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You have to pick your battle when you work a job that forces you to interact with the general public.

Because there will be good days, bad days, and everything in between.

And sometimes, even when you know the customer is wrong, you gotta give them what they want and just move on with your life.

It’s easier that way!

This grocery store manager knows all about that philosophy and he shared a story about a customer who broke his will.

Let’s take a look at what happened!

“I found it cheaper online!”

“It was a quieter night, the busy rush was over and we only had a couple of hours before closing.

Most of the shoppers at this time were the ‘late-night, best grab a few bits’ sort of crowd. Nothing too bothersome.

That was until I had a casher ask me if I could check the price of a product.

It was a huge multi-pack of Dr Pepper.

“Hey [me], could you just check the price of this…the customer is arguing it should be £12, but the till says it’s £15. He says he has a photo on the price.”

I go to check the price of the product.

Sorry!

Nope!

It’s not £12. In fact…there is not a single ticket for ANYTHING that is £12…on the whole aisle, let alone the same shelf!

“No, it’s not £12, it’s 100% £15.”

Cashier. “Ok, I’ll let him know.”

A moment later.

Oh, boy…

“…Could you come down please? He’d like to speak to a manager. He’s got a…’picture’ on his phone he wants to show you.” I heard over the headset, in a beaten voice.

I knew exactly the sort of customer I was going to be dealing with at that moment, and told the cashier I’d be down in a moment.

When I got down there, the cashier pointed me to the customer. I put on the ol’ tried and true retail smile.

“Hello there, how can I help you?” I asked, mentally having readied myself for the coming conflict.

The man, in his late 50s, possibly early 60s, didn’t say a word back to me. He didn’t even look me in the eye…instead he thrust his phone into my face.

LOL.

He held it there, arm straight and proud. As if he were Van Helsing, I were Dracula…and the phone he held out in front of him was a golden crucifix that would turn me to ash!

…I looked at the image he showed me on his phone. A screen shot from a Facebook page, that was itself a screenshot from a Google search, showing a price for the same product…for the aforementioned £12…but at an entirely different supermarket….six months ago.

I looked at the image he showed me proudly as if it were an image of God itself. And I knew there was no point arguing with this person. I have worked in retail well over a decade now. I have had these arguments before, with these same sorts of people…and I have come to realize two truths about such people…

It’s time for a truth bomb!

1, They have time. I do not. They will argue, long after you easily point out their obvious mistake…they will still argue. For they are immune to logic, and are angered whenever you try to use it.

Whereas, I have jobs that needs doing, staff that will want to go home on time. The longer I spend arguing with people like this, is longer I might have to ask people to stop after closing so we can finish what jobs need doing that night.

2, Something I learned much later. These people….they are honestly lonely. They are tiresome, draining…no one wants to be around them. Talking, complaining to you…the retailer worker…this might just be this person’s only in person social interaction.

Oh, I’m sure they have plenty of Facebook friends who back up their believes and views, but no one in the real world ever wants to really deal with them.

And so they pick stupid fights, just so they have a reason to talk to another human being for a longer period of time.

….and so, with all that in mind, as I looked at the ‘image’ he showed me, I sighed internally. and simply said.

Sure, why not!

“That’s a good price.”

“I know!” He declared, the air of victory in his voice. “It’s cheaper! I’d have thought YOU would match it!”

“Nope. We can’t. I can do you a refund though, as I see you’ve just bought the item already, I’ll refund you it, and you can go buy that one…would you be ok with that?”

“Yes…I think I will have a refund. At THAT price!” He again, held his phone in front of my face, with the same outdated offer from another retailer.

I glanced at it.

“If I were you, I’d get that offer. It’s better than what we charge.” I did his refund as quickly as possible. “Now…is there anything else I can help you with?”

“Nope! I think I’m good. Thank you.”

Get outta here!

He said, as though he just won some imaginary war. I quickly nodded to him and left. He didn’t bother any staff after that, and shortly left the store.

Again, younger me would have fought him on this. I’d have pointed out the date, the fact that it’s another store…I’d have gone back and forth with him….

….These days though, I feel I understand the benefit of simply getting such a person out the door as quickly as possible. I don’t want to feel as though I’ve ‘won’ anymore…I just want to get jobs done, and get my staff out on time so they can go home to their loved ones.

After all, that’s what’s more important.”

Reddit users shared their thoughts.

This person had a lot to say.

Another reader weighed in.

This Reddit user shared their thoughts.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a helicopter inspector who grounds a flight after the pilot is rude to him.

Another individual spoke up.

And this person chimed in.

Well, good for him for throwing up his hands and letting the customer win this one.

It probably wasn’t even worth it to argue about anyway!

In fact, it usually isn’t…

It’s important to pick your battles when you work in customer service…