Alright. So...I realize I haven't updated this in a while but I feel the need to vent today about work. Because I can.
I fairly often get customers in that just generally irk me. My interactions with them however are generally so short it's not worth writing down [unless I did it collectively]. Don't get me wrong, we have plenty of wonderfully pleasant customers as well, but they do not generally make my brain hurt.
Pet Peeve of the Day: Found a lipstick stained "vinte" starbucks cup empty just sitting amungst the floral counters today. We are not here to clean up after you, please throw away your shit. There were at least 10 (yes I actually counted) trashcans 20 feet from where you decided your trash went. Bitch.
Irritating Customer of the Day: The following scrip would become too long if I wrote out the times I repeated myself more than once...so I'll sum it up:
Me: "Did you need some help M'am?"
ICotD: "Yes I'd like to get something framed."
Me: "Alright let's see what we can do for you." *Arranges counter neatly and prepares for giving advice and input*
ICotD: *pulls out paint sample sticks*
Me:*slight mental note...sometimes this is okay...sometimes it's a royal pain in the ass..depends on the customer*
ICotD: I want to have this framed but the outside cannot be bigger than 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" That's all the wallspace I have. I don't know how big this is.
Me: Alright well let's see *measures art* Well, it looks like from edge to edge it's already 8 3/4" by 8 3/4"
ICotD: I'd like to have it double matted and framed in these two colors *shows me paint swatches*
Me: If you put a frame around this and only want the end -outside- result to be 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" there is no way it can be double matted. The mat would be extremely small.
ICotD: I want these two colors and a wood frame...I might be able to do 11" x 11" but that's as big as it can get. These are the colors of my kitchen. Now, my decorator suggested that the top mat would need to match my wall. *shows me wall color sample*
Me: M'am finding a frame small enough to even have a double mat is not likely. We can't cut a mat smaller than 1". We might be able to get a 1" mat into this frame *pulls off tiniest wooden frame on the wall*
ICotD: My decorator said the top mat should be the same color as my wall. Do you have this color?
Me: I would actually advise against that. It is very difficult to match a mat with a paint color. Paint can be (and often is) mixed to precise color, where as mats only come in certain colors and if it's even slightly off it will fight with your wall. My suggestion is to go lighter or darker than your wall color in the same color...or pick a color that compliments both the art and the wall. *noting that the customer does not give a flying rat's ass about the colors that are actually IN the artwork she brought in, she's far to concerned about matching her new paint colors..starting to get really irritated.*
ICotD: Well my decorator said that we should try, so can we look at what you have?
Me: [in my head] What did I JUST tell you lady? [outloud]: Sure. *pulls out any and all colors even remotely close to her paint sample*
ICotD: None of these match. Are you sure that's all of them?
Me: Yes.
ICotD:*doesn't believe me* May I look?
Me: Yes. *not happy* If I were to suggest one I would go with this one *pulls a shade darker than her wall color to go with accent paint color mat as well*
ICotD: Hmm. Well I'll go with your professional opinion on this. Are you sure that's the best choice? *keeps looking and trying several of her own...while complaining*
Me: If it were me I'd go with that one, Yes.
ICotD: Alright, well how much will all of this be?
Me: If you'll give me a moment I'll figure that all out. [Keep in mind framing takes a lot of measurment configuring when it's custom so this takes about 7-10 minutes]
ICotD: Are you sure this is the right color? If my decorator absolutely hates it you'll cut me a new one right?
Me: *now while trying to make sure my math is correct* If we have to redo it you have to pay for the new mat [true unless it was our fault]. We also have to order our mats in so that would add more time to it's completion. Could you bring her in? Or have her come look at it first?
ICotD: I don't have time for that. How long does this take?
Me: Right now about 3 weeks.
ICotD: Three?! It sure does take you a long time!
Me: The holidays are really busy for us. We have to send out for the frame and the mat. We don't make the frames here so we have to order them. The mats are not in stock so we also have to order them. We cut the mats, glass, backing, and do the rest of the work here. Your art stays here with us until we get your frame and the full mat sheet in. *now that I figured the price* It's going to be $66 before tax
ICotD: That's expensive! I thought you were better than that here.
Me: We're cheaper than any other custom framing business out there in this state.
ICotD: Well is there any way it could be cheaper?
Me: We do run sales on our custom frames but it's about every other week and they're not on sale this week. You could always come back with this estimate when they are.
ICotD: Well I'm going to be in the hospital for the next 3 weeks can't you just give it to me?
Me: No m'am. I could get fired.
ICotD: Alright. Go ahead and do it then.
Me: *finishes up the order and gives her her copy to be on her way*
So, after I get her order written down she stops me to ask me another question.
ICotD: I have another question for you.
Me: [in my head] "oh god just please go away" [outloud]: Yes?
ICotD: I have this doggie treat jar that is going in the kitchen as well. Do you have any sort of spray paint I can use to spray it with?
Me: What is it made out of?
ICotD: It's ceramic and glazed *pulls out the lid of said "treat jar" to show me* It's pink you see...and that won't go at all with my new decor. So I need to repaint it.
Me: Well it's already been fired with a glaze. Anything you put on top of that is going to come off.
ICotD: *not happy with my answer starts to talk down to me* Well I know, but there has to be some sort of primer.
Me: No m'am. They don't make a primer that will adhere to a fired ceramic glaze.
ICotD: Well could you just show me what options I have, if I can't paint it I'll have to throw it away because it doesn't match.
Me: I have to stay here so let me get someone to walk you over there.
-
People like this piss me the fuck off. First off, I don't give a shit what your decorator says. 90% of the time "interior decorators/designers" are the most awful demanding customers we have...even worse when it's an indecisive customer who eats every word from their decorator's mouths and doesn't give us any slack whatsoever. I don't give a shit what's in your house. I might ask what sort of theme it is or furniture colors..and general overall colors....but I do not care what color your pillow cases are..I don't care what color your carpet is, I don't care what color your trim is. If you're not picking art that GOES WITH your so precisely color coordinated room WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU FRAMING IT?! Don't expect me to frame it for the room you're going to change in 4 months when you get tired of it. I frame for the art...as it should be. [There are few exceptions to this rule...but most of those customers are nice...family heirloom and they just want it to match a little better....that's okay.]
Second, Don't talk down to me just because I'm in a little blue vest and look like I could be your granddaughter. I HAVE a brain, I know how to use it, I excel in color and artistic merits, that IS why they hired me. [This is not all their fault..just don't assume that I'm a ditz please...I know most retail stores are not that selective in their employees...] Again, I don't give a fuck what your decorator says.
Thrid, DON'T THROW SHIT AWAY BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MATCH!
You WASTEFUL whore! And don't give me attitude because I can't magically conjure a primer out of my ass that adheres to a gloss fired ceramic. [btw, she then asked the person I sent over with her the same damned question..and got the same damned answer]
GAH!
Need I say more? She wins that trophy for today. /endrant