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no_hypocrisy

(54,203 posts)
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 05:27 AM Yesterday

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 Yesterday OP
I don't suppose you're in a union. rzemanfl Yesterday #1
No Union. no_hypocrisy Yesterday #2
Sounds to me like someone rzemanfl Yesterday #10
your boss forgot the last part of the quote: ret5hd 17 hrs ago #12
Retail clerk union member during my 38 years in the grocery business. Dave Id Yesterday #3
Me 2. State teacher's pension with $49k annual and medical, prescription and dental. Plus S.S. 3Hotdogs Yesterday #4
Our store is fiercely "independent ". no_hypocrisy Yesterday #5
Good for you! rzemanfl Yesterday #7
It's hard to imagine NJCher Yesterday #6
I did ask for a preferable script. no_hypocrisy Yesterday #11
This is the sort of story that gets posted over on Not Always Right almost everyday GoneOffShore Yesterday #8
Best of luck to you! wolfie001 Yesterday #9

rzemanfl

(31,096 posts)
1. I don't suppose you're in a union.
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 06:16 AM
Yesterday

A union would help. Did the customer complain?

Have a Happy New Year.

no_hypocrisy

(54,203 posts)
2. No Union.
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 06:50 AM
Yesterday

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

(22,166 posts)
12. your boss forgot the last part of the quote:
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 11:35 PM
17 hrs ago

“…in matters of taste.”

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

Dave Id

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

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

3Hotdogs

(15,017 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
Yesterday

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

Getcherselves a union.

no_hypocrisy

(54,203 posts)
5. Our store is fiercely "independent ".
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 08:11 AM
Yesterday

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

NJCher

(42,400 posts)
6. It's hard to imagine
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 08:24 AM
Yesterday

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

(54,203 posts)
11. I did ask for a preferable script.
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 08:49 AM
Yesterday

“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
Yesterday

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

(7,064 posts)
9. Best of luck to you!
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 08:34 AM
Yesterday

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

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