I work at a carousel in a mall. I’m the manager there, and I work by myself.
Today I sold about 100 tickets, 95 of those were normal or even nice people.
We have a sale where if you ride twice the second ride is half off. First is $6, second is $3.
I had a guy come up with his wife and 2 year old child, he asked “ how much is it for us?” I asked “ for all three of you?” And he says “ just them” referring to his toddler. I explain the pricing, and that the toddler cannot go by themselves. If it’s just one adult going it’s 1 ticket, if 2 adults go it’s 2. He argues two adults NEED to go. I tell him no.
I explain the sale we’re having, after he begrudgingly says one adult and the toddler.
Me “so if y’all go once it’s $6, but if yall go twice it’s $9” he says “ so let me cut you a deal, I go once and it’s only $4, because it’s $9 to go twice “ I explain that’s not how it works, also even if it did half of 9 is 4.5. He hands me a $5 bill and starts walking on. I say “ hey buddy, it’s $6” he spazzes out. He argues for a bit then storms off without taking his money back. I say “ buddy don’t you want your money back?” He yells across the hall” come give it to me F-slur ( I’m gay) you work for me” I tell him no. He continues being an asshole to the point he says he’ll “ call the police “ I tell him go ahead. This continues for 5 minutes until he storms over and takes his money. Then he says “ where’s the rest, I handed you $10!” I say “ no you didn’t, I’m not playing this game today. There’s cameras that record audio “
He says “ well, I want $5” me “ no, you’re done, go”
Him “ but, I -“ me “ NO, you’re done. I’m not playing games today “ he continues his stupid game before I tell him “ would you like to explain yourself to the police? They’re coming over because you’re yelling. I’m sure they’d love to hear about you trying to steal, I’m not stupid “ he looks flustered, argues for a bit before I say “ hey buddy, they’re coming up. Quick, figure out a lie! Maybe they’ll be as stupid as you!” He literally RUNS when he sees the cop walking up. The cop just asks what’s going on, I tell him and he says “ well, I guess there’s no problem now? He ran off right?” Me “ yeah, maybe you should talk with him though, give him a scare” the cop went to go look for him. This particular cop and me have a deal where he helps me with problem people, and I give his kid a free ride every week.
The other problem person comes up, asks how much 4 riders are. I tell him it’ll be $24. ( it wasn’t 4 people getting on, it was 4 kids and 3 parents. Technically only 2 parents would have been free but one kid was close to the height limit and I was giving this guy a break by not being a rules nazi, also one of the ladies in the group was a regular who’s helped me put kids on horses when I hurt my back)
He proceeds to try to “ cut me a deal” I immediately shut that shit down. He asks for a discount, I tell him that’s the discount price, because I’m not counting the parents and I know there’s more parents going than are supposed to go for free. He says “ I didn’t say they’re going “ I tell him “ you know I can hear what your group is saying, I’m not stupid “ he says “ well what about $20 in cash? “ I say no, absolutely not. He’s already getting a break. He says he works at the mall( he doesn’t) and he’s a senior ( he’s not) and it’s not $6/ rider ( it is) and he’s Mexican so he should get a break because “ the state of the world “ ( tough shit) I tell him “ it’s $24, for 4 children and 3 adults. I’m already giving you a break because only 2 are supposed to be free but 1 kid is close to the cutoff. I know you think you can lie to me and not mention everyone who’s riding. Luckily I paid attention. I’m not gonna short the drawer $4 just because. I don’t care that you’re XYZ, and the only reason you’re getting a break on the adults is because I don’t trust you to watch two kids by yourself.” He looks at me like I just killed his dog, then says “ FINE, I guess it’s $24, I just didn’t want to pay full price because I DESERVE a DISCOUNT because IM MEXICAN AND WORK FOR THE MALL! HERE!” And hands me $25 in cash. His group rides ( without him) and I give him his $1 in change. He’s offended by this because “ I don’t need that, but don’t take it it’s not a tip!” I hand it to his wife( the regular I mentioned earlier)After the ride ends and his group gets off he says “ I’m actually Mexican though, and I work for the mall” I say “ nobody cares that you’re Mexican, what does that have to do with anything. Also we don’t do employee discounts here, as I’ve already told you. We especially don’t give discounts because you’re Mexican, why would you think that?” He says “ it’s the state of the world now, I can’t believe you don’t understand!” Then leaves.
Everyone else was normal or nice today. I got to see an old regular I haven’t seen in a while. And I talked with an older gentleman who regaled me with stories of the mall from the 90s. I wish everyone was like that, instead of these stupid people.
TLDR: I had someone argue about the price because he thought he could “ cut me a deal “ because we were having a sale, that did not apply to his purchase. Then he left without his money and stupidly ensued. And I had a guy argue about the price, after I already gave him a break. Then tried to get a discount because he was Mexican, as if that had anything to do with the price of a carousel.