"We can't sell you anything now - our computer is down"

[flamingyouth]

I was just told that at my pet food store. This is about the third time this has happened to me there. So, I offered to write them a check for the amount, with tax, and they could ring it up later, but they said no, it would screw up their inventory. The clerk said, "You can just come back in 10 minutes."

:wtf:

Am I so old and out of touch that I remember a time when you could just ring up a sale on a calculator and take a check from someone without sending a regular, paying customer away? I've worked in retail for 20 years, and I've never, ever told a customer to "come back in 10 minutes." Obviously, I won't be going back there again.

It really annoyed me. End of rant.:grr:

[GOPisEvil]

1. People have become too dependent on technology.

For example: I was driving yesterday and came across an intersection where the traffic lights were malfunctioning and flashing red in all 4 directions. People lost their minds. They couldn't figure out whose turn it was to go; they just sat there, paralyzed.

Don't even get me started on cashiers who can figure change without the machine telling them.

Come back in 10 minutes? If I wanted something 10 minutes from now, I would have come THEN. :eyes:

[flamingyouth]

7. If I wanted something 10 minutes from now, I would have come THEN.

Man, David, I wish you'd been there with me so you could have told them that.:7

[BigMcLargehuge]

2. I hate that... BZZZZZZZZZTTT SPARK BZZZZZZZZZTTTTT!!!!

When the SSSSSSSSSS BZZZZZZZZZZZZZTTTTTT!!! ZZZZZZZAAAAAAPPPP!

Come back in ten minutes, having some computer issues.

:hi:

[flamingyouth]

8. I'm sorry - my monitor went out

What was that again?;)

[BigMcLargehuge]

12. CRACKLESPACKLE POP!!!! BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ TWEET TWEET!!! ZZZZZAPPPP!

hey, who turned out the lights?

[Elidor]

3. Even more outrageous:

The power goes out and they tell you that you can't leave. Well call the cops, buddy, 'cause I'm out of here.

[flamingyouth]

10. I've never heard that

I've always been told to leave when the power goes out. Why would they make you stay? That's kind of creepy.

[Elidor]

19. Some stores, like Wal-Mart

Are so concerned with the potential for shoplifting that they'll try that one. They tried it on my mother once. Bad mistake. She's a fireball when she's mad.

[flamingyouth]

20. Wal-Mart apparently likes locking people in their stores

People like their nighttime employees.:grr:

I think I'd love your mother - she should come pet food shopping with me next time.:D

[CanuckAmok]

4. Here's an idea: find a new pet-food store.

And send a letter saying "sorry to leave you after all these years, but if your staff aren't trained to the level it takes to complete a basic transaction without the aid of a supercomputer, I have to wonder why you hire them at all. I wanted to continue to spend money in your store, but I found somone else who understands that it's not right to inconveninece me, a regular customer, because of their technical problems...."

[SheepyMcSheepster]

9. i doubt it is the staffs fault

like the cashier said, it would mess up their inventory, which is what they are probably told from above. i would say it more store/chain policy instead of cashier ignorance.

[flamingyouth]

15. It's a small chain

They have three local stores. They're just flakes, that's basically it.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

21. just because they are small

does not mean that the employee doesn't have his hands tied. an employee doesn't make the rules they just follow them. sure the business may have a crappy policy, but i think it is unfair to question the employees training or intellect if they are told that they can't sale anything if the computers are down because it will mess up the inventory.

[flamingyouth]

23. It's a ridiculous policy, if that's the case

The policy should be: Sell our merchandise during store hours. I own a business and know that shit can go wrong in retail, believe me.

[fudge stripe cookays]

24. Its not the employee's fault--

That's why you send the letter to management.

So the word can come from the top down on how to address an issue like this when nice ladies like Lisa come in to buy Tender Vittles next time.

But see? It's too late, because she's already found greener pastures.

Lisa, if we get to Seattle next year, will you take me to Archie McPhee? Please please please? I must make a pilgrimage to the land of oddities and goofy fun.

FSC :D

[flamingyouth]

25. You're coming to Seattle next year?

You bet your sweet bippy I'll take you to Archie McPhee! I'll give you the grand tour, my friend! :D That would be most amazing!! :D

[fudge stripe cookays]

26. We're gonna try!

It depends on the election, of course.

If Bush steals, we'll have to stash and save LOTS of money to get to Canada in a few years.

If Kerry takes it, it'll be a celebration trip for reprehensor and me! I have an STC (Society for Technical Communication) conference I'd like to go to in Seattle for a few days, then we can see Seattle, the San Juans, Vancouver, and Victoria.

Visiting DUers along the way, of course! The conference is in early May, the 8th-11th, so that's what I'm looking at. So if Bush steals, I'll have even more reason to hate him. Cause I REALLY want to go to Seattle.

But if Kerry doesn't win, it'll probably be just me, and for a few days in Seattle for the conference. I've got a bunch of airmiles, and my company will pay for the conference. I've got my fingers crossed!

FSC :D

[flamingyouth]

27. Excellent news!

And May is a beautiful time to visit here. Everything will be in bloom and the weather should be nice.

You should PM indigo32 and ask her about her trip here. She, her mom and her sister just left today and they did the grand tour - Deception Pass, Port Townsend, the Winslow ferry, all over Seattle. They did it up right, and we had lunch together yesterday. (They were totally cool, as DUers always are!)

Obviously, keep me posted as to your plans! :D

[fudge stripe cookays]

28. Of course!

Who else is there? You and Julie RB I know about...wasn't sure who else. Whoever we can get together I'd love to meet! I'll definitely ask Indigo for recommendations if we get that far!

I'd like to stay around downtown somewhere so I'm near the cool stuff, but I want to see the Music Project and various other spots. I'd like to make a visit to UW, but I'll have to see how much time we (I) have. (That had been my dream for awhile...to get out of Texas and get into their master's Tech Writing program, but it's looking more and more like a lost cause at this point)

I'd always wanted to stay at the Inn at the Market, but if we're having to divvy up the bucks at various spots, we may scale back a little and book a Marriott on Expedia or something. We just had a bad experience in San Antonio on the Riverwalk-- paid $200 a night for a Drury Inn that was more like a Motel 6-- yuck!

What are Flaming Youth's favorite places to check out? Any recommendations other than the Market? I've read quite a bit about Seattle, as was looking into moving there several years ago-- so much so that I bought a mess of books to help us. Then the economy collapsed and we got stuck here.

:-)

[Maddy McCall]

11. Damned skippy!

I wrote a similar letter to my son's former pediatrician. He actually called me to apologize and to ask what happened, but I was well satisfied with the new doc and her staff, and I told him we wouldn't be back.

[flamingyouth]

16. Good for you!

You're all talking me into writing the letter.

Just to balance things out, I'm also going to write a letter of praise on behalf of a superb employee at another store. I bought a small piece of furniture and couldn't fit it in my car. She actually drove it to my house on her way home from work! That woman needs a bonus of some kind - so I'll write both letters today! :D

[flamingyouth]

13. Oh, don't worry, I won't be going back

And I'm seriously thinking about writing the letter. Then again, maybe I'll have a computer problem and won't be able to print it out or something.:eyes:

[Maddy McCall]

5. Another pet peave of mine...

A couple of years ago, I called the pediatrician to make an appointment for my son. Said they couldn't, the "system is down." I asked, "Don't you have an appointment book?" (I know they do.) Reply: "We can't make appointments when our system is down. CALL BACK TOMORROW."

I did call...a new pediatrician with a very nice office staff.

[flamingyouth]

14. AUGH! That is far more annoying!

I too have a great doctor's office with a regular nurse, a nurse practioner, a reception staff that's been there forever, and they've always been able to help me when the system is down (amazing but true!). I was in an HMO for a while and had the same problem as you once; it absolutely drove me crazy. I had a kidney infection at the time; no problem, I'll just sit here and DIE while you get your computer working, fool! :D

[Guy Fawkes]

6. It's like a snow fall in the deep south...

When the network dies (and it does- a lot) our teachers go insane. Those who've been teaching for a while know how to take grades; but we've gotten a lot of new teachers recently, and they go insane.

[mrboba1]

17. had that happen at Kinkos.

they were redoing something on their system - so the guy let me have the copies for free!!!
woohoo!

[flamingyouth]

18. Cool! Good for them.

Too bad I don't have any cat food. Free cat food would have been a nice touch!

[mongo]

22. Penny wise and pound foolish

For a few hundred dollars they could have had a battery back-up system on their registers.

20 minutes of power to get folks rang-up and out of the store before the emergency lights go out...

[blindpig]

29. stupid

In retail you need to grab every dollar that you can, especially in the current economy. You take the money and straighten it out later. I guess they don't need the buisness.

[allalone]

30. that is sooo stupid

How can it mess up the inventory when the computer isn't working anyway? What difference would it make if she entered the sale when it came back up. That is so lame. But have you ever tried to explain something like that to a person with that mindset? I used to work in the accounting offices of a retail chain. The electricity went out regularly. We used to joke about having our pencils and green eyeshades at the ready. Am I the only one who thinks people have lost their common sense? Geez, what would McGyver do?

[allalone]

31. Hi flaming

I live on Whidbey 1/2 mile from Mukilteo ferry.
Love the Clara Bow pic.