Some time ago I was looking for a washer-drier. I saw a very nice one with a very good price in the Mediamarkt store. I also had a good opinion of the shop, since I had bought other things and I had never had any problem. I decided then to buy the machine. I asked to pay in instalments since I couldn't pay the whole price at once. They told me that it was not a problem, they prepared the invoice and after some minutes of waiting I was called to talk about the payment. First, they asked me if I speak German, because I had (obviously) to understand the conditions. I told them that I don't speak very well yet but that I can understand and, anyway, there was another person with me, that speaks a good German. They told me immediately that she couldn't translate for me because she wasn't my wife nor my sister. That's clearly ridiculous; is a sister or a wife necessarily a good translator?! I hoped at least that she could confirm what I was understanding. But at the first question (they wanted to see my "Anmeldung"), the guy saw me thinking about it (and I was thinking that I thought that my ID was enough, so I didn't have the Anmeldung with me, but I could go to take it!) and immediately stood up and told me that since I couldn't understand him, he could not let me sign the contract.
Now, I obviously agree that I need to understand the conditions before signing a contract and I can't of course ask them to hire someone that speaks English - even though they're a big company in the main shop centre of a big city - but I feel really offended by their behaviour, since they didn't give me any chance to buy the product that I needed. And - come on - I wasn't buying a car or a house, we're talking about 50€ per month for less than 12 months, I have a good job, I can pay! Clearly, that's the last time that I went there to buy something or even to have a look. I'll buy sooner or later my washing machine, but I will buy it in another place, where they're patient enough to explain me the things. Sorry guys, German is a beautiful language, but it takes time to learn it, especially when it's not you main language in your work place! read more
