A while back, I was dispatched to this store to provide a service. Since I am disabled and was having a particularly difficult day, I asked my son to assist me. He and his gal arrived before I did and proceeded to wander around the store (their first time there). They noticed weird looks from the staff. A few minutes before I arrived, I received a call from my son. He told me that he and his gal were being detained by the Mount Vernon PD and had been told to stay away from this store. Upon my arrival, I spoke with Jeff, the owner. I identified myself and told him my son was there to assist me in providing the service for which I was dispatched to his store.
He told me I could proceed with my service, but my family had to leave. I asked why, and was told in quite a huffy tone that it's his property and he could do what he wanted. While I agreed with him as far as his property rights, I was inquiring as to why he was going to this length with my family. He said he saw their car used in a criminal act (there are more than 1000 cars just like this one registered in Skagit County) and that he observed my family shoplifting at Coastal Supply. Of course, there was no shoplifting at Jeff's store.
I contacted Kelley, the manager at Coastal. She said nothing could be further from the truth. She contacted Jeff to tell him he was mistaken, but he wouldn't have it. Now keep in mind that my family has a rather high limit credit card and no questions asked. So really, no reason to shoplift.
I spoke to Jeff at length a few days after this incident. He told me how he suffered thousands in losses due to shoplifters. I agreed that this is a problem. I honestly think these jackasses should have their hands slammed in a door jamb, just so they have something to remind them of their crime. I can certainly understand anti-theft protocols and loss prevention. But the way he handled this situation was slanderous and completely out of bounds.
I should mention that my family has spent over $50,000 at the Home Depot in Burlington? A tidy sum that could have ended up in Jeff's pocket if it weren't for his short sighted actions. I do prefer dealing with our local merchants rather than the big out of town corporations. But when my family gets embarrassed and slandered at a local merchant, for nothing more than browsing the store, I'll go where my money is respected. My family has never been treated this way at the Depot. They bend over backwards to assist us.
Jeff, maybe next time you start profiling a potential customer, you should pay attention to the Rolex he was wearing. I doubt that you've been robbed by someone wearing a nice watch. Not that this should determine your actions. But at least you should realize that you're not in the presence of some street punk. Far from it. I think you have won the award for the first mom and pop merchant to 86 a Classical Pianist who also owns his own business. But I'm sure you couldn't be swayed by any of that, could you? More fun for you to treat young people like garbage.
My advice to anyone with a young family. Don't do business here. Sending your son or daughter to this store could result in one of them ending up on the public record, trespassed off for nothing more than being young.
And we wonder why Amazon and the big box stores are winning the war. read more
