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        Daily Chat >> General Posts >> Verbally Threatened by Customer on Friday
        
(Message started by: Angie on Mar 2^nd, 2008, 11:29am)

Title: Verbally Threatened by Customer on Friday
Post by Angie on Mar 2^nd, 2008, 11:29am

Over a pack of Cigarettes. The Man's ID was not readable so the woman with him said she would buy the Cigs. At that point I refused the Sale of Cigs to both of them. The laws are very strict here regarding tobacco sales. Another store was charged 10,000 for selling without ID. We at this point are very careful to follow the law.

They both got very nasty and he threatened to smash my face in. He also used a lot of bad words which I will not repeat. He did this at the front of the store. I asked them both to leave the building.

They left still yelling and threating me. I then call the police. A woman police officer arrived and I was giving her a description of the two. At this point the woman came back into the store to take another round at me. She was so angry that she did not realize I was talking to a police officer.

When she realized I was talking to the police she backed off and went to the cash register. The officer took her into the lobby to find out where her companion was.

After 30 minutes she told the Officer where he could be found. He was located and they talked to him. At this point there are 4 Officers involved due to the anger of these two people.

They asked me if I wanted to lay charges. I did not, I just wanted them banned from the store for life. I got my wish.

This was over a pack if Cigarettes. Go figure.

Shook me up pretty bad, but I am better know.

Thanks for listening.

Title: Re: Verbally Threatened by Customer on Friday
Post by George_J on Mar 2^nd, 2008, 11:52am

Some people are just plain nuts.

About a year ago, I was standing in a checkout line when a woman got so incensed about a return that was refused (on a ten dollar item) that she attempted to whack the cashier with a piece of laminate flooring.

Didn't happen, though. ;)

Best,

George

Title: Re: Verbally Threatened by Customer on Friday
Post by Grandma_Sweet_Boy on Mar 2^nd, 2008, 12:07pm

In the home of Santa's Village - how could they!!!!!

Geez Angie - practise your ducking routine girl.

Hugs
Carol

Title: Re: Verbally Threatened by Customer on Friday
Post by Dape on Mar 2^nd, 2008, 12:16pm

Yep the world has gone mad.

I was in security for seven years and spent 5 of those as a plain clothes retail store detective and have some stories that would shock a lot of people.

The worst for me though was the 15 year old female (who was a drug addict) that was trying to get a refund on an item that she picked up right in front of the cashier, when i stepped in to remove her from the store she stabbed me in the arm with a used hypodermic needle which resulted in the worst 6 months of my life.

But because she was only 15 she got off with a police caution (which is just a slap on the wrist). >:(

After that i invested in an arm guard and it made me treat everyone i came into contact with as a major threat.

I am glad that it worked out OK for you Angie :-*

Title: Re: Verbally Threatened by Customer on Friday
Post by Annette on Mar 2^nd, 2008, 12:18pm

Wow, Angie ! I am so sorry to hear that happened to you. It must be so upsetting ! I am glad you called the police and got the whole situation under control .

Hope it will never happen again!

HUGS

Title: Re: Verbally Threatened by Customer on Friday
Post by Mosaicwench on Mar 2^nd, 2008, 12:19pm

Oh Angie - I'm so sorry.

I'm extra nice to people behind any counter cuz I know how awful some people can be.

Title: Re: Verbally Threatened by Customer on Friday
Post by Kevin_M on Mar 2^nd, 2008, 12:47pm

You acted well, Angie.

Just last night I happened to be in the far corner of the store when a group of young people came in and very shortly it got loud and boisterous at the counter. Ok, this happens but I tuned in and could not make out words. Then I saw crew members shouting back and walked over quickly, the entire crew had assembled to the front in defense and 911 was mentioned. It got loud but the kid's friends were holding back one girl as she climbed the counter top and took her from the store still shouting, the rest left.
Apparently, the one girl was overly derogatory and threatening as her order took a minute. I was telling the crew about getting involved with customers at work, to not escalate and get a manager when I looked down on the floor in front of the counter at my feet.
I had just walked this area several times in the last hour but there was an exacto knife laying there now. A very pointed, sharp, and ugly item to be involved here. It got dropped from the group that came in during the altercation, I showed it to them to see.

Title: Re: Verbally Threatened by Customer on Friday
Post by LeLimey on Mar 2^nd, 2008, 2:09pm

There are some horrific stories on this thread - its terrible when people get abused just for following the protocols of their job. I'm sorry you had to go through that Angie. I'm glad they have been banned ((HUG))

Title: Re: Verbally Threatened by Customer on Friday
Post by Jackie on Mar 2^nd, 2008, 2:23pm

Terrible situation for you, Angie....you did good, Sweetie...glad you're OK..

Jackie

Title: Re: Verbally Threatened by Customer on Friday
Post by barry_sword on Mar 2^nd, 2008, 2:56pm

Angie is a verbal punching bag where she works, I keep telling her to find a different job so this time she went out and bought a lottery ticket. It was not a winner, so back to work for her on Monday. >:(

Title: Re: Verbally Threatened by Customer on Friday
Post by sandie99 on Mar 3^rd, 2008, 8:19am

I'm so sorry about that, Angie... [smiley=hug.gif]

I'm working currently at customer service, but my customers call me, so the worst they can do is use dreadful language over the phone which is not nearly as bad as what you've been through.[smiley=hug.gif]

I'm planning to ask one of the supervisors if I'm allowed to hung up if the customer keeps on yelling all the swearing words in the book. According to a colleague of mine, we're allowed to do just that.

Sanna

Title: Re: Verbally Threatened by Customer on Friday
Post by BarbaraD on Mar 3^rd, 2008, 4:27pm

I just heard on the news that someone was shot at a Wendy's in FL. Good grief - what are people thinking??? Or not thinking might be a better question.

I guess I'm a nice customer, but it just doesn't take that much effort to be nice to people waiting on you in stores or anywhere else.

I have a friend that I've just about quit going out to eat with because of the way she acts toward waiters. She can bitch(loudly) about anything little slight or mishap - things that really don't matter. I don't get embarrased as much as I get angry at her for the way she acts (I usually leave a BIG tip after she acts up). She'll get up and go over to the waitress and complain if our drinks are not on the table "immediately" or if the order is wrong or if someone's kid is talking too loudly or anything else that "interrupts" her dinner. I told her the other day that until she learned to behave in public I wasn't going anywhere with her anymore. Think I hurt her feelings, but enough is enough.

Sorry you had to put up with that stuff Angie. Just hang in there - there are some "nice" people out here.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Verbally Threatened by Customer on Friday
Post by superhawk2300 on Mar 3^rd, 2008, 6:18pm

Good for you for calling the police right away - remember to do so again in the future - you can always ask questions / get more involved later once your physical being is safe.

Be safe and if you are still shaken please find someone to talk to about it until you feel better.

Title: Re: Verbally Threatened by Customer on Friday
Post by Angie on Mar 3^rd, 2008, 6:52pm

Thank you everyone. I had to go back to work today :-X

I look at things differently now. I look at people different too. Guess I am still nervous. After I left the store on Friday the officer came back to ask the manager if the two people could hash this out with us, because they are banned from all our HBC stores approximately 600 country wide.

He said that was not possible. So I was glad he made that decision. For someone to get that angry and threating over a pack of cigarettes we do not want in our stores.

Thank you everyone again Hugs to all [smiley=hug.gif]

Title: Re: Verbally Threatened by Customer on Friday
Post by barry_sword on Mar 4^th, 2008, 6:59am

We did a little of our own detective work and found out where these two are from. They are locals living just outside our town.
As a precaution, we have asked Angie's manager Brian if she can park at the front of the store for awhile rather than at the back, especially when she works until 9:00pm when it is dark.
Also, seeing as we are the last two on earth to own a cell phone that is getting taken care of today, I want Angie to be able to call out at anytime if needed.
This has upset her quite a bit and these two A#%-holes are not going to disrupt our lives, or have us live in any kind of fear.

Thanks for all your support,
Barry [smiley=hug.gif]

Title: Re: Verbally Threatened by Customer on Friday
Post by Groov on Mar 5^th, 2008, 2:28am

The bad part about retail stores is that often the poor cashier girl has to sit & take some customers abuse or she may get fired. That is of course it is just verbal abuse & no threats. Still, I have seen young girls at the checkout have to be humiliated by some wanker customer.

Thats when I pipe up & tell the unruly customer to go pound sand. I've stood up for the cashier more than a few times. Cant fire me, I don't work there. ha ha, kinda makes the unruly customer leave with a frowny face >:(

No one should have to take that kinda abuse Angie. There is no way in hell I will stand in line while some pimply-faced punk tries to humiliate the girl behind the counter !!!!!

All that over a pack of cigarettes!??!?? INSANE !!!

Just last week I was carded for picking up some cigs for my neighbor. The guy behind me says: "Now theres an ego boost"

I said: "You gotta be kiddin!!! Closest to 18 I am is some 18 year old's Dad " ;;D

Dave