I was last here in mid-July. My experience was poor.
I wanted to take some time to reflect on the incident before reaching out, but given the severity of the behavior, I felt it necessary to speak up.
On a weekend in mid-July, I visited this location to make a return. I’ve been going here for years, it’s a few miles from my home.
There was only one other couple in the store at the time. I waited until the manager asked me what I needed.
When I greeted the manager, Bob, and attempted to explain my return while showing him the code on my phone, he interrupted me mid-sentence. He loudly stated, "I don't know what you're talking about," seemingly more focused on embarrassing me in front of the other customers than listening to my request. I was embarrassed, for him. I’ve seen teenagers behave this way, but for an adult to behave this way in a customer forward role. That is troubling, and truly duplicitous.
When I immediately pointed out that his treatment was certainly sexist, he replied that he was "done hearing me since I made this a man/woman thing." Throughout the rest of the transaction, Bob deliberately slowed down the process and claimed he was not receiving the code I emailed, forcing me to resend it multiple times. Despite his unprofessional and dismissive behavior, I remained polite to ensure I could complete my return. It took me 20 minutes, and I was by myself. Just Bob and I. He was trying to make me mad, but I just felt bad for him. We all have a choice, every single day, to treat each other better.
This experience was deeply unsettling. Based on this interaction, it appears that Bob's demeanor changes depending on his audience, and he treats female customers with a lack of respect that he likely would not show if a man were present. In my experience, people who behave like this are very sensitive to criticism and they careful who they treat poorly. It’s a cowardly approach to what should be a very customer focused community centered experience.
I am certain many in West County have rude experiences with customers, I’ve seen it. There’s a lot of entitlement in this area, I’ve lived here for a decade. I do my absolute best to treat others how I want to be treated. Bob does not.
As a result of this incident, I now drive out of my way to visit the FedEx location near Barnes & Noble instead. The employees at that alternative location are highly professional, and the manager, Malek, provides top-notch, patient, and considerate leadership.
Bob needs some coaching, a hug, and maybe a few therapy sessions to address his disrespectful behavior towards women.
Alexandria