Seventy-something woman walks in...
"May I help you?"
"Yes, I need a surge suppressor that will protect my phone line and Ethernet, and it must have at least 2500 Joules."
I look for a moment, find one, hand it to her.
"Here you are."
*(Insert here 5 minutes of her telling me how her phone and computer were ruined by a power surge. I sorta figured that out, since she was buying a SURGE SUPPRESSOR!)*
"And how many Joules is this?"
I point to the BIG label on the box that says 2750 Joules.
"It's 2750."
"OK, and where do I plug in the phone?"
I point to the BIG picture on the front that says, "Protects telephone systems."
"Right here, see?"
"Oh, yes. And where ...
I knew this was coming.
...do I plug in the Ethernet?"
I point to the same BIG picture on the front that says, "Protects computer systems."
"Right here."
"I see. This one is $49. Why won't the one marked $29 work?"
*Oh, shit. Could someone please call me to the phone or something so I can get away from this idiot?*
"Because it doesn't have Ethernet protection, see here?"
"Oh, yes. And what else can I plug in to it?"
It's got 8 sockets for AC, and 4 for Cable TV.
"In addition to protecting your phone and Ethernet, it will protect your cable TV lines, and you can plug in any AC-powered appliance."
"Can I plug my TV into it?"
(Big sigh)
"Yes, ma'm. Anything with a 3-prong plug." *Soon as I said that, I wished I could have taken it back.*
"Oh, I don't think my TV has a 3-prong plug."
"You won't get the protection without a 3-prong plug because it won't be grounded."
"Hmmmm...do you have anything smaller that would work?"
*FUCK!! This is the only damn suppressor that will do what she wants.*
"No, ma'm, we don't."
She points to an EMPTY hanger on the rack...
"Is this one smaller?"
"Yes ma'm it is, but it won't do what you want it to do. The one I gave you is the only one that will do what you asked for."
Points to ANOTHER FUCKING EMPTY HANGER...
"What about this one?"
"We're out of those. Ma'm...I've found you exactly what you asked for, and it's the ONLY one we carry that will do what you asked, so that makes it the smallest and cheapest we have that will do what you need it to."
"It's just so big and ugly."
"Ma'm, you're putting style before protection. Didn't you say that your phone and computer were ruined by a power surge? If you want this smaller, cheaper, prettier one here, you can buy it, but sooner or later your new phone and new computer are going to get ruined by a power surge AGAIN. Do you understand?"
"How does this work?"
*AAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!*
"You plug it into the wall, and plug your cords into it." (Duhh)
"Are you sure the smaller one won't work?"
"I can check with my supervisor to be sure...?"
"Yes, please do."
I reach for my radio, turn it OFF, and pretend to be talking to someone about the smaller suppressor.
"He said the smaller one won't do, you have to have the first one I gave you."
"Alright."
With that, she turns and walks off, never said 'Thanks', 'I appreciate it', 'Kiss my ass' or nothing.
Could someone please explain to me why people ask the opinion of someone trained and experienced in the department where they're shopping, but don't believe us?
I need a drink.
