There is a first time for everything, and I guess today was my first time for someone to drive me out of his store! I had this embarrassing experience @ Jack's Men's Store today.
I was in Canada this past weekend and bought a suit, knowing that the pants would likely need some alterations, and I knew of this store. In my 23 years here in Toledo, I had been in there before to get things done, and, truth be told, this man has been rude to me on at least one previous occasion. However, I figured I would forget that and take in my pants to get the alterations done. The store is located on my way to and from work (University of Toledo); so, I can always drop them off and pick them up, without having to go out of my way.
He calls over the lady working in the store, who I assume to be his wife (?). She was nice and took all the necessary information and measured the pants and ascertained exactly what I needed done. Then she stepped away to the back of the store, and left the owner to finish with the pricing and writing me a ticket.
So, he told me, "The price is $50." I looked at him and asked, in return, "Can I get a discount?" I did not complain about his price, I did not tell him that I had to have a discount, I simply asked, "Can I get a discount?" He stared at me for about 15 seconds and firmly said, "No!" in a near raised voice. I thought about it for a split second (reflecting on how much the suit cost and whether I should proceed). I said, "Ok. No problem."
I thought that was it; that he was about to write me a ticket and take the pants to his wife. No! He started saying that "You people are always coming in here and complaining about my prices!" I told him that I was not complaining about his prices, that I had asked for a discount and he had said no. "But you said 'Ok'; that means you are complaining about my prices. You people are always coming in and complaining about my prices." And he was triggered. "You know what, that is it, I will stop taking in outside work for alterations!" He seemed he was just going to carry on.
So, I said, "On second thought, let me take back the pants and take them elsewhere." I repeated that I had told him it was okay, that I was going to pay the price he asked, but I was not satisfied with his behavior. "So why are you taking the pants then?" He called me the n-word plural! "You 'n-word plural' are always coming into my business and messing around. Why do you 'n-word plural' have to do that? As a matter of fact, 'Get out of my store! Get out of my store!" I could only respond that I was getting out and that I would never return.
Even though it was only his wife, him, and me in the store, I felt a heightened sense of embarrassment, and I took the blame, because, as I said above, he had been rude to me at least once before. So, now I get it! I will find alternative options for alterations in Toledo. I never knew that someone operating a business could be so triggered by a customer asking for a discount and getting to the point of driving the person, unceremoniously, out of his store. I figure business most be good. read more