words of advice

**pecha** · 05-31-2010, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by 1MileCrash

i can't look through the computer system cause i don't have authorization...i'm not management. if we're slow one of the managers may look through there for it but if we're busy they're sol cause i have to get people in and out quick. half the time the person doesn't even know when they bought it so at that point we wouldn't be able to look it up at all cause we have to know the date of purchase.

and we too are required to answer the phone before the doors are opened and after they are closed...which is a real pain in the ass when you're trying to get the store opened and the guy won't shut up about how great of a car he has but could i just help him figure out why it's smoking a little bit. i don't know i don't have time i have to get the store ready and now somebody sees me and thinks we're open and is banging on the door two inches away from the closed and hours sign.

see, it all comes back to customer service IMO
there is a way to get the computer system set up to look for receipts not only based on the date of purchase but maybe by the customer's phone number (I've been asked for a phone number in stores when I was making a purchase)
if the store is run the cheapest way, there isn't enough staff to go the extra mile, it's not your fault, it's probably not even your manager's fault but people higher than him who pressure for big profit without big spending

like I wrote before though, working at a gas station, I have your attitude
our every receipt says "no refund, no return"

**Red97GTP** · 05-31-2010, 08:38 AM

Me: "The repair on your car will take about three days."

Customer: "Why three days? Can't you do it in a day?"

Me: "Well, there's about 20 hours of labor."

Customer: "Oh, why does it take that long?"

Me: "Because that's what the book time is to do the repair."

Customer: "What's book time?"

Me: "A time set by automotive engineers for replacement or repair."

Customer: "Well, they're not working on MY car. Can you do it in a day?"

Me: "No."

Customer: "Why?"

Me: "Please leave, we don't want your business."

Customer: "Ok, you can have it Monday at 9am. I'll be outta town until the weekend, so you can keep it as long as you need."

Me: "FML."

**raynor139** · 05-31-2010, 08:46 AM

I worked retail for 7 yrs and most that was in various management positions. Far as im concerned after dealing with all the idiots over the years is that there are rules printed on the receipt that your required to follow just like i am. If you cant understand that then I dont have time for you. Now if your nice and willing to work with whatever im able to offer then fine ill help you as much as possible and try to take care of you but if your gonna be a asshole/idiot then leave b/c i dont care.

**excrider121** · 05-31-2010, 09:13 AM

Very valid point. However, where I work has established a reputation for 'if you bitch loud enough it doesn't matter you'll get your money back.'

Example. I sold a fuel pump for a 09 Ford last week. I told him to make sure the tank was flushed and replace the fuel/furl filter for a warranty. 3 DAYS LATER he brings the pump back to me covered in mud. He tells me that this is what the pump looked like when he took it out of the tank because it had quit working.

I'm thinking "No shit it isn't working, you're trying to pump mud." Also, he didn't buy a fuel filter from me and couldn't prove that he had purchased one. But since he was standing at my counter screaming random cuss words, my manager came over and warrantied it for him.

3 more days later, he tried the same stunt when I was the hightest in command. He was told to leave. He went to our store across town and got it replaced. If the pattern continues, I expect to see him tomorrow.

**Smkn_TA** · 05-31-2010, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by excrider121

Very valid point. However, where I work has established a reputation for 'if you bitch loud enough it doesn't matter you'll get your money back.'

I've realized over the years, that if you are really nice and courteous at some places. They will walk over you, point you away. Etc...but if you go to mega bitch barbara streissand mode. You get what you want asap. Whenever this tactic works, I always finish really polite, thank the person, shake their hand, and leave. All smiles. If you look weak, they will do the easiest thing possible to get rid of you.

Like the time the parts jockey grabbed clear turn signal bulbs, and I didn't realize it till I got home. Lost the receipt. Didn't want to let me exchange them for amber. I kicked my attitude up to ragging whore level and they were more than happy to oblige.

**excrider121** · 05-31-2010, 10:25 AM

Yep, he was an ass tho. If you bring me a part, and want to swap it out even steven, i'm not against it.

You brought it back because it didn't work/wasn't the right ones. You wouldn't waste your own time if it wasn't the case.

**1MileCrash** · 05-31-2010, 11:17 AM

we USED to have a return policy. well...we still do. it's printed on our receipts...but we aren't allowed to follow it or we will get written up. we are supposed to do whatever the customer wants which means that we return everything basically which is bullshit for the same reasons that exrider stated.

we can look up information and do returns without receipts for things which have warranties and look those up by phone number or name. if the item didn't have a warranty and they have no receipt the only thing we can do is in store credit. we always tell people to hang onto their receipts "just in case" so it's not my fault if they are dumb.

**raynor139** · 05-31-2010, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by Smkn_TA

. Etc...but if you go to mega bitch barbara streissand mode. You get what you want asap. Whenever this tactic works, I always finish really polite, thank the person, shake their hand, and leave. All smiles.

See im the type of manager where if you did that I would tell you to GTFO of my store with the biggest smile on my face i could possibly manage. I dont care how nice you can be i dont tolerate people yelling at me or my employees. But if ya gotta deal with douchebags then yeah go all out on them b/c they deserve it.

**DEZI425** · 06-01-2010, 09:23 AM

I work at advance auto part time while im going to school and man... had a guy come in
guy- yall got any gas cans?
me-yeah they are right back here against the wall.
guy-they 9 dollas!?
me- *sigh* yes...
guy-man, ok....do they come with gas in them?

**1MileCrash** · 06-01-2010, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by DEZI425

I work at advance auto part time while im going to school and man... had a guy come in
guy- yall got any gas cans?
me-yeah they are right back here against the wall.
guy-they 9 dollas!?
me- *sigh* yes...
guy-man, ok....do they come with gas in them?

hahahaha...now that's priceless!

**DEZI425** · 06-01-2010, 10:18 AM

lol yeah i shit you not! i have some other awesome shit happen too.

**pecha** · 06-01-2010, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by DEZI425

I work at advance auto part time while im going to school and man... had a guy come in
guy- yall got any gas cans?
me-yeah they are right back here against the wall.
guy-they 9 dollas!?
me- *sigh* yes...
guy-man, ok....do they come with gas in them?

I had the same question asked but our gas cans are $15 for 2gal one
it's just their way of saying that they're overpriced, they don't actually think there could be gas in them

**1MileCrash** · 06-01-2010, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by pecha

I had the same question asked but our gas cans are $15 for 2gal one
it's just their way of saying that they're overpriced, they don't actually think there could be gas in them

they're also the same people that bitch that stuff isn't made in the US anymore. if you want it made in the US expect to pay twice what you are paying for a foreign item.

**bigrondownhiller** · 06-01-2010, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by DEZI425

I work at advance auto part time while im going to school and man... had a guy come in
guy- yall got any gas cans?
me-yeah they are right back here against the wall.
guy-they 9 dollas!?
me- *sigh* yes...
guy-man, ok....do they come with gas in them?

Did you say yes? Air is a gas.

**DEZI425** · 06-01-2010, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by bigrondownhiller

Did you say yes? Air is a gas.

lol no. and no it was not his way of saying its overpriced. he was dead serious about there being gas in it.

**310stanger** · 06-01-2010, 07:19 PM

I cant tell you how many times its practically unbearable to hold back asking a customer "are you really that fucking stupid?" I know customers are customers, but come on.....

**1MileCrash** · 06-02-2010, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by 310stanger

I cant tell you how many times its practically unbearable to hold back asking a customer "are you really that fucking stupid?" I know customers are customers, but come on.....

like that idiot that comes in all too often and wanted me to...no shit...install his radiator cap for him. keep in mind he was always braggin about his 3rd gen camaro being a sub 10 second car blah blah blah...but knew nothing about it.