Selling Toys - Horror Stories & "Happy" Customers

I certainly had my years where I was quick to anger and stupid decisions as I processed all the crap that happened in my childhood. And then I fell hard the other way and became almost too passive. Now I've course-corrected once again and landed somewhere in the middle, where I'll certainly stand up for myself and definitely stand up for the people I care about, and not let either of us get taken advantage of, whether by predatory people or just dumbass online buyers/sellers. I'm still very much a "go over what I should have said in my head for hours afterward" kind of person, but I've gotten a lot better at letting things go. Of course, the internet bravery certainly does help, especially when dealing with stupid people trying to get one over on me. But for what it's worth, I already feel much more comfortable in this current state than I did in either of the previous 2. So don't none of ya'll ever try to get one over on me. Can't say it'll be threatening, but it'll be weird enough for you to remember for quite a while! 🤪😂
 
Damien said:
I spent a lot of my life, and this is not a brag, genuinely not being afraid enough of what kind of damage other people could do to me. I would get some gym-bro in my face and be like 'I can probably take 'im.' I work out, but I've always been a thin guy, average height. I don't look intimidating in the 'big muscle man' sense. But I bring that pitbull-on-meth energy to a situation that makes much larger guys back up wondering what kind of absolute psychosis is going on in front of them that this little guy will absolutely go ten toes down at a moment's notice with clearly no fear for his own safety.

And the honest truth of that was... I just never thought about it until after. I am 100% a bad case of 'gets mad, sees red.' I'm sometimes surprised I survived as long as I have.
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Heh....most of my life I was picked on because I wasn't some big badass dude. I was the artsy guy who liked to get on stage and perform. Still, every now and then someone would push me too far and that long fuse I have would reach its end. I'd go absolutely apeshit, to the point where I think I'd legitimately terrify the person accosting me. When that dark part of me comes out I think they have an "oh shit...I thought this was some wussy dude, but he's really Hannibal Lecter" type of moment.

A few years ago, when my receding hairline started to really bug me, I just started shaving it off. Suddenly I went from the blond-haired wimp to the bearded bald badass, apparently. I guess the punkish/gothic clothes read differently when it's an older dude with no hair? I don't know, but I noticed that some people started acting more like I was an active member of the Hell's Angels or something. It was strange. Anyway, one day my s/o and I are leaving a store, and this kid in the parking lot who doesn't understand the concept of how stop signs work decides to get pissed that I started to go when HE thought he had the right of way (he didn't). The kid blocks me in the intersection, revs his engine and flips me off. He pulls ahead, jumps out of his truck and starts doing the whole "come on man, let's go" BS. Of course, he had a giant "TRUMP" sticker across his back window. Now, at this point I have no idea if this kid has a gun or what, so I decide to leave my car to keep him from possibly shooting at me and hitting her. As I get out of the car, his eyes go wide, I hear him exclaim "oh shit", and then he quickly jumps back into his truck and speeds off. At this point, I should have left well enough alone...but the realization that this kid is a typical testosterone filled douche bag just set something off in me. I got back in my car, and then followed him around for the next twenty minutes, watching him continuously look back at me thinking this time he'd bit off more than his little chihuahua ass could chew. My s/o wasn't happy with me, but honestly? I took a great deal of twisted satisfaction in knowing that I made that kid shit his pants a bit that day.
 
TheSameIdiot said:
As a conflict-averse, mild-mannered sweet boy: huh.
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I got you, fam. Anyone gives you any shit, just give them my number. I'll tear a strip up their front and down their back and send them complimentary plane tickets if they've got something to add to the conversation.

My wife (gently) gives me a hard time for not just being NOT anti-conflict, but like actively pro-conflict. I just fucking hate that so many people act like trash because of the 'what are you gonna do about it?' attitude. As if the only reason to be a good fucking person is not wanting to get your skull caved in. But sure, man, if that's what keeps you in the arms of the lord above, I'll be glad to remind you that SOME people will still take you up on it if you say 'do something!'

I still remember before we bought the new company truck, the old one had the company name and phone number on it (an office line that redirects to my cell when we're not at the office). Some guy in a Charger (of course) was being super aggressive and almost slammed into me when I slowed down in front of him -because someone in front of me stopped to turn into a parking lot-. As in, I did literally nothing wrong and he was following too close and driving too fast (I say, as someone that speeds everywhere at all times).

He went around me, revving and squealing. Then got in front of me again, but I changed lanes because I was going to be turning the other way, so we ended up beside each other. He rolls his window down and starts screaming and flipping me off and so on. I ignored him. Then he called the number on the side of my pick-up after we had separated. Literally just said 'are you the guy in the pick-up?' 'Yep.' 'FUCK YOU!'

I was about ten seconds away from my shop at this point so when I pulled up, I texted him. Explained exactly what he did wrong and how he's the one that almost hit me and had no right to be angry, and that he should actually be apologizing for being too much of a shitty driver to also drive so aggressively.
He texted back with threats and 'I know where your guys' shop is, I know what you look like.' So I spent most of the day texting him. Goading him. Asking if he's struggling financially and wants help paying for driving lessons. He just kept up with the threats and I was texting stuff like 'I've been at the office all day, what - you don't get a lunch break at McDonalds?' Just being an absolute prick. He never did show up. No one ever does. I still have the text exchange. I think about messaging him again sometime to see if he ever got those driving lessons.
 
@Damien not the same thing but you reminded me of my favorite like from True Detective.

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