FEMALE CONSUMERS BEWARE THIS IS NOT A SAFE PLACE TO SHOP…read more
The staff within this location is absolutely Neanderthal when it comes to customer, interactions and service.I am a regular customer at this location and frequently shop with my emotional support animal, a 4-pound dog that assists me with anxiety and panic attacks while I am in public. My dog remains quiet, non-aggressive, and sits calmly in the child seat of the shopping cart.
Upon entering the store, several employees observed me with my dog and no concerns were raised. Approximately ten minutes into my shopping trip, I was approached by an employee, an older Asian male with a name badge, who informed me that my dog could no longer ride in the cart and had to be leashed and walk on the floor due to a new policy. I expressed concern for my animal possibly stepping on micro glass shards and how it would be concerning for me.
I explained that I was unaware of this policy and had difficulty understanding him because of a significant language barrier. I asked questions solely to understand the policy and where it was posted. He pointed to a dark red notice near the entrance that is difficult to see because of the paper and font colors being used.
At that point, a second employee, a Hispanic male wearing glasses and no name badge, approached and did failed to identify himself or his position with the store and immediately became confrontational. He spoke to me in a rude and abrasive tone, assumed my dog was merely a pet, and repeatedly challenged whether my animal was a legitimate service animal. He stepped closer to me while visibly frustrated, invading my personal space and making me feel physically intimidated.
I calmly explained that my dog provides emotional support and assists me with managing my anxiety in public. I also stated that I had no issue complying with the policy and would retrieve a leash from my vehicle. I did exactly that.
After returning to the store with my dog leashed and continuing my shopping, I was approached again by another male employee with a beard who was not wearing a name badge and did not identify himself as an employee or manager. He abruptly pointed at me and demanded that I leave the store with my dog. Due to his appearance and lack of identification, I initially believed he was another customer confronting me. His tone was equally aggressive and unprofessional.
By this point, I no longer felt safe in the store. As a small woman with anxiety and panic disorder, being confronted aggressively by multiple male employees caused significant emotional distress. I completed my purchase, checked out with an employee named Martin, and returned to my vehicle where I had to take my prescribed anxiety medication before I felt safe enough to drive.
While sitting in my vehicle attempting to calm down and locate contact information for your company, the bearded employee came outside on a break and repeatedly stared at me and watched me from outside the store, which further increased my discomfort and sense of intimidation.
I want to make it clear that my complaint is not about Dollar Tree's policy regarding emotional support animals or service animals. If the policy has changed, I have no issue respecting it. My complaint is entirely about the manner in which this policy was enforced.
I was treated with unnecessary aggression, spoken to disrespectfully, physically intimidated, and made to feel unsafe while shopping in a store I regularly patronize. Additionally, no effort was made by the employees to educate me professionally regarding what they stated was a new policy.
I am requesting that this incident be investigated, including a review of surveillance footage from the front of the store and the parking lot. I will also be providing:
Customers should never feel threatened, intimidated, or unsafe while shopping in one of your stores. I respectfully request that this matter be addressed and that appropriate coaching or corrective action be taken to ensure other customers do not have a similar experience.
I look forward to receiving a response regarding the outcome of your investigation.
