First I'd like to say most of the associates in that store are fairly nice. They could use a broader knowledge base but they are very nice.
One associate, however, (and I didn't get his name - he's the younger bald white guy) needs a lesson in how to deal with people who happen to have female body parts.
I'm being nice. I wanted to use the correct terminology but I don't want the Yelpers who read this to think I'm "crass"...
Went in today, asking about gasket sealant for a carburetor float chamber.
The lady I spoke with didn't know for sure if it would be sufficient when I asked her, so she went to the man I'm talking about and asked him. He said he wasn't sure it was the best thing to use where gas is concerned (the item I brought to the counter) and immediately assumed it was my husband who was doing the repairs and started talking to him.
I asked if he had one that was specifically made to work with gas.
He proceeded to tell my husband that he thought they might have one, then went down the aisle we'd just been on, glanced at a few items, and informed us that they must not have it anymore.
The ENTIRE TIME he was addressing my husband. Not me.
I spoke up. I said, "I'm the one working on it. I just need something that will serve as a gasket until we can ord..." - he cut me off, looked AROUND me at my husband, and started talking about the carburetor. Now. My husband is brilliant. But he doesn't have the same mechanical mind I have, so I am the one who is usually doing the repairs to engines and motors that die in our home. I again tried to redirect him to speak to me. He continues to speak to my husband and more or less ignore me. When he DID speak to me, he spoke to me like I was a three year old child. Reminded me several times that if I got anything into the "bowl" of the float chamber, I'd ruin the motor. Well DUH. Thanks for mansplaining that to me. Wonder how many engines he's rebuilt and if it might enlighten him to know I've done this my entire life (I'm 50 years old). He then began to tell stories about how he has to put more on some engine he's been repairing for the church every year at the beginning of the season and blah, blah, blah. Talking to my HUSBAND. Then he said something that let me know he doesn't know a THING about what he was talking about. He said you put the gasket maker goop I was buying in the channel and put the old gasket in there as well. NO YOU DO NOT. I mean really. I nearly walked out without buying anything. I nearly let my mouth outrun my manners and blasted him. Now, I wish I had.
I will NEVER step foot inside that store again. Ever.
I have been treated this way by men before. And I have never bought from their places of business again. There are two other auto parts chains I won't use because they have men working there who believe it takes a certain added appendage to be able to understand how anything works.
Word of warning to businesses. Treat people equally, regardless of your preconceived notions about them. Doing otherwise will result in a loss or downturn of business. read more
