Working as a customer service slave arranging deliveries for furniture means that I meet all sorts of customers.

While there are individual customers who have raised hell and customers who genuinely make me smile (although very rarely)

There are 3 kinds of customers that I absolutely dislike serving.

1. The "MY money makes the world go round" group 

The amount you pay my company to do your delivery is the same as all the people who have come before for and who will come after you. I dont understand why these people think there is a logic in repeating "But I'm paying you $xx!!!!! You have to do what I want"

An example: Just yesterday, a family came to my counter at 10pm (the store closes at 11pm) and insisted that because they were paying $xx, I have to get my delivery team to deliver their items by the next day. Which I would understand if my company had made the promise that we'd deliver all furniture the next day, BUT WE HAVE NEVER made such an asinine promise.

All they would do is keep repeating that because they are paying $xx, I owe it to them to give them what they wanted.

No, that's crazy. I don't HAVE to do anything for you just because you point out that you are paying us the exact same price as other people. People who come earlier get priority. Simple.

Your $xx is not magically worth more than someone else's, what makes you think it is? 

These people also like to think that their $xx means they can get EVERYTHING they want and tell me  things like "I'm paying you $xx and I WANT it on this day at this specific time"

No, sorry. You get the exact same treatment as everyone else.

*disclaimer*: No, even if you offer to pay more money, it doesn't mean I can give you what you want. I honestly do everything I can to help you get what you want, I don't intentionally sabotage you.

2. The "So then how?!" people

Far too often I get people who expect me to have all the answers to their moving woes. I understand that moving to a new place sucks but I don't understand why you have to be rude about it.

I don't mind the innocent questions about if our delivery company does disposal of old furniture or if we can move something out of the way to make way for your new purchase. I can even try and give you alternatives even though we don't do those things.

What I really don't get is when I say that we don't offer these services, these people get very upset (ie: downright rude) and ask me things like "Then how you expect me to buy a new sofa/cupboard/bookcase/other furniture item." or "Then you can't deliver it you know? So do something about it"

WHAT?! I don't see why its my fault that you want to buy something new and assumed that a DELIVERY company would take care of everything for you. It is a delivery company. We deliver things. We bring it to your house, set it down where you want and (at most) assemble it.

Explain to me why its my responsibility to dismantle and dispose your old built in wardrobes or to throw away your rotting sofa for you? It's fine if you assumed so, there is not need to be nasty about it, being mean to me, isn't going to change my company's job scope.

And jesus, the worst is when they ask me: "SO THEN HOW?!" while crossing their arms and tapping their foot  (Apart from it being grammatically incorrect, it is a stupid question and you are being INCREDIBLY rude) 

So now, you say sorry for being a jackass, smile and find a legit moving company to help you out. THAT'S WHAT.

3. The stingy ones 

I understand the possible uncontrollable outburst due to shock that delivery costs you even more money. But I don't get it when people ask me, "WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE, (name of other furniture stores) don't charge for delivery you know!" I always look at the customer and hope its just a grumpy outburst but alot of the time, they actually expect an answer.

I don't exactly know what to say. Do you expect me to go into the details of how the company has calculated that this is what earns them profit? Or to go in depth with you about the store's marketing strategy? Or how your 'free delivery' from other companies have already been bundled into your item's price. Would you like me to ask you how much it costs at the other furniture store?

What do you want from me?! I'm a customer service officer, I can't give you a discount just because you think it costs too much. 

I normally just smile, shrug and apologise meekly but of course, that just enrages them even more. Can't ever win.

OTHER WORTHY MENTIONS

Playing the race card

These customers often emerge when they can't get what they want or when we accidentally serve someone that they are sure arrived after them. Instead of acting like a normal human being, the first card they pull? The RACE card.

"You are doing this to me because I'm of a different race."

"This is because I'm of another race right?" 

"How come 'that' (other race) person can get it earlier/at the time I want" 

Listen carefully, please take that chip on the shoulder somewhere else, apart from the fact that you are being ridiculous, it is almost racist that you assume because I look like a majority race that I am and thus I'm siding with them. 

If you act like an asshole,you are an asshole. I don't care what race you are. 

The claimers

Very often, people who have to claim things from their boss/accounts office have this in common. They ask constantly if I will give them a receipt (even after I have assured them I will) and they ask constantly where their receipt is.

We aren't running some kind of clandestine operation here, its a logistics company of course we'll give you a receipt.

Also, if you keep asking me about receipts, you are distracting me from processing your order in peace thus INCREASING the chances I forget to give you back your stupid receipt and/or make a mistake. Why can't you just wait and ask for them all at once, chill out!

101 Questions

These people ask questions at a rapid rate when I am obviously typing in their details. I don't understand why these people think that if they badger me with questions, I will be able to process the order faster. I can't answer when I can deliver your items, what time, how much, why its so expensive... all while I'm typing. 

I'm a good multi-tasker; NOT a robot. Besides, you throwing questions at me while I'm obviously doing something (like typing at lightening speed) is just going to make it sound like I'm replying rudely. 

And trust me, I've seen those looks, people ask me a string of 5 questions while I'm typing and when I frown (cause I'm trying to concentrate) they look at me as if I'm being the world's worst customer service officer and they are horrified with me. 

Cause people normally badger them when they are busy and they are always just smiles, giggles and sunshine.. AM I RIGHT? 

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That being said, I really need to step up looking for a full time job & I promise I will update with something a little more cheery soon. 

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