If you follow me on twitter ^[1], you surely saw my tweets on this yesterday. I hesitated sharing this here, but since I really try to *keep it real YO* I am giving you a glimpse into this bad interaction.

Yes, I said rude CUSTOMERS! This was a tough one and I addressed someone about their rude attitude during my shopping trip. The thing that really got me is that most people always voice their disdain over rude employees. Actually, this cashier wasn’t the friendliest but I felt she sensed the judgment the customers were throwing at me.

Yesterday during a trip to Kmart for the Super Double Coupons ^[2], I had my first ever rude customer experience. To say I was livid is truly an understatement! Their rude behavior stemmed from me using coupons and putting something back after it had been on my order. These customers obviously lived through the Depression so I can honestly say I was surprised I got the attitude from them. Hello!! – this recession IS my depression.

Let me clarify, whenever I am in a checkout line, I always show fellow customers the courtesy of a warning, if you will. I know I may take a few minutes longer because of the coupons being scanned. I simply do this to forewarn them so I don’t get an annoyed reaction. If I do get a negative smirk, at least I can tell them they were warned – good deed of the day and all. Honestly, when they see how much I have saved they are usually so flabbergasted they hold me up post-checkout to get tips :)

This experience was different. I didn’t have tons of coupons, just one actually.

When I felt the *sighs* and rolling of the eyes, I spoke up. I will be honest, my reaction was not as Christ-like as I wish I could say. Obviously, I’m a believer so imitating Christ in all that I do is important. These people just caught me off guard and hit that button that pushed me too far! I think it was their age that threw me for a loop. Usually, the older people *get* that saving money through little ways can help a LOT! I’m akin with the older generation in that way :)

In all that I do, I am all about the underdog. Protecting the little guy.

I hear all of these coupon myths, one being that we can’t afford things because we use coupons. We all know that is the farthest thing from the truth. I can afford more because I use coupons. I am deciding where I spend my money, not the stores/manufacturers.

Truthfully, many people are too embarrassed to use coupons because of getting a reaction like I received in this interaction. Some of the reaction came from me putting something back because I changed my mind. They commented (under their breath but I heard it) that I should not have gotten the item. I guess my purchases, or lack thereof, became their business.

I have family members who have HAD to put things back because they didn’t have the money. Honestly, many cash-only users will put something back because they have gone over their limits – either way, it doesn’t require judgment. And, honestly who has the energy to be that ugly??

So, getting this reaction – and my reaction – was all quite a surprise for me yesterday. I was frazzled, which is very hard to do to me. I was disappointed that people behave this way. But, I came out of it on my knees in prayer and know that my passion is even greater: I want to continue helping people, equipping them with knowledge to be an empowered shopper and good steward of their money!

With that, I’m glad it happened (to me). But, if I ever saw it happening to someone else, I’d probably do the same. I turn into a cougar/momma bear/grizzly when I see, what I perceive, as wrongdoing to anyone. I always say, *God don’t like ugly* and that includes my reaction to those *ugly* actions and comments. So, lesson learned for me. I have said I’m not perfect ^[3]…and I’m thankful for that. But, I can always strive to be a good example.

So, what a day I had! This isn’t a bashing of whoever those people were. It’s more of an awareness that people still look down on people trying to save money regardless of the need. Boo on them and YEAH for us because we’re wicked schmart!

Have you ever had a bad customer experience?

Photo Credit ^[4]