Snobby Custy is "Just Looking," "Never Had To Give Phone Number," But Is First Time Customer

Hello, this is Former Grocery Slave again with a mini-story for you.

The retail establishment where I currently work is a store that takes not only a customer's email address for coupons, but also their full name, home address, and phone number to send catalogs and to do a little thing called "clientelling".

I was ringing up a custy who, when I tried to greet her when she walked in, gave me the usual "I'm just looking" in that "don't speak to me" tone we all know and love.

Normally, if someone has not shopped with us before, they are open to and appreciative of our help and service, being that it is a specialty store for a very specific niche of female clients and they really do need our help, as they come in having no idea what they are doing or how to even begin shopping there.

So, because of her reaction to me, I assumed she had shopped with us in the past and just wanted to get in and get out.

Register time!

I ring her and ask for her phone number. We ask for this not only to add new clients into our database but also to pull up the accounts of existing clients.

She is immediately agitated and states: "What do you need my phone number for? I've never had to give my phone number before!"

I ask: "Have you shopped with us before?"

Custy states very matty-of-factly: "No."

Huh.

--Former Grocery Slave

Comments

[Bored at the Bookstore]

I don't know what she meant by "I never had to give the phone number before", unless, she meant "ever before, anywhere" (unlikely), but I will confess that I don't give out my home phone number unless I'm paying by check. And the only ones who have my cell number are family, friends, and doctors.

But she didn't have to be nasty about it - it's your employer's idea, not yours, after all. I just say, politely, "I'm sorry, that number is unlisted..." that's usually sufficient.

Whenever someone comes in our shop with that, "don't bother me" attitude, it usually means "No Sale". If you got a sale out of Her Attitudeness, good for you! Not easy.

[Former Grocery Slave]

I meant matter-of-factly! Whoops!

[Skittles]

Heck usually I am just looking but at least I'm polite about saying so.

[Lord of the Potatoes]

I admit to not being the greatest at dealing with the 'Can I help you?' type questions. Normally because I'm trawling aisles for inspiration/deals, not anything specific and, more usually because of the attitude of the worker. If I'm wearing a hoodie or my army jacket the question is nearly always more of 'I'm watching you and we both know it' than an offer of assistance. I don't like being made to feel like a criminal simply for my clothing choice and age.

[Anonymommy]

I'm going to guess Motherhood Maternity.... I'm no crusty, but I hated their 'clienting'.... sent me formula samples for a YEAR after having my daughter- such a waste: every single one went in the trash. (Women's shelter wouldn't accept them because they were samples.)

[Former Grocery Slave]

Well, I can tell you, I never assume anything about my clients from what they are wearing or give them a bad attitude when they walk in. The story was more about finding it funny that she hadn't shopped there but pretended she did when asked for her phone number. Also please don't use company names on the site for the sake of protecting those posting. If you don't like things you receive from a company, the best thing to do is to contact the corporate office - it has nothing to do with the slaves.

[Luna]

Sounds like Lane Bryant or Catherine's to me.Lol!