Typically, if I have a difficult experience at a particular store or location, I give the employee the benefit of the doubt and simply move on. Most challenging circumstances can be resolved by communication and a warm smile. We truly don't know what people are going through and if an unhappy face or curt remark is the extent of what they unable to hold back, I try to bite the bullet and move on.
However, today's experience at Leon's was a completely different story that I intend to share for two reasons. Firstly, as a preventative; I don't want people to endure what I went through today-no one should be treated like that. Secondly, as a way of being helpful. I am hoping this gets the attention of the manager since my attempts to help him catch on to his behavior today were futile.
Upon arrival, I headed straight for the Post Office section where I went about prepping two items that I needed to ship. From the start, I got very distinct vibes that my presence was an inconvenience to the manager from simple requests about purchasing tape and using the scissors. The whole time his behavior towards me was impatient, rude, condescending, irritable, and honestly unbelievable. When trying to clarify which priority envelope to use, he finished by telling me to put things away in an organized manner, not to mention telling me to go away from the counter until I had everything ready, being upset when there was an issue about the postage which he thought he would have to cover, manifesting irritation at the people who walked in and were waiting just moments before I finished up and informing me I should essentially have everything planned before I came in to prevent wasting things. (The extent of my trash consisted in the tags one pulls off of the priority envelopes/boxes to expose the adhesive). From start to finish, it was a horrific, unsettling experience. I calmly told the manager I would pay for the postage so he wasn't put out then told him I wouldn't be frequenting his location any longer. His response was, "Good, don't come back."
Long story short, y'all! I have spent more than enough time working in the human relations and the customer service industry to know that the rapport between customers and business is directly associated with financial success. I hope today's encounter with this manager isn't an indication of where his business is headed financially. More than just being a customer though, I am a person and know that regardless of who you are or what you are living through, respect should be shown to one's fellow men. I feel more sorry for the manager who wasn't able to manifest this basic fraternal attitude towards another human being than for the horrific treatment I received today.
Like I mentioned above, typically I just swallow the little inconveniences of dealing with business people-we are human after all! Today however crossed the line from being unprofessional to downright unacceptable behavior and my fear is that others will experience the same if something isn't said. I have told my family and I will mention this to any possible customer of Leon's that I encounter. My intention is that others, especially the manager of Leon's, read this so that hopefully, I will be the last customer of Leon's to ever receive such uncharitable, unprofessional and sad behavior.
Take care, y'all! read more
