A normal reaction

(Do to COVID + supply issues our shelves are mostly empty. When the truck gets here the only way to get the counter full is to block off the aisle, fill the counter, then let people rip it apart).

(I’m doing this when a woman pushes aside the cart that blocks off where I’m working)

Me: Ma’am, we have that blocked off so that we can get everything out. We only got 30 cases. Give me 5 minutes and it’ll all be out.

Customer: Fuck that and fuck you. I’m going to Publix.

Just ribbing ya

Customer: Where are the ribs that are $1.49?

Me: It’s these Boston Butt a country style ribs.

Customer: No. Ribs means a rack.

Me: Country style ribs are basically parts of the shoulder that are sliced in half.

Customer: (throwing down pack) I’m going to Publix, where they know what the hell they’re talking about.

My foot hurts

(Customer removes the lid off of a box of a Bushel of oysters, leaving an open box on the display. She uses the lid to prop her leg up on the motorized cart she’s using)

Me: Ma’am, I can’t let you do that. I can’t have the oysters open in the aisle, plus the barcode is on the top of the box.

Customer: My foot hurts!

Me: I can get you another empty box, it’s a health code violation to leave these open.

Customer: My foot hurts!

Teachable moment

(A woman comes back with the store manager.)

Customer: You sold me underweight lobsters!

Me: I’m sorry?

Customer: The ad said these lobsters would be 1.25-1.33lbs.

Me: How much were those?

Customer: 1.20lbs! These are underweight.

Manager: I’m sorry ma’am. If you want, I can give you that roast you have for free to make up for it.

Customer: I don’t want anything free. I want this to be a teaching moment so they don’t sell me any underweight lobsters again!

Press 2

Automated phone: Thanks for calling Chambers Supermarkets. For customer service and employment opportunities press 1. For the deli press 2. For produce press 3. For meat and seafood press 4. For…

(Customer presses selection)

Me: Meat department. How can I help you.

Customer: Do you deal with lost and found?

Me: Nope. This is the meat department. I’ll transfer you to customer service.

2 minutes later:

Automated phone: Thanks for calling Chambers Supermarkets. For customer service and employment opportunities press 1. For the deli press 2. For produce press 3. For meat and seafood press 4. For…

(Customer presses selection)

Me: Meat department. How can I help you.

Same customer: Can you just transfer me to customer service

Press 1

Automated phone: Thanks for calling Chambers Supermarkets. For customer service and employment opportunities press 1. For the deli press 2. For produce press 3. For meat and seafood press 4. For…

(Customer presses selection)

Me: Meat department. How can I help you.

Customer: I put in an application a week ago. Why haven’t you called me?

Me: You put one in for the meat department?

Customer: No. For produce. Not meat!

Me: This is the meat department. Hold on. I’ll transfer you.

Customer: Jesus.

The Dairy queen

Customer: Do you know anything about the dairy?

Me: I do not. (I’m about to say “let me get you someone”)

Customer: Is this almond milk the only brand you carry?

Me: I’m not sure. Let me get…

Customer: What about cashew milk?

Me: I don’t know anything about that. I’ll get you…

Customer: Does it come in any flavors?