‘Just fix it’: Retail customer blames employee for not stopping her from buying the wrong phone charger for her iPhone, then demands a refund without a receipt, worker refuses

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Dec 18, 2025 5:00 PM EST

Anyone who worked in customer service knows that the saying "The customer is always right" could not be more wrong. In fact, the customer is often wrong, and they should know it. 

There is no reason to give entitled people exactly what they ask for just because they hold the "customer" title. Even if they leave the store slightly angry, it is better than allowing them to keep walking the earth, thinking they can get anything they ask for.

That is why the retail worker in the story below refused the demands of their entitled customer. First, she went into the tech store and bought a charger without a word. Then, she comes back two hours later, accusing the worker of not stopping her from buying the wrong charger for her iPhone. But the final straw was when she demanded to return the wrong charger without a receipt in sight.

The worker had no intentions to give in to the customer's demands, even if some would have claimed that the customer is always right. 

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  • Customer made a mistake and expected me to fix it without a receipt

    I work in retail where our prices and policies are clearly displayed at the counter and on the receipt.
    via NaughtySugarX
  • Cheezburger Image 10588555008
    via mladenbalinovac

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • A customer came in and bought a phone charger without asking any questions. After paying, she left the store.
    via NaughtySugarX
  • About two hours later, she came back visibly annoyed and said I sold her the wrong charger.
    via NaughtySugarX
  • I looked at the charger and explained that she had picked a Type C charger, that it was different from what an iPhone uses, and that she had picked it herself.
    via NaughtySugarX
  • She said, "You saw me holding an iPhone. You should have known the charger was for an iPhone." I explained that customers buy chargers for many different devices and that I cannot assume what someone needs unless they ask.
    via NaughtySugarX
  • She then said "just fix it and get me the correct charger" I asked for her receipt, and she said she did not bring it but that I should still fix it since I knew she bought it from our store.
    via NaughtySugarX
  • I told her I could not exchange or replace an item without a receipt. She accused me of having bad customer service and said workers like me are the reasons why businesses lose customers.
    via NaughtySugarX
  • She eventually left without the charger being changed.
    via NaughtySugarX
  • Mobile phone charger cable
    via upersmario

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Legitimate-Log-6542 What's messed up is she's one of those customers where had she intentionally bought a charger different than the phone she was holding, and you asked about that she probably would've told you to mind your own business
    via Legitimate-Log-6542
  • OP NaughtySugarX Right? I feel like I need a crystal ball to survive some of these encounters.
    via NaughtySugarX
  • DangNearRekdit "The customer is always right" is the original gaslight. They most certainly are not always right, and are quite frequently morons. This saying was either invented by a customer, or an owner that never had to work in a customer-facing position. I'm all for the second version, "The customer is always right, in matters of taste". If they want a puke-green Prius, let them have it. Zebra print pleather pants with rhinestones? Sure, we can do that!
    via DangNearRekdit
  • DemanoRock Last couple of years iPhone use USB-C.
    via DemanoRock
  • Nuasus Saw three men load a floor display fridge into a Ute on a top floor carpark. I left before I could see what happened. What I do know is that they were offered delivery for $55 and said no.
    via Nuasus
  • JohnnyKarateX One time a customer wanted to buy a voice recorder that activated when it hears someone speaking. We were trained to ask what customers are using their items for so we could pitch extra stuff they might need. She got quiet and just told me it was none of my business. I still wonder who she was trying to secretly record.
    via JohnnyKarateX
  • SimilarComfortable69 Yeah, I definitely believe that customer was entitled. I'm also guessing that you could've let it slide that she didn't have the receipt. But none of that matters now.
    via SimilarComfortable69
  • FishrNC Does your computer system make it impossible to accept returns without a receipt or is it just store policy? Since you knew she bought it a short time ago and presuming it was still like new, if it was just store policy it would seem to be the right thing to accommodate her without the receipt. No harm done.
    via FishrNC
  • Silent_Morning692 There should be a Retail National Service requirement. You have to have one year of retail experience before you go to college: 6 months in a restaurant and 6 months in any kind of store. All of them serving clients. Would fix a lot of stupid and entitlement.
    via Silent_Morning692

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Tags

customer service employee retail charger retail worker receipt entitled people service industry iphone
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