How do I deal with the most stuck up customer ever??!!!?

Question

I work in a bank in Marin County. There is one woman who comes into the bank who always treats me badly. She is so fake and stuck up and for some reason she gives me a hard time. She will ask where do you live? Is my jewelry real? Why do I wear my hair so blonde? Where do I shop? I try to be nice and answer just to blow her off but she always has a rude comeback for my answers. Like your ring looks like enamel not jade. If I comment on her suite she says, it was really expensive and if I wanted one I could go to the resale shop for one like it!!! The whole time she looks me up and down from top to bottom!! She is always overdrawn but gives the appearance of having money. How do I put her in her place without losing my job? And why is she like that? I just want to avoid her all together. I'm down to earth and only work there b/c I get paid so well. I grew up in Tennessee and didn't have much growing up so it hurts my feelings.I though women like her were only characters on the OC

Answer 1

Honey, I know the type and I think she is probably jealous that you can look so good for half the money she spends. I say eat her up with kindness, it gets them every time. When she sees she isn't bothering you anymore she'll leave you alone. Isn't that funny because I grew up in Tennessee too, and very poor I may add. Don't let that loser make you lose your job. She isn't worth it. Hang in there Sweetie, us Tennessee girls are made out of spit and guts. ha I'll be praying for you.

Answer 2

I worked in retail sales for 11 years and I swear I dealt with every type of personality there is (it would seem anyway). But the reality of it is there are always going to be people out there that cause us anxiety or rub us the wrong way. You wont believe what I do now... corrections (Deputy Sheriff). I deal with individuals that can't fit in to society or at least can't seem to conform to social norms. Try dealing with these people for 12 hours a day...then adjust to real life at home. All we can do it let it blow over. Bend like a reed in the wind, or it will break you. The one thing that keeps me sane, is the thought that there are mostly good people out in the world. The product of good upbringing (just like me... well, ya know). Don't be as judgmental as she. This lowers you in character. Obviously she gets a kick out of pointing out faults in others (wonder why that is). Try not to fall into the same trap. :) Hope this helps.

Answer 3

lol@ the last line "I though women like her were only characters on the OC." But I understand what you are saying I work with the public also. SOME customers have some kind of superiority complex and feel they can talk to and treat employees anyway they want too. The only thing I can say is to let it slide it isn't worth your job getting fired over telling off a customer and being rude. I know it's hard but people like that aren't worth responding too she obviously has some issues and feels good trying to demean you. Just smile and tell her to have a nice day. Kindness is like kryptonite to rudeness (if that makes sense) Well hopes this helps. :)

Answer 4

Unfortunately people like that are real, partly why I hate working anywhere where I deal with customers. I would say when she starts asking about you in a snotty way, just change subjects and say something like, "Why are you always overdrawn? I could get somone to help you with financial counciling." Or if you're not so brave, and she asks you for instance about your jewelry, don't answer whether it is real or not, just say, "I live within my means" Then give her a meaningful look, maybe clear your throat. Hopefully that will work, it shouldn't get you fired at least.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 5

There is no way to remain professional and get her back. The lady obviously has a complex and feel better when she downs someone. Go to your boss and ask them how they would like you to handle the situation with the customer. Don't stoop to her level. If you are interested in furthering your career this is a test as to what level you may or may not advance to depending on your response. Also remember, she could be a mystery shopper hired by your employer to see how the situation is handled. I know that seems unlikely but you would be surprised.

Answer 6

Keep doing what you are doing, and maintain the best customer service attitude you can, even though inside you want to kick her @ss. Just be super nice to her, without sounding fake. Use reverse psychology on her and maybe she'll get the message. You obviously like your job and don't want to screw it up, so just do what i suggest.. the reverse psychology thing. Also somehow you may want to clue in your boss on this little 'trick' just so he/she's aware.

Good luck, I hope this b1tch of a woman gets the hint and stops treating you so rude.

Answer 7

Ignorant customers they're everywhere aren't they?

I'm Asian. Although I don't have an accent. Matter of fact, I sound more like British than American but when I'm on the phone, I introduce myself by my real name and people always asked where I came from or what country they're calling. Or they'd say I sound like Indian. I do not sound like Indian (not that anything is wrong with Indian). Sometimes I tell them the state that they're calling and ask them if they've ever been here just to make them look stupid. Like you, I also work in sales at one the biggest banks in this country. People call me, I don't call them. For God's sake banks do not outsource their services to other country due to confidentiality. If I'm in a good mood or depends on how they ask, I tell them where I came from. Lots of time I just told them that I don't discuss my personal life and if they have any questions relate to their account, I'll be glad to help. If I'm in a silly mood, I tell them I'm from space just to irritate them.

You can tell her that you'd rather not discuss your jewelry. However, if she has any questions about her account, you'll be glad to help. If she's being disrespectful, you can tell her that whatever she asks, it's not relevant to the discussion of her account. Turn the question around. Ask her why she overdrawn her account and sell her overdraft protection hehehehe. Ignore herquestions and continue providing her the service that she came in for. Pretend that you didn't hear the question.

People tend to forget that you have all of their information and she's the one who provokes you (wink, wink). Just like the waiter who spits on the customer's food if they're being ignorance or demanding :-) Sometimes they think because you can't see them, they have the rights to abuse you. For us, if they continue being ignorance, we just put them on hold but we still can hear them. If they say something nasty while they're on hold, they'll be on hold for a long time.

Answer 8

Don't take it personally. It's her problem, not yours. I would just stop answering her questions because you're just feeding her ego. There's no reason why a customer should be asking you questions like that, and you have no obligation to answer them.

Just let her talk. Don't engage in conversation. Eventually she'll find she's talking into the wind and will blow away somewhere else on her own.

Stay focused on your job, and it will all pass.

Answer 9

Sorry to advise you of this, but you are in customer service.

There are those out there who think have the right to abuse people who wait on them.

However, as granny used to say 2 wrongs don't make it right.

Don't stoop to her level.

You can and will loose your job. She's the type who will pitch a fit if you stoop to her level.

Smile, be polite, possibly advise your co-workers or boss, maybe they will be willing to cover for you the next time she comes in. Or conveniently just go to the restroom if you can.

And know One thing.... You are a special person, simply because you haven't stooped to her level.

Answer 10

Greet her with a smile, compliment her, be overly nice and plesent, even if fake. Do not take what she says to heart, do not take it personally, she dose not know you. Be nice and plesent, and rember it's only 5 or so minutes.

You could also agree with her, if she says your rings are fake looking, agree, and say (with a smile) "yes they are, I prefer costume jewlery, I was always afraid I would damage the expensive stuff, this way I don't have to worry about it."

"Ya know, I have been thinking about changin my hair color, what color do you think would look good"

she may be bitter and lonley, and even an arguement is a welcome exchange, she may feel that the only way she can feel better about herself, is putting others down. Only she knows for sure.