As a longtime Woodstock resident, I've been going to this Goodwill for 15 years, and have always really appreciated having it in my neighborhood- I've always felt it was a cut above the other area Goodwill locations. The merchandise has always seemed to be good quality, it's always clean and well lit, the racks are rarely overstuffed, and an important aspect to me, it seemed like there were several long term employees, a sign of a good employer and a higher likelihood of very good customer service. Which has always been my experience, until today, when I had the most genuinely shocking experience.
My partner and I stopped in today to kill a few minutes while we waited for our kids to get out of school, and so I could look for a few pieces for a crafting project I'm working on. I quickly found an item that seemed like it would work well for me, picked up a couple of other unneeded but fun items, and made our way to the register, just as I had many times over the years. As I reached the front counter, I was suddenly accosted by a female employee who I didn't recognize from prior visits. She informed me that she "knew that I had been trespassed" from this location. I was literally astonished, as I've never had even the smallest unpleasant exchange with staff here and would certainly remember if they had kicked me out! I assured the woman that there was a mistake, explaining how many times I frequent this location, often with my kids. She replied sarcastically "oh, I know". Still shocked by the accusation and even more so by the rude demeanor, I asked the woman what this could possibly be regarding- I would've been glad to show my ID and verify that neither she nor any other employee has ever "trespassed" me or my partner. She told me that she couldn't tell me that. Even stranger, she told me there was one employee there who, if she said that I had been trespassed, she would 100% take her word for it. This woman came over to where we were standing and "verified" that my partner and I were not allowed in the store. Having shopped this goodwill probably at least once a month for 15 years, I can tell you I have never seen this woman before in my life. They then made us leave the merchandise we planned to buy and leave the store.
This experience was so surreal I don't even know what to think. Again, I've spent probably well over $1,000 in the years I've been going to this store. I've never even had a disagreement with an employer here. I understand that some businesses can attract shady characters, and I don't begrudge them keeping an eye out. But to respond to a longtime customer not only with the absolute certainty of a mistaken assumption but to do so with such utter lack of manners or professionalism is truly shocking to me. I would gladly have shown ID, politely found a way to show that this was seemingly a case of mistaken identity, but it was clear from the outset that these employees were not interested in a positive outcome.
What disturbs me most greatly is that this was one of only a couple times my partner has joined me shopping at this store, and it's really difficult for me to not wonder if the treason these two white women suddenly singled us out (again, because I am in this store so often) is because my partner is a BIPOC. I truly hope that the reason I was, after 15 years, accused of a being a pretty crook banned from their neighborhood thrift store was simply coincidental to my partner's race. In any event, I still cannot believe or accept how rude, hurtful, and unprofessional these two employees behaved. Surely there must be some kind of policy of Goodwill of the greater Willamette to ensure that banned individuals are not mixed up with loyal, long term customers who are normally quite happy to spend their money supporting Goodwill and their mission, rather than leaving in tears of embarrassment and frustration. I really, really hope someone higher in the Goodwill organization will take the time to reach out and make this right. Until then I feel like my only recourse is to publicize this horrifying incident. read more