The Haggler's Giant Heat Lamp of Shame
(Bon mot not excerpted.)
Link to David Segal's column in the July 11 New York Times.
Excerpt: As regulars know, the Haggler intercedes on behalf of an irate consumer, then reports the results in cheeky, entertaining prose that gladdens the heart and spreads joy and good cheer. That’s the concept, at least. But every once in a while — actually, at least a couple of times a week — a reader will write in with words to this effect:
“I work at Fill-in-the-Blank Inc., and you have no idea how obnoxious our customers can be. Why don’t you write a column about that, smarty pants? Hmm? How about a column that gives just a little sense of what it’s like on the other side of the transaction?”
To which the Haggler says: good idea. This time, dear readers, we turn the tables and look at consumer behavior — which, to be perfectly blunt, is sometimes quite appalling.
No library stories, as The Haggler focuses on the retail environment. But you can probably well imagine your habitual problem patrons engaging in some of the behaviors described here.
You might also get a kick out of this June 18th New York Times "Complaint Box" post on abusive customers by Jamie Smarr. (Or feel a pang of recognition from being on the wrong side of this transcation.)
Excerpt: Still, the illiterate customer persists, for about five minutes of complaining and loud talking, and is rewarded with a free iced latte for his efforts. But all the people behind him pay the price: five minutes of their lives wasted by this annoying stunt. (It's not a stretch here to substitute "having his fines waived" for "a free iced latte".)
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