the customer immediately went into his spiel, and so the manager didn't even hear at first that there was no receipt. When she looked at the package, she noted the ink cartridge expired December 2009. After the discovery by management regarding the absence of a receipt, she said it couldn't be done.
The other employee, now backed up by management, and having heard the date of the ink cartridge expiration, commented, "Without a receipt, we have no idea when you bought it."
This input obviously infuriated the man, who started turning red, and his face contorted as he spoke loudly and in a rather garbled, mouth-full-of-snuff fashion (one person called it yelling, but the other said he was about to yell),"Well, I'm just going to start storing all of my receipts at your house!" The first employee felt a little scared, but the manager was just worried the guy was going to blow up worse, so she very calmly apologized. The customers last words were that the ink cartridge might as well be thrown away.
That's the point I'd like to make here. An expired ink cartridge that is not working should be recycled, not taken to a store for a refund. Let's have some common sense here! Plus, why did he buy an ink cartridge that far ahead of time? I mean, the printer could break by the time he needed it, and it would need a different type of cartridge. He probably got a bargain on the ink cartridge somehwere, and not necessarily even where he threw a fit. He was seeing red, even if he wasn't printing it!
When the manager arrived, the customer immediately went into his spiel, and so the manager didn't even hear at first that there was no receipt. When she looked at the package, she noted the ink cartridge expired December 2009. After the discovery by management regarding the absence of a receipt, she said it couldn't be done.
The other employee, now backed up by management, and having heard the date of the ink cartridge expiration, commented, "Without a receipt, we have no idea when you bought it."
This input obviously infuriated the man, who started turning red, and his face contorted as he spoke loudly and in a rather garbled, mouth-full-of-snuff fashion (one person called it yelling, but the other said he was about to yell),"Well, I'm just going to start storing all of my receipts at your house!" The first employee felt a little scared, but the manager was just worried the guy was going to blow up worse, so she very calmly apologized. The customers last words were that the ink cartridge might as well be thrown away.
That's the point I'd like to make here. An expired ink cartridge that is not working should be recycled, not taken to a store for a refund. Let's have some common sense here! Plus, why did he buy an ink cartridge that far ahead of time? I mean, the printer could break by the time he needed it, and it would need a different type of cartridge. He probably got a bargain on the ink cartridge somehwere, and not necessarily even where he threw a fit. He was seeing red, even if he wasn't printing it!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Post Purchase Dissonance
Yesterday, the first day of the year, I did not have to work, and I did go shopping! Now, today, like someone recovering from a hangover, I am recovering from my mad spending spree, and I have post purchase dissonance. In other words, I'm sorry I bought all of the stuff I bought. But will I take back the stuff? No. I will even keep the little speakers I bought for $7.50 that I might have broken immediately just by not understanding how they were put together and trying to adjust them. I still can't tell if they work or not, because the electronic device I was trying to attach to them was out of power.
At least I don't regret getting a little digital camera for $20. Ironically, last night when looking for a recharger for rechargeable batteries which I will eventually put in the camera, I found my last two digital cameras which I think might each be missing things.
Last night was one of those nights where I'm not sure if I slept or not. I think maybe I didn't sleep, though I stayed in bed some of the night and at least rested. So, this added to my feeling of a hangover and my clumsiness with the speakers.
One time when I was out of bed and definitely not sleeping, I set up the new camera. I took a picture of my oldest son, and saved it to the computer. Then, because I thought he didn't want me posting a picture of him without his shirt, I also used the photo software to color a black t-shirt on him. Then, whenever I tried to upload this picture on the internet, it wouldn't let me do it with my adjusted version, because of the format.
Okay, back to my post purchase dissonance, which is one way I can relate to my customers, even though I hate returning things myself. I bought some things from one of my favorite stores, which is in another state from where I live. The problem is not how much I bought, which was only 5 items, it was how much a spent, which was way too much. Actually, thinking about my hoarding disorder, buying even one of those 5 things was a bad idea. Plus, the other things I bought at three other stores didn't help my overall day of over-spending and over-buying.
Sitting here texting my significant other and simultaneously writing this, I've come up with a solution, which will not really help maginificently in the overall scheme of my hoarding problem, but it will help not add to it. I've decided for every item I bought yesterday, I will give away one item from my house. Afterall, one of my excuses was some of my clothing is very worn, so I bought five pieces of clothing, and then I bought electronics and posters and things from the other stores. So, like I said, I will pack up at least one item for each one I purchased yesterday to give to charity.
At least I don't regret getting a little digital camera for $20. Ironically, last night when looking for a recharger for rechargeable batteries which I will eventually put in the camera, I found my last two digital cameras which I think might each be missing things.
Last night was one of those nights where I'm not sure if I slept or not. I think maybe I didn't sleep, though I stayed in bed some of the night and at least rested. So, this added to my feeling of a hangover and my clumsiness with the speakers.
One time when I was out of bed and definitely not sleeping, I set up the new camera. I took a picture of my oldest son, and saved it to the computer. Then, because I thought he didn't want me posting a picture of him without his shirt, I also used the photo software to color a black t-shirt on him. Then, whenever I tried to upload this picture on the internet, it wouldn't let me do it with my adjusted version, because of the format.
Okay, back to my post purchase dissonance, which is one way I can relate to my customers, even though I hate returning things myself. I bought some things from one of my favorite stores, which is in another state from where I live. The problem is not how much I bought, which was only 5 items, it was how much a spent, which was way too much. Actually, thinking about my hoarding disorder, buying even one of those 5 things was a bad idea. Plus, the other things I bought at three other stores didn't help my overall day of over-spending and over-buying.
Sitting here texting my significant other and simultaneously writing this, I've come up with a solution, which will not really help maginificently in the overall scheme of my hoarding problem, but it will help not add to it. I've decided for every item I bought yesterday, I will give away one item from my house. Afterall, one of my excuses was some of my clothing is very worn, so I bought five pieces of clothing, and then I bought electronics and posters and things from the other stores. So, like I said, I will pack up at least one item for each one I purchased yesterday to give to charity.
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