In the late nineties, Lee was an assistant manager at a video game store that would encourage customers to pre-order games. They would especially encourage pre-orders on Nintendo 64 games, because it always felt like they never produced enough cartridges for release, and you’d have to wait a few weeks to a month after release to get more copies in.
The staff was dealing with one of these releases, where they had piles of games behind the counter but none were available for actual sale, as they were all paid for in advance. Lee had a newer sales associate running the register because days like this were fairly easy. Check the presale info, punch it into the register, hand over the game. All of our regulars knew if they hadn’t pre-ordered, then they wouldn’t get a copy. Everything was running smoothly until it wasn’t.
It’s later in the afternoon, and people are coming in after work to get their games. Lee was in the back of the store organizing Playstation games, when someone started yelling at the front of the store. He popped up and looked over at the register, and it’s one of the store's long-time regular customers, who would buy EVERY new Nintendo 64 game, yelling at the new kid while trying to play the “Do you know who I am?” card. Lee sighed and walked to the front of the store.
“Richard (not the customer’s real name, but the name fits), I know I personally told you that if you don’t pre-order, you’re not getting this game. Why are you yelling at my new employee?”
Richard, who is probably in his seventies, looks like he’s getting ready to blow a gasket as he keeps yelling about how the store has copies piled on the floor behind the counter, and why can't he buy one when they’re right there.
At this point, Lee’s patience was admittedly wearing very thin. “Every one of those is for these folk who are waiting for you to get out of here so they can pick up the game they already paid for because they listened. Now, I need to ask you to leave before I call security.”
At this, Richard storms out.
An hour or so later, Richard comes storming back into the store, walks up to Lee who’s behind the counter, and slams a copy of the game down, saying he got it at a competitor and he doesn’t need us or our attitude.
As the phone started ringing, Lee looked him squarely in the eye. “Richard, that’s great. I’m glad you got your game. If you don’t need us anymore, that’s fine. Go let our competitor deal with you, because we’re tired of it. Now, I need to answer the phone. Leave.”
As Lee answers the phone, he sees a gnarled old finger out of the corner of his eye, flipping him off before Richard storms out.
Richard did call to complain, but the district manager was very aware of him and his attitude, and after speaking with Lee and reviewing the security video to clarify, Lee was in the clear. He wasn’t sure what was said to Richard though, because he was rather subdued and polite the next few times he walked into the store.
