I'm not sure how to describe my visit tonight. I usually go to Michael's once a week for supplies but usually find myself at Lincoln Square in Arlington & visit this store about every month or so. this is the first time I've gotten out since having knee surgery a few weeks ago. I grabbed most the items I needed but knew the last thing was in the back of the store. I'd already been here for about 45 minutes without seeing an employee other than 1 cashier, so I went to wait in line to ask for help. when it was my turn, I explained what I needed & that if they had a wheelchair available I could get it myself but if not, I needed someone to bring it up. simple enough, right? not quite. after a lot of back & forth between the cashier & whomever was grabbing the item (a single white chalk pen), a frustrated "Bob" brought up the wrong item. I put it on the counter where he proceeded to berate me for "throwing" it, telling me if I broke it, I had to buy it. I was floored. I picked up the plastic encased metal paint pens & looked at them saying "yeah, if I break 'em, I'll buy them" & started telling him it was the wrong item while dropping them onto the counter when all hell broke loose. he yelled at me to the point where a customer who was leaving stopped to ask if I was ok. I said it was ok, knowing his son was waiting on his purchase (we made small talk in line). after he left, "Bob" got worse. by that time I just wanted to pay for what I had & go. nope. not gonna happen. he took my basket from me & said he wasn't going to let me buy them & to leave. I said "get a grip" to whit he started yelling that I threatened him. huh? he said he was going to call the police. I said I wanted to speak to the store manager to which he replied "I AM the manager!". I couldn't believe it! seriously? by then I actually thought the guy was tweaking out. yes, he was THaT bad.
fast forward...I called Michael's corporate. they're closed for the night so I called Hurst PD since Bob said he'd called to tell them I was concerned & would wait outside (i was actually kinda scared of the guy, knowing if he pushed me the wrong way, I'd drop like a stone). Bob had never called. I spoke with dispatch who sent an officer ASAP. security came & kept me company while we waited (very sweet guy who actually told Bob to go inside & leave me be). HPD came & after speaking with me, went in to speak with Bob. he came back out & said I was fine, gave me a case # & said he wanted a record of the call. while we talked outside, Bob was gesturing to the officer's back through the window.
so...scary experience. no staff on the floor. left about $50+ in merchandise for them to put back up & I think I'll stick with the Arlington store from now on.
ironically, someone at this same store suggested I apply for a job in January, right after I blew out my knee. I was flattered but love working for myself & my part-time job...at Target. yes, I work in retail & in guest service. I wouldn't dream of doing ANYTHING the way he did. read more