One of the most popular features in our print magazine is Pet Peeves. These industry irks submitted by retailers and service providers run anonymously — just in case the customer or other subject being complained about stumbles across it in the online version. We get hundreds of submissions each year, but only run six in print. With that in mind, we’re kicking off this regular digital roundup of outtakes!
Here are Pet Peeves about customers that may have you groaning in agreement:
1. GIVE ME A MINUTE!
“My biggest peeve is getting to work and having a customer waiting for me and following me to the door! If they wait in their car until I put the open sign out, then fine. But following me to the door is so irritating when I have things to do before actually opening.”
2. HAHAHAHA!
“Customers who are surprised that I can’t groom their dog on the same day they call or even in the same week. (While annoying, I mostly find it very entertaining).”
3. DO YOU EVEN GO HERE?
“We get people in daily who want donations. Many walk in and say, ‘Oh, I have never been here before!’ Then ask for donations.”
4. THE 10%ERS
“90% of customers are amazing and make us smile every day! The other 10% have big opinions and have to tell us about them. Thank you for your unsolicited advice. After 11 years of running our business, we might know a little more than you do. But they always know better than EVERYONE else. Lord, HELP me! I’m learning to not allow the 10% to ruin my day.”
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5. EW!
“Our biggest pet peeve, since we are a dog training center, is letting their dog pee anywhere! Inside or outside. Would people really tolerate letting their dog pee on the side of their house?”
6. TOLD YOU SO
“Customers who drain you of information — but then don’t follow your suggestions when it comes to feline best practices and cat nutrition.”
7. I CAN SEE YOU
“Someone coming in and BLATANTLY taking photos to google Amazon and Chewy to try to price us out — and doing it like we’re not even right there.”
8. HE’S FRIENDLY!
“Off-leash pets are a constant issue. We have signs posted at the entrance but still have customers bring pets in off leash who will run right up into the face of other pets or jump on customers, etc. We go ask these customers to put their pets on leash, and they always act offended.”
9. BIG SIGH
“When customers say ‘Can you get the nails as short as possible’ and ‘Don’t Poodle my doodle.'”
10. SURE, WE’LL PRICE MATCH
“I think we are ALL going to relate to this one: Usually in pairs, people walking through your store whispering to each other as they search the web for price comparisons one … at … a … time. I tell people we will match online prices and was so grateful for the day that someone asked how much something was (for the fourth or fifth time) while exclaiming ‘Online it’s only $29.99.’ I looked at the price in my store and realized I was undercharging. So I said ‘Oh no! It looks like we are selling it for $28.99, but I will fix that cause we do match online prices.’ She was not too happy about that. And no, I did not give it to her for $28.99.”
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