I get it that a lot of people have a 9 to 5 job where they can only run errands before or after work. That’s fine, but it’s important to make sure you’re running those errands when the places you’re going are actually open even if that is inconvenient for you.

The woman in today’s story tries to drop off her iPads at a repair shop before work even though the repair shop isn’t open yet. That’s just the beginning of her craziness.

Let’s read the whole story to see what happens.

“But you’re here, that means you’re open.”

I work in an electronics repair shop that does all kinds of work, mainly cell phones, and accessory sales for most of the stuff we fix.

People just die when they don’t have their phones, so customers are either thrilled with the short (usually less than an hour) turn around time, or upset that it takes “so long.”

Employees get there 20 minutes before the store opens to take care of opening duties, normal for any kind of job. That means that sometimes we have people waiting at the front and only door when we get there.

A customer arrived at the same time as the employee.

I noticed someone following me on the way into work one day, a silver SUV.

When I got over to turn into the back parking lot, surprise surprise, the SUV turned into the store front lot… And was parked outside of the front door.

I don’t acknowledge anyone outside like this before open unless they come to me, and if they’re just asking if we’re open I’ll have them wait inside and usually take care of the customer a bit early.

Well this lady, L for short, followed me in as I was disarming the security alarm, and tried to put 2 iPads in my hand.

This is how it went.

She didn’t want to wait.

Me: I’m sorry, but we’re not open for another 20 minutes, you’ll have to wait until then.

L: But I just need to drop these off, I work at 10.

Me: If you’d like to wait inside, that’s fine, and as soon as I’m done with opening duties I can check you in. (I haven’t even turned the lights on yet)

L: but I’m here now, I can’t wait that long.

He tries to explain.

Me: ma’am it’s going to take me about 20 minutes anyway to test your devices and create tickets, and I need to open the store first.

L: But you’re here, that means you’re open

Me: ma’am the store doesn’t open until 10. (I gesture to the open sign)

L: Oh it’s close enough, just hurry up, I don’t have time for this. (She’s getting annoyed)

It seems like the customer is repeating herself.

Me: okay, give me about 10 minutes, I’ll go as fast as I can to open up for you. (Because iPad screens are pure profit. Just a lot of glued glass shard peeling that takes a while for labor)

L: what? No, do it now. I need to drop these off.

Me: Ma’am, I’m sorry, but no. If you would like to wait, you can, and it’ll be about 10 minutes. Otherwise you will need to come back when the store is open.

L: But you’re HERE NOW. YOU ARE OPEN.

He’d finally had enough.

Me: (okay. Snarky witch. Fine.) Ma’am, the store is not open until 10 o’clock. I’ve offered you a space to wait and said I’d ring you in early. You refused. I can’t help you further at this point, please leave.

L: NO. You can’t throw me out. You’re open.

Me: No, we’re not. Please leave.

L: Fine, whatever. (Huff)

She came back.

Big surprise, she came back later……. Wait for it…. 30 minutes til close with the same 2 iPads.

My coworker helped her this time. He took her devices in, offered her a discount for bringing in multiple repairs, and then I hear THIS from up front.

Coworker: alright, the total on pickup is $182.43, they’ll be ready for you by early afternoon tomorrow.

L: oh no, I can’t come back, I was going to wait for them.

Now she wants to wait.

CW: uh… Ma’am these will probably take a couple hours each, we’re only open until 7.

L: It’s 6:30.

CW: We leave the shop at 7 ma’am.

L: Oh, no, I got here before close. I’ll wait, it’s okay. (Tone of complete ignorance)

The manager stood up for his employees.

At this point I tell the Man(ager) that it’s the lady from this morning, and the Man goes up front.

The Man: ma’am I overheard a bit of the conversation, it’s going to take about 4 hours for your repairs, and I’m not making my techs stay until almost midnight. We’re leaving at 7 and you will need to leave then, too.

L: (she knew. Immediately entering a customer rage) Your SHOP is a WASTE of my TIME. I’m NEVER COMING HERE AGAIN!!! (Left without her iPads.)

She didn’t come back to pick them up for two weeks. She paid in full, didn’t make a peep on payment. I feel sorry for her family.

I love a story where the manager stands up for the employees! Granted, the reason the woman came in when she did is probably because she works from 10am to 6pm, so that makes sense. What doesn’t make sense is why she made such a fuss about leaving the iPads there overnight.

Let’s see how Reddit reacted to this story.

This person calls the woman stupid.

This person wouldn’t have repaired the iPads.

Someone who troubleshoots cell phones weighs in.

It could’ve been worse!

Talk about an entitled customer!

If you liked that story, check out this post about an oblivious CEO who tells a web developer to “act his wage”… and it results in 30% of the workforce being laid off.