16 Retail Horror Stories About Customers
The Purge but make it retail workers treating customers how they treat them for 24h.
Published 20 minutes ago in Funny
Working in retail means dealing with all kinds of people, and sometimes, it feels like you're stuck in a never-ending episode of a reality show no one asked for, or a nightmare.
From outrageous return attempts to bizarre customer behavior that defies logic, retail employees have seen it all, and then some. They really are the world’s strongest soldiers.
These stories, straight from the front lines of customer service, highlight the absurd, the frustrating, and the downright unbelievable situations retail workers face on a regular basis.
They prove that the customer isn’t always right, and sometimes, they’re downright unhinged. Here are some retail stories that will arch an eyebrow or two.
4
Wrong card drama
A customer made a $400 purchase, then realized she used the “wrong” card. She left mid-refund, so I helped other customers. When she returned, she was furious I hadn’t waited or done the refund. I re-rang everything, her “correct” card declined multiple times. She ended up using the same card she started with.
5
This Is a robbery
Right before closing, a man said, “This is a robbery, give me the money,” after I opened the register. His wife immediately shouted, “No, he is NOT serious!” I warned him I was about to press the emergency alarm and explained he was on camera. His wife scolded him, saying he had done this at another store. I told him one day, someone might take it seriously and he’d regret it.
7
Closing time denial
I work at a bookstore. One day, a customer with nearly $300 worth of items asked if we offered gift wrapping. I said no, and she wasn’t happy. Then she asked what time we closed. I said 6 p.m., and she flat-out told me, “No, that can’t be right. I need to come back at 9 p.m., you can’t close at 6!”
9
Missing receipt
A man tried to return a thermometer without a receipt. I explained we couldn’t do the return until our coworker got back in 30 minutes but not without a receipt. He accused me of never giving him a receipt and started ranting. Just then, his wife rushed in waving the receipt, saying, “Dave, you forgot the receipt, they need it for the return!” Problem solved.
11
I have to say it
I work in a store that sells supplements. Legally, I must read out warnings like “not safe for pregnancy or blood thinners” when certain items are scanned. Customers often interrupt or take offense. One customer started yelling he didn’t have liver issues. I don’t know your health history, I just have to read it aloud, every time, to everyone.
15
Christmas chaos
On Christmas, I went in for a routine store check. As I entered, a customer called asking if we were open. I said no. Minutes later, she was banging on the door, demanding to buy her prescription. She refused to leave, causing me to trigger the alarm. Police came, and she was still there, with a rock in her hand. My quick check turned into a 90-minute ordeal.