I love being treated like a criminal don't you?
I have no choice but to go to this Safeway. Ever since Sack N' Save Stadium closed down there really aren't any options close by for grocery stores. But the attitude of the employees here is horrible.
This morning, a little after 5am I went to this store to get flowers for my mom's upcoming birthday. It's not today, but they keep nicely for a few days in a bucket of water. I wanted it to be a surprise so I had to get them when she was sleeping and I wasn't working. I planned to buy a few things as well so I had a cart and 1 personal shopping bag. I'm not paying for a paper bag.
I went straight to the flowers and there was nothing! Tons of roses and some giant lilies. Nothing else. I contemplated for a second and decided to go to the Pearl City Safeway and see what they had. While I was looking at the sad selection of flowers I noticed an employee, who I believe was a manager in the area. I didn't really pay attention, it looked like she was working. I now think she was watching me, although she did not do a very good job (you'll see). I did not touch one thing outside of the refrigerated case. Just walked in circles thinking of what I wanted to do. I did check the price of the premade bouquets in the fridge. But they were expensive and looked old. So, I bit the bullet and decided to leave. I went from the flower section (which is close to the exit) straight to the door, not looking at anything else or even touching anything.
Halfway to the door I hear a rumble coming up behind me then an aggressive voice yelling, "Eh, you going pay for that?!?!?!?!?!" This (I believe) manager was coming up on me fast and aggressive. So I pick up my personal bag hold it upside down and ask, "for my bag?" Instead of apologizing she just tells me "oh you good." NO #$% I'm good. If she was watching me she should have noticed me not picking anything up let alone even touching anything. An apology would have been nice. Maybe, oh I'm sorry or I apologize. Another way to ask me could have been to say excuse me, did you need help paying for that.
What really pisses me off was because this is the only grocery store near my house I'm in here almost weekly. I also come in super early like this all the time so I've seen this manager several times. If she did not recognize me there's something wrong with her. Also, very risky to approach a potential thief. They are usually desperate and you don't know what people are thinking. What if I had a knife, or a gun. I look fat, but I can lift over 300 lbs. If I was a desperate criminal I could have leveled her with one punch. Working in retail in the past I know workers are not supposed to approach. If I was stealing I'm pretty sure I would have run out the door, not go to a register. Not sure what she was thinking.
Pearl City Safeway got $170 worth of business this day. I told the cashier what happened, she said I should complain but I didn't get the name of the crazy lady coming at me. She also told me they get a lot of complaints about this store and a lot of their customers. Well, add one more. Safeway Pearl City and Foodland Farms is about to get a lot more business! read more