"Working in customer service is like opening one of those little Advent calendars. You pop open one day, and there's a little piece of chocolate inside. You pop open another, and there's a fifty-year-old adult man trying to spit on you because he misread a coupon. It's an exhausting, thankless job. But if it's any consolation, at least the pay is horrible and there's little to no benefits. Hats off to anyone who's ever done it."

I worked retail for ten years, from the good - B. Dalton Bookseller, the bad - Pearle Vision Center, to the ugly - Sear's Outlet, where someone tried to return a used vibrator. (How do I know it was used? It was WET. Plus, the woman had a satisfied grin on her face.) Yeah . . . so of course this book totally resonated with me. And, if you've ever had to deal with the public, I'm guessing you'll enjoy it, too.

Seiss snarkily sends up resumes, interviews, employee handbooks, and all things work related from the retail environment to office space.

His reply to the cringe-inducing words "the customer is always right"?
"You think you're God because you went shopping? You're not infallible; you're at the mall."

As you might imagine, management doesn't come out looking too good:
"Bosses are like orchestra conductors-no one knows why the hell they're standing there. All they're doing is waving their arms and claiming to be essential."

And, to the suggestion of "Let's replace our employees with AI" comes this awesome retort:
"Let's replace our CEOs instead. That would save a lot of money. Actually, AI is too advanced for that job. All you need is a Fisher Price tape recorder loaded up with a bunch of bad ideas. Or a Roomba with a tie. Or a paperweight with a secret family."

I got a lot of laughs out of this one, though it did stir up memories . . . memories I've tried very hard to repress. Sigh. I guess you can never REALLY leave retail . . .

I really thought this was going to be different and it’s disappointing because I really love the author’s tiktoks. I just didn’t vibe with this book. It wasn’t necessarily bad, but I think it was marketed in a way that didn’t truly reflect what the book was.

This is a funny look at work life with lots of humorous insights. Many of them ring true so many people can relate to it.
I was expecting more of a graphic novel type book but it is more of a traditional book with the occasional comic strip.

As someone who has worked multiple customer service jobs in both retail and restaurants, this was really entertaining. I chuckled out loud a few times while reading this. The illustrations are fun and unique. If you have ever worked in customer service I think you will enjoy this! Special Thank You to Scott Swiss,Harper Celebrate and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a book that is great to read and then pass along, as it explains the sucky and funny feelings of working in retail, and almost anyone can understand that. Get a few good laughs and share the hate for capitalism with a friend. I thought this style of book was refreshing and fun due to the negative and sassy nature of the writing. It is so different than how the American media makes us think we should view our jobs. But it isn’t something I would reread since it feels like something meant to be read once for the fun and then gifted.

The Customer Is Always Wrong is a funny book about stereotypical coworkers interviewing and everything that irritates us about work in general. I found so much of this book hilarious like when he ask him why he left his last job and the guy said I didn’t know I would need an origin story to work at planet fitness… So many times I laughed out loud while reading this book I know it is illustrations but I am blind and couldn’t see them but found The narrative so super funny!#NetGalley,#Harper celebrate, #ScottCease, #TheCustomerIsAlwaysWrong,

The Customer is Always Wrong may be Scott Seiss's debut outing as an author but it's not his first rodeo as a commentor on all that is wrong in the battle between customers and those who service them. Seiss became on online sensation making pithy, scathing, and fun filled videos on all that was wrong with overly entitled customers and the beleaguered waiter/waitress/bank teller/cashier that had to serve them. His videos were intensely funny and relatable. Does the crafty satire translate to a 200 pages book? Yes and no. The reason that the videos were funny is that they offered a brief snapshot of a comical situation and then, after watching, you go on with your day. While still funny, the material, if being read the way most of us read a book, begins to become a bit repetitious and grating the longer you read. Not fair to the author and not fair to yourself, as you miss out on some serious laughs. The solution: don't try to read this book straight through as you would any other book. Read a couple stories, put the book down and walk away with a snarky smile in your heart. Pick it up again for a couple more scenarios the next time a customer really annoys you.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Scott Seiss, known for his viral “Angry Retail Guy” videos, brings his signature humor and biting commentary to the written word in The Customer Is Always Wrong. This book is a cathartic, laugh-out-loud exploration of the absurdities and frustrations of the modern workplace, particularly through the lens of retail and customer service.

Seiss’s book is a collection of rants, anecdotes, and musings that will resonate deeply with anyone who has ever had to smile through gritted teeth while dealing with unreasonable customers or nonsensical corporate policies. His writing is sharp, witty, and unflinchingly honest, capturing the daily grind and the often thankless nature of service jobs.

One of the book’s strengths is its relatability. Seiss doesn’t just complain about the obvious annoyances; he dives into the minutiae of workplace life, from the ridiculousness of job interview questions to the infuriatingly vague “brand values” that companies tout. His humor is both a coping mechanism and a form of resistance against the dehumanizing aspects of work.

The illustrations and layout of the book add to its appeal, the visual elements complement Seiss’s text perfectly, enhancing the humor and providing a break from the more intense rants.

While the book is undeniably funny, it also has a serious undercurrent. Seiss highlights the systemic issues that plague the workplace, such as inadequate pay, lack of respect, and the unrealistic expectations placed on employees. His humor serves as a vehicle for critiquing these issues, making the book both entertaining and thought-provoking.

The Customer Is Always Wrong is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt undervalued or overworked. Seiss’s ability to find humor in the most frustrating situations is a testament to his comedic talent and his deep understanding of the human condition.

This book a celebration of the resilience and humor of those who endure it.

I get that this is a humor book, but the tone doesn't translate well. It's a lot of rants about working in customer service. It just felt like the same rant but with slightly different settings.

A perfect gift and must-read for anyone who's ever worked customer service or in an office. This book is filled with hilarious comments we've all thought and wish we could say. With hilarious insights of frustration on the job, mocking the inefficiency of everything from getting hired and orientation, to the actual job, bosses, and finally, quitting.
In this book, the employee is right, the customer is wrong, and you'll be laughing.

Scott Seiss is always hilarious and this book is no exception. This hilarious and insightful book by Scott Seiss is a must-read for anyone who loves sharp, witty humor mixed with heartfelt life lessons. With their unique perspective and relatable storytelling, the comedian delivers laugh-out-loud moments while offering a genuine, uplifting take on everyday struggles and triumphs. Perfect for fans of humor and honesty!

Scott Seiss accurately depicts the rage and frustration felt by pretty much anyone who has ever worked in retail or an office job, though I'm not really sure this is a book that anyone would buy on their own. It seems more like one of those coffee table books, or a gift you buy someone as a goodbye present when leaving a job (funnily enough). The book was fine, if you enjoy the ranting of your coworkers, because that's pretty much what this is. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either.

I received this ARC courtesy of NetGalley, in return for my honest review.

This book is just as hilarious and outrageous as his tiktok/Instagram video's. Anyone who has ever worked in retail will connect and feel seen by this book and surely laugh out loud while reading knowing they aren't the only one who has had to deal with an insane customer, boss, or company policy.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinion are completely my own.

Reading this book is a like talking to my best friend who happens to be a merchandising manager. It's entertaining in small burst and then I need a little break. Kind of like working in retail

A hilarious read that absolutely speaks to all the tired employees out there. This was such a funny read and absolutely captures today's work force struggles and all the problems that can happen when working at a terrible job. I laughed a lot while reading this and definitely think that this is a fun read for anyone who has ever had a bad employer or bad workplace!

Release Date: September 10,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Harper Celebrate for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

The Customer is Always Wrong, an illustrated book, with anecdotes about working life, it will make you laugh, feel horrified, all the while going, yep completely relatable. 

If you've ever worked retail or in any way with the public on a daily basis, this read is for you. It's everything you think, but can't say written down. 

My favorite chapter is the Customer Service chapter, with rants about the "You just lost yourself a customer" and the "I've been shopping here for many years" people. You just can't help but laugh when you can commiserate with people experiencing the same thing. 

So if work has you frustrated pick up this book and maybe you'll get a laugh out of other people's work related issues.

As Seiss points out in the introduction, a path from TikTok to the pages of a book is common these days. However, Seiss's path is unique in that his schtick developed as the "Angry IKEA Guy" in vertical video has expanded thoughtfully here, elaborating on many of the same rants that made him famous in 60 second bursts WHILE bringing real insight into the reasons for the pain that work life causes. A fun and formative read on the ills of capitalism.

A lot of satire and clever cartoons. This book explains what's wrong with the current work culture and how to make it better.

I'm a big fan of the author's style of comedy. As someone who has worked in customer facing positions, it's absolutely relatable and good for a quick laugh. I think that's where this disconnects for me because about midway through, it just reads like one joke that has gone on much too long and slowly switches from relatable hilarious to grating..

Thank you to Harper Celebrate and Netgalley for a copy of this book.

This book is so relatable!
I love how Seiss says what we’re all thinking (and possibly too polite to say) in such a no-nonsense, humorous way! I absolutely will need a copy so I can carry it with me as a pick-me-up at work.
I recommend this book especially to millennials who have worked in customer service, wrote thousands of cover letters, or otherwise live through a less than awesome job. This book is going to put a smile on your face!