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50 Times Customer Cluelessness Knew No Bounds (New Pics)
Interview With Expert
While working in the customer service industry, employees encounter a large number of people every day. Unfortunately, not all of them are nice. In fact, oftentimes, they have the ‘customer is always right’ mentality that allows them to get away with all kinds of ridiculous behavior.
To show how infuriating and exhausting it can get, Bored Panda has compiled a list of clients that seem to have no bounds when it comes to cluelessness. Scroll down to find them, and be sure to share your own experiences down below.
While you're at it, don't forget to check out a conversation with website optimization consultant, customer experience specialist, and developer Chérie Oduwole, who kindly agreed to share some tips on how to deal with rude customers.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
If They Get Bigger, I Would Start Worrying. Possible Food Spoilage Or Alien Infestation
RELATED:
#2
A Customer From Florida Parked In Front Of The Cart Return, So I, The Cart Pusher, Started A Line Beside Their Car, And Now Customers Are Leaving Carts All Around Their Car
I need a nap. 3 months ago
Well, at least the other customers knew how to handle the situation. If you park dumb, don’t be surprised when it comes to bite you in the åss.
#3
Charge Them For A Cappuccino, VIP Price
Multa Nocte 3 months ago (edited)
How do some people even make it out of the house in the morning?
Since this list is blatant proof that customers aren’t always right, let’s look at how the opposite of this phrase came to be and why it’s so important in the realm of customer service.
The slogan is believed to have been coined by Marshall Field, who introduced this idea when he established Chicago’s first department store in 1893. Then Henry Gordon Selfridge took this concept overseas to London, where he popularized it further.
#4
Do You Lemonade?
Goose of the Ahonkalypse 3 months ago
Lol. I used to have people come in and ask for pilots books back when I worked at a bookstore. They meant pilates but it threw me the first 3 times or so.
#5
This Person Didn't Know What A Bay Leaf Was
#6
Customer Service "Sucks" Nowadays
The original quote was actually longer, saying that "Right or wrong, the customer is always right." Almost 100 years later, César Ritz introduced this mentality to the hospitality industry when he founded The Ritz Carlton Hotels.
His was a bit different, stating that "Le client n'a jamais tort," which translates to the customer is never wrong.
#7
People Who Do This Are Jerks
#8
"I Love To Work In Customer Service"
#9
A Restaurant Review I Stumbled On. The Customer Is So Many Kinds Of Wrong
Before this phrase was introduced to the customer service industry, the client wasn’t exactly treated well. In fact, it was the opposite. The person who bought the product was fully responsible for inspecting its quality and reporting any problems before the item was purchased. It wasn’t up to the seller to reveal anything about the commodities they offered or provide assistance to the customer.
#10
Clueless People Who Don't Know Where They Are Going
#11
Customer Bought Wheels And Tires Online. After Advising Multiple Times That The Tires Are Too Small For His SUV He Insisted For Us To Put Them On
#12
Scrolled Across This Gem Someone Posted Today At A Local Grocery Store
So when business introduced the concept of ‘customer is always right’, they flocked to them, as they weren’t used to being treated with this level of consideration and care. Over time, many variations of this philosophy became popular globally.
#13
Standing In Line At The Bank, And The Current Customer Chooses This To Be The Perfect Time To Paint Her Toenails
#14
This One
#15
Scammers Never Take A Day Off
In Germany, it became ‘Der Kunde ist König,’ translating into ‘the customer is king.’ In Japan, the slogan reads ‘okyakusama wa kamisama desu,’ or ‘the customer is god.’ Spain has the phrase ‘El cliente siempre tiene la razón,’ implying that “the customer always has a reason." All of them ensure fair trade practices and build great relationships with clients.
#16
The Audacity
SuperChicken 3 months ago
What a thing to say, "... y'aint doing nothing. you cans stay open..." I hope they didn't wait for that customer.
#17
Lady Goes To Self Checkout, Makes Attendant Unload Her Cart, Scan And Bag Each Item
At the grocery store, we crossed paths with the lady in white shopping and loading her cart. We go to check out, and she is there, making the self-checkout attendant unload her cart, scan, and bag each item. Then she had the attendant place the bags in her cart. Note that she had way more items than you should for self-checkout, and a recommendation was made by the employee that she consider going to the standard checkout, which had nobody in line, and she refused. Poor attendant had to stop every so often to go to every other self-checkout and do overrides and I'd checks. The customer was perfectly capable of doing all this herself.
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 3 months ago
I'd just refuse to help her. She can go somewhere else to shop.
#18
He Really Wanted The Full Price
Jennik 3 months ago
In a former job I was category manager for a major bookshop chain. We had a popular children's book on special - reduced from $29.99 to $19.99 for a limited time. A customer rang and said she was reporting us to the Commerce Commission because she peeled off the $19.99 sticker and there was a $29.99 sticker underneath, so we were ripping people off. Ummm, ok!
This mentality doesn’t necessarily mean that customers can do no wrong. Instead, it comes from a place wanting to ensure customer satisfaction by making them feel heard and valued, says website optimization consultant, customer experience specialist, and developer Chérie Oduwole to Bored Panda. "It was put in place to encourage businesses to prioritize the customer's experience.
Customers have the power to make or break a company, so it’s important to meet their expectations. If not, they can quickly take their business elsewhere. That’s why even the most difficult customers deserve to feel seen and heard.
#19
Some People Are Really Clueless
#20
Customer Got Mad Because His Debit Card Wouldn’t Work
#21
Friend Is A Mechanic. This Was One Of The Cars A Customer Dropped Off
There seem to be a lot of unsatisfied clients. The National Customer Rage Survey found that 74% of customers had an issue with a product or service in the last year, up by 8% from 2020. A US study found that 81% of customer service employees deal with verbal abuse from clients, and 36% have even received violent threats. 43% of customers confessed to raising their voice when communicating with customer support.
#22
Why Are You Like This, Target Shoppers?
Cecilia Herrera 3 months ago
ANY shoppers, not just at target. Does this happen outside of the US?
#23
As If Having More Bags Is Going To Make Things Lighter Somehow
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 3 months ago
A woman went alone to a pizzaria and ordered a pepperoni. The server asked if she wanted it cut in six pieces or eight. The woman answered, "You'd better make it six. I don't think I can eat eight pieces of pizza."
#24
The Grocery Store Had This Caution Tape Up Because They Are Redoing The Floors And That Is Wet Cement
An old man on an electric buggy lifted the tape and drove straight into the cement and then said, "I didn't know that was wet cement. They should have a sign-up." Umm, there was a caution tape...
Hearing out and dealing with unsatisfied customers isn’t easy, therefore, Oduwole has a few tips on how to make it more manageable. "Put yourself in their shoes, she says. "How would you want to be treated in their situation? Always respond calmly, with understanding and compassion. Ask questions to grasp the issue fully, and repeat what you've understood to ensure the customer feels heard."
#25
Being A Cinema Worker And Having To Clean Up After These Delightful People. Yes, Sadly, The Boxes Are Still Half Full Of Soggy Cereal And Milk
Goose of the Ahonkalypse 3 months ago
I don't get people who don't throw their garbage away in general after a movie. It takes less than 5 minutes to gather up the trash and walk it out to the nearest garbage. Though I'm gonna assume the cereal eaters were high because I feel like that kind of idea doesn't occur in sober minds. I could be wrong though.
#26
Tell Me You Are Entitled, Without Telling Me You Are Entitled
#27
Told The Customer To Pack The Laptops With Care. This Is How That Worked Out
"If you cannot fulfill the customer's request because it violates your policies or isn't factually correct, present clear evidence," she further suggests. "Reference your terms of service or any other relevant documentation. Honesty is key here."
Offering different ways to address the customer's concerns can quickly de-escalate the situation, Oduwol adds.
#28
Customer Guessed I Was Around 3-4 Months Along. I’m Not Pregnant
Boredest Panda 3 months ago
Who tries to guess how many months pregnant someone is without even knowing if they’re pregnant? Sounds kinda messed up if you ask me
#29
Someone Is Walking Around The Store Eating Chicken Wings And Tossing The Bones On The Floor
#30
I'm Being Harassed At Work. There’s This One Customer Who Keeps Coming Into The Store I Work At To Hit On Me And Talk For An Hour At A Time, Coming In Multiple Times A Day
Ignoring my clear requests to stop. Today he came in with perfume. My boss won’t do anything about it.
Lastly, she emphasizes that maintaining respect is crucial when dealing with unsatisfied customers. "Remember, respect goes both ways. If the customer continues to be rude or irate, politely remind them that you're here to help and that mutual respect is necessary. If the disrespect persists, set boundaries by letting the customer know you're ending the conversation. Depending on your role, you can then escalate the issue or focus on serving other customers who are pleasant to work with."
#31
Customers That Leave Frozen Food In Dry Food Aisles
#32
But Wouldn't A Dull Axe Cause More Issues?
#33
I Really Hate It When People Do This. Take A Minute And Put It Back Where You Found It
DEW 3 months ago (edited)
I have to put it back. It drives me nuts not to. Edit to say not if other people have left it out. I give it to the clerk or who ever the worker is around. I meant when I decide not to get something I take it back to where I got it from. Sometimes it's all the way in the back.
#34
Remarks Like This Make Me Wish Mechanics Could Make People Retake Their Driver's License Test
Last week, I replaced a battery in a customer's car, and she is trying to claim the battery is causing weird things to happen to her car now. This morning, she said the red line was never there before the battery was replaced and wants a refund. Lord, help me.
#35
The Aftermath Of A Customer Who Accidentally Got The Wrong Burrito
I was a manager for Taco Bell last year, and we accidentally put red sauce on someone’s bean burrito (they asked for no red sauce), so he punched the drive-through window in, shattered the front door, and smeared his food on all the lobby windows.
Rahul Pawa 3 months ago
People get way too upset over food mistakes. So you got the wrong burrito? Tell someone, they'll make it right, wait a few minutes. You'll get the right burrito. It doesn't have to be a big deal.
#36
Did You Keep It?
Arkham Wohlfert 3 months ago
I feel like this is just a saying that means "I don't want the inconvenience of fumbling with the coin(s). I've worked in customer service for over 25 years, and I don't mind it, I just throw it in the penny bowl. Everywhere that gives change has one. Although if you're delivering something or performing a different service, then that's really sh*tty.
#37
This Intake Form I Got From A Massage Client Who "Didn’t Want To Fill It Out"
I know you don’t take me seriously, but I do need to know if you have had surgeries or epilepsy.
JessieJ&LilyLovebug 3 months ago (edited)
Tell them you can't help them and to try a different message business.
#38
Customers Spraypaint Testing On The Floor
#39
I Would Have Told Them To Leave
Boredest Panda 3 months ago
Who orders just one small anchovy? Like I love anchovies, call me weird, but like, that’s like going to an ice cream place and asking for 1 sprinkle.
#40
People Who Leave Their Trash On Shelves In Stores
Huddo's sister 3 months ago
This is why most stores say no food or drink allowed! Doesn't stop people though.
#41
Target Nail Polish Aisle
Kamryn, Finley, and whomever else is in this presumably middle school girl crew decided to claim damn near every display in the nail polish aisle.
#42
It Is 11, And Two Closing Announcements Have Already Been Made. Customers Decide To Stop And Have A Reunion
#43
Someone Ate A Pack Of Raw Mussels They Got From The Grocery Store And Left The Scraps At The Cafe
#44
Someone Returned A LEGO Set Because They Didn't Know LEGOS Came In Pieces
DEW 3 months ago
My son will take it. He is currently putting a Lego together. He has ADHD but the patience to put these together. Now we have shelves for his Legos because he started wanting to save them instead of putting them in a Lego tub bucket. He got his sister one for her birthday and is sitting and putting it together for her.
#45
Customer Mailed Back His Computer Mouse
#46
Customer Blocked 6 Parking Spots In Front Of Our Store And Walked Off
#47
Customer Dissatisfied With Dishwasher
We had a customer call in and complain that his dishwasher was taking 3 hours to wash and dry his dishes. While this is also somewhat true, he bought the dishwasher with the fewest features, and it was Energy Star-rated, so it does not dry fast to conserve energy. He said if we didn’t take it back, he would shoot it and put it at our front door. This is what we walked into this morning.
#48
The Film "Five Nights At Freddy's" Doesn’t Really Have Jump Scares, So How Does This Even Happen? Last Theater, I Had To Clean And Had To Stay 10 Extra Minutes
Winter Eleven 3 months ago
When my parents first took me to movies i had to put all my trash in the empty popcorn (since i ate it 5minutes before the movie started) and threw it in the trash by the exit. I cannot comprehend some people
#49
This Register Will Never Be The Same Again
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What do you think ?
BookFanatic 3 months ago (edited)
All right. Here's a good one for you. I was in a Starbuck's over the weekend. A pack of tweens dropped their drinks as they were leaving. My grouchy middle-aged cynical self expected them to just shrug it off and vamoose. They asked the baristas for a roll of towels and mopped up the entire area, apologizing and chasing down every last ice cube. There are still some good people out there.
Victorious Foxx 3 months ago
Their parents raised them right and should be proud.
Load More Replies...
I need a nap. 3 months ago
If I had a nickel for every time a customer replaced an electronic device with a can of soup when they were going to return it under hopes that the employee would believe the soup was the device, I’d have 2 nickels, which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird it happened twice. I’d also have 2 cans of soup.
BeesEelsAndPups 3 months ago
And now I have water in my nose. Thank you for that. Seriously though, thank you that was funny
Load More Replies...
Liz The Biz 3 months ago
I have a few examples. Once when worked in the lighting department in a department store, a customer phoned up with a technical question with a light they had recently bought. I took their details and asked what the model of the light was so I could check with the manufacturer. They replied, "Oh its not one that you sell. I bought it from Argos." Another time when worked somewhere else a customer complained that a metal detector he'd bought wouldn't detect plastic. More recently, where I work we sell gas bottles for barbecues etc, and we have a regular customer who usually only buys one bottle at a time. A few weeks ago she wanted three bottles. When I was taking her payment she said, "I'm not very happy. I don't understand why its so expensive this time." I replied, "It's because you've bought three bottles today instead of just one."
Bat cat in a hat 3 months ago
Three gas bottles are more expensive than one? Ooooo you're just trying to rip off the customer 😆 I can only hope it was just a brain fart on their part
Load More Replies...
BookFanatic 3 months ago (edited)
All right. Here's a good one for you. I was in a Starbuck's over the weekend. A pack of tweens dropped their drinks as they were leaving. My grouchy middle-aged cynical self expected them to just shrug it off and vamoose. They asked the baristas for a roll of towels and mopped up the entire area, apologizing and chasing down every last ice cube. There are still some good people out there.
Victorious Foxx 3 months ago
Their parents raised them right and should be proud.
Load More Replies... I need a nap. 3 months ago
If I had a nickel for every time a customer replaced an electronic device with a can of soup when they were going to return it under hopes that the employee would believe the soup was the device, I’d have 2 nickels, which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird it happened twice. I’d also have 2 cans of soup.
BeesEelsAndPups 3 months ago
And now I have water in my nose. Thank you for that. Seriously though, thank you that was funny
Load More Replies... Liz The Biz 3 months ago
I have a few examples. Once when worked in the lighting department in a department store, a customer phoned up with a technical question with a light they had recently bought. I took their details and asked what the model of the light was so I could check with the manufacturer. They replied, "Oh its not one that you sell. I bought it from Argos." Another time when worked somewhere else a customer complained that a metal detector he'd bought wouldn't detect plastic. More recently, where I work we sell gas bottles for barbecues etc, and we have a regular customer who usually only buys one bottle at a time. A few weeks ago she wanted three bottles. When I was taking her payment she said, "I'm not very happy. I don't understand why its so expensive this time." I replied, "It's because you've bought three bottles today instead of just one."
Bat cat in a hat 3 months ago
Three gas bottles are more expensive than one? Ooooo you're just trying to rip off the customer 😆 I can only hope it was just a brain fart on their part
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