can I refuse to serve a customer?

[Midnighttoad751]

Almost every shop has a sign which states that they reserve the right not to serve anyone, although the sign is not strictly required. You have that right.

However, when you say 'my shop', does that mean the shop which you own, or does it means the shop at which you are employed? If you are an employee, you serve whoever your BOSS requires.

[Derek B]

I would serve them with a smile. If they cause problems, then get your manager to deal with it. It is not up to you to decide who to serve.

Don't argue with people online, especially if the other people know who you are.

[Doethineb]

You can only refuse to serve them with the approval of the shop owner, as you are employed to help make the business profitable, not to turn away custom.

I knew someone years ago who showed me how he dealt with a rude individual by being elaborately polite to her. Why not give that a try? Be excessively, obsequiously polite with these awful people and make them squirm with embarassment? While they could possibly report you for being rude to them, they can't possibly report you for being polite.

[chenic]

Speak to your manager.

Explain the situation to him/her, and give examples of how they are rude. If your manager agree that they are being rude, then you may be able to refuse to serve them, but have another member of staff serve.

If they are being rude to you AND other members of staff and/or customers, then the manager could have them barred from the store.

Or they could just be barred!

I had a situation with a member of staff in the store I work for. It was a personal issue, but this girl came in to the store, and started insulting the girl on the till (call her Kate)...I (shift supervisor) overheard. I stepped in and asked if there was a problem. The customer continued to insult Kate. I asked her to leave the store, and not come back! I explained the situation to the manager the next day, and he agreed that I took the right steps.

As I understand it, a shop is PRIVATE property, which the owners decide to open to the public. You can legally refuse to serve for whatever reason you like, obviously, as long as the decision is not based on race, religion, sexuality etc etc etc!

The reality of life in the store where I work, is that we only bar people if they are abusive, stealing, or buying alcohol/tobacco for minors....

Hope this helped.

[Fustercluck]

As owner you've the legal right to refuse service for any reason accept race. In some weired areas where perversion is accepted as norm you also cannot refused to serve a homo or a cross dresser.

[s and d e]

You are an employee, its up to the owner it manager,not you.