Supporting charitable organizations is a simple but noble act of kindness.

In this story, a woman was working at a non-profit thrift store.

When she asked a customer if she was willing to donate to a homeless shelter, the customer accused the store of ripping people off.

Caught off guard by the rude comment, she responded… but later wished she had handled it differently.

Let’s take a closer look!

Customers are ignorant, rude, and poor listeners. If you don’t want to donate, let your “no” be your “no” and walk away.

I work at a non-profit thrift store that funds a homeless shelter.

Tonight, 30 minutes before closing time, I had a customer.

She checked out at my register who seemed, by all means, to be rational and intelligent.

However, when I asked if she wanted to donate to the homeless shelter by rounding up her total, she declined.

By the way, it would have been a whopping four cents!

This woman snapped back at the customer.

She said, “You already make 100% profit and then rip people off. I’m not giving you any more money.”

I replied with, “Actually, we are a non-profit organization that directly funds a homeless shelter.

And it’s only four cents, but okay.”

She snootily replied, “Oh, I’m not arguing that.”

Then she walked off.

She thought she shouldn’t have engaged with the customer.

I’m sorry I took the bait and engaged with her ignorance.

I wish I had said, “So why are you shopping here if you’re so against our establishment?”

But that probably would have gone against policy.

I shouldn’t have mentioned the four cents, but she was being such a jerk.

As if I was personally responsible for whatever was making her mad.

She hopes she never sees her again.

I wish I had thought to say, “Have the day you deserve.”

Because she had some seriously bad energy.

I’m normally very cheerful and I actually like customer service most days.

I hope I never see her again, seriously.

Let’s read the responses of other people to this story.

This user shares a good response.

This user makes a valid point.

A polite “no” should have been enough, says this one.

Short and straightforward.

Finally, here’s another insightful remark.

If four cents ruins your day, maybe it’s not the cashier who’s the problem.

If you liked that post, check out this story about a customer who insists that their credit card works, and finds out that isn’t the case.