Pexels/Reddit

If there’s one fact that unites all retail workers, it’s that customers aren’t always right. In fact, they’re often blatantly wrong.

One employee watched an overconfident customer waltz into the store, point at a subwoofer, and purchase it, no questions asked.

Things got complicated when that same customer stomped back in days later to ask why “it wouldn’t play words.”

You’ll want to keep reading for this one.

Customer buys subwoofer. Complains because it only plays bass.

I am happy to help customers and answer questions if asked.

But when someone just points to an item and says they want that one, I just sell them what they say they want.

This employee gives a prime example of the kinds of difficult customers that visit the store.

This guy bought a subwoofer, subwoofer box, subwoofer amplifier, and amplifier wiring kit.

He comes back a few days later and says he can’t get any words out of it, no “matter how he turns them knobs.”

The employee fills this customer in.

I tell him subwoofers are for bass only and do not play words.

I took him to the radio display and demonstrated playing just speakers, playing just subwoofers, and then playing speakers and subwoofers together.

The customer then has the audacity to turn around and complain.

“Why didn’t you tell me these wouldn’t play words?”

“You never asked, and seemed to know exactly what you wanted. If you had asked before buying, I’d have been glad to answer questions and demonstrate the difference.”

Maybe this customer should have done a little more research.

What did Reddit have to say?

It does play words, but not in the way the customer thinks.

Dealing customers who don’t know what they need can be quite frustrating.

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This commenter’s got jokes.

If management wants their cashiers to be salespeople, they need to sweeten the deal.

Some customers walk in like they already know everything, even when they clearly don’t.

Had he simply checked his ego at the door and asked one clarifying question, then he would have never found himself in this mess to begin with.

Confidence isn’t always a virtue.

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Author

Benjamin Cottrell

Benjamin Cottrell | Assistant Editor, Internet Culture

Benjamin Cottrell is an Assistant Editor and contributing writer at TwistedSifter, specializing in internet culture, viral social dynamics, and the moral complexities of online communities. He brings a highly analytical, editorial voice to his reporting on workplace conflicts, malicious compliance, and interpersonal drama, with a specific focus on nuanced stories that lack an obvious villain.

As a published author of rhetorical criticism, Benjamin leverages his academic background in human communication to dissect and elevate viral social media threads. Instead of simply summarizing events, he provides readers with balanced, deep-dive commentary into why the internet reacts the way it does. In addition to his cultural reporting, he is an experienced fine art photography essayist and video game reviewer.

When he isn’t analyzing the latest viral debates, Benjamin is usually chipping away at his extensive video game backlog, hunting down the best new restaurants, or out exploring the city with a camera in hand.

Connect with Benjamin on Instagram and read more of his essays on Substack.