Plime/1Adventures in Wal-Mart Land : ATOM 0.3Adventures in Wal-Mart Land : ATOM 0.3www.plime.complime@plime.com2008, www.plime.com.2008-11-22T00:02:18+01:00<![CDATA[suebe @ 3/11/2008 9:27:24 PM]]>218278 Now I'm waiting for my "free" 19" flat screen Sharp HDTV for signing up for Fios.]]>2008-03-11T21:27:24+01:002008-03-11T21:27:24+01:00 Now I'm waiting for my "free" 19" flat screen Sharp HDTV for signing up for Fios.]]><![CDATA[suebe @ 3/11/2008 9:23:11 PM]]>218274«dollyllama : I am at Best Buy wanting to buy a TV (I bought an "out of the box" tv last year at Best Buy. 19" HD Westin...]]>2008-03-11T21:23:11+01:002008-03-11T21:23:11+01:00«dollyllama : I am at Best Buy wanting to buy a TV (I bought an "out of the box" tv last year at Best Buy. 19" HD Westinghouse. No cables, no instructions, no remote. Got a $250 Best Buy credit. Bought a $5.98 remote, downloaded the manual and had a compatible electrical cord. Sometimes you get lucky.
Plus I got full credit on my rewards card. Not that I care...]]><![CDATA[dollyllama @ 3/11/2008 9:12:09 PM]]>218269«ReBoot : How much for a man?Dunno, what does a can of beer and an universal remote cost?]]>2008-03-11T21:12:09+01:002008-03-11T21:12:09+01:00«ReBoot : How much for a man?Dunno, what does a can of beer and an universal remote cost?]]><![CDATA[cheeselog1234 @ 3/11/2008 8:40:17 PM]]>218250 Blank Top Chronicles]]>2008-03-11T20:40:17+01:002008-03-11T20:40:17+01:00 Blank Top Chronicles]]><![CDATA[maven @ 3/11/2008 8:14:41 PM]]>218226«dollyllama : goofy customer story.With the exception of worrying about price, that could be my aunt. She'll happily spend a...]]>2008-03-11T20:14:41+01:002008-03-11T20:14:41+01:00«dollyllama : goofy customer story.With the exception of worrying about price, that could be my aunt. She'll happily spend a fortune for the exact right thing, but she's more high maintenance than Sally!]]><![CDATA[ReBoot @ 3/11/2008 8:10:09 PM]]>218218«dollyllama : I made a woman happy for a $1.How much for a man?]]>2008-03-11T20:10:09+01:002008-03-11T20:10:09+01:00«dollyllama : I made a woman happy for a $1.How much for a man?]]><![CDATA[maven @ 3/11/2008 7:45:21 PM]]>2181892008-03-11T19:45:21+01:002008-03-11T19:45:21+01:00 I was required to take a 'be nice' class at a prior job resulting from an encounter with the Ford Dealer in town. Each of these conversations was with the SAME individual. I'd taken my bosses work vehicle in to have the rear doow latch repaired. I'd called in advance, because my boss needed the vehicle the following Sunday. I was assured they could get it fixed, no problem. They expected to have it done by Wednesday.
Wednesday arrives, no call. I call them. "Oh, yes, we know what the problem is, it will be ready for pickup Friday at 5."
I call at 4:30 to confirm that the vehicle is ready to go and am told that indeed, it is fully repaired.
I get dropped off at the dealer, at 4:50. The same person greets me at the desk, and tells me that the vehicle is not in fact ready, the part is unavailable, nation wide back order. Um, how did THAT happen within the last 30 minutes? He blusters a bit, with me getting more obviously unhappy. I ask why he lied to me. He ran off and got a manager. Manager attempts to say that they've been working hard, short handed, blah blah blah, what can they do to make this better? Short answer--fix the car by Sunday. We went through several variations of this. I finally smiled and related to him what had occured, and why I was justifiably upset to discover the car not repaired. He couldn't explain to me what happened, so promised that the car would in fact be ready to go by Sunday. Throughout this entire encounter, I never once raised my voice, swore, or so much as lost my smile.
I called my husband for a ride back to work to pick up my car. The vehicle was fixed and ready for my boss. Then the Ford dealer fired the employee who had caused this, and called my work to get feedback...Apparently implying I'd lost my temper.]]><![CDATA[dollyllama @ 3/11/2008 7:35:51 PM]]>218184 One of my first jobs out of HS was working for the gift shop at the Museum of Natural History. It's my first day.
A zoftig, boisterous woman comes up to the counter, my first customer. She is dressed to the "ni...]]>2008-03-11T19:35:51+01:002008-03-11T19:35:51+01:00 One of my first jobs out of HS was working for the gift shop at the Museum of Natural History. It's my first day.
A zoftig, boisterous woman comes up to the counter, my first customer. She is dressed to the "nines". She has on huge pearls, a lovely chapeau with a veil and a feather and white gloves. She is done up. She has just toured the Egyptian exhibit and simply MUST have a scarab. We have all sorts of lovely jewelry with beautiful carved scarabs in coral or turquoise or lapis (among other semi-precious stones). I show her probably a dozen pieces, one-by-one because they're expensive and you can't have more than 1 out of the case at the same time. With each one she decides that it's too gaudy or not "Egyptian" enough or not the right piece. Always right after I tell her the price. I finally am almost out of options except for some bone scarabs. I don't know what sort of bone they're carved out of but there's probably 1000 in the box, they're not set in anything like jewelry and they go for $1 a piece. I break out the box and say "this about all we have left". "How much are they" she asks. $1 each. Her eyes light up. She starts to dig through the box, she has to find just the right one. She lays out about 8 of them. She puts a few back, then a few more. Now she's down to two but she can't decide. This one looks older but the other is more defined. She is agonizing over this, I extol the virtues of each as she describes. I even hint that they're reasonably priced, perhaps she would like both but no, she only wants one. Two hours. TWO HOURS on her so she could buy a $1 bone scarab. She decided on the one that looked more aged, she no-doubt told her friends she spent a fortune on this antique scarab.
When she left my co-worker came over and said "I've never seen anything like that, you were perfect".
I cut my teeth in retail in that place. Their motto was to please the customer and I did it. I made a woman happy for a $1.]]><![CDATA[dollyllama @ 3/11/2008 7:15:41 PM]]>218176«coldbladed : I'll also share one of my crazier stories from working at K-Mart in Electronics...
We had this regular customer that was d...]]>2008-03-11T19:15:41+01:002008-03-11T19:15:41+01:00«coldbladed : I'll also share one of my crazier stories from working at K-Mart in Electronics...
We had this regular customer that was deaf and dumb (I don't know if there is a more PC term for this so yeah...) we'll call her Janet. She always, ALWAYS, came in with her sister who would communicate with us should such a need arise.
But one day the sister was refusing to talk. Instead Janet was attempting to communicate with me through hand signals. Needless to say its very hard to describe electronic devices in such a way.
When I looked to the sister for help she just grinned and shook her head. When I retrieved a piece of paper and a pen for Janet to write what she wanted she pushed them away.
We walked down every isle in the department and nothing I pointed out was right. At this time we were both frustrated but I was very good at keeping my cool. I point out yet another item, Janet shoves me with a sort of "Harrumph". I was pretty taken back that someone would shove me, even in such a frustrating situation... I look at her and shrug, sort of stand there for a couple seconds, shrug again and turn to leave. Janet hits me on the arm. I spin around with a look on my face like WTF?!
She sighed, patted me on the shoulder as if to say sorry and then left the store with her sister in tow. Never figured out what it was they wanted...Um, you.]]><![CDATA[dollyllama @ 3/11/2008 7:01:17 PM]]>218169 There was a good deal on a large (which is why I had my brother with me) tv, it's a no-box ...]]>2008-03-11T19:01:17+01:002008-03-11T19:01:17+01:00 There was a good deal on a large (which is why I had my brother with me) tv, it's a no-box so it's deeply discounted. Full warranty. I ask the clerk what period the warranty is for and he says 2 years, then changes it to 1 year, then to90 days. I say, ok, that was fun, which is it?
He says it's 1 year, with 90 days parts and labor. I said "That doesn't make sense, after the 90 days what do you get if not parts and labor?" He says, with utter confidence "after the 90 days someone will come to your house and look at it".
*blink*
I finally said "I don't need anyone to come to my house and look at it and tell me it's broken, I can pretty much stare at it myself and figure that out." I made him go get the manual which was sealed in a plastic bag. I started to rip the bag open but he got all flustered and said "if you open that bag you have to buy the TV, I won't be able to sell it to someone else".
*blink*
"Now let me get this straight. I'm considering buying a tv, without a box and the warranty information, which you obviously don't know, is in a baggie but if I open the baggie, I've spoiled the unboxed TV". "Yes" says he.
I said, well, you need to go get your manager, I'll wait here. He scooted off and left me with the prized warranty. I managed to squish the pages open in the manual enough to read the warranty terms through the plastic. 2 years parts and labor, in-house.
When the manager got there I said, "I'm going to need another $30 off this TV. I'm buying an un-boxed TV and I don't even know what the warranty on it is and I'm not allowed to find out unless I buy the TV." He started to haggle and I handed him the hermetically sealed magic booklet.
I got the $30 off and the TV which has not needed any repair.
Back in the summer I went to buy a computer. I'm at Circuit City this time (yes, I know, but I'd already been to Best Buy and up here those are your choices besides WalMart). A clerk comes up to me and I point to a computer and ask "Is that one scalable". He stares at me for a minute and says "is it what?".
I said "you need to go and find someone who knows something about computers because I have a lot of questions and that was the easiest one, kthxbai"
He did. I got a good deal on a no-box computer there too, they even let me open the warranty bag (maybe they got word from Best Buy at that point). They even let me use their computer to log onto the net to research some stuff about the computer.]]><![CDATA[suebe @ 3/11/2008 6:42:55 PM]]>218154suebe in NYC]]>2008-03-11T18:42:55+01:002008-03-11T18:42:55+01:00suebe in NYC]]><![CDATA[mahler87 @ 3/11/2008 6:30:38 PM]]>218140«blurmore : Yeah Wal-Mart is wack. In my old home town one opened up and the crime rate went up expotentially (which was to say 4 people got stu...]]>2008-03-11T18:30:38+01:002008-03-11T18:30:38+01:00«blurmore : Yeah Wal-Mart is wack. In my old home town one opened up and the crime rate went up expotentially (which was to say 4 people got stuff ripped off from their cars). Where i live in B'more the Wal-Mart is Tre-ghet-o but so is the Target and everything else. Dry sacks btw suck, I'd rather have a moist one.Are you talking about the one on Walther Blvd? Cause yeah, that s**t is sketch. I went to one in Catonsville once and I'm not real sure how I made it out alive.]]><![CDATA[Nunkii @ 3/11/2008 3:59:41 PM]]>218048«jago : I order pizza & wings pretty regularly, maybe 3 out of every 4 weekends, from one of two big-chain franchises.
I r...]]>2008-03-11T15:59:41+01:002008-03-11T15:59:41+01:00«jago : I order pizza & wings pretty regularly, maybe 3 out of every 4 weekends, from one of two big-chain franchises.
I realise that the Order-Taker's job must be pretty mind-numbing, and that until details of the menu selection are given, the conversation is mostly by rote, but for a job in which an important skill is listening to information given by the customer, it's disheartening that almost every time I call I'm forced to point out that he/she is just not paying attention:
Me: Hi, I'd like to place an order [emphatic pause] for delivery, please.
O-T: Can I get your phone number, starting with the area code?
Me: [gives phone number, starting with area code]
O-T: And is this for pick-up or delivery?
Me: Delivery, as I said not 15 seconds ago...
I say "almost" every time. This has been the script of every single call for as far back as I can remember. The exception was last weekend, when the O-T said, after collecting my phone number, "And... okay, you said you wanted this for delivery. Can I get your address, please?"
I was awed, and briefly considered requesting a supervisor, so I could ask for the O-T to be given a raise.
We get through the call. Delivery guy arrives, buzzes to come in. I live on the second floor of an older apartment equipped with one ancient elevator that moves extremely slowly. Personally, I never use it unless I've got something big, heavy, or awkward to transport.
So, second floor. 12 stairs up from the ground floor. Two flights of 6 stairs each. 12 stairs, mere seconds to climb, even if taken only one at a time.
I buzz the guy in, go wait by my apartment door. Invariably, I wait anywhere between 2 to 5 minutes until the guy steps out of the elevator. A few times I tried pointing out (in a polite, friendly tone), "You know, I'm just on the second floor. That elevator takes forever. You could just take the stairs -- takes 5 seconds, and it's healthy, too!"
Alas, I've given up trying to point the speed and health benefits to be had. Turn-over for delivery dudes must be too high: it's a new guy every time.You know, when I pick up the phone at work, my mind is in a million different places and as part of my job, I'm supposed to multi-task. I admit that I ask several times what they need and even repeat things back. Try to understand from their point of view before being a total a*****e to them. Just my two cents.]]><![CDATA[coldbladed @ 3/11/2008 2:16:39 PM]]>218011 We had this regular customer that was deaf and dumb (I don't know if there is a more PC term for this so yeah...) we'll call her Janet. She always, ALWAYS, came in ...]]>2008-03-11T14:16:39+01:002008-03-11T14:16:39+01:00 We had this regular customer that was deaf and dumb (I don't know if there is a more PC term for this so yeah...) we'll call her Janet. She always, ALWAYS, came in with her sister who would communicate with us should such a need arise.
But one day the sister was refusing to talk. Instead Janet was attempting to communicate with me through hand signals. Needless to say its very hard to describe electronic devices in such a way.
When I looked to the sister for help she just grinned and shook her head. When I retrieved a piece of paper and a pen for Janet to write what she wanted she pushed them away.
We walked down every isle in the department and nothing I pointed out was right. At this time we were both frustrated but I was very good at keeping my cool. I point out yet another item, Janet shoves me with a sort of "Harrumph". I was pretty taken back that someone would shove me, even in such a frustrating situation... I look at her and shrug, sort of stand there for a couple seconds, shrug again and turn to leave. Janet hits me on the arm. I spin around with a look on my face like WTF?!
She sighed, patted me on the shoulder as if to say sorry and then left the store with her sister in tow. Never figured out what it was they wanted...]]><![CDATA[haven @ 3/11/2008 2:14:29 PM]]>218009«JOHNDX : I can't stand when I have to correct a cashier on the change he/she is giving me. You're a cashier for chrissakes and you can...]]>2008-03-11T14:14:29+01:002008-03-11T14:14:29+01:00«JOHNDX : I can't stand when I have to correct a cashier on the change he/she is giving me. You're a cashier for chrissakes and you can't even count?!~?!@?#@?@Q>All day, every day. You might messed it up once in a blue moon too. It is the ones that really don't care that bug the crap out of me]]><![CDATA[haven @ 3/11/2008 2:12:43 PM]]>218007«Marli : #3- Night shift at the previously mentioned cheap motel. 3AM and the front desk phone rings, I answer and there's a guy breathin...]]>2008-03-11T14:12:43+01:002008-03-11T14:12:43+01:00«Marli : #3- Night shift at the previously mentioned cheap motel. 3AM and the front desk phone rings, I answer and there's a guy breathing heavily. I'm a pretty naive person sometimes, so I assume the guy is having a health problem. Me: "Are you alright? Do you need anything." Him: "Urrrrrggggghhhhh, you have a sexy voice." Me: *gag* & click.I work reservations for an airline. Shifts are based on seniority, which means that new employees usually get off at about 2am. Seriously messed up people call airlines at 2am. At least one a night is doing something I don't want to know about with his other hand. They get clever too. They don't all call moaning and groaning. Some of them just want to talk, and sound a little distracted. Some just want you to read the flight list rreeaalll ssllloooow. Others (the ones that entertain me the most) have scripts... one particular set of circumstances, that isn't remotely true, that they claim every time they call. So I really like getting them 2x in a row.
Stanley Wilson, or Willy, is the janitor at a school. He's in the basement. He is crouched against the wall. You have to talk real slow, because he is just an old man. He always wants the same cities. He has to write down the flight schedule. So go rreeaalll ssllloooow.
Then there is the guy with the fake North Dakota sort of accent. He is very tired from the cooking and the cleaning. He's also tired because he was in a wrestling match. He got beat by a girl. Do you ever wrestle with your boyfriend?
Then there is the guy who wants to lick your feet.
People are a little bit f**ked in the head. I'm so glad I got an earlier shift this time.]]><![CDATA[JOHNDX @ 3/11/2008 2:08:00 PM]]>2180012008-03-11T14:08:00+01:002008-03-11T14:08:00+01:00<![CDATA[coldbladed @ 3/11/2008 2:02:28 PM]]>217997 To the server: "What's a lingion berry?"
Sayeth the server: "It's a kind o...]]>2008-03-11T14:02:28+01:002008-03-11T14:02:28+01:00 To the server: "What's a lingion berry?"
Sayeth the server: "It's a kind of berry."
To myself: "HOW f**kING INTRIGUING THANKS!"]]><![CDATA[chinook @ 3/11/2008 1:35:15 PM]]>217981me about paying GST. Blame some guy in Snottawa!! I have nothing to do with it!! <...]]>2008-03-11T13:35:15+01:002008-03-11T13:35:15+01:00me about paying GST. Blame some guy in Snottawa!! I have nothing to do with it!!
For example:
Old man: "I'll buy this drain plug"
The drain plug is 4.99. The old man hands over two loonies, a two dollar bill, three quarters, two dimes and four pennies.
Me: "So that comes to 5.34 with tax" (This was back when GST was still 7%)
Old man: "What?? How can it be that much?? The price says 4.99"
Me: "The other 35 cents are GST"
Old man: "Why do you people make things so expensive these days? You just keep finding more and more ways to take my money."
Me: "well, at least you live in the only province where there isn't any PST!"
Old man: hands over another quarter and a dime and leaves while grumbling.
Argh!]]><![CDATA[theclansman @ 3/11/2008 1:01:02 PM]]>2179562008-03-11T13:01:02+01:002008-03-11T13:01:02+01:00 so I go up to the till and hand her my credit card and this chinese lady is like "no credit card, only cash", so I go "oh s**t, I don't have any cash I'm gonna have to run to the bank machine" and this is where it gets funny/scary she looks at me and totally serious goes "oh, you leave the baby?"
like my baby is collateral for a $5 bill
I go "uhh no" and she goes "how I know you'll come back then?" I was just like "well you can have my drivers license.."
LOL everytime I think about that line I just howl, "you leave the baby"]]><![CDATA[suckersklub @ 3/11/2008 1:00:08 PM]]>217954«Marli:...You can find all kinds of strange rules being applied for no obvious reason everywhere. I used to get mad over that, until som...]]>2008-03-11T13:00:08+01:002008-03-11T13:00:08+01:00«Marli:...You can find all kinds of strange rules being applied for no obvious reason everywhere. I used to get mad over that, until some day I realized that these rules exist in order to keep the masses calm, and to avoid complications.
Example: Electronic devices have to be turned off aboard an airplane during take-off and landing. A while ago, I used an analogue photo camera to snap a picture while landing. There's not a single electronic piece in it, not batteries or whatsoever, and I told this to the flight attendant. Nevertheless, I was asked to "turn it off". No exceptions.
I only later I understood that this rule wasn't made to bother me, but to prevent dumb people from being tasered by sky marshalls: If someone would have seen me being allowed to use that camera, there would have been at least ten people switching on their mobile phones, "because he's using a device, too!"
Cellphones aboard airplanes are another interesting topic of their own. Afaik, there's no reported case of a cellphone ever actually messing up the avionics. The phones are banned in order to keep passengers calm. With everyone's turned off, there will be no complaints about loud talking, and no freaking out about bad news from home while airborne. People in airplanes are extremely vulnerable, psychologically speaking, and probably very likely to panic collectively. So you'd better cut their communication.
Considering this train of thought, I willingly "switch off" mechanical devices. It's for the public good. No exceptions.]]><![CDATA[Marli @ 3/11/2008 12:50:04 PM]]>217949 #1- Age 17-ish, I was working as a cashier at a big grocery store. This older gentleman is coming through my line and as he gets closer, the shift manager came and stood ...]]>2008-03-11T12:50:04+01:002008-03-11T12:50:04+01:00 #1- Age 17-ish, I was working as a cashier at a big grocery store. This older gentleman is coming through my line and as he gets closer, the shift manager came and stood next to me. I asked what was up and he said "Oh, nothing, you're doing fine. I'm just gonna hang out for a couple minutes." Oooookay. Turns out the older gentleman was nutso, and had already been banned from the store for mistreating cashiers. He FREAKED out on me when I was entering grapefruits into the order. They're sold per fruit, not per pound, and the guy didn't know this. I had my hand resting on one of them while I punched the code in and he went nuts. "GET YOUR HAND OFF THE GRAPEFUIT!! YOU'RE PUSHING DOWN ON IT TO MAKE IT HEAVIER AND CHARGE ME MORE!!!!!" He was escorted out...
#2- Creepy old homeless (or just extremely dirty) man was following a mother and her 16-year-old daughter around the store the WHOLE time they were shopping. He followed them right into the line, where I happened to be the cashier (I think my coworkers even commented a few times about how I always ended up with the crazies). He keeps trying to talk to the young girl, and the mother keeps telling him to leave her alone, and he's making these disgusting gestures to them. It was sickening. I had to call my manager over, have HIM call the cops, and I asked the woman and her daughter if they would please stay in the store until we could get a couple people to escort them to their car.
#3- Night shift at the previously mentioned cheap motel. 3AM and the front desk phone rings, I answer and there's a guy breathing heavily. I'm a pretty naive person sometimes, so I assume the guy is having a health problem. Me: "Are you alright? Do you need anything." Him: "Urrrrrggggghhhhh, you have a sexy voice." Me: *gag* & click.]]><![CDATA[Marli @ 3/11/2008 12:37:01 PM]]>217941 Anyway, as I've mentioned a couple times, my dogs are on a raw food diet, not kibble. The biggest chunk ...]]>2008-03-11T12:37:01+01:002008-03-11T12:37:01+01:00 Anyway, as I've mentioned a couple times, my dogs are on a raw food diet, not kibble. The biggest chunk of that diet is chicken leg quarters. The easiest and cheapest place to get these is at Walmart, where they are sold in 10lb. bags for 43 cents a pound. About every other time I go (I buy 30-40 lbs at a time, twice a month), I find a bag with a small hole in it, so the gross chicken juice leaks out. I usually just pass over that one and find another, but last time decided "Well s**t, maybe I can get it for free or something", so I asked the meat manager what they do with the bags that have holes in them, and she said they get tossed. I explained that I'm buying them for animal consumption, and that I don't mind the hole in the bag if I can get them at a discount or something. She made a weird face, which I get a lot when people realize I feed my dogs raw. They assume I'm some nutter who thinks my dogs are kids or something and dresses them up in clothes and lets them eat at the table. So she said no, and I asked if it would be any trouble to run it past the general manager. She called him and explained, and he said no, too. So into the garbage can the bag went. In each bag there are usually 10 leg quarters. So 5 chickens that were slaughtered for NO reason at all.
I do understand where they're coming from. They have no way of knowing if some freak made the hole while he was injecting some poison into the bag, but it just pisses me off that so much food goes to waste there. If I run into it at least once a month, imagine how many other people run into it also, and imagine how much meat that is, just rotting in a dumpster.]]><![CDATA[jago @ 3/11/2008 12:19:17 PM]]>217929 I realise that the Order-Taker's job must be pretty mind-numbing, and that until details of the menu selection are given, the conve...]]>2008-03-11T12:19:17+01:002008-03-11T12:19:17+01:00 I realise that the Order-Taker's job must be pretty mind-numbing, and that until details of the menu selection are given, the conversation is mostly by rote, but for a job in which an important skill is listening to information given by the customer, it's disheartening that almost every time I call I'm forced to point out that he/she is just not paying attention:
Me: Hi, I'd like to place an order [emphatic pause] for delivery, please.
O-T: Can I get your phone number, starting with the area code?
Me: [gives phone number, starting with area code]
O-T: And is this for pick-up or delivery?
Me: Delivery, as I said not 15 seconds ago...
I say "almost" every time. This has been the script of every single call for as far back as I can remember. The exception was last weekend, when the O-T said, after collecting my phone number, "And... okay, you said you wanted this for delivery. Can I get your address, please?"
I was awed, and briefly considered requesting a supervisor, so I could ask for the O-T to be given a raise.
We get through the call. Delivery guy arrives, buzzes to come in. I live on the second floor of an older apartment building equipped with one ancient elevator that moves extremely slowly. Personally, I never use it unless I've got something big, heavy, or awkward to transport.
So, second floor. 16 stairs up from the ground floor. Two flights of 8 stairs each. 16 stairs, mere seconds to climb, even if taken only one at a time.
I buzz the guy in, go wait by my apartment door. Invariably, I wait anywhere between 2 to 5 minutes until the guy steps out of the elevator. A few times I tried pointing out (in a polite, friendly tone), "You know, I'm just on the second floor. That elevator takes forever. You could just take the stairs -- takes 5 seconds, and it's healthy, too!"
Alas, I've given up trying to point the speed and health benefits to be had. Turn-over for delivery dudes must be too high: it's a new guy every time.]]><![CDATA[Bandit @ 3/11/2008 12:09:39 PM]]>217923The Wal*Mart Story is one of my favorite stories ever.
I'm not sure if it's true or not, but it's a good story none the less.]]>2008-03-11T12:09:39+01:002008-03-11T12:09:39+01:00The Wal*Mart Story is one of my favorite stories ever.
I'm not sure if it's true or not, but it's a good story none the less.]]><![CDATA[tragluk @ 3/11/2008 12:04:47 PM]]>217918 "I'd like to power a light on my wall. I don't want a cord running to it though, can I get something that sends power to it wirelessly?"
2008-03-11T12:04:47+01:002008-03-11T12:04:47+01:00 "I'd like to power a light on my wall. I don't want a cord running to it though, can I get something that sends power to it wirelessly?"
But it's just as much fun to turn the tables on the Walmart crowd.
"Excuse me, do you have any wire with RG11 ends?" (Telephone wire)
"These are all A's and AA's and AAA's, do you have any other letters perhaps a J?" (Camera Batteries)
...
Oddly enough, I actually met a gentlemen who knew what I was talking about. Seems he was an MCSE who was just working at WalMart part time. We had a great conversation and he agreed that most of his fellow employees had no clue what half the items in their department did, and the manager of electronics had been transferred in from Cosmetics.
Read that carefully.. The Manager was from Cosmetics while the guy with the certification, knowledge, and understanding of the department worked FOR her.
And Walmart wonders why we make fun of them.]]><![CDATA[eLJay @ 3/11/2008 11:50:01 AM]]>2179012008-03-11T11:50:01+01:002008-03-11T11:50:01+01:00<![CDATA[suckersklub @ 3/11/2008 11:47:42 AM]]>217898«jago : Dangit, you just blew out my Ironymeter! Thanks a lot.You're welcome, and have nice day, sir.]]>2008-03-11T11:47:42+01:002008-03-11T11:47:42+01:00«jago : Dangit, you just blew out my Ironymeter! Thanks a lot.You're welcome, and have nice day, sir.]]><![CDATA[jago @ 3/11/2008 11:43:43 AM]]>217895«suckersklub : Plus, imagine the increase in quality if all of us intelligent and skilled people were working in service, instead of th...]]>2008-03-11T11:43:43+01:002008-03-11T11:43:43+01:00«suckersklub : Plus, imagine the increase in quality if all of us intelligent and skilled people were working in service, instead of those morons.Dangit, you just blew out my Ironymeter! Thanks a lot.]]><![CDATA[suckersklub @ 3/11/2008 11:25:09 AM]]>217888«tundramonkey:I think everyone should have to work in the service industry for a bit. I know I did my time! It usually makes me much more respe...]]>2008-03-11T11:25:09+01:002008-03-11T11:25:09+01:00«tundramonkey:I think everyone should have to work in the service industry for a bit. I know I did my time! It usually makes me much more respectful of people working in that industry now, but it also means I have zero patience or tolerance for salespeople/waiters/etc who aren't doing their job properly.Plus, imagine the increase in quality if all of us intelligent and skilled people were working in service, instead of those morons.]]><![CDATA[restlesschicken @ 3/11/2008 11:10:01 AM]]>2178782008-03-11T11:10:01+01:002008-03-11T11:10:01+01:00 when i ask an associate where it is, if they don't stare blankly and ask what it is, they give me their opinion about the general type of product it is. "oh, that's messy." "that brand's crap." "that hurts a lot, use something else instead." i didn't ask for your f**king opinion, i just asked where do i find it. of course, i don't say that ... every time, i find walmart doesn't even carry the type, and i order it online instead. for a better price, sometimes even with shipping.]]><![CDATA[Marli @ 3/11/2008 9:40:32 AM]]>217844«haven :Trust me. For as many "bad service" stories that customers have, we have just as many "what the hell was that customer t...]]>2008-03-11T09:40:32+01:002008-03-11T09:40:32+01:00«haven :Trust me. For as many "bad service" stories that customers have, we have just as many "what the hell was that customer thinking" stories.Holy crap, I have so many of those. I worked the night shift at a cheap motel, man, that's all I have to say.]]><![CDATA[TraumaMamma @ 3/11/2008 9:30:39 AM]]>217835 "neither" (ok, I gave you THREE options)
"Ok, you need police, fire or ems?"
"police" (me thinking...well, that was an option.)
Next....]]>2008-03-11T09:30:39+01:002008-03-11T09:30:39+01:00 "neither" (ok, I gave you THREE options)
"Ok, you need police, fire or ems?"
"police" (me thinking...well, that was an option.)
Next...
"911...(you know the rest)"
"I need the ____________"
"Ok, where do you need them?"
Sometimes I get "1924" (the street address) or just the street name. I actually kinda sorta need both to get services there. We aren't psychic and it is a long road.
Sometimes they will say "I live in Cleveland and am headed towards Toledo..." That is a two hr drive..we need to narrow it down a bit more.
But my FAVORITE that people get mad over is this one...
"911....."
"Non emergency....non emergency"
(bristling....you call an emergency line and think by saying that phrase over and over that it will still not be tying up an emergency line?)
"I want the non emergency number for the police dept."
"well, sir as you dialed 911 and are ON an emergency line, I have to transfer you that way, I don't have the number"
So I transfer to police and they repeat the non emergency thing, the police yell at them for calling 911 for a non emergency and the people try and throw ME under the bus as they don't know I am still listening and telling them that they told the lady it was a non emergency. But they never tell police that I TELL them I don't have the number and am transferring the way they came in.]]><![CDATA[tundramonkey @ 3/11/2008 9:10:11 AM]]>217820«haven : I don't know if any of you work service. I do, and I have a friend that does. She actually works for Walmart. Trust me. Fo...]]>2008-03-11T09:10:11+01:002008-03-11T09:10:11+01:00«haven : I don't know if any of you work service. I do, and I have a friend that does. She actually works for Walmart. Trust me. For as many "bad service" stories that customers have, we have just as many "what the hell was that customer thinking" stories.I think everyone should have to work in the service industry for a bit. I know I did my time! It usually makes me much more respectful of people working in that industry now, but it also means I have zero patience or tolerance for salespeople/waiters/etc who aren't doing their job properly.]]><![CDATA[blurmore @ 3/11/2008 9:09:11 AM]]>2178172008-03-11T09:09:11+01:002008-03-11T09:09:11+01:00<![CDATA[ReBoot @ 3/11/2008 8:51:10 AM]]>2178112008-03-11T08:51:10+01:002008-03-11T08:51:10+01:00<![CDATA[mutil8or @ 3/11/2008 5:18:19 AM]]>2177662008-03-11T05:18:19+01:002008-03-11T05:18:19+01:00<![CDATA[Nunkii @ 3/11/2008 4:52:23 AM]]>217762 What really irks me is when I ask people for their phone numbers in order to look up their di...]]>2008-03-11T04:52:23+01:002008-03-11T04:52:23+01:00 What really irks me is when I ask people for their phone numbers in order to look up their discount cards (if they don't have the cards on them) and people misunderstand me when I ask them to repeat themselves. That does NOT mean you YELL OUT YOUR NUMBERS! It means for you to SLOW DOWN!! I'm not deaf, I'm standing right there. Instead of mumbling, slow down and speak clearly.
Sheesh.]]><![CDATA[haven @ 3/11/2008 4:30:52 AM]]>2177582008-03-11T04:30:52+01:002008-03-11T04:30:52+01:00<![CDATA[muppetmaker @ 3/11/2008 1:01:55 AM]]>217697 So Im sitting at a diner, and the waitress comes over and asks what we want. I was realllllly in the mood for a muffin. So I point to the picture of this glorious muffin, with perfect grill mar...]]>2008-03-11T01:01:55+01:002008-03-11T01:01:55+01:00 So Im sitting at a diner, and the waitress comes over and asks what we want. I was realllllly in the mood for a muffin. So I point to the picture of this glorious muffin, with perfect grill marks, and a delicious mound of butter on top and I say to her, "I want this!" And she looks at me and says, while pointing to the cover of another menu, "Sir the pictures are only suggestions." And I quickly reply with, "Well I suggest you get me a muffin that looks like this."
She was none too happy.
On a separate and earlier occasion I was at a drug store with my buddy, whos father had just gotten Knee Surgery, and needed some low level pain meds or anti swelling... to be honest I dont know what the meds are, or even remember, so Im going to make up three names and use them, it wont ruin the story I promise. So im standing in the isle with my buddy and we are looking for three different brands of drugs which are scribed down on a piece of paper... Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, naproxen. We are having no such luck finding anything but the Ibu, so we ask an employee of this Excard to give us a hand. She takes the list and looks at it for a moment, then looks back up at us, and says "You know these are three different kinds of medicine."
I quickly retort with: "Yes, hence the commas."
ok thats all for my a*****e stories now...]]><![CDATA[gratheo @ 3/11/2008 12:45:26 AM]]>217690«gammerus : That would confuse me too. I have heard the term "full capacity" but I have never heard anyone say we are at capacity.2008-03-11T00:45:26+01:002008-03-11T00:45:26+01:00«gammerus : That would confuse me too. I have heard the term "full capacity" but I have never heard anyone say we are at capacity.Mess around with electronics engineering. I've heard that phrase fairly often. Usually with an exclamation point at the end, though. ...Admittedly, it's before a circuit blows, which happens more often around me than not, but what can you do? (Hint: Running away is usually a good idea.)]]><![CDATA[gammerus @ 3/11/2008 12:12:17 AM]]>217670«maczillion : I was working the one of the local bars. The capacity of the bar is 75. Ever since great white burned that club down the fire marsha...]]>2008-03-11T00:12:17+01:002008-03-11T00:12:17+01:00«maczillion : I was working the one of the local bars. The capacity of the bar is 75. Ever since great white burned that club down the fire marshal has been pretty fierce about capacity enforcement. So Its a nice Saturday night and I've got a line of about ten people. Two ladies ,who judging from haircut and fashion choices had'nt been out since some time in the 80's, walk up and join the end of the line. After standing inpatiently at the end for all of three minute one of them walks and says: "Can I go in?" I reply"thiers a line" She replys"but nobodys going in" Now I understand her confusion so I say: "We are at capacity" She actually says "Whats that gotta do with it" Now shes got me confused. I don't understand what shes asking. At that moment a young lady at the front of the line barks out: "thier full" To this the eightys throwback replies: "Well f**k that" and storms off. At this time I look backover at the young lady. We both say at the same time"She didn't know what capacity means". Welaugh and make fun of the lady untill they go inside. I Don't think I learned anything, but now one more person knows what capacity means.That would confuse me too. I have heard the term "full capacity" but I have never heard anyone say we are at capacity.]]><![CDATA[maczillion @ 3/10/2008 11:46:20 PM]]>2176522008-03-10T23:46:20+01:002008-03-10T23:46:20+01:00"Can I go in?" I reply"thiers a line" She replys"but nobodys going in" Now I understand her confusion so I say: "We are at capacity" She actually says "Whats that gotta do with it" Now shes got me confused. I don't understand what shes asking. At that moment a young lady at the front of the line barks out: "thier full" To this the eightys throwback replies: "Well f**k that" and storms off. At this time I look backover at the young lady. We both say at the same time"She didn't know what capacity means". Welaugh and make fun of the lady untill they go inside. I Don't think I learned anything, but now one more person knows what capacity means.]]><![CDATA[deepchill @ 3/10/2008 11:35:54 PM]]>2176402008-03-10T23:35:54+01:002008-03-10T23:35:54+01:00 He then shrugged at me and continued staring.]]><![CDATA[chinook @ 3/10/2008 11:26:30 PM]]>217632 I remember going to one in Galveston (? I think that's where I was that time) and seeing so many people riding the fat-people scooters. My brother and I could both fit on one seat si...]]>2008-03-10T23:26:30+01:002008-03-10T23:26:30+01:00 I remember going to one in Galveston (? I think that's where I was that time) and seeing so many people riding the fat-people scooters. My brother and I could both fit on one seat side by side, and my brother's a giant football-playing sort of person. We got a good laugh out of all the people who could just barely fit on them. It's cruel, I know, but it was funny to see at the same time.]]><![CDATA[eLJay @ 3/10/2008 11:22:00 PM]]>2176282008-03-10T23:22:00+01:002008-03-10T23:22:00+01:00<![CDATA[Bornbad @ 3/10/2008 11:03:25 PM]]>2176142008-03-10T23:03:25+01:002008-03-10T23:03:25+01:00
<![CDATA[keroberos32 @ 3/10/2008 10:59:27 PM]]>3567 There is a Wal-mart across the street fr...]]>2008-03-10T22:59:27+01:002008-03-10T22:59:27+01:00 There is a Wal-mart across the street from where we live and we decided that we would be good citizens and walk, rather than drive and take our canvas bags, instead of plastic sacking it, to bring back some toiletries we were needing at home. The environmentalist thing is not the point of this exercise, bear with me.
So we are at the drug-store section of Wal-mart and I can't find the talcum powder. I find the attendant and I ask him:
"Hey, man... where is the talcum powder?"
To what he replies: "The what?..."
"The talcum powder..."
He says: "What is that?..."
(This floors me... really what is talcum powder)
I told him what it was:
"It is the stuff you use to keep your sack dry..."
To what he responds: "Oh! That! Here... it's over here"
Have you ever experienced this sort of "learning experience"? Please share, laughter is indeed the best medicine.]]>