I’ve worked at the front end for almost 6 years and this was definitely a first for me.
We weren’t very busy so I was helping push candy at the lanes. I made it all the way down by Guest Service where we have the boxes for the car seat trade in event.
So this older guy is standing there and he said “can I ask you a question?”. Which I gave him my full attention, because I definitely sat through “the training”. He was reaching into one of the boxes and touching and moving one of the car seats. And it happened to look like a toddler car seat from the mid-90s to be honest.
Him: “so are these for sale?”
Me: “oh, definitely not. These are the ones that were a trade in for the coupon for a new car seat”
Him: “can I buy one of these, though?!”
Me: “no, they’re definitely not for sale for safety and liability reasons. Most of these car seats are probably expired or some might have even been in an accident, and that is really unsafe to use after that point.”
Him: “but this one looks fine” (as he’s is still digging in the box reaching for a different car seat)
Me: “sir, it is *very* important that you don’t take a car seat out of here and try to use it” as I am making really awkward eye contact because it’s that important.
I was then called back to the lanes for backup so I told my TL about it on the way by and AP kept an eye on him to make sure he didn’t take one.
Having three kids, car seat safety has been ingrained into me and I panicked thinking about him just taking some random car seat and using it with a child.
So yeah, definitely a first!