I Have An Attitude Problem

[Aquamoose]

After moving to a new town and was in the process of building a shop. The town had two competing hardware stores and I’ve been splitting my business with them until one Spring day when I walked in looking to buy a 50a 4-pronged twist lock receptacle.

Owner asks “What for?"

Now I'm a little taken aback by that but just decided to appease him. "It's for supplying power to a RV"

He says "There's no RV that uses 50a. Only 30a"

Today, there's only one hardware store in town and you can guess which one went out of business.

 

[Industrial Toys]

What's so bad about that? Here, you would have to explain to some seventeen year old what a Twist Lock was.

 

[4570Man]

What's so bad about that? Here, you would have to explain to some seventeen year old what a Twist Lock was.

Because he’s wrong. Some RVs especially ones with multiple air conditioners do have 50 amp hook ups. Not that it even matters. Sell the guy the 50 amp plug he wants. Now not having the 50 amp plug which probably isn’t a big seller is understandable.

 

[CobyRupert]

What's so bad about that? Here, you would have to explain to some seventeen year old what a Twist Lock was.

The owner was basically calling him a liar or an idiot. Either knowingly or unknowingly.

Now granted, if he said "Are you sure? My personal experience is that RV's only use 30A, I've never heard of one using 50A and I'd hate to see you leave with the wrong part" would of been more diplomatic (even tough his thinking or intentions may of been identical).
If he didn't care that you left with wrong part he never would of asked or said that. He DID care, which is more than other places.
Bad communication skills and lack of seeing other's perspectives on owner's part. Doesn't mean he was trying to be a d*ck, or had ill will towards buyer, but....

 

[Industrial Toys]

I don't see the issue. The salesperson was trying to avert a mistake, even if he was wrong. I went to the Beer Store (Yes Communist Country) a few years ago with a lot of empty cans for refund. I had a brain fart and told the girl (manager) that I had far less than I had. And screwed myself. But she never said, hey, are you sure? It looks like way more than that. Some would say, she shouldn't argue with the customer who is always right. I have not been back to that store, and won't darken their door. Interestingly, I told that story to the girl at another Beer Store and she gave me some money for compensation. How is that for customer service? The first girl basically said, too bad, so said, I already dumped them.

 

[4570Man]

Did you ever consider that maybe she didn’t notice? Then you never went back to a store because you shorted yourself. Way to be a tough guy.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I realized after I posted this, that I had made an error. Not going by my own beliefs. It's easy to fall into that trap. It had nothing to do with her. Two things that immediately jump to mind. One, I screwed up and wanted to blame someone else. And two, annoyed that she didn't pay more attention to MY matters. They say the opposite of LOVE is not HATE but indifference.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

In the immortal words of the Beatles..." In the end, the love you make is equal to the love you take " That about settles it...

 

[paulfun9]

The answer you should have given that cashier is.

I have no problem with my attitude!

It is others who have a problem with it!

So don’t upset me with your stupidity and you won’t have to deal with my attitude!

I have had a few that couldn’t follow instruction and tried getting mouthy with me. They were all quickly put in thier place and the few who thought they could count on the manager to tell this customer haw it’s going to be were only successful in getting themselves or the manager in trouble.

 

[Sigarms]

The answer you should have given that cashier is.

I have no problem with my attitude!

It is others who have a problem with it!

So don’t upset me with your stupidity and you won’t have to deal with my attitude!

I have had a few that couldn’t follow instruction and tried getting mouthy with me. They were all quickly put in thier place and the few who thought they could count on the manager to tell this customer haw it’s going to be were only successful in getting themselves or the manager in trouble.

I'm guessing you honestly believe the customer is always right? I stil remember that "line" (the customer is always right) working late second shift in Easton Pa at a convenience store when I found a customer standing directly BEHIND the cash register. I corrected him pretty fast and he moved. I didn't get fired or reprimanded over it.

Due onto others as you would have done unto yourself is a pretty good rule to live by IMO for all aspects of work per customer service.