I only lost it with a customer once. Many, many years ago. No one was hurt, just a lot of loud talk. A coworker pulled me away and calmly talked me down. The customer was such a lying little weasel. I was trying to quit smoking, which was probably a factor. Reagan had just been elected, so that played a role as well no doubt. I think we gave him his damned $10 refund. It was only $10 ffs. But I can hear myself yelling "it's the principle!"
Tens of thousands of customers, and only going off on a customer once is pretty good I think. Toward the end, near retirement, I thought of myself more as a father confessor or therapist rather than as a salesperson.
I don't think I could have killed 5 customers. Now, 5 bosses on the other hand....
To this day I never blame the clerk, or whatever the term is now - "customer service representative" or some such nonsense? They give you a fancy title in lieu of a pay raise. If I get a little annoyed with a "customer service representative" I say "I know this isn't your fault. You are just doing what the boss tells you to do. Meanwhile, he is out on his yacht sipping a Martini and laughing at us while he rips me off and pays you peanuts."
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