The degradtion of my tolerance for mankind is a slow, painful process.

Now, I've had some awful jobs. Movie theatre, Hell-Mart, two call centers and a gas station. In comparison, the video store should be a walk in the park, a pleasant experience, my own little Utopia. For the most part, it is.

For the other part, it sure as hell isn't.

What problems could one possibly run in to at such an easy job?
Well, lots, actually.

All for one reason: people are goddamn morons.

People Are Cheap [I feel this is Volume One of MANY]

Now, I won't get in to specifics, but renting a movie at my store -vs- a corporate chain (like Blockbuster) is RIDICULOUSLY CHEAP AND AFFORDABLE. Our late fees are reasonable. The only things they really add up on are A) New releases that are not yet seven day rentals (so less than a month old) and B) New games (same deal). Older movies, older new releases, old games - dirt cheap.

Scenario: A woman comes in with a game that is 16 days late. It is old. Now, it should be charged a dollar a day, plus tax. It comes up less than that, running her about $14 plus tax.

Keep in mind this game was more than HALF A MONTH LATE.

She ranted for a full 10 minutes on how RIDICULOUS that cost was, for "omGggg an old game!!!11one!!!"

Are you shitting me, lady?
The kicker: She said that we shouldn't have been charging late fees on it ANYWAY, because her son had called and said he lost it.

You do realize you'd be paying $30 to REPLACE the game, right?

On the flipside, we have people who come in, the notorious late people, who will pay 40-60 dollars in lates every time, and don't complain. Thank you, you few & far-between people. If everyone were like you, the world would be a sunnier place. ♥

Scenario 2:
You rent a brand-new movie. For shitsngigglez, let's say The Bounty Hunter.
ME: JUST THE *ONE NIGHT*?
Customer(probably paid zero attention to what I said): Yeah.
ME: Okay, so that one will BE TOMORROW, that's $x.xx, please.
*Customer pays*
ME: So just the one day on that one, due back tomorrow night, ok?

I always slip in the due time AT LEAST 3 times per transaction - because people are RETARDED.

The movie then comes back 3 days late.
That's over $5 in a late fee because it's BRAND NEW.

"BUT THAT'S INSANE AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME WHEN IT WAS DUE!!!"

Seriously? Fuck off.

Incidentally, as a result of this happening so many times recently, I have started putting sticky notes with the due date on every movie I rent out, as well as notes on the accounts that I told them. They can argue alll they want if someone else waited on them, but if it shows up under my name, my ass is covered.