Venting Time!

Oy, what a day at work.

Crap for sales, which wasn't TOO bad, considering I was mostly setting up things and taking care of non-selling stuff.

Still, I must have pitched computers about three times with no sales.

The main problem tonight was a guy who bought a computer from Marilyn last week.

He came in with his computer, saying the DVD burner that we installed was having problems, and the computer was acting real slow.

So, I decided to replace it for him. Of course, he wanted that DVD put into the new computer.

Against my better judgement (one of my rules at the store is that I am NOT a computer tech. It's fine when it's me doing my own little projects, or helping a friend out, but I don't want to be responsible if something goes wrong in a customer's case. Or, if something goes right, they'll keep on coming back to me. That's even worse.), I did this task for him. But he wanted to see how it worked before he left the store.

And, surprise! It didn't work. So I'm thinking it's the DVD burner's problem. And, of course, no one in Edmonton has one. So I have to get one in from Calgary. It'll take three days to get it.

"That's not what I wanted to hear, Kyle," said this customer. Never mind the fact that he wasn't my customer to begin with, and that I was doing him a favour by fixing it myself instead of sending it to Calgary for repairs.

What DID you want to hear, sir? I asked in my mind. Oh, sorry about this. The computer's free of charge! Better yet, you get a trip to Hawaii for being such a patient customer.

Instead, I just give him a neutral, expectant expression.

"I lose about 50 bucks every time I come down here," he told me.

"I'm sorry about that. But there's nothing I can do."

"Well, can't you get a computer tech out to my house to fix it there?"

I explained to him that RadioShack has sales staff, not techs. If he wanted a tech, we'd send the computer down to Calgary to get fixed.

He muttered something about returning the computer and going to Future Shop if this new DVD doesn't work.

If that's the case, I'm washing my hands of this. It's not my problem if he returns it, especially if it's after 15 days. The return policy on computers in my store is pretty strict. Especially with the 15% we take off the refund for the restocking fee.

Then, after he leaves, I realize that I left my kick-ass homemade CD mix in his computer. Sigh. I was looking forward to New Pornographers/Steve Burns/Stevie Wonder on the way home tonight.

There was a problem cashing out tonight ($20 under), and I didn't leave the store until 10:10 pm. didn't get home until 11, and I open the store at 9:30 tomorrow morning.

Completely a day I'd like to forget, other that finding out that Marauder has made in into the U of A Mixed Chorus this year.

He SAYS he can't sing, but I'm looking forward to being in choir with him this year. Should be fun.