ADVERTISEMENT

Everyone who has worked in retail knows that for every good customer, you get 2 horrible ones pulling up in the parking lot. It's a law. Like gravity.

But some people are so rude, so annoying, and so malicious, it's like they're on a quest to make as many workers miserable as possible. And sometimes they succeed.

When someone like that ruins your day, there's only one thing you can do. Vent online. I mean, you can't punch the jerk or anything—you're still in uniform. Pull off a stunt that damages the reputation of the company you're working for and you're out the door.

Bored Panda has compiled a list of these stories to show you that people in retail really deserve our respect; they go through these situations every day. For more similar experiences, check out our older pieces here and here.

#2

Customers-Stories-From-Hell

GiF Report

Add photo comments
POST
pusheenbuttercup avatar
pusheen buttercup
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Glory hounding. Trying to do the right thing for the sake of appearances whether it kills anyone or not

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

In our piece on some of the most ridiculous customer demands ever, we mentioned one study that's relevant here as well.

Turns out, people treat retail workers worse when they're looking for bargains than if they were less price-conscious. The University of British Columbia (UBC) Sauder School of Business paper, which was published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology in 2017, looked at several factors to determine how customers treated employees.

One variable researchers analyzed was the words customers used when speaking to customer service workers.

"When shoppers focus only on paying the lowest price, they become less attuned to understanding the human needs of others, or even recognizing them," Johannes Boegershausen, a UBC Sauder Ph.D. student who co-authored the study, said in a press release.

#4

Customers-Stories-From-Hell

GiF Report

Add photo comments
POST
wandiledludlu avatar
Sum Guy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would use that even if my father didn't die... you got served and I wasn't rude to you... smiling is nice, but you can't expect someone to be smiling the whole day

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

Researchers also analyzed customers' feelings towards the employees by showing them pictures of a flight attendant in the Ryanair (bargain) uniform, the Lufthansa (luxury) uniform, and a neutral uniform. Customers viewed the Lufthansa and neutral flight attendants as equally human, but they saw the Ryanair flight attendant in a poorer light.

"We simply varied the brand, and found that people ascribed lower capabilities for experiencing emotions and feelings to the Ryanair flight attendant," Boegershausen explained, adding that this subtle dehumanization can take many forms and is not necessarily intentional.

ADVERTISEMENT

Another experiment had participants communicating in a live chat with a rude customer service representative. They were then offered the chance to punish the employee through a complaint. The researchers found participants were 18 percent more likely to give a rating that would lead to disciplinary actions against the employee when shoppers were adopting a price-conscious mentality than when they were not.

The researchers say the findings could help owners and management of discount stores, as the problem could affect their employee retention—previous research has shown that employees who experience rude and inconsiderate customer behaviors report higher levels of emotional exhaustion, job dissatisfaction, and burnout.

ADVERTISEMENT

Judging from these posts, retail employees deal with a lot of dumb stuff. At least they're strong enough to laugh from their misery.

#9

Customers-Stories-From-Hell

GiF Report

Add photo comments
POST
melelliott avatar
Ripley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine being so small-minded that you have a meltdown over what fried potatoes are called.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

Customers-Stories-From-Hell

GiF Report

Add photo comments
POST
wandiledludlu avatar
Sum Guy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I get it... the mind is a stupid thing and will often do something like this

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

Customers-Stories-From-Hell

GiF Report

Add photo comments
POST
pusheenbuttercup avatar
pusheen buttercup
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ohhhh I've been there. I really have. There is genetic variation within every race... You can't say "you're not caucasian, because your nose is too big". I don't appreciate idiots who think they know your race better than you

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Customers-Stories-From-Hell

GiF Report

Add photo comments
POST
melelliott avatar
Ripley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd say that lady is definitely going to miss her flight once the "grade-school educated" security person is through with her.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

Customers-Stories-From-Hell

notalwaysright Report

Add photo comments
POST
pusheenbuttercup avatar
pusheen buttercup
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's so sad... Even if you don't like lgbt, you could at least be civil enough. Surely there is some area between best buddies and worst enemies. I know this because I met people who believe i am going to hell, but they're still my friends :)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#24

Customers-Stories-From-Hell

GiF Report

Add photo comments
POST
zeljkoklaric78_1 avatar
ambroise-lescop-2 avatar
blakkursverrir avatar
Blakkur Sverrir
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait...they BUY (as in "pay for") books in order to burn them? I see great profit opportunities here

lunanik avatar
Nikki Sevven
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Where they burn books, they will also ultimately burn people." — Heinrich Heine

manda_shay_barnes avatar
MandaPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They don't literally burn people. Burning a book is like burning the person who wrote it. (At least that's my interpretation, correct me if I'm wrong.)

Load More Replies...
mostavis avatar
Damo Lee Park
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never understood this. "we're going to support the author, by buying her books, just so we can burn them and tell her how we don't support her or her opinions"? Like the idiots who burned their shoes in protest. The companies already have your money. you're the idiot who just wasted it

joereaves avatar
Joe Reaves
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They shot up eskimo coolers too. They really don't get how protests and boycotts are meant to go.

Load More Replies...
truthmonster00 avatar
Truth Monster
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Catholic church tried to shut down unauthorized versions of the bible this way centuries ago. I imagine it was as effective now as it was then. the Protestants just used the money to print more.

sink_venice avatar
Sinkvenice
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They clearly don't realise that's utterly redundant . They bought the books, JK Rowling already has their money.

ameliepeacock avatar
some random chick
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

also, its just a fun kids book. no reason for burning. everyone just needs to chill.

Load More Replies...
katie-trondsen avatar
KT
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

can you not refuse them service and have them escorted out? That's really disturbing

jjdilligaf avatar
John Dilligaf
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

why? The store made a sale and profit from their kooky obsession. And it's not like the world's going to run out of Harry Potter books.

Load More Replies...
sweetangelce04 avatar
CatWoman312
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Might as well get them to spend more money if they’re just going to burn it away anyway

jjdilligaf avatar
John Dilligaf
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The idea of book burning is disturbing - on the other had the bookstore just made a rather large sale and a nice profit, so there's that.

andreadevine avatar
Full of Giggles
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would ask if I could participate in the book burning and then bring a stack of bibles to contribute to the fire.

mariannekraus avatar
Marianne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Heinrich Heine said: "Where people burn books, they will soon be burning people."

julietemily64 avatar
Chaotic_pansexual
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“The church is having a book burning tonight” what?! What church do they go to?!

deannawoods avatar
deanna woods
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another fundamental "Christian" who thinks Harry Potter books are from the devil.

noelleka2 avatar
Noelle (xe/she)
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

saradagrape avatar
Sarah Grape
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NO! don't tell them about the others! burning the first one hurts too much in and of itself!

melayahm avatar
Caroline Driver
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey, now there's 7, plus versions in House colours, large illustrated versions, plus the extras like Rules of Quidditch - all the more money for the terf Rowling. She don't care what you do with them after she's got her cut, and the bookshop will be thankful for the sales. Knock yourselves out.

warren_weitzenhoffer_cancilla avatar
Warren Cancilla
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rowling’s actual tweet in response to a burning threat: “Well, the fumes from the DVDs might be toxic and I've still got your money, so by all means borrow my lighter.”

poppabear63 avatar
Damon Hill
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kind of like tearing down historical monuments. You can't change the past and by buying books and burning them they're actually increasing sales which is exactly what the publisher likes. Sad how stupid the genpop has become.

kotakat3 avatar
CharliAnn Olney
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is scary as ... Well, just can't think of a word I can use on a public forum.

valrico63 avatar
Sam Cook
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a Christian whose father is the pastor of my church and someone I’ve watched the films with, along with my mom and siblings, since I was maybe five or six, I just want to facepalm.

greggb57 avatar
Gregg Bender
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And that those books go into the sales total and boosts its figures on the Best Seller's list, you idiot?

ericacochrane avatar
Erica Cochrane
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it makes me so sad when people burn books for no reason. but on the plus side, more sales!

junipertaylor04 avatar
Jaime
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well... at least they’re not library books I guess

fmc avatar
Niall Mac Iomera
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You realise that drives up sales right? You're encouraging more publishing of those books

shead26 avatar
Steve
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Put pot leaves in between the pages, make it memorable for them

jamesuthmann avatar
Khavrinen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"No, no, if you want a really good fire you'll need to buy a lot more books than that! Heck, why not just buy all that we have in stock!" ( Too bad bookstores don't work on commission. )

griffinx avatar
Fluffy Griffin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean..as much as book burning is so wasteful... They are supporting the author by buying books and then making sure those copies can't be resold again (and thus more books need to be purchased new)... 🤷

brianandkirstenlewis avatar
Lorelei
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sad.Why would you discriminate such a loved book series?Its fiction, not witchcraft.

averysalberico avatar
Avery S Alberico
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It makes sense why the church would burn Harry Potter books, it is entirely based on witchcraft.

asatvoong_1 avatar
Adam C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Oh and she also wrote many other books you may wanna burn"

pincriske avatar
Clearly sunny
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Say to him, "Oh cool, me n my friends are doing the same tonight! But with the Bible!'.

clarissa-h-unpronounceable avatar
Easily Excitable Panda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please, be sure to add money to JK Rowling's purse and the store's profits. That'll show 'em.

chris_troisi avatar
Christopher Troisi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

biggest reason why Harry Potter became so famous. Its not because its a good magician book, but because it stirred up a witch hunt . ( guessing that was JKR publishers job)

lizmolloy1969 avatar
aidapai avatar
Ada
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not really. It happened in Poland too. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47771706.amp

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#31

Customers-Stories-From-Hell

notalwaysright Report

Add photo comments
POST
michaelswanson avatar
Lunar Bicycle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I worked in a garden center, a really friendly customer laughed and told me he had just embarrassed himself at another garden center by asking employees there, “Do you have chlamydia?” He said they just stared at him for a moment, so he followed up with, “Do you know where I can find chlamydia?” He then realized that he meant to say “clematis” and immediately turned around and left. I helped him find our clematis, and, as he was leaving, said, “At least you didn’t say you were having trouble finding the clitoris!”

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

I Played Your Music For My Friends, So Give Me $400 Or I Will Sue! (X-Post - Clients From Hell)

TaoTeChing81 Report

Add photo comments
POST
melelliott avatar
Ripley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh no, I want to see them take it to small claims . . . I want to see how far it will fly when it's thrown out.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

Customers-Stories-From-Hell

benadrylbumblebutt Report

Add photo comments
POST
bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok, we'll rename this fee to education-fee and raise it by 50%. The lesson you've learned is that you don't pretend to be rich when you haven't got a dime to spare.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#38

Customers-Stories-From-Hell

clientsfh Report

Add photo comments
POST
mulkyway avatar
mulk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's like: "make me appear first on google search when somebody search for [goddam words which have nothing to do with the customer's business]"

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

Customers-Stories-From-Hell

notalwaysright Report

Add photo comments
POST
lyuboiv avatar
Vorknkx
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Have you had one of those cases when you can't remember a password, ask for a reset, and when you type in the new password, it says that you can't use the old one :D

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Customers-Stories-From-Hell

benadrylbumblebutt Report

Note: this post originally had 65 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.