DISRESPECTFUL OF MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS - RECOMMEND AVOIDING THIS BUSINESS IF YOU HAVE SERVED
I have waited a few hours before penning this review, as I want avoid letting my emotions interfere with what should be a simple accounting of an unfortunate incident that occurred on Sat, 10 Dec. You may notice that I do not contribute to the Yelp reviews as actively as perhaps I should, but in this instance, I feel compelled to take action.
I will endeavor to spare you the blow-by-blow, but the details are as follow: My girlfriend sent me a photo of a piece of furniture she liked. I did not see it on this business' website, nor did I see it on Facebook or any other social media site. My GF told me where she got the photo, so I Googled Salvage Sisters to see if I could go ahead and buy it right then, not realizing that they had policies in place that prevented such transactions - which, I will admit to you are fair. I left a voicemail describing the piece, explaining that I was in the military and had a busy schedule and wanted to do what I could to secure the piece. I reiterated that I was in the military and coming back from active duty, so was incapable of being present when they were open that Sat, as their hours of operation are quite limited. After leaving the message, I hung up and hoped to hear from them. I didn't. No harm done, but I would've appreciated a return call.
Fast-fwd to this Sat, while I was picking up another piece that I purchased for $100, I asked to speak with the Manager. I introduced myself, and gave my name while shaking her hand. I had to ask for HER name, as she did not provide it at first. I explained who I was, what I was seeking to do when I called about the other piece I wanted to buy, and expressed my disappointment with not hearing back from someone at Salvage Sisters and would've appreciated a return call.
This individual immediately went on the defensive, explaining she was too busy to return my call, stating that her business consisted of just "two moms" that were very busy. I listened patiently while she made her excuses and told her I understood. Her tone and demeanor grew more disrespectful as she went on to say that she couldn't return every single call they received each week. Now let me clear - up to this point, I haven't raised my voice, glowered or done anything to elicit the response I was getting from this individual. It was only when she brought up my military service with this look disdain on her face that I began to bristle at her disrespectful behavior. She said it didn't matter that I was in the military if she simply didn't have the time to call me back - fair enough - but when I told her that didn't matter to me as much as simply voicing my disappointment, she said, "Well, you just brought it up!" I explained to her that I brought it up to jog her memory about the call - that's all. How many active Military Officers call a local business in Burlington, NC seeking to buy reclaimed furniture?
I tried to explain that my military service wasn't what was at issue here. She replied, "Oh, I think it is - I think it is. You brought it up twice in your voicemail!" She went on to accuse me of expecting preferential treatment from her because of my service, when I simply didn't know their policy and wanted to overcome my military duty conflict. At this point, I demanded, "who the hell do you think you're talking to, lady? How dare you. What is wrong with you?" Let me make this perfectly clear - even now, I had not raised my voice. Her response? - "Sir, you need to leave or I'll call the police." Yeah, ok - that's the appropriate response to someone who asks you what your problem is. Of course, seeing as how this person was of limited capacity to deal with this situation as a professional and business owner - and not wanting to get arrested because of the impudent behavior displayed by a person that is sooo not worth it - I retreated, picked up the furniture that I didn't have the heart to return, as it was a gift for my GF, and left.
Folks, form your own opinions, but this lady's behavior was disrespectful, unreasonable and belies a false belief that she can treat her customers as she likes - poorly. Sadly, I expect she will respond to this review with distorted truths and a side to the story that makes me out to be the one in the wrong. Further, it seems she has an issue with Military Service Members. She is of a small and troubled minority that apparently feels like those who served are trying to take advantage of "the system" by exploiting their military service status while seeking what she perceives as preferential treatment. Sure, there may be a few out there like that, but the vast majority are simply appreciative of the courtesies that are extended to us by the rest of you, We are proud to serve, and as for me, I've been doing so for a quarter century. read more