Prepare yourself this was a doozie! I just left BigLots Wholesaler on Governor Printz Blv. in Wilmington, De (8-23-2020). I normally don't shop here but because of Covid and my work schedule they are the only place open a little late since Bj's is further and they would be closed before I could get there. My first visit I went for storage and hygiene products, but ended up pricing some living room furniture and a small bunk bed and mattresses for my guest room. I was told the items were available for delivery. I drive a Yukon XL and my God brother drives a F250 so we were going to move the furniture ourselves. Today was my second visit I saw somethings I really liked before and picked them up. I notice in every aisle I turned down I saw an associate. Being who I am and working as a Assistant store manager for a children's retailer I thought "it's late they are probably just cleaning before the store closes". Then as I am walking towards the cash wrap to check out, a employee stops me and asked if I was finding everything I was looking for, I looked up too answer And as I was about too ask about the furniture I wanted to buy but I noticed I was literally surrounded by every employee in the store! They escorted myself and our kids to the front of the store, then they all stand there staring at us while we check out! At this point I know what's going on. Standing there I could feel the judgment in the way they looked at us, a Black family of 7. My pride wanted to have me leave the items in my cart and walk away. I couldn't though because I had to use this moment to teach our children a lesson, and them too. I stood there brought my items for a total of $350.00 (15% of which was supposed to be discounted and wasn't). Then reminded the associate who helped me find the furniture initially, who I was. And also let everyone standing there who thought the only way we would be getting the 4 carts of items was by stealing them know that my bill could have been over 2,000 dollars if myself and most importantly my children weren't made too feel targeted and uncomfortable.The look on the managers face was priceless! Moral of the story? It doesn't matter how you conduct yourself, unconscious bias is still thriving! Big Lots y'all need to do better. #blacklivesmatter #ialwayspay #alwayscarrymyselfwithpride read more