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Threatened by a customer at work

C

crissabella

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I am so shaken right now, i never thought a customer would go as far as to verbally threaten me, over the phone, with violence if i didn't sell him and his wife a display patio table for Mother's Day. Basically, his wife was the one in the store who was looking for the table, and when i told her we only had the display table, and we couldn't sell it yet, she swore at me, but left the store. I thought that was the end of it, but i was dead wrong. A few hours later, i get a phone call, asking specifically for me. I thought it was maybe my mom or another member of my family, but when i picked up the phone, this man asked, and i quote, "Is this then:censored:witch that wouldn't sell my wife the display in patio"? I was shocked, and i couldn't even speak for a moment, then i said politely,"If you mean if i'm the manager, then yes, i am" I tried explaining our policy, but he goes off on me, saying he doesn't give a :censored::censored: about our policy, and that i better watch my back, cause he was gonna head over to the store and beat some sense into me. I hung up on him right then and there, and ran to my supervisor to tell her what happened. We called the police, but they said there was nothing they could do with a verbal threat over the phone. I am just literally scared to death that this guy is gonna show up and start looking for me:no01::no01::no01:
 
First, it's most likely he'll never show up. IF he were the type to actually do violence, he probably would have come to the store to threaten you in person. That's not a lot of solace, I know.
Second, the police should be able to do something, he verbally threatened you with violance. You should call the police and ask to talk to a supervisor or detective or something. Make them at least come to the store and talk to you in person. At least that way there will be a report since they have to send a live human to deal with you.
Third, just in case, be aware at all times whether you are alone or in a compromising situation, like leaving the store late, or early, parking in remote locations, etc. If needed, have someone walk you out to your car and be aware of any possible vehicles following you. Yes, it's paranoid behavior, but better paranoid than attacked.

Sorry to hear you're having to deal with this. Threats are never fun to deal with.
 
Sorry to hear about your bad day. Statistics show that people who call and make threats like that don't follow through with them. I had a similar situation with an ex girlfriend years ago. Her ex husband called me and threatened to kill me and all kinds of stuff. I called the police and they came out and basically said the same thing they told you. But they also said that people who do that are in most cases not going to follow through with it. You did the right thing by calling the police. I think you will be fine. I hope you feel better.
 
I am sorry this happened to you. I would take some standard precautions, though. 1st and foremost make sure you do not present an easy target. Park in well lit places. Get someone to walk with you to and from your car, especially at night. At your store you shouldn't have a problem because there are people within ear shot. Keep your cell phone charged and on. Become a bit more aware of what is around you when you drive home. If you live someplace that has places to hide get a flood light to light them up (not a bad idea anyway).

Most people that threaten by phone won't do anything BUT it is much easier to be prepared then to deal with a disturbed person alone. If nothing else get some pepper spray and just be a bit more careful when you are alone.

:reddevil: you can also borrow someones dog if you don't have one of your own (especially if you live alone) ;)

Take care.
 
what the hell....do people go crazy on Mother's day?

I had a pretty bad situation myself today with a customer on the phone as well. I would not rent movies to her under age daughter because the daughter had no ID or Blockbuster Card for me to bring up an account with....it is against store policy for me to rent to anyone who cannot properly identify themselves, since we do automatically charge credit cards that are on file with account....the girl's mother called my store after the girl left and proceed to cuss me out and tell me I was shatty at doing my job (her words where not as polite as that)

she also told me to Kiss Her A--....and that I was a peice of S---....all because I would let her 13 year old daughter rent movies!!!

she then called my District manager and filed a complaint on me

all I was doing was following store policys, which I tried explaining to her...but she wanted nothing of it

she informed me I had alot to learn about my job....even though I have worked there 2 years and Im the Assistant Store manager...she kept sarcastically calling me "hunny" and "sweety" like I'm a fricken child who knows nothing....like "oh hunny you have no idea what your talking about"...."Sweety when you've done customer service long enough you'll know better"

she told me she was going to leave such a complaint to my Boss that they would come in, demote me and then completely re-train me (that part made me chuckle)

Apparently.....following the rules and policys at work, makes you a bad employee =)
 
Makes me wonder if the "mother" was really her mother or just one of the kids friends. So many crazies out there.
 
Willow said:
what the hell....do people go crazy on Mother's day?

I had a pretty bad situation myself today with a customer on the phone as well. I would not rent movies to her under age daughter because the daughter had no ID or Blockbuster Card for me to bring up an account with....it is against store policy for me to rent to anyone who cannot properly identify themselves, since we do automatically charge credit cards that are on file with account....the girl's mother called my store after the girl left and proceed to cuss me out and tell me I was shatty at doing my job (her words where not as polite as that)

she also told me to Kiss Her A--....and that I was a peice of S---....all because I would let her 13 year old daughter rent movies!!!

she then called my District manager and filed a complaint on me

all I was doing was following store policys, which I tried explaining to her...but she wanted nothing of it

she informed me I had alot to learn about my job....even though I have worked there 2 years and Im the Assistant Store manager...she kept sarcastically calling me "hunny" and "sweety" like I'm a fricken child who knows nothing....like "oh hunny you have no idea what your talking about"...."Sweety when you've done customer service long enough you'll know better"

she told me she was going to leave such a complaint to my Boss that they would come in, demote me and then completely re-train me (that part made me chuckle)

Apparently.....following the rules and policys at work, makes you a bad employee =)
Click to expand...

Wow willow, people are crazy! Sorry your a good employee, you too Christine!
 
It's like mercury is in retrograde or something.
I had clients who demanded that I only clip a "little off all over" on their dog and make certain I did NOT make it short, they wanted it to look "exactly the same just a little bit shorter". They also complained about the price, tried to declare they would pay me $15 less, then wanted us to take a coupon from a major corporate store, and denied the dog was matted.. with me pointing at the lumpy matted hair.
THEN, the guy came back the next day to complain that "you didn't clip her short". Duh!! You said "not short" and now you're complaining that I DIDN'T clip it short???

I've had half a dozen like this in the last 2-3 weeks. Crazy.. absolutely.
 
akaangela said:
Makes me wonder if the "mother" was really her mother or just one of the kids friends. So many crazies out there.
Click to expand...

naah it was defiantly an older woman....maybe her husband forgot it was Mother's day and she took it out on me lol
 
Willow said:
what the hell....do people go crazy on Mother's day?

I had a pretty bad situation myself today with a customer on the phone as well. I would not rent movies to her under age daughter because the daughter had no ID or Blockbuster Card for me to bring up an account with....it is against store policy for me to rent to anyone who cannot properly identify themselves, since we do automatically charge credit cards that are on file with account....the girl's mother called my store after the girl left and proceed to cuss me out and tell me I was shatty at doing my job (her words where not as polite as that)

she also told me to Kiss Her A--....and that I was a peice of S---....all because I would let her 13 year old daughter rent movies!!!

she then called my District manager and filed a complaint on me

all I was doing was following store policys, which I tried explaining to her...but she wanted nothing of it

she informed me I had alot to learn about my job....even though I have worked there 2 years and Im the Assistant Store manager...she kept sarcastically calling me "hunny" and "sweety" like I'm a fricken child who knows nothing....like "oh hunny you have no idea what your talking about"...."Sweety when you've done customer service long enough you'll know better"

she told me she was going to leave such a complaint to my Boss that they would come in, demote me and then completely re-train me (that part made me chuckle)

Apparently.....following the rules and policys at work, makes you a bad employee =)
Click to expand...

We do not deserve to be treated like that, and i wish customers, or as we call them at the place where i work, guests, would realize we're human, we have feelings, and we are not their punching bags. I am definitely asking for next Mothers Day off, for more reasons than just this:D
 
If you work in customer service it is easy to tell which customers have and haven't worked in customer service before.

I worked in customer service for years and have seen and heard all kinds of crazy stuff. I was always polite and friendly until someone decided that they were going to take there frustration out on me because they thought I couldn't say anything back..... Yeah, I got ignorant right back.

I was the worst at the photo lab....lol....oh the stories.

Once someone dropped of film knowing we were running behind with all the rolls from the prom the night before. She was fine with it being done in 2 hours, that is until they came back and decided they weren't paying for it. They told me "I'm not paying for it, what are you going to do".... I shrugged my shoulders, turned and threw their order right in the garbage and went back to printing..... Oh was she mad.....lol..... She went and found a store manager and thought she was going to win.... seems she didn't know that the photo lab was a separate company than the store and there was nothing the other manager could do......she ended up paying for it.

Another guy came in 5 minutes before closing and wanted his film developed. Seems his kid had a science project due the next day and they needed the pictures to go with his project. I had stopped taking film about an hour ago, the machine was turned off and all paper work done and filed. He got mad that I wouldn't do his film that night and said "you need to learn a thing or two about customer service" I said "you need to learn a thing or two about procrastination" put up the closed sign and left with him still standing there.

Funny thing was with all the people I was rude to I was every regular customers favorite photofinisher because I was quick, friendly, and my prints always looked better than everyone else's.
 
OMG, you people know NOTHING about threats.. LoL WOrk in the wireless industry if you want threats. I have had people pull knives, guns, throw phones, break windows, pull display walls off (I mean the slat wall, not just phones on display). I even had one guy try to grab my cash register because I wouldnt give him a refund.

One time, I had this little Mexican guy threatening me while I was sitting down at my computer. He leaned over my computer and put his finger right at my nose so I stood up. In mid-sentence he started to stutter. I got tired of his finger in my face and told him that if he would like to step outside and carry out with his threats, I would be more than happy to oblige him. He must have been 5'7 140 pounds and thought I was close to his size as I look Japanese in the face. When I stood up, I must have looked like a Jap Shaq because he proceeded to the door and even forgot his phone. :rofl:

The nice thing is, I had no one above me to report to other than the company we sold service for. Sure, they could be tough on me but they didnt like me anyhow because everytime they changed their compensation, I would threaten them to turn our stores into a different wireless carrier.

The owners that I have worked for rarely speak English and have me handle all policy matters. I love the "I want to speak to your manager" line because there literally wasnt a manager above me so the buck stopped with me.
 
some people, I swear!
(OMG Dean, Jap Shaq?! You are crazy! lol)
You should have heard some my my customers when I was working insurance claims and having to tell them 'sorry, your policy doesn't cover your house being destroyed' because it wasn't Hurricane Katrina, it was 'sea swell'. oh man, sometimes I do feel bad for the customers, but there's got to be a line and you should not be threatened (had it happen to me a few times over the phone but nothing ever happened in real life, people just like to talk big on the phone. Hopefully that's all it was for you.)
 
AbsoluteApril said:
some people, I swear!
(OMG Dean, Jap Shaq?! You are crazy! lol)
You should have heard some my my customers when I was working insurance claims and having to tell them 'sorry, your policy doesn't cover your house being destroyed' because it wasn't Hurricane Katrina, it was 'sea swell'. oh man, sometimes I do feel bad for the customers, but there's got to be a line and you should not be threatened (had it happen to me a few times over the phone but nothing ever happened in real life, people just like to talk big on the phone. Hopefully that's all it was for you.)
Click to expand...

Some people even like to talk BIG in person until the 6'2 225 Pound "Asian" gets up from his low ass chair too :rofl: Mr Miyagi I am not but I can sure kick :censored: with some chop sticks
 
garweft said:
If you work in customer service it is easy to tell which customers have and haven't worked in customer service before.
Click to expand...

Ain't that the truth?!

I think everyone should be required to work in a customer service job for at least a little while. Maybe then people wouldn't get so angry for no reason.

I worked in fast food for two years in high school. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

I'm sorry you guys have to go through all this crap. It's completely uncalled for, at best. At worst, these people should be arrested and tossed in jail for a night or two. Give them time to think about what they did. (Though, they'd probably just sit there and fume about how it's the other person's fault.)
 
I think the worst I have ever experienced was having a dead hamster thrown in my face. i was working retail in a pet store and apparently their hamster became ill and died. Rather than ask for a replacement she threw the darn thing directly in my face while I ringing up another customer. The owner of the pet shop caught hold of me just as I was hopping over the counter to make the lady eat it. I am not much of a people person to begin with and the dead rodent put me over the edge. I haven't worked retail since that job!
 
Iguanachic said:
I think the worst I have ever experienced was having a dead hamster thrown in my face. i was working retail in a pet store and apparently their hamster became ill and died. Rather than ask for a replacement she threw the darn thing directly in my face while I ringing up another customer. The owner of the pet shop caught hold of me just as I was hopping over the counter to make the lady eat it. I am not much of a people person to begin with and the dead rodent put me over the edge. I haven't worked retail since that job!
Click to expand...

There have been may times when i have wanted to throttle a rude customer, but i have held my temper. The guy that threatened me has not been in the store, that i know of, so that's a relief. But Retail sucks :censored:!!!!
 
Christine... dont forget.... kick him like your kicking a field goal... it levels the playing field. The only fair fight is one "I" win!
 
Southern Wolf said:
Christine... dont forget.... kick him like your kicking a field goal... it levels the playing field. The only fair fight is one "I" win!
Click to expand...

Trust me, i have had experience knocking some guys down to size and job or no job, if that guy comes near me, he'll be singing soprano for a few months:reddevil::reddevil:
 
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