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The Customer Is Always Wrong
'90s grunge kid Conrad Jacoby is on the verge of graduating from Hiawatha High. Eager to leave the nest and his alcoholic Vietnam veteran father behind, Conrad joins the workforce where he tests his luck at minimum wage jobs in food service and retail, building his savings and his backbone with the goal of moving out. Although Conrad is determined, he quickly finds that his sheltered Minnesota upbringing has not prepared him for the life challenges and difficult personalities he will encounter in this coming of age comedy.
282 pages, Paperback
Published January 15, 2016
About the author
C.C. Standish
2 books2 followersCC Standish is an independent writer based in Minneapolis, MN. A college dropout, CC spent years honing his craft while balancing a 9-to-5 job. Drawing inspiration from the awkward, relatable moments of everyday life, he infuses his novels with humor and authenticity. His two-book series, The Customer Is Always Wrong (2016) and Ramp Rat (2017), follows the misadventures of Conrad "CJ" Jacoby as he navigates the chaos of modern life.
Born in 1977 in Minnesota, CC developed a love for observational humor early on, using it as a psychological escape from the world around him. Coincidentally, 1977 also marks the year that Elvis Presley passed away, Star Wars debuted, and punk rock reshaped music culture—moments that had a lasting influence on CC’s creative voice.
When he's not writing, you can find CC exploring the quirks of the world, both near and far, or pondering the next ridiculous situation to put CJ Jacoby into.
Born in 1977 in Minnesota, CC developed a love for observational humor early on, using it as a psychological escape from the world around him. Coincidentally, 1977 also marks the year that Elvis Presley passed away, Star Wars debuted, and punk rock reshaped music culture—moments that had a lasting influence on CC’s creative voice.
When he's not writing, you can find CC exploring the quirks of the world, both near and far, or pondering the next ridiculous situation to put CJ Jacoby into.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 17, 2016
CJ is a newly graduated high schooler. Ready to move out and get his first job! Oh joy, retail! Yes I work retail. So I could totally relate to all that happens to CJ. It’s the 90’s too and I also grew up in the 90’s. CJ’s family is not that great, his father thinks that everyone owes him something and that his only child is basically there to ruin his life. His mom, not much better. So as you can imagine, He can’t wait to move out of his parents house.
There’s a lot of hilarious stuff that happens throughout the story. I thought it was good and does give a realistic depiction of what happens working the retail life. The creepy customers, the klepto employees who try to always get one over. CJ is somewhat honest guy at work but not so much with his personal relationships.
As much as I wanted to love this story. Since it’s different and engaging. I felt as though I really didn’t connect with the characters. I wanted more depth. This is a good story if your looking for an easy read, coming of age. Then I would totally recommend this story. Overall, I give this book a three.
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There’s a lot of hilarious stuff that happens throughout the story. I thought it was good and does give a realistic depiction of what happens working the retail life. The creepy customers, the klepto employees who try to always get one over. CJ is somewhat honest guy at work but not so much with his personal relationships.
As much as I wanted to love this story. Since it’s different and engaging. I felt as though I really didn’t connect with the characters. I wanted more depth. This is a good story if your looking for an easy read, coming of age. Then I would totally recommend this story. Overall, I give this book a three.
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February 12, 2016(3)
February 5, 2016
Conrad (A.K.A. CJ) is about to graduate high school. For his final year, he thought he’d mimic the antics of Judd Nelson in The Breakfast Club by finally getting revenge on a hated Spanish teacher. Very well done, indeed! Never one to follow the crowd, CJ always opted to map his own way, do whatever he felt like. So, obviously, he was never into any of the important stuff like voting because “politics was like organized sports to me—to quote Simon and Garfunkel: every way you look at it you lose.” (18) But, alas, high school doesn’t last forever and soon he will embark into adulthood with one thing in mind: save his money and move out of his parents’ house. Easier said than done, right? Especially when you have to start off in a fast-food and retail chain in a lowly state like Minnesota.
“Working never struck me as something that I would be very good at: I didn’t take authority seriously, I didn’t kiss up to people who got paid to talk down to others, and most importantly, I felt like I was mentally overqualified for most jobs available to someone within my age demographic.” (5)
“At 18, I couldn’t say my limited life experience had been incredibly challenging up until this point, but I managed to skate by on what I figured most people did in these situations—by bull#@!ting.” (21) Ah, yes, the interview, where you get to answer half-baked questions like “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” and “What are your greatest weaknesses?” But, hey, we need to get paid, right?
“Remember, Conrad: THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT!” (21) Eeek. And, of course, you’re going to get that customer fighting to the death over the “wrong” change or a stupid return.
“Is this what it was all about? I thought. Will the next fifty years of my life consist of being tortured by some a-hole with an inferiority complex while pulling down minimum wage? A fifteen percent lunch discount? Death row prisoners have it better!” (22) Yep!
Intellectually witty and candid, The Customer is Always Wrong is a delectably humorous and bungling account of working the stale salt mines of greedy Corporate America. I loved Conrad’s snarky and sarcastic attitude. He learns that working a job is a deadpan skewer between the eyes. It’s a cold, cruel jungle out there in the real world. And he narrates it all in this well-versed, satire comedy!
“Working never struck me as something that I would be very good at: I didn’t take authority seriously, I didn’t kiss up to people who got paid to talk down to others, and most importantly, I felt like I was mentally overqualified for most jobs available to someone within my age demographic.” (5)
“At 18, I couldn’t say my limited life experience had been incredibly challenging up until this point, but I managed to skate by on what I figured most people did in these situations—by bull#@!ting.” (21) Ah, yes, the interview, where you get to answer half-baked questions like “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” and “What are your greatest weaknesses?” But, hey, we need to get paid, right?
“Remember, Conrad: THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT!” (21) Eeek. And, of course, you’re going to get that customer fighting to the death over the “wrong” change or a stupid return.
“Is this what it was all about? I thought. Will the next fifty years of my life consist of being tortured by some a-hole with an inferiority complex while pulling down minimum wage? A fifteen percent lunch discount? Death row prisoners have it better!” (22) Yep!
Intellectually witty and candid, The Customer is Always Wrong is a delectably humorous and bungling account of working the stale salt mines of greedy Corporate America. I loved Conrad’s snarky and sarcastic attitude. He learns that working a job is a deadpan skewer between the eyes. It’s a cold, cruel jungle out there in the real world. And he narrates it all in this well-versed, satire comedy!
February 6, 2016
The Customer Is Always Wrong by CC Standish is one outstanding piece. Readers will automatically take to this novel like it's the last food source left on the planet. CC Standish brings readers a fresh, exciting, and vibrant novel. The protagonist gets into a lot of trouble. Every time he does, readers will be there laughing along the way and enjoying the thrill ride as they soar to the last page. Not only is the story intriguing but the protagonist is one that readers worldwide can easily connect with on so many levels. We all have been there and done that. The Customer Is Always Wrong will bring back memories to readers everywhere. This is a must read that readers won't be able to put down...once they read it. Overall, I highly recommend CC Standish's brilliantly well-written novel to all.
February 26, 2016
I absolutely loved this book and could relate to it very well. This novel is humorous, and I'd recommend it to those that work in retail and those that don't, for those that like reading about teenage antics and for those that love humour. Conrad Christopher Jacoby has a lot of angst, I love the way he recalls his memories and he has a wicked dress sense. I'm yet to meet staff in retail that has 'A Light in the Attic's' attitude towards customers, but I ended up loving that attitude. My heart melted when Conrad and Minnie (Conrad's girlfriend) adopted the black kitten, and I sensed trouble coming when Conrad decided to get involved with Janelle. I most certainly wouldn't mind reading the other books since this seems to be part of a series. I got a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews