I've shopped at this Albertson's for three years. The store is not in the best of shape, but it's right across the street from where I lived until recently, which makes it inarguably convenient. I also shop here for my company's break room and office needs, which I've been doing for this law firm for two years this November. Every time I shop here on behalf of my company, I use a company check. I've often been held up slightly with a cashier who was unfamiliar with the large checks we use, or with someone who was suspicious of them. Today, I did some light break room shopping for the company, and left my cardigan in my car, because it was super hot outside. I have tattoos on my arms, and obviously made a mistake in doing so, because as I took out the check for the young man cashiering, he immediately behaved as if he suspected me of being a con artist. He examined the check, saying he hadn't seen any like that before, and called his manager. That's fine. As we waited for her to come over, my awkward life solidifies the mystery of my being there with not being able to find my driver's license. I try telling him this, but I immediately realize it's only going to solidify his belief that I'm trying to counterfeit, so I let it flow, still searching my purse for my license. I'm already embarrassed because the young man's opinion was blatant, as was the manager's. I wasn't given the benefit of the doubt with at least a certain degree of kindness- I was no longer even being acknowledged as a customer. I inform her that I'll need her to suspend the order because I haven't yet located my license (I've obviously been through this routine several times), and I will come back through the line when it's located. I go to my car in the event that it's there, and sitting down to pour through my bag one more time (I had just used the license for a company check the day before), I find it in a pocket, relieved that I can go back inside with my license to regain my dignity. I go back to the young man's line, and he is none too thrilled to see me. He barely speaks words to me as I hand him the license, the check, and wait for him as he goes back over to his manager, no doubt asking her what he should do.
He comes back to me, wordlessly runs the check, and as it approves, he lifts his hands in the air in a giant shrug to his manager across the front aisle, in blatant shock and disapproval that the check went through. I don't hear his question as he asks me if I want the stamps, because I'm in my own head reeling at the treatment I'm receiving at a store I've regularly used for three years total, and after he deadpan repeats it, I say no, I just want my receipt. Here's what my cashier and his supervisor didn't know: I was a highly heralded cashier and later floor supervisor for the incredibly successful Target at Glade Rd. for three years before moving on to office administration. Before Target I was a highly regarded cashier for Kroger, twice. I know everything there is to know about coupon fraud, retail customer service, cash handling, fraud prevention, check processing, how to spot fake checks, how to de-escalate a fraud purchase in process, and most importantly, how to regard customers currently processing payment that I suspect may be using counterfeit means of payment. Remembering to remain PROFESSIONAL and giving your client the benefit of your manners while you run them through the ringer for fraud will often make or break your future at your company. Until your suspicions are confirmed, MIND YOUR MANNERS. In this case, you were wrong. In Texas in 2016, arms with tattoos and a check in hand don't automatically mean fraud; they mean I am a young professional who works for an old fashioned law firm.
You regarded me as trash, and it was very embarrassing to stand there floundering when I knew what you thought of me. Today was the final straw for me with this Albertson's. The store smells like bad meat, the shelf that holds the Ozarka waters has been hanging precariously by a thread and no one seems to feel it needs correcting these past few years, and today, while being a regular client who has presented company checks for two years, I was regarded as a criminal.
I'd also like to suggest you address with the cart attendant (with glasses, not the one who walks back and forth across the street to work) his proclivity for walking women to their cars then hugging them without warning after he's loaded the car. He insists on helping, then helps himself to physical affection, or some form of touching. He doesn't do it when my husband's there, so although I understand that he does have a subtle mental impairment, he does absolutely have the capacity to understand the implication of his actions. read more
