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no_hypocrisy

(54,233 posts)
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 05:27 AM Thursday

HOO-HA! This one really takes the cake!

I'm a cashier at an upscale retail grocery store. Lots of customers yesterday.

I was on my best customer service behavior: courteous, friendly, pacing myself, no stress in my body or voice.

And the store's manager still got a complaint about me by a customer.

Guess what it was . . . . .

Not incorrect charging. Not incorrect change. Not forgetting to give a receipt. Not bruising one banana.

The complaint was I ingenuously told a customer that she could pay at any time.

Yep, that's it. I didn't accuse her of walking out of the store without paying. I told her in a modulated voice. I told her as a declarative statement.

She could pay at any time.

And I was reprimanded for it.

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
HOO-HA! This one really takes the cake! (Original Post) no_hypocrisy Thursday OP
I don't suppose you're in a union. rzemanfl Thursday #1
No Union. no_hypocrisy Thursday #2
Sounds to me like someone rzemanfl Thursday #10
your boss forgot the last part of the quote: ret5hd Thursday #12
Retail clerk union member during my 38 years in the grocery business. Dave Id Thursday #3
Me 2. State teacher's pension with $49k annual and medical, prescription and dental. Plus S.S. 3Hotdogs Thursday #4
Our store is fiercely "independent ". no_hypocrisy Thursday #5
Good for you! rzemanfl Thursday #7
It's hard to imagine NJCher Thursday #6
I did ask for a preferable script. no_hypocrisy Thursday #11
This is the sort of story that gets posted over on Not Always Right almost everyday GoneOffShore Thursday #8
Best of luck to you! wolfie001 Thursday #9

rzemanfl

(31,105 posts)
1. I don't suppose you're in a union.
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 06:16 AM
Thursday

A union would help. Did the customer complain?

Have a Happy New Year.

no_hypocrisy

(54,233 posts)
2. No Union.
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 06:50 AM
Thursday

The customer is always right.

I can’t imagine a person on New Year’s Eve so motivated to get someone fired. What did she expect to happen by complaining? Self empowerment?

And BTW, it was a young suck, not a middle-aged female with a two-carot ring.

ret5hd

(22,176 posts)
12. your boss forgot the last part of the quote:
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 11:35 PM
Thursday

“…in matters of taste.”

and yes, the customer may be considered to be always correct…in matters of taste.

Dave Id

(237 posts)
3. Retail clerk union member during my 38 years in the grocery business.
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 07:05 AM
Thursday

Retired pensioner for 15 years, still a dues paying member receiving prescription and medical benefits. Being a union member definitely has its advantages.

3Hotdogs

(15,029 posts)
4. Me 2. State teacher's pension with $49k annual and medical, prescription and dental. Plus S.S.
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 08:09 AM
Thursday

The dental doesn't do much good since I ain't got many of 'em left.

Getcherselves a union.

no_hypocrisy

(54,233 posts)
5. Our store is fiercely "independent ".
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 08:11 AM
Thursday

When you’re hired, you’re compelled to watch a video about why unionization would be the downfall of the store.

NJCher

(42,438 posts)
6. It's hard to imagine
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 08:24 AM
Thursday

A more tactful way of handling this situation.

Did you ask what would be their preference on handling it if it happens again??

no_hypocrisy

(54,233 posts)
11. I did ask for a preferable script.
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 08:49 AM
Thursday

“I’m sorry, but your Apple Pay didn’t go through.”

GoneOffShore

(17,977 posts)
8. This is the sort of story that gets posted over on Not Always Right almost everyday
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 08:32 AM
Thursday

What did your manager say?
Accuse you of being rude?

Your manager gets no cookies. And when that customer hits your register again, kill her with overexaggerated kindness (or maybe just bruise her bananas, sneakily).

wolfie001

(7,066 posts)
9. Best of luck to you!
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 08:34 AM
Thursday

I hope the mgr. realizes how valuable you are. I'm retired Union Grocery.

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