Why is it that people feel the need to do this?

Question

For those of you who work in retail, I am sure you will be able to relate to what I am saying. Customers will occasionally say something to you along the lines of, ' Well at (competitor's store), it isn't like that', or, ' It doesn't cost that much at (competitor's store).' Don't they realize that we have no control over how things are set up, how much they cost, or what products we do and do not carry? There is no reason to be so rude. All people have to do is say they are going to go look around elsewhere. It is like they are purposely trying to get a rise out of you or something. Do they think by saying those magical words, we will all of a sudden pull something special just for them out of our back room? It's adding insult to injury.

Answer 1

I used to get that all the time when I worked at Heche's. I think they were expecting me to change the price for them on the spot. I had one woman demand gas money from the store because someone forgot to put something in her bag. I will never do retail again.  

Answer 2

Oh I know what you mean. They think you're going to take it personal that they are going to go else where! I worked at JC Penney when they aired the Biography of James Cash Penney the founder and all these customers kept on telling us (the employees) that they watched it. Like we were supposed to take his history on as our own or something. If I knew something was cheaper at another store I would tell my customers. Sometimes they would come in with the ad stating the lower price at another store and we would adjust the price for them. Its really no big deal. Its not like we OWN the store!  

Answer 3

I hear you!!! I used to just say, "I'm sorry, I don't have any control over any of that, but would you care to speak to my manager?" Most of them would just laugh and say "No no, I'm just ranting!" and the problem would be solved. For those who were rude, the manager was able to take care of them and they were out of my hair.

Answer 4

Some people are just jerks. They're trying to get the message across that they don't like things at your store, they think that doing that instead of calling in to a rep to complain will help, and they want you to know they're annoyed about it. I say when people go to a store, they should be as nice to an employee as the employee should be to them. I try to do that even if they are of no help, because it's almost never their own fault.