Had a horrible experience with the florist that worked today, April 21. We stopped by here on the way to visit my father at the VA Cemetery; he passed away recently. What a mistake that turned out to be. I drove my mother two hrs to visit him.
I usually buy my flowers in Davis at Safeway since I live there, although it does depend on whose arranging, but their usually decent and never had a problem with any staff member following my instructions.
I came in picked out some Lilies, told the lady, "I wanted to add baby's breath and a few fern stems to make it more full, I would like it wrapped with the bottom open, since we were headed to the cemetery, and I needed it cut about to the rubber band that was already on the Lilies." I thought it was pretty straight forward, but apparently not.
The florist grabs some fern and baby's breath from the back, then gets out a cemetery cup holder. I asked her before she cut what exactly she was doing because I don't want them that short...she stated, 'I'm using it as a guide to arrange it.' I told her I wanted it up to the rubber band and she ignored that cutting it super short. Then she kept adding more fern and I told her that is enough, so she added a few more fern not listening to what I said. I then asked her "how are you going to wrap it with it that short." She states, 'Oh you want it wrapped'. I told her yes with the bottom open and she wraps a rubber band around it and goes to the bucket near the Lilies and grabs a plastic bag. I ask, "What are you doing," and repeat for a third time now that "I wanted it wrapped with the bottom open" then she stated, 'Well I misunderstood, but that isn't the way we do it' I told her, "if you don't want to do it then don't, but every Safeway Ive been too always does it that way, and I informed you several times I wanted it wrapped." Then she said, 'I can wrap it, but we just don't usually do it that way.' It was like she didn't want to do it.
My Mom was frustrated and I was already mad, but kept my composure, and stayed patient, then she still wasn't wrapping it, and cut it even shorter like she was doing it on purpose. The florist heard me say we should have just got the flowers in Davis, then walked away like she was angry, and brought out more fern but still didn't wrap it. When there was already a whole bush of fern out there. At this time some people were patiently waiting behind us, but when we first got there nobody was there so it's not like I was rushing her at all. I told my Mom let's go because she isn't listening to anything, and just kept giving us more attitude. The other customers left as well.
We ended up buying overpriced flowers at a farm stand near the cemetery. She definitely ruined the day and our visit with my father. My mother was crying, not only because of my father, but that it was to be a somber day due to the visit already, and we just didn't need the extra drama. The attitude of the florist was completely unnecessary and unprofessional. I wasn't even rude at all until the end, and was just explaining what I wanted. The florist should have clarified instead of just blatantly ignoring my repeated requests.
My mother told me to let it go, but I ended up calling the manager, and spoke with Sophia. Sophia apologized, was compassionate and professional addressing our concerns without making any excuses for the florist. She stated she wanted to make it right and at our convenience we should come in to pick up a gift card. I told her it wasn't necessary she could just talk to her but she insisted. When I arrived and told a cashier my name she and the male staff member that rang up the gift card at customer service also apologized. They both showed empathy and compassion during a very hard year in our life and that definitely means more than a gift card.
Unfortunately I had to take off a few stars because I wouldn't have returned to make a second trip if the florist was just a decent human being. I didn't expect stellar customer service but even mediocre would have done today; just following my instructions would have sufficed. I am a veteran and a nurse myself, so I definitely deal with patient satisfaction and customer service, but I never have treated anyone the way she treated us today.
Although I do not know if I will return, my suggestion for the future is that the florist today not be allowed to work directly with customers. Especially until she is properly trained, but sometimes you cannot teach people how to treat others. Unfortunately one sour person can ruin somebody's whole experience especially since it was my first at this Safeway.
**To Sophia and the two team members thank you for your assistance with this matter, the gift card, and your kind sentiments toward this situation it was all greatly appreciated. read more