A big stock brokerage company moved into the building where my office was located.  Soon after they settled in one of their employees called to ask me for a recommendation for a delivery dry cleaner.  I gave him the name of the cleaners located across the street.  Then he called for a recommendation for a good place for lunch nearby. I gave him a few suggestions. I just figured he just didn’t know the area very well and wanted some advice since I had been in the building for a few years.

Then he wanted the name of traveling barber who would come to his office. Then a recommendation for a cigar bar.  Then a shoe shine guy.  I couldn’t offer any ideas on those things since I had no experience with any of them and I suggested he try google or yelp.

Then he called again.

Tenant:  I need you to go get my dry cleaning and bring it to my office.  It’s across the street and I’ve missed their delivery deadline.

Me:  I’m sorry, I’m not going to do that for you.  You’ll need to go get that yourself.

Tenant:  What?  What kind of place is this?  At least go get me a coffee and the newspaper.  At least do that much for me.

Me:  Um.  No.  I won’t be doing that either.  I think maybe you’re confused and you dialed the wrong number?  I don’t work for you.  I’m the Property Manager.  You’re asking me to do things that your assistant should handle for you.

Tenant:  I KNOW WHAT YOUR JOB IS AND YOU’RE NOT DOING IT!  I’ve been trying to get decent service out of you and you just don’t care!  You don’t even try!  YOU NEED TO DO YOUR JOB!  Go get me a coffee, go get the newspaper and bring back my drycleaning…NOW!  YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO DO WHATEVER I ASK YOU TO DO!  I’ve stayed in hundreds of 5 star hotels and I know what sort of service to expect!

I was stunned by his verbal blast for a second…then realized what he had said.  He stayed in 5 star hotels?  This was an office building, not a hotel.  I was the Property Manager, not a concierge.  I explained there was a serious misunderstanding.  I told him I was there to handle building maintenance and tenant concerns but I was not a concierge service.

He wouldn’t listen.  He kept on yelling about how he was going to complain to their National Director about my terrible service.  He said the company would move out once the Director knew what was going on and he hung up on me.

I never heard another word about it and they didn’t move out.  I wonder how that outraged conversation went with the National Director when he wanted to break the lease because I wouldn’t bring him coffee?