I am appalled by the conduct of the owner of Crown Pools in Desoto, TX.
Bottom line is this - for absolutely no reason, the owner of Crown Pools in Desoto, TX accused me of trying to "pull a scam" for a $5.00 part while I had $100.00 worth of intended purchases on the counter and I wasn't done shopping, AND rather than argue over such a small amount, I offered to REPAY my friend's ticket. After attacking my character, once she realized she was wrong, when I asked for an apology, a snide one was given and she rudely said - did that make you feel better!
I will never visit Crown Pools again. Upon recalling the story to my friend later when she collected her pool cleaner, I began with, "I want to encourage you not to use Crown Pools again.
Word of mouth advertising - of satisfied or dissatisfied customers - is the NUMBER ONE reason people make first time and repeated visits to an establishment in which they intend to part with their hard earned money - or choose to shop elsewhere. As a well-respected long time resident of Desoto (since 1983), with many friends that are pool owners, I shall make them aware of how the owner - not just an employee - treated me. And not just treated me - she basically was saying my friend was lying and had not paid.
The purpose of the visit was to pick up a piece of pool equipment for my friend and neighbor who was unavailable to pick it up herself. She sent me a text stating it was paid for and they were aware I would pick it up.
As a first time visitor to Crown Pools I was pleasantly surprised to see the colorful outdoor décor and a nice selection of floats. I knew immediately I would make a large purchase. And I needed a part for my pool cleaner as well. I had intended to buy the part elsewhere but thought if my friends trusted Crown, I could too.
I greeted 2 young men at the counter and made aware my intention. Within moments my friend's pool cleaner was on the counter. I was asked to pay - I can't recall the exact price but it was under $5.00. I stated it was paid for and the young man said OK. I said let's not just take my word for it - here is a text from my friend stating it's paid for - perhaps you have her ticket. The young man then stated to me - No, you look like an honest person. I thanked him and said - yes, in fact I am. I asked if the pool cleaner could remain on the counter because I wanted to shop and make a purchase.
As I continued to browse the female owner of Crown Pools approached the counter, and in a loud, abrupt tone stated this was NOT paid for and she was tired of "people like me" trying to run a scam. Immediately I approached the counter and I showed her the text from my friend and she stated, "We get people in here all the time trying to pull a scam like this."
I was shocked . . . "people like me???" I was well groomed, appropriately dressed, friendly, polite, and had $100.00 - so far - of merchandise on the counter that I intended to purchase. EXACTLY WHAT KIND OF SCAM WAS A PERSON LIKE ME TRYING TO PULL --- OVER A $5.00 PART!
Rather than argue over such a small purchase I offered to REPAY the ticket. Then I was shown the part I was paying for - a scrubby brush for the tail of the cleaner. Now this struck me odd as my friend had just purchased a package of these and shared one with me. Curious, I made mention that I found this odd. The woman then started to rip off the part and stated, we didn't even charge her for the work we did." I asked her not to take it off, that I would just pay the ticket and ask my friend about it.
About that time another young man approached with the receipt where my friend had in fact called and paid with her credit card AND let them know I would collect the cleaner for her.
The woman walked off and huffed, well FINE then. Clearly, she was embarrassed. I told her in a calm and polite tone - it was not FINE - and I felt since she barked at me before finding out the facts and out right accused me of trying to pull a scam I felt she owed me an apology.
She leaned over the counter and in a very indignant tone said, "Well, ok, sorry. Are you happy, did that make you feel better?" I politely said, "Yes, it did, kindness goes a long way on starting out again on the right foot." I then asked the young man to repeat to her his comment about "how I looked like an honest person."
Although the apology was not sincere, I thanked her and started to leave. She saw I was not making my intended purchases and approached me to apologize again and didn't want me to leave upset. I simply thanked her, said it's fine and left. read more