Employee stunned as rude customer disdain her for considering a tile 'expensive'

Dealing with customers is an art in itself. Some are quite understanding while others choose to be condescending. It takes a great deal of patience and composure for employees to face customers who feel entitled to be treated in a specific way. That was the case for a Long Island-based content creator, Mia who goes by @ayo_maire_ on TikTok. She recently shared an interaction with a client at work where they looked down upon her for considering their purchase "expensive." Mia explained that it was simply her opinion based on the tile's price and some users supported her while others highlighted the mistake in her communication.

As Mia records this interaction, we can see that the customer pointed out to her, "You said it's expensive." She then proceeds to explain that a small piece of tile being sold for $90 felt expensive in her opinion. "It might be expensive for you, maybe, it's not for me," the rude customer replied and sternly asked Mia to write down its price. Seeing her getting intimidated by the customer's response, a co-worker named Craig defended her explaining that he would also find unusually high prices like these expensive. Mia, however, lightened the mood by asking the client if the tile was for their bathroom and told them, "This is really pretty." 

After the customer left, the employee breathed a sigh of relief. She shared her concerns with her co-worker saying how she genuinely found $90 for the 10X30-inch tile too expensive. The co-worker can be heard reassuring Mia that the customer responded that way because they thought she was being judgemental. "Almost every time I've ever given a price for this brand, I get ridiculed for offering such an 'expensive tile,'" Mia explained in the text overlay. "There's always room to learn and grow in this field and you take every experience as a lesson," she added. Mia also emphasized that after this incident, the customer visited the store again and she even became friends with them.

With nearly 4.6 million views, this video had the internet offering mixed opinions. Many came in Mia's support pointing out that the tile was indeed expensive. "As an expert in home furnishings in the tile market, it's expensive. You handled it perfectly," said @heatherathomex. "You're the sweetest and she's offended. People really shouldn't take things so personally," remarked @iamtatianaharvey. "Imagine if you hadn’t told her and just gave the total. 'Oh, you’re trying to overcharge me?' People like that can’t be helped," added @thedustyvickers.

Others suggested alternative ways one should refer to an expensive item so that the customers wouldn't be offended. "As a server in a nicer restaurant, I’ve learned not to use the word 'expensive.' Instead, I use the words 'higher end' to describe expensive items," emphasized @notadaycare. "I work in sales and what we’re taught is the customer is buying with their wallet, not yours. It’s tough but try to leave comments on price to your coworkers," said @_thewhit. "Language is so important, you did the right thing telling her it was pricey but the delivery is so important," added @garbagebadger.2.0. Mia herself agreed in the caption that she would use the word "high-end" from then on.

You can follow Mia (@ayo_marie_) on TikTok for more client interactions and work-related content.