Shutterstock

Imagine working in retail. You’re trying to help a customer, but they’re so distracted by their phone that they’re not even listening to you. What would you do?

In this story, one employee was in this situation, and at first she waited patiently for the customer. But eventually, she tried a different approach that seemed to work, only that led to another problem.

This transaction definitely didn’t end the way either of them anticipated.

Let’s read all about it.

Put the phone down and pay me

A customer walked in and wanted to get something printed.

I point out the sign that has our email address so they can send us the file for printing.

I finish the printing (less than one minute), put the papers on the counter, and enter it into the till.

The customer is looking down at their phone. I figure that maybe they’re texting someone of moving money around and wait.

This sounds like a lot of waiting.

After half a minute of them still not looking up I ask them if they’re sending another file.

They say yes and I wait.

After a minute of nothing showing up in the inbox and them still not looking up from their phone, I ask them again if they’re sending another file.

Again, I get yes so I keep waiting.

OP decides to try another approach.

After another minute of nothing coming in and then STILL not looking up from their phone, I change the question. I ask if they don’t have anything else to print and again I just get yes.

I tell them the total which is less than $4.

They FINALLY look up from their phone to dig in their pack. They pull out $100.

I firmly tell them, “no. I am not breaking $100 for $3 and some change.”

This didn’t end well.

They say that they don’t have any card and just have cash.

I tell them again that I am not breaking $100 and that there’s not enough money in the till to do that.

The customer leaves without another word or their printing and doesn’t come back.

Here’s a message to customers.

You decide when this transaction happens. It’s not like it was a surprise to you.

Put the phone down while the transaction is happening.

Also, don’t try and pay for a $3 service with a $100 bill

What a waste of time for everyone involved!

Let’s see how Reddit responded.

This person can relate.

Another retail worker waited.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about an employee who cleverly shuts down customer arguments about closing time.

That’s a lot of 20s!

This person calls it “brain damage.”

The customer obviously wasn’t listening or paying attention. The printing job must not have been that important if she walked out without paying and never came back. It was a huge waste of time for the customer and the employee!