Rude Woman Demands Discount On A 50 Cent Christmas Ornament, Retail Worker Gets Revenge
Christmas is a joyous time of relaxation, too much food and lots of fun with the family. But for those who work in retail, it can actually be the complete opposite. Long hours, endless crowds, Christmas music on repeat and rude, entitled customers can make the festive period into a bit of a nightmare, something that you’d just like to get over and done with as quickly as possible.
So this story of a retail worker at her wit’s end, scoring glorious revenge on a customer who had finally pushed her over the edge, is as forgivable as it is amusing. Sarah Bélanger Demaneuf decided to share her hilarious tale of perfect payback on Facebook recently, recounting events that occurred 17 years ago, and every retail worker will be cheering along with her.
A long and exhausting Christmas period was finally over, and her shop was selling off some cute Christmas ornaments on the cheap. Everybody loves a bargain, and these lovely golden stars were going for a steal at only 50 cents a pop. However, this paltry price proved to be still too much for one woman (who didn’t appear to be lacking a penny or two), and she demanded a further discount, down to 25 cents.
Now, there is a time and a place for haggling, I’m thinking the souks of Marrakesh, or perhaps a thrift store. Not in a department store, and not over a quarter, for something you won’t be needing for another year anyway. Needless to say, Sarah and the entitled woman quickly got in an argument about the golden stars, and it left Sarah with a thirst for retribution. What was to follow is a brilliantly executed act of revenge, totally petty and unnecessary, but wonderfully satisfying all the same. Scroll down to read why Sarah now adorns her tree each year with her ‘Star of Vengeance,’ and let us know what you think in the comments!
“I haven’t encountered the woman again and it’s been so many years I could not pick her out of a lineup,” Sarah told Bored Panda about the incident. “People have asked about it I think she’ll read and recognize herself, but I seriously doubt it. People like that are not usually self-aware enough to see themselves from the perspective of those they view as below them.”
Sarah no longer works in retail, she now works as a writer and photographer. Unsurprisingly perhaps, there isn’t a great deal she misses about her former job! “I recognize not all retailers are the same, but in general it’s hard work for not a lot of money/appreciation with an erratic schedule,” she told us. “Be kind to your sales associates. Sometimes it’s the only thing that’s getting them through their day.”
“I think my story resonates with alot of people because: 1. So many of us have worked retail, so we get it, and 2. It’s nice when you can reclaim your power when someone has made you feel powerless. Sometimes the little guy does win. The reaction has been overall good, but I recognize it’s not to everyone’s taste. If it makes retail workers feel a little more worthy of respect and customers a little nicer this holiday season it is a win for everyone.”
Here’s how people reacted to Sarah’s story
660Kviews
Share on FacebookI like to think that I'm not a petty person. But I've worked retail. I've know this type of customer. I would have turned those ornaments into a necklace and worn it.
I agree with the commenter about not telling her the other stores got sold out too. Let her drive around, waste time, energy, gas etc. and get frustrated and mad until the realization finally strikes (or doesn't, considering she doesn't seem that bright).
Nah..its much more satisfying telling her ONE customer just so happened to buy up all those ornaments. Its obvious it was her. The look on her face must have been so priceless! :)
Load More Replies...I think if I was standing behind this woman. I would have simply said."I will take all 12 for a buck a pop" forked over $12. Than simply would have handed it back to the clerk and said Merry Christmas. you are the proud owner of 12 stars
Excellent! She managed to get some kind of justice for the customer's nasty attitude without even being rude to her. I delight in her method of "revenge".
the same idiot that blames cashiers for the fact that something sold out...
Load More Replies...I'm just wondering how much money the woman spent on gas, returning to the store the next day when the ornaments were marked down to 90% off? I mean, even if they were still available, I feel like she would have come out ahead if she'd just sucked it up and bought them them for 75% off.
She probably never thought about that. People tend to forget about gas prices when their are not standing at a gas station.
Load More Replies...I work in customer service, people do actually treat other human beings like this. They think it will get them further in life. I am fortunate enough to have management that supports me. So when I feel that a client is being rude, or treating me or other staff inappropriately, I have full permission to ask them to leave. And....I've done it. One lady made a co-worker cry, not on my watch, told her to get out. Later!
When I worked at a pet groomers, we had one customer with a Shih Tzu that would always drop her dog off early in the morning without an appointment (no biggie), would leave the dog from 7:30 am to 6pm (kind of a biggie since we closed at 5:30pm), never brushed her dog in between grooms (the dog was always seriously matted) then proceeded to complain constantly about the price even though she paid half of all the other customers with the same dog. During her last visit, the dog was so matted..the shop owner shaved the matts out to save the dog pain and suffering from a brush out. The owner (who showed up at 6:15 to pick up the dog) went into a meltdown tizzy right in the lobby. Two months later, the dog comes in with matts even worse. Shop owner says shave the dog and then tells me to let the owner know she is blacklisted from the shop. Thank God it was by phone (she sent her son in to pick up the dog.) You've never heard a woman cuss so much, but I was smiling the whole time
Did you and the shop owner not consider reporting this customer to the authorities for animal neglect?? Her poor pup was obviously suffering...
Load More Replies...As a young girl for Christmas I worked in a ladies shop, the rule then was the customer was always right, even in a retail store one summer, same thing, there I had a rude customer, she demanded the manager, the customer got what she wanted, I was young and my lesson, I left retail !!!
Jeremiah Deezy Heninger hit the nail on the head with his comment. Retail (like so many other jobs dealing with the general public) is a thankless job. I salute you, Sarah, for retaliating in such a manner! No one got hurt, no rules/laws were broken, and the 'little guy' made a stand for us all!
Its just two quarters, lady, the same amount you pay to get gumballs out of every machine you pass for the spoiled children you probably have.
silly girl, you know she has an au pair to take care of the children! (hopefully she didn't reproduce, though)
Load More Replies...It's the rich people that haggle like mad to save a freakin' nickel. And yet. the guy who has nothing to putting change in the Salvation Army bucket. Perfect illustration as to what is wrong in the world.
That she-orc was clearly well-off, dressed in fine clothes and driving a Lexus. And she wanted to save a buck on cheap ornaments? Serves her right that they all "vanished."
I hope she got her employee discount too when she bought up al the ornaments. Working retail at Christmas is enough to make you hate the holiday.
As someone who has worked in retail, I say "BRAVO! You are my hero!"
Working Retail : when you learn all about the darkness lurking in humanity... for every ten reasonable customers there's always one on the verge of criminal insanity. It takes remarkable restraint and tact to be good at retail sales (Not a great job for a wise a*s like me with little patience for entitled idiots...)
I would have placed them in a beautiful box on the counter so she can see them and tell her they are no longer for sale.
Worked retail for 15 years. There is no hell like retail during the Holidays.
I have to say I was at a store once when someone wanted the next days discount price (going down to I think 75% from 50% the next day) and was very hostile with the cashier when they wouldn't change the price early. Said they would be back, flounced out, and I proceeded to buy every last one (only like $10 worth of stuff so not going to break the bank). The cashier managed to keep from laughing until I was heading out the door. Gave them to friends.
I got revenge once in retail. Not in such a spectacular way but I still know that feeling of satisfaction. It is really a gleeful feeling. Good going!
I feel for retail workers ALL year, but especially around the holidays. I always try to be extra nice and patient, many of these kids are in high school for crying out loud. We didn't start out as professionals, CEO's or Managers ourselves, so cut them some slack. I'm always especially nice to medical personnel and the people who handle my food as well.
Haha good on the shop assistant! ;) That horrible rude customer deserved it :)
I would have gone one step further and showed every purchased star ornament hanging on my fingers
Absolutely brilliant!!!! You are great! Have a very nice Christmas!!!!
Or you could have avoided spending $30 by hiding them in the back of the shop for an hour... y'all!
Some customers are un-believable. They will drive around wasting time & fuel just to get an item that is a couple of coins cheaper.
Karma karma karma, karma chameleon...red gold and green, red gold and greeeEEEN
Oh this makes me smile a little too much. I remember working retail for Disney--- it can get ugly really quick.
Plot twist: That was the owner of all the stores, and she does this every year to sell some unsold items before they go too cheap! :)
I like to think that I'm not a petty person. But I've worked retail. I've know this type of customer. I would have turned those ornaments into a necklace and worn it.
I agree with the commenter about not telling her the other stores got sold out too. Let her drive around, waste time, energy, gas etc. and get frustrated and mad until the realization finally strikes (or doesn't, considering she doesn't seem that bright).
Nah..its much more satisfying telling her ONE customer just so happened to buy up all those ornaments. Its obvious it was her. The look on her face must have been so priceless! :)
Load More Replies...I think if I was standing behind this woman. I would have simply said."I will take all 12 for a buck a pop" forked over $12. Than simply would have handed it back to the clerk and said Merry Christmas. you are the proud owner of 12 stars
Excellent! She managed to get some kind of justice for the customer's nasty attitude without even being rude to her. I delight in her method of "revenge".
the same idiot that blames cashiers for the fact that something sold out...
Load More Replies...I'm just wondering how much money the woman spent on gas, returning to the store the next day when the ornaments were marked down to 90% off? I mean, even if they were still available, I feel like she would have come out ahead if she'd just sucked it up and bought them them for 75% off.
She probably never thought about that. People tend to forget about gas prices when their are not standing at a gas station.
Load More Replies...I work in customer service, people do actually treat other human beings like this. They think it will get them further in life. I am fortunate enough to have management that supports me. So when I feel that a client is being rude, or treating me or other staff inappropriately, I have full permission to ask them to leave. And....I've done it. One lady made a co-worker cry, not on my watch, told her to get out. Later!
When I worked at a pet groomers, we had one customer with a Shih Tzu that would always drop her dog off early in the morning without an appointment (no biggie), would leave the dog from 7:30 am to 6pm (kind of a biggie since we closed at 5:30pm), never brushed her dog in between grooms (the dog was always seriously matted) then proceeded to complain constantly about the price even though she paid half of all the other customers with the same dog. During her last visit, the dog was so matted..the shop owner shaved the matts out to save the dog pain and suffering from a brush out. The owner (who showed up at 6:15 to pick up the dog) went into a meltdown tizzy right in the lobby. Two months later, the dog comes in with matts even worse. Shop owner says shave the dog and then tells me to let the owner know she is blacklisted from the shop. Thank God it was by phone (she sent her son in to pick up the dog.) You've never heard a woman cuss so much, but I was smiling the whole time
Did you and the shop owner not consider reporting this customer to the authorities for animal neglect?? Her poor pup was obviously suffering...
Load More Replies...As a young girl for Christmas I worked in a ladies shop, the rule then was the customer was always right, even in a retail store one summer, same thing, there I had a rude customer, she demanded the manager, the customer got what she wanted, I was young and my lesson, I left retail !!!
Jeremiah Deezy Heninger hit the nail on the head with his comment. Retail (like so many other jobs dealing with the general public) is a thankless job. I salute you, Sarah, for retaliating in such a manner! No one got hurt, no rules/laws were broken, and the 'little guy' made a stand for us all!
Its just two quarters, lady, the same amount you pay to get gumballs out of every machine you pass for the spoiled children you probably have.
silly girl, you know she has an au pair to take care of the children! (hopefully she didn't reproduce, though)
Load More Replies...It's the rich people that haggle like mad to save a freakin' nickel. And yet. the guy who has nothing to putting change in the Salvation Army bucket. Perfect illustration as to what is wrong in the world.
That she-orc was clearly well-off, dressed in fine clothes and driving a Lexus. And she wanted to save a buck on cheap ornaments? Serves her right that they all "vanished."
I hope she got her employee discount too when she bought up al the ornaments. Working retail at Christmas is enough to make you hate the holiday.
As someone who has worked in retail, I say "BRAVO! You are my hero!"
Working Retail : when you learn all about the darkness lurking in humanity... for every ten reasonable customers there's always one on the verge of criminal insanity. It takes remarkable restraint and tact to be good at retail sales (Not a great job for a wise a*s like me with little patience for entitled idiots...)
I would have placed them in a beautiful box on the counter so she can see them and tell her they are no longer for sale.
Worked retail for 15 years. There is no hell like retail during the Holidays.
I have to say I was at a store once when someone wanted the next days discount price (going down to I think 75% from 50% the next day) and was very hostile with the cashier when they wouldn't change the price early. Said they would be back, flounced out, and I proceeded to buy every last one (only like $10 worth of stuff so not going to break the bank). The cashier managed to keep from laughing until I was heading out the door. Gave them to friends.
I got revenge once in retail. Not in such a spectacular way but I still know that feeling of satisfaction. It is really a gleeful feeling. Good going!
I feel for retail workers ALL year, but especially around the holidays. I always try to be extra nice and patient, many of these kids are in high school for crying out loud. We didn't start out as professionals, CEO's or Managers ourselves, so cut them some slack. I'm always especially nice to medical personnel and the people who handle my food as well.
Haha good on the shop assistant! ;) That horrible rude customer deserved it :)
I would have gone one step further and showed every purchased star ornament hanging on my fingers
Absolutely brilliant!!!! You are great! Have a very nice Christmas!!!!
Or you could have avoided spending $30 by hiding them in the back of the shop for an hour... y'all!
Some customers are un-believable. They will drive around wasting time & fuel just to get an item that is a couple of coins cheaper.
Karma karma karma, karma chameleon...red gold and green, red gold and greeeEEEN
Oh this makes me smile a little too much. I remember working retail for Disney--- it can get ugly really quick.
Plot twist: That was the owner of all the stores, and she does this every year to sell some unsold items before they go too cheap! :)
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