Parking under a tree toward the center of the lot (just to get in the extra steps) I walked to the beige building with a goal in mind: slacks to match my suit jacket and a blouse. I also needed a scarf because I was suffering from major frizz.
Given the time restraint I had to act quickly. I found a top with that interesting "jewelry already attached" motif. Hey, why not save two birds with one prayer. A few other pieces on clearance grabbed my attention so I picked those up as well. After pacing back and forth for some time I eventually got the attention of a worker and asked for the area with the suit separates. I followed her instructions and wandered a bit until I found what I was looking for. Two items down, yay me! Another worker pointed me towards accessories to find my scarf and that was it! All items with time to spare!
Heading over to the cash register I was greeted immediately. I thought this was great since a store in the early morning with few customers can sometimes be inattentive and unnecessarily time consuming. All my items rang except the scarf with no tag and the cashier walkied to have some price check.
This is where I introduce my grievances...
Standing at the register I advised that cashier that I would like to use the restroom to put on the clothes that I am purchasing (so I don't have to go back to the hotel or change in the car). He said I couldn't do it; that security would not allow it, apparently,because of shoplifting.... Mkay, but I'm paying right this moment, for the clothes I'm taking in there. Okay, how about the dressing room where your team can count the garments? That's a no-go as well? Interesting. I then asked if there was a place nearby, a McDonalds perhaps, that I could visit to use their bathroom... The cashier actually tells me that No Stores In The Area will allow me to change my clothes in their restroom "for strict security reasons" I said "ok, thanks"
The worker returned with another scarf, comparable in appearance but not the same and the cashier rang my last item. I will add here that he did not mention the price nor did he direct me to look at anything that displayed the price but had I not been so off put by the previous exchange I would have thought to look myself.
After telling me my total, he asked if I had the store card. I replied no and stuck out my credit card. He advised that if I applied for the card I could receive a discount off my total. I declined. He asked again, emphasizing the benefits of the card and, again, the discount. I declined. He went on to ask and explain 3 more times, to the point where i actually had to switch hands to extend my credit card. He then told me that I needed to walk over to the credit card machine at the OTHER register....really? You been pushing this damn store card on me for a full minute with my hand extended and only now tell me I can swipe it...."over there"
Not that this matters but I do not and will not let everybody run my credit, soft pull or hard pull. Kohls in general has a fantastic savings program stacking sales and discounts, cash back and rebates which make shopping here easy. I don't think it's necessary (for me) to put these small purchases on credit. That's my choice so calm that annoying car salesman crap down.
Back at my car I realized there was a Walmart immediately across the street so I drove over and parked by "outdoors," farthest to the right. I asked the first worker Issa about the nearest restroom. Of course since the clock is ticking on my work event the bathroom was allllllll the way on the other side of the store.
I walked through the toy area to the pickup counter where two employees, a manager and a worker were speaking just beyond the entrance. Once I had the young lady's attention I advised that I had just purchased clothes from kohls across the street and needed a restroom to change in. Guess what? She said "that's fine!" After being made to feel that noone in their right mind could fathom a scenario where a receipt would justify a purchase and use of a facilities restrooms, of all places, Walmart saves the day!
When I exited the surprisingly clean Walmart bathroom, I wasn't stopped, frisked, patted down, wander, or any other TSA tactic. Actually there wasn't even a worker standing in the area, nor was there an officer waiting to tackle me at the store metal detectors.
I understand security, but I also understand customer satisfaction and common courtesy. Sometimes a person just needs a place to put their damn pants on, and after spending nearly $200 bucks in under 15 minutes you would think it wouldn't have been a hard way to go.
Thumbs down to this particular Kohls. I'll definitely go elsewhere for future. read more