The ‘new’ Michael Jackson album was released recently, and
it made me think of that fateful day in 2009 when we all heard that he had died.
I was
working as the Head of Mail Order at that time (an illustrious and prestigious
sounding title that I may have awarded myself, which basically involved
stamping and addressing envelopes) downstairs in the shop.
When MJ
died, there was an influx of sales and orders for anything and everything in
his discography. People would wander in
and tell me how devastated they were, and what a loss it was to the world. I am of the belief that a celebrity death is
sad because it is a death, but that their
star factor is irrelevant. I never quite
get it when people take it personally. (Okay,
so I posted a tribute to Phillip Seymour Hoffman on Facebook when he died… but
hey, he was A REALLY TALENTED ACTOR, OKAY?!)
An
online order came through for a Michael Jackson 7”. Unfortunately, that particular item was not
in stock, despite what the computer thought.
Whether it was stolen, misplaced, or sold incorrectly, I don’t know. Regardless, it was long gone.
I reduced
the stock on the computer, and emailed the customer, apologising, and explaining
that it was an incorrect listing. We don’t
charge people until we have manually processed the order, which I also
explained to him.
Additionally,
it was a second-hand, $10 single, something that was and still is on Amazon for
a dime a dozen.
Moments
after my email went through, I received a reply, in capitals letters, screaming
(if computer-type can scream): ‘YOU’RE JUST PROFITEERING OFF MICHAEL’S DEATH! I
KNOW HOW YOU WORK! YOU JUST WANT TO MAKE ALL THE MONEY NOW MICHAEL IS
GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’
I replied,
assuring him I wasn’t out to make ALL THE MONEY*, and to please, have a nice
day.
*I am kinda out to make All the Money.
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