Most. Unprofessional. Deli. Workers. EVER…read more
I went into the deli, because I have heard that they had the best and freshest meat available in Heber Springs.
While this may be true, I will likely never have the chance to find out.
The first time I went to the deli counter - the women at the counter turned their backs and pretended they did not see either me or my sister. They literally ignored us. Would not listen. Would not answer questions or even acknowledge our existence.
Fine. Anybody can have a bad day. Perhaps they were upset because it was 9/11. I chalked it up to one-time bad day.
So - I went back tonight (Monday) at 6:20 pm. This time, the women at the deli counter had said hello - but then seemed to be quite unaware that they work in a deli, and that their job is to slice meat for customers.
When I asked them about their meat - they seemed quite exasperate, and proceeded to explain that the meat slicer was VERY hard to clean... and that it was TOO LATE TO BUY MEAT FROM THE DELI !?!
I wish I were joking, but I am not. It wasn't ten minutes before closing time... it was 6:20 pm.
Perhaps the deli closes at 7:00 pm, earlier than the rest of the grocery store... but 40 minutes is ample time to slice some meat, and clean the slicer.
I tried to discern why they wouldn't serve me... and if the deli was closed. They suggested if I wanted sliced meat, there was plenty of Oscar Meyer. Completely unbelievable and truly offensive.
I went to the counter and asked to speak to a manager. They manager was nice enough, though seemed to have absolutely no authority over the deli counter. Apparently, the deli counter is a different department and not under the jurisdiction of the grocery store manager.
The poor woman seemed very uncomfortable that I wanted to discuss very poor customer service - but not so uncomfortable that she apologized for the horrendously bad experience. She had no answers, other than to let me know that the deli counter and the pharmacy were not her department.
Apparently, whomever is in charge of the deli department isn't really interested in providing adequate customer service.
The girls at the checkout counter were very apologetic, and sympathetic. The expressions on their faces seemed to say, "Yes.... the deli counter women are lazy slackers who do nothing but watch the clock and keep all the meat for themselves." Sadly, these very nice girls could do nothing to help me get my meat - but it was good to see that there were a few people at Harp's who seemed to care about their customers.
As a person who is new to town, I had hoped to patronize a regional market, rather than Wal-Mart... but truthfully, if the women in charge of the deli counter are a common example of regional customer service; I have no interest in giving Harp's any of my money. Neither should you.
I have not yet decided if I will reach out and speak to the store manager, the deli women left a horrible impression, and I don't know how I can go into the store again and not think of what a unbelievably sad excuse for customer service the women seem to think is acceptable on a consistent basis.