This is a new one...

Today, doing a gas station shop for STERI, I attempted to purchase a candy bar for the in store purchase. The shop was extremely small and candy bars were pretty much the only thing available, along with a few sodas. The employee said it was on the house and would not accept my payment. I tried several times to pay for it, but he simply refused to accept it. So, no in store receipt for me because of this. Besides trying several times to pay, I did not know how else to proceed without giving myself away as a MS. So how would you handle this in the report? I know that in the past CORI could be sticklers for receipts. I will obviously address this in the report. Would you do anything different?

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I would've bought more stuff and he would have to charge.

I probably would have ad libbed something like, "Heck, then ring me up a Diet Coke to finish off spending my 'mad money'! And thank you!"

That is a new one! In my opinion, an explanation of what transpired would probably take care of the lack of receipt. I think the client would want to know about it anyway. That is what I would have done, but to be honest I don't do much for CORI anymore.

Yea that might have worked. Do you think they'll pay for the shop or not? I'll be keeping a close eye on the pretty green checkmark!

I don't do much for them anymore, either! Two shops today, but only three all month!

I would have took a picture of the chocolate bar and explain it in the report.
That happened to me for a different MSC. I had purchase a hot chocolate and I was told it was on the house. Then I added a lottery ticket and I had to pay for it. (darn) No free lotto ticket, just a free drink.(lol) He looked at me in a strange way when I asked for the receipt.

Willing to travel, Alberta, Canada

I've encountered the same situation before, Snuffy. I emailed to explain, and it wasn't a problem.

Don't worry, the same thing happened to me with CORI, with a pool supply shop. I tried to buy a $1 spa gel, and the employee refused to charge me. I took a photo of the exterior that was time/date stamped with an explanation, and CORI paid me.

My brain would be racing, "I need to buy something else!" and I would...

Snuffy, I don't shop for Steri. Is this client a monster chain gas station like Texaco or BP, or a tiny little thing like Philips 66? If the former, they should be able to verify your story by the video. I used to work for one of those monster chains and the cameras were so numerous and so precisely placed that when a customer gave me trouble about ID or checking large bills--at least once a day--I'd shrug, point to one of the many, MANY cameras, and say "I gotta. Big Brother is watching me." The cameras were strong and clear enough that on the newer, colorized bills, the faces of the Presidents were actually visible quite a bit of the time.

There is no audio on these cameras due to wiretap laws, but the motions of the clerk turning down your money should be quite clear. I'd say if Steri and their client are reasonable to work for, they'll realize this.

If you take a picture of the store and the candy bar that is date and time stamped, you should be okay, IMHO.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

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