I recently switched back to working in a retail travel agency, after spending the last two years as a Mobile Travel Agent and to stay sane, I have a laugh… And perhaps you will too, at my list of the worst types of walk-in customers we deal with daily.
I absolutely love the amount of face-to-face interaction that comes with slinging travel inside my shop – but for every ten amazing customers I deal with, there is always one that manages to make me question whether someone is playing a cruel joke on me.
I’m amazed at how well I (and my colleagues) handle these situations on a daily basis while juggling incoming phone calls, a to-do list longer than the Nile and that chatty Sales Rep that always seems to turn up on transfer day.
Below are a list of the worst types of walk-in customers we deal with daily:
1.The Obvious School Project
It must be a coincidence that twelve sets of Mums with kids in the same school uniform have all come in on the same day asking for a brochure on Russia.
Sometimes I like to play with them a bit and ask how long they’re going for, what time of year and budget – just to see how many lies they will tell for a free On The Go brochure.
2. The Screen Looker
It’s totally fine for me to get a front row seat to my customers scalp when they crane their necks across my desk to get a good look at Galileo.
There’s this thing called personal space – I’m not try to hide anything, if you want to see how many tabs I’ve got open, just ask.
3. The Chewer
Look, we’re all short of time these days. I generally throw my lunch down the old food hole while packaging documents out the back (yep, that’s definitely soya on your e-ticket).
But is it really necessary to take down a kebab with the works while I find you the best price for a one-way ticket to Melbourne?
4. The 5:58
You definitely know that you’ll get a walk-in right at the end of the day if it’s been quiet for the past couple hours.
These guys will swan in; sit down and cross their legs before asking for the vaguest quote you could think of.
5. The Teenager
You know Mum multitasks like a boss when she sends little fourteen-year-old Doreen in to get a quote for the families Christmas cruise.
I feel a bit weird asking someone who doesn’t even have a bank account yet what her budget is. Why not send her to the bank to ask for a better deal on the mortgage while you’re at it.
6. The Make Yourself At Home-r
This guy just casually welcomes himself behind the desks and proceeds to plunder a few brochures.
It doesn’t matter that he’s taken the office copies of P&O and Wendy Wu, go right ahead mate – make yourself a cup of coffee while you’re back there.
7. The Pointer
B3N5NY E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL 1982 Universal film directed by Stephen Spielberg
You know it’s going to be a punish to squeeze contact details out of this one.
They somehow manage to avoid eye contact with every consultant in the store while pointing at whatever it is they want and waffling off some sort of excuse why they’re in a rush to escape with your flyers, brochures, scissors or pens.
8. The Phone Talker
Sure mate, have that conversation in the middle of our shop. It’s not like we’re trying to do our jobs.
I especially like it when he snaps his fingers demanding a pen and paper to jot down whatever it is that’s so important and can’t wait.