On 11/25/2020 at 12:30pm, my daughter and I stopped at the Cenex at 1402 Foster Rd in Ellsworth KS. The two of us were out having a good day taking a little road trip. When we stopped at the Cenex location my daughter went in to use the restroom and get a soda and some candy. She had my credit card in her hand. I waited for her in the car. When she comes out with $6.33 worth of soda and candy she proceeds to tell me "the lady in there thought I was stealing", shocked I asked her what she was talking about. My 12 year old daughter said "I went to look at the candy, then I went up to the register to ask where the restroom was and the lady said "what do you have in your pocket? Are you going to steal something"", my daughter was upset and said "Mom I've never stole anything before, ever" she then tells me "I told the lady no and told her I just had my phone in my pocket, then she glared at me and told me where the restroom was". At this point any parent can imagine my anger with the transaction that occurred. I took her soda, candy and recipt into the store, went up to the counter and asked both ladies behind the register "Which one of you accused my 12 year old daughter of stealing?" This older lady came to the register and said "I didn't accuse her of stealing I just asked her what was in her pocket and asked if she was stealing", I replied "how is that not accusing her of stealing?". I proceeded to demand a refund and told the lady we would go down the street to the Casey and get what she was wanting. After returning my money, I said "Unbelievable and so rude", the lady said "I was just doing our job".
I spoke with my daughter on how to handle situations like that and what she should have done. I also explained that just because we are somewhere to buy something does not mean we have to. If someone is rude and hateful there is no need to support the business and we take our money elsewhere. My daughter continued to comment on her experience and continued to say things like, "I would never steal", "I can't belive that lady was so mean".
In a world full of negative influences I try my best to keep my daughter grounded in good values, ethics and moral responsibility. This experience negatively impacted her and that is upsetting. She learned a good lesson, and I will never support a Cenex/Ampride again. There is a convenience store on just about every corner now. Ill support the ones that focus on customer service. read more