Pardon me while I SCREAM!!!

5215 Views 61 Replies 44 Participants Last post by Kissi's Mom, Jul 22, 2010

CrystalAndZoe

Discussion Starter · Jul 19, 2010

Some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed, you know? And why can't I just be a secure enough, loving enough person to not let these things bother me? And if I do let them bother me, why on earth can't I keep my blasted mouth shut?

Just had an elderly lady, her adult daughter and 2 grandchildren come into the store. The old bitty...er...elderly lady was being very vocal...and very loud about how ridiculous my store is. Then she looked me straight in the eye and said "and to think, there are starving children in Africa!". :angry:

Well that was it for me! I tried to be diplomatic at first by saying that some people were not blessed to have skin children and so having fur children really helps to fill that empty spot in our hearts...and fur kids are still cheaper then skin kids. She gave me a disgusted look and shook her head. So I continued on saying that just because someone may choose to spend money this way does not mean we don't give to charitable contributions on a regular basis. To which she replied "I don't think so." That was the last straw. I told her that perhaps she should not be so judgmental and that I do give regularly and have myself been on several mission trips. Started to name off some of the 3rd world countries I've been to when the adult daughter steps in and tells me off. She is correct that if I'm in sales and want to make a sale I should not treat a customer this way. She informed me SHE was the one with the dogs, not her mother, and I just lost a sale. Well for one thing, my experience has been a mother with small children does not really purchase my type of inventory on their dog. Some do but the majority do not. And do you think she would have really bought something after the way her mother was going on? So I told her as she was leaving, that it was totally fine that I lost the sale.

Someone please pass the duct tape if I'm going to make it through the rest of the day! :smilie_tischkante::smpullhair:

See less See more

1 - 20 of 62 Posts

Cheri

· #2 · Jul 19, 2010

Oh girl, I wouldn't have been able to keep my mouth shut either lol That was just plain rude. I mean, at the very least she could have walked OUT of the store and gave her (lame) opinion to her daughter.

I agree with you...and for the record, I have 4 children (ages 4-14) and if I could, I would spoil my dogs and buy them tons of foo foo stuff. I do charity stuff too, even if I can't donate, I am always making stuff (I crochet sweaters for rescues, bookmarks for a charity that buys books for kids, and right now I'm doing that AND making bears for emergency foster kids. I don't have money, but i have lots of free time lol)
My point is that you have a very valid point...and why should it matter to anyone else what people spend their money on? for crying out loud.
I bet she has something she wastes HER money on...everyone does.

See less See more

jenniferhope423

· #3 · Jul 19, 2010

Why the heck was she even in your store if she thought it was ridiculous? Some people are just plain RUDE!

Johita

· #4 · Jul 19, 2010

She was being ridiculous. The first thing that came to my mind as I was reading this, was how does she know whether or not you help in other ways or if some of the proceeds go towards a charitable organization? And how exactly was she helping the starving children??? She had no tact and I think you handles it well.

MalteseObsessed

· #5 · Jul 19, 2010

hi Crystal....don't let a rude customer ruin your day...call it ignorance...

You have a greeat store and your passion for your fluffs and the high quality products you sell to folks like me is inspiring...

I deal with such hurtful remarks alllllllll the time too....I have a super hOT HOT temper...I suffered from infertility for six years...it was the darkest time of my life...I now have two kids by way of adoption from Korea and they have blessed me immeasureably...actually my Emma saved my life (twice - long story)

i am in process of adopting my third...a five yr old from Korea...her name is Faith...another long story...our family has spend the last 11 years in adoption ministry placing kids in homes from all over this world as well as locally...

Now my Emma wants to be a vet and so our world is dogs dogs dogs and all the goodies that come with dogs dogs dogs...with awareness on homeless dogs etc...

We give TONS to orphanages...now we will also be giving to shelters etc...

Folks throw comments like...wow you treat your dogs better then most people treat their kids -"what a waste"...wow, I am a real mommy and you are NOT but you sure are good to those kids you didn't give BIRTH to...or....why didn't you try more IVF...these are the less offensive comments I get...

Crystal ....I love the bows and the PURePAWS I bought from your store...i love your storee and wish you were here in OC CA...

I hope you have a super day as your have many friends here...I especially love your furbabies!!!!! wet kisses from my girls...

Ps...wow I just disclosed some stuff didn't I...

See less See more

pammy4501

· #6 · Jul 19, 2010

The more I see of people, the more I like my dogs!

silverhaven

· #7 · Jul 19, 2010

:HistericalSmiley

on't sweat it Crystal.

I used to own a store too. Sometimes I would get some negative people in and frankly it isn't the suck it up kind of business. If someone was rude to me I would certainly ask them to leave or refrain from nasty comments. I also told my staff they didn't have to put up with rudeness. Customer service and doing what you can to help and assist people is one thing, but being unnecessarily rude is quite another. So I say go you :cheer:I don't believe there was any way the daughter was going to buy anything with her mother commenting like that.

Miss_Annie

· #8 · Jul 19, 2010

Good for you for standing up for yourself! I don't believe that you should have to put up with verbal abuse just because your a store owner. I would've told her off to!

So I'm not passing the duct tape, but giving a high five!

Matilda's mommy

· #9 · Jul 19, 2010 (Edited)

Oh Crystal I actually love people like that:brownbag: I run into them all the time:blink: I let them go off on me and then I say well I'm glad everyone is different it would be a very boring life if we all looked at things the same way, then I also share like you did about people who love their dogs as baby's as I do. Usually I get the eye roll and many have said your a stange lady or you have to much time on your hands. I just smile at them and say well you should see my checking account:HistericalSmiley:and wish them a good day, it always sets them back for a loop. (look at some of my old threads I have made about these people.) I have always wondered why they came into my space at the marketplace in the first place, they knew I sold dog clothing
I'll never understand why someone thinks they have the right to say these things to another person. They must be very unhappy in their heart

See less See more

Orla

· #10 · Jul 19, 2010

Why on earth was she in your store if she thought it was ridiculous?

I know it must have been upsetting but I wouldn't think much of it.

Many people love to spoil their dogs and buy them things and some of those people do donate to 3rd world charities.

CloudClan

· #11 · Jul 19, 2010

Sounds just like a TROLL to me. (We had one of those here earlier today, too).

I think the message is not to feed the trolls.

Sorry Crystal, we love you and Cadeau wishes he could come check out your store in person.

Cosy

· #12 · Jul 19, 2010

Aww, well, she was elderly and sometimes the elderly don't have an edit on their thoughts. She also comes from a time where dogs were often relegated to the back porch with dinner scraps. When I was a kid my grandparents favorite saying at the dinner table was "children are starving in Biafra.......EAT". The mom probably felt she had to stand up for her elderly parent. It's easier to just smile and walk on than to try and change an old leopard's spots.

Alexa

· #13 · Jul 19, 2010 (Edited)

Oh Crystal, I'm so sorry to read your story but I know how people can be sometimes!
I totally agree, this woman must be very unhappy and dissatisfied with her life and then she came in your nice store and argue in that bad way! :smilie_tischkante:

But I really like your cool reaction on it, Crystal! I'm quite sure she felt very angry about it because she didn't get what she expected from you in that situation!

Alexandra :wub:

Snowball Pie's Mommi

· #14 · Jul 19, 2010

Cosy said:
Aww, well, she was elderly and sometimes the elderly don't have an edit on their thoughts. She also comes from a time where dogs were often relegated to the back porch with dinner scraps. When I was a kid my grandparents favorite saying at the dinner table was "children are starving in Biafra.......EAT". The mom probably felt she had to stand up for her elderly parent. It's easier to just smile and walk on than to try and change an old leopard's spots.

I know many elderly people who are kind hearted and wouldn't act like that woman did. Hey, I am in the elderly bracket, and I would never act like that woman did.

However, I think I would have told her, Crystal, that how a person treats dogs ... will often treat humans in the same manner.

Crystal, I am sorry your day had to start like that. I think you handled everything perfectly, especially under the circumstances.

I hope your day ends with something special that can bring a big smile to your face!

Huge hugs for you, Crystal. :wub: :tender:

Marie

See less See more

MaryH

· #15 · Jul 19, 2010

Now, Crystal, there was a better way to handle this. Why didn't you just go out back, get an empty box, hand it to her along with directions to the nearest food store, smile sweetly, and wish her a lovely day? :innocent:

The A Team

· #16 · Jul 19, 2010

Blahhhh.....:angry:.....I say "Good Ridence" to her! I can't stand mean grumpy people. ......and do we know whyyyyy grumpy people are like that?????

BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE LOVE OF A DOG!!!!

There. *stepping down from my soapbox"

MalteseJane

· #17 · Jul 19, 2010

jenniferhope423 said:
Why the heck was she even in your store if she thought it was ridiculous? Some people are just plain RUDE!

my point too.

Snowball Pie's Mommi

· #18 · Jul 19, 2010

MaryH said:
Now, Crystal, there was a better way to handle this. Why didn't you just go out back, get an empty box, hand it to her along with directions to the nearest food store, smile sweetly, and wish her a lovely day? :innocent:

:thmbup::cheer::woohoo2::clap::yahoo:

Cosy

· #19 · Jul 19, 2010

Snowball Pie's Mommi said:
I know many elderly people who are kind hearted and wouldn't act like that woman did. Hey, I am in the elderly bracket, and I would never act like that woman did.

However, I think I would have told her, Crystal, that how a person treats dogs ... will often treat humans in the same manner.

Crystal, I am sorry your day had to start like that. I think you handled everything perfectly, especially under the circumstances.

I hope your day ends with something special that can bring a big smile to your face!

Huge hugs for you, Crystal. :wub: :tender:

Marie

Marie, I wasn't insinuating all elderly are like that, but MANY are. She could have also been hard of hearing and speaking more loudly than appropriate. I can understand how Crystal felt, but I'm just saying, sometimes there are reasons for how people behave that we cannot see.

michellerobison

· #20 · Jul 19, 2010

Only someone who truly loves pets would understand.
I'd told her to "Bite Me".
Sometimes I think if I open a foofy pet goodies store,I would kep a special sign for folks like that.... a sign that said "If you don't get it,bite me". I know it's rude. But I figure it's nice than a middle finger....
I know I'm bad....

1 - 20 of 62 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.