Stores, Automotive Parts - VIP Discount Auto Parts Cashier Service

VIP Discount Auto Parts Cashier Service

Automotive Stores, Other

From:

Date: Tuesday, July 04, 2000 08:51 AM

I visited the VIP Discount Auto Parts Store in Augusta, Maine on 7/3/00, selected several items (value at about $20 total), proceeded to the checkout counter where I was the only customer at that point requiring checkout...and encountered a man (who might have been either management or the store manager, himself) who had been ignoring an incoming call for many rings while he seemed to be sorting a few receipts. As I stepped to the counter, he glanced at me, then picked up the phone and proceeded to have a friendly and pleasant chat with a friend (he stepped aside, turned his back and talked quietly to his phone friend). I was left standing there for about 3 minutes (honestly) while this conversation went on...during which I heard him tell his phone friend that the store was busy ("We're beyond busy!" he said). As a line began to form behind me and I grew more and more unhappy with his total lack of concern and respect for my time and value as a cash-paying customer, I dropped my potential purchases on the counter, said in a voice loud enough for him to hear, "You can put these back on the shelf!", and as I began walking out, he calmly turned around, didn't bother to look up, picked up the items I placed on the counter and set them aside. I couldn't believe it. I have spent hundreds of dollars at that store in the not too distant past. It will, however, be a very long time before I reward that kind of shabby and disrespectful treatment with further purchases (or attempted purchases as the case may be). I will travel an additional ten miles to shop at a VIP where management doesn't allow that level of uncaring disrespect for potential customers.