To reply to a rude customer, saying no customers no wages….no workers no benefits

[Isthisfairorwhat]

I felt I was just reply back in the way he spoke to me, mirroring
as we taught to do…..

he was annoyed that he wasn’t attended to instantly
but it’s not the kinda place you can do that instantly
it can take a couple of mins

Wut?

Did you let him know you’d be with him shortly? Sounds like he was ignored and couldn’t see why. Then wondered when he was going to get served. Possibly he’s just a prick but usually people are set off. If your customer service isn’t great then it needs to be improved and if you’re taught to talk to them how they talk to you, I’d suggest it does. Surely you just smile and nod and call them a cunt in your head?

Why are you assuming he was on benefits?

🤔

Is this a joke post

for context it’s a pharmacy, and you can’t possibly serve everyone the second they walk in as there’s not enough staff and no one would get there prescriptions if you don’t at least finish one off, if you rushed to greet everyone the second they walk in you wouldn’t get anything finished so they have to wait a min or two

sadly wasn’t always like that years ago but these days like most places
are run on not enough staff

Worked pharmacy for years. Always get rude customers. Some are ill and some are just d#cks
Customers like that id serve last because im petty

Well, your employer is paid for every exemption script they process. So it makes no odds whether the customer is on benefits or not. You'll still get the same amount of money.

If your shop didn't have any customers then presumably it would close down. And then you'd have no job and would potentially need benefits?

Basically I don't really understand the point you're trying to make.

The view from your high horse must be fantastic, op

so youre saying you were told by your employer to say that. WTF

I believe a more appropriate response would have been “Im sorry for your wait”

Or 'don't speak to me like that' or 'there's no need to be rude' or words to that effect

PS dont take it personally. It’s not your fault. Youre working as fast as you can. So no need to be snotty in response. Even if your employer DID tell you to respond like that. Be polite at all times. Don’t defend their policy to understaff.

You’ve just said it didn’t used to be this way, so it is possible to run a pharmacy and have people immediately greeted. This is obviously what your customer wants/expects/remembers as a level of achievable service in a pharmacy.

He’s right that if management don’t staff it adequately then you end up run ragged and the customer gets poor service. He’s actually in your side here… it wasn’t actually a criticism of you, it was a seemingly valid criticism of how the pharmacy is being run. You should have said “it’s due to to staffing levels, but I’ll feed that back to management” or something along those lines.

Cudtomers are frustrated by poor service, whilst being potentially ill/stressed/worried.
Some customers take frustration out on OP.
OP wants to be rude back, to relieve some of her stress.
OP reisted.

OP also made a rather rude assumption/comment regarding benefit claimants.

I think - think - OP means if people like her didn't work and pay taxes there would be no money for benefits. In reply to customer saying if they didn't have customers OP wouldn't be paid.

Exactly

he doenst pay for his prescriptions because he’s on benefits

so his point no customers no wages
is the same as no workers no benefits

All depends on how you handled the situation

did you acknowledge him and tell him you won’t be a minute
or just carry on doing what you were doing knowing he was waiting blatantly ignoring him till you decided to serve him

Well I don't think it's impossible to catch a customer's eye and say "hello, I'll be right with you in a few minutes" or something similar

A solution would be to put a sign up asking for patience and that someone would be with them as soon as they are available.
Honestly I get a regular (hasn't changed) prescription and the pharmacy regularly make errors and are clearly stretched and struggling but it's actually not the customers fault and we seem to be the ones that get the brunt of shortages. I'm lucky if the assistants look at me while serving. Honestly being busy isn't an excuse for rudeness but most people will be more understanding if there is a sign.

Do you think if you go in an and e and dr doenst serve you immediately they are ignoring you ? Or they are actually already dealing with someone

do you realise if you don’t actually focus on actually sorting out someone’s prescription. None actually get done

idiots think it’s like handing out sweets

Exactly.

Well at my local a and e you so get seen and checked in by the receptionist immediately then triaged them you wait accordingly. There are signs and information telling you the process. If you communicate with your customers it could save some frustration.

Ah, ok. Yeah, she shouldn't really say that I don't think.

Not everyone in receipt of free prescriptions is on benefits. So that’s your first mistake. My late husband, type 1 diabetic and on dialysis, was entitled to free prescriptions and we didn’t get any benefits from the state. It sounds like you might not be cut out for a customer facing job if that’s the service you provide and your reaction!

Normally im on staff side in retail! But pharmacy’s are a joke now, you are lucky if you can get a prescription or a an over the counter medication without a half hour wait. I appreciate it’s not the staffs fault but most people are frustrated. Recently I had to go to the pharmacist and was told for the third time this year “sorry no pharmacist in as he’s missed his train”. Same excuse every time.