I told this story to the hostess the other day at work, and since she seemed to really like it, I figure I should share it with all of you. This took place a couple years ago, while working at Walgreen's. It was several weeks after Hurricane Katrina and our store was constantly crowded. The population of the town had nearly doubled, due to refugee's from New Orleans. The pharmacy was so overrun, it was taking at least two days to fill people's prescriptions. And thus our story begins.
I was working the front register at the time, while the cashier was taking a break. Taking over everyone else's position while they were on break was about 60% of my job... Another part of my job was to open the island register when the front cashier's line grew to long. When I was at the front register, like at the moment, there usually wasn't anyone to help ring up customers besides cosmetics.
While working the front register, with about 6 customers in line, the phone rings.
I answer...
"Thank you for calling Walgreen's, what can I help you with today?"
A females voice responds, "Hi, I'm very angry right now."
"What's the matter ma'am?"
"I put my prescription in two day's ago and it still isn't ready."
I kindly inform her, "O.k., well I can transfer your call to pharmacy if you like."
"No, that's alright, I just wanted to let someone know how angry I am right now. This is ridiculous, I have never had to wait two days for a prescription!"
I retort, "Well, I am more than happy to transfer you to pharmacy, if you like."
"No, I don't want to talk to them, I have already talked to them and they told me there is nothing they can do. They said they will get to it when they can."
"Well would you like to speak to a manger?"
"No, I don't want to talk to a manager, I just want to let someone know how angry I am and I certainly will not ever shop there again."
Meanwhile the customer I'm checking out is ready to pay.
"Your total is $7.52."
"What, my total...," the voice on the phone inquires.
"Sorry, I was talking to the lady who's groceries I just rang up."
"Look ma'am," I direct to the lady on the phone, "what would you like me to do?"
"I don't want you to do anything, I just want to let y'all know how frustrated I am."
At this point I've had enough,
"I don't care, I make $6.00 an hour, but if you want me to transfer you to someone who may care, I will do that. Now if you don't want to talk to either of your two options, I am going to hang up. I am the cashier and the line is growing longer every second I'm on the phone with you!"
"You are very rude, whats your name, I think I will report you."
I give her my name and employee number and ask, "Would you like me to transfer you to the manager now?"
"No, I will do it later."
"Alright, goodbye."
Click
Some of the customers were smiling and a few were actually laughing by the time I hung up the phone. I apologized to them for the wait. At one point I got so involved with telling this woman how I didn't give a shit, I forgot about what else I was doing.
When the cashier came back to her position, I informed a manger they may get a phone call about me. I explained the situation and he told me not to worry about it. I don't think she ever called. However, this is one of the reasons I will probably never work in customer service ever again, I can only put up with so much crap before I eventually lose it. I honestly don't think I would be able to keep a customer service job for long if I worked one now, I enjoy telling shitty customers off too much.