So this is useless?
I’m insanely exhausted, but thought I’d post this story from a coworker:
Story
Business: None
Customer: Shall remain nameless
Background: …I called the customer the day before the appointment to confirm that I was installing an operating system and that the customer had a physical operating system CD on site for me to use, with a valid license key. From here, the story will take over with me in the house:
Customer: So, you’re here to get my computer setup?
Me: Yes, all I need is the computer and the OS install disc
Customer: OS Install disc?
Me: Yes, we spoke on the phone yesterday and I asked if you had a valid CD with the key?
Customer: Oh, right, do you have one in the car?
Me: Yup! Windows XP Home edition is $199 and Windows XP Professional is $299, add tax to both. You have to get the full editions because the computer currently doesn’t have an operating system and you don’t have the restore discs.
Customer: So what am I paying you $229 for if I still have to pay for the Operating System.
Me: You are paying me to install the operating system on the machine and complete the updates and transfer data, if you have any saved on your external hard drive.
Customer: Well, that is all useless without the CD.
Me: Unfortunately, I can not install the Operating System with out the CD. That is correct sir.
Customer: So this is useless?
At this point the customer picked up the computer and threw it at me. I moved my head slightly to the left and avoided the blow of the computer, which crashed loudly to the floor behind me. Now, anyone that knows me will understand my next course of action, I always stand my ground. I turned and watched the computer as it bounced and crashed through the wall. I than turned back to the customer:
Me: Alright sir, the trip charge fee is $129
Customer: What? I just threw the computer! You are asking me for $129, for what?
Me: I understand that you are upset sir, yet I still have made the trip out here and you agreed to the terms of service. Though, throwing the computer was certainly unexpected.
Customer: Do you take checks?
Me: Yes sir. $129 and I need to see your license as well.
Believe it or not the customer actually wrote out the check. I think he was more surprised that I actually stayed after he threw the computer to ask for it. I must admit, this was probably the oddest appointment that I ever went on. I never expected to actually have a tower thrown at my head, not my idea of a good time.
I can’t say I’ve ever had any calls anywhere as crazy as that one. I did miss a laptop being thrown in my old store by five minutes. I also missed a lady going into seizures after hearing how much she owed for her repairs. But, then again, who is crazy enough to pitch a baby fit in front of a tiny Asian girl?
No one yet!
Tags: customers, retail services
By mandaloo, June 6, 2007 @ 8:33 am
oh my goodness… that is the craziest thing ever! kudos to you for keeping your cool. glad you weren’t injured in the flying computer incident…
By Matt H, June 6, 2007 @ 3:15 pm
wow, that is pretty amazing. The customer could have been charged with assault with a deadly weapon!
By neener, June 6, 2007 @ 9:34 pm
Mandy — I wish I could take credit for that story, but it was from a coworker. I have not had anything thrown at me, but I’ve had plenty of people yell at me. It’s been awhile though, so that’s refreshing.
And Matt, are computers deadly?
By mandaloo, June 6, 2007 @ 10:55 pm
i’m so out of it… i totally just realized that you specified this as a story… that’s what i get for skimming. V_V silly me. thanks for the clarification.
By Kelly Lawson, June 11, 2007 @ 9:31 am
That’s the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. I can’t believe your co-worker ACTUALLY got the $129 out of that guy. I would have gone running the second the computer went flying!