16 Retail Horror Stories About Customers

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16 Retail Horror Stories About Customers

The Purge but make it retail workers treating customers how they treat them for 24h.

Published 3 months 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.

1
The $3.78 saga
A woman bought a plate and cup totaling $3.78. She tried to pay with $2, hoping I’d cover the rest. Then she wrote a check, to herself. I explained that wouldn’t work. She got irritated and didn’t know the date. When asked for ID, she refused, saying it was “un-American.”

2
Refund for a twig
A woman brought a twig to our desk, demanding a refund for a full plant. When I explained she needed to return the actual plant, she was shocked. Yes, you need to bring the plant, not just a stick.

3
Not food samples
At a bakery, we had sample signs in foam bases. A posh older woman mistook one for food, popped it in her mouth, and started chewing. When I told her, she giggled and said, “Oh! That’s not a sample?”

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.

6
Free babysitting
A man came in with a child, then realized he needed to pick up his other child. Without waiting, he said, “Can you watch her? Thanks,” and left. I was stuck with the kid after closing for 40 minutes until he returned. He didn’t even buy anything.

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!”

8
Tag still on
A man came to the register complaining we didn’t remove a security tag from his pants. I asked to see them, he turned around and showed me he was wearing them, tag still attached.

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.

10
Shopping in a fire
Our AC caught fire and we evacuated. Smoke, alarms, fire trucks, everything. Yet customers still asked us to check them out or grab items from the burning building. Some even called corporate to complain we wouldn’t serve them, while the store was on fire.

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.

12
Wrong store
A customer tried to return a product we don’t even sell. When we politely declined, he declared, “Well, I’ll never shop here again!” and walked out. You have never shopped here, sir.

13
Vintage makeup
A woman wanted to return a foundation because the shade didn’t match. Our retiring coworker looked at it and said, “This was discontinued 20 years ago.” That return didn’t go through.

14
No bag, no refund
A woman wanted to return a handbag, but didn’t have it with her. She had already gifted it to her daughter. When I explained she needed the item to return it, she yelled, “How am I supposed to have it when she’s using it? Get your manager!”

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.

16
Cardless card payment
A man wanted to pay by card but didn’t have it with him. He insisted he could type the number in at my register. I explained that wasn’t allowed. He stood silently before asking his friend to pay.