This morning was pretty hectic at the ole video store for the bit before noon. It’s a little harrowing having a store full of people on a Saturday morning while trying to finishing up things from the night before AND prep for Tuesday’s releases while working by yourself.

Then you get the weird ones in on top of it.

Well, in the middle of getting the second season of “Desperate Housewives” together and helping a customer with an order of eight ‘art’ films, an older lady came up to the counter and just stood there. Staring. I choose to ignore these people for a little while under the pretense of helping someone else in a futile attempt at teaching patience. Yes, I’m an ass. Those of you who have worked customer service understand though. I finally finish up and ask if I can help her.

“I’d like to make a complaint.”

And I’d like to be on a deserted island for a month away from people, but only one of us is going to get our wish this morning.

“I bought one of those [previously viewed] video tapes…”

I’m thinking the tape is busted. No biggie. Just bring it back in and get your money back; however, remember she is one of the weird ones.

“…and on the box it said it was a four-star movie. Well, I watched it and it was crap! It was a horrible movie and I ended up throwing it away.”

[cricket.cricket.cricket.]

What was I going to say? She obviously wanted something free and I wasn’t about to give it to her for that reason for a tape that cost her $1.99 + tax (she probably didn’t pay the tax — keep reading). Instead, I decide to throw some more of that honesty around that people seem to hate. “I’m very sorry, ma’am, but in this case you are going to have to write the studio, producer, director and writer. There is nothing that we or anyone in this store can do to raise the quality of a used $2 video which manipulated you with its marketing propaganda.” Wanting to add: “And only you can better your negative opinion,” but refrained.

She either didn’t understand what I said or realized that she wasn’t going to get anything out of me and moves toward the used tapes again. Something about this situation is causing deja vu. When she finally comes back, throws a tape on the counter and proclaims in her best victim voice, “I guess I’ll try this one.”

I ring it up and let her know that’s it’s $2.15 with tax and she gives me two one-dollar bills. The deja vu is now screaming at me. She tells me she doesn’t have 15 cents and that she’ll bring it in later. I just wanted her out of the store at this point, so just give her the tape when it suddenly dawns on me that she has done the exact thing to me twice before. This makes me angry, but let her go anyway.

At some point, there has to some business service. You know where the customer is actually nice to the store. We have many, many great customers, but if she is doing this to us then she is doing it elsewhere and I’m sick to death of people playing on others’ kindness. The problem is if I had told her I can’t sell her the tape unless she has the full amount, some other person in the store who doesn’t know the entire story will just give her the small amount of change and she agains plays on people’s kindness. Sure it’s only 15 cents, but it adds up over time.

It goes with the adage of screaming loudly and long enough will eventually get you what you want. Bull. I say businesses don’t need this kind of customer and should refuse them service. The clothing industry has done this somewhat with refusing to take back returns from repeat offenders. I understand she may be on a limited income, but several facts remain. She has purchased several tapes. She knows there is a sales tax. She knows her budget.

She knows what she is doing.

It’s all unfortunate. It’s bad for employee morale and it’s bad for business. Especially small businesses that are trying to remain profitable in the world of Blockbuster and Starbucks. Of course, she doesn’t seem to care. She is looking to save fifteen pennies, which after a few stores, adds up.

Listening to: Slow - Kylie Minogue