(I was working in the seasonal section of a large bulk retail chain. It was Christmas time and we sold large sets of decorative houses with lights in them.)
Customer: “Hi, I would like to purchase one of these…” *points to a house set* “…but there aren’t anymore underneath it. Where are the others stored?”"
(I use my price gun to check the quantities of said item.)
Me: “I’m sorry, it appears we are sold out.”
Customer: “Oh, well then I’ll just take this one.” *points to the display unit*
Me: “Oh, that’s just a display unit. That one isn’t for sale.”
Customer: “Why not?”
Me: “Well, this is one of those specific items that we are given a temporary display unit from the vendor that we have to send back at the end of the season.”
Customer: “So why can’t I buy it?”
Me: “Well, it’s not ours to sell. It is rented from the people who made the set.”
Customer: “I don’t understand why I can’t buy it!”
Me: “It does not belong to us. We cannot sell what does not belong to us.”
Customer: “Why not?”
Me: “…what kind of car do you drive?”
Customer: “A 2000 Focus, why?”
Me, to a passing customer: “Sir, would you like to buy a 2000 Focus?”
Customer: “What are you doing?”
Me: “Selling your car.”
Customer: “Why? It’s MY car!”
Me: “Well, I didn’t think ownership made a difference to you.”
(She then stormed off to talk to a manager who told her I would be taken care of. He then proceeded to buy me a piece of pizza for making his day.)
