Unfortunately, I found out, it wasn't just Rose at this store who thinks "Hallmark" should be associated with extreme rudeness. (See my earlier comment)
After I gave up searching for replacement gifts to avoid purchasing from this Hallmark store, I returned anyway. I'd finally gotten my girls calmed down, but just couldn't find anything more fitting than what we'd already picked out. I kept telling myself, "Rose doesn't represent all of Hallmark, why would I boycott a store I love, just because of one employee?" So I foolishly returned.
Much to my shock, I discovered it wasn't just one employee. Bianca had put away all of our items I placed on hold earlier when her manager caused my daughters to run away. When I asked why, she said, "we can't hold things for that long for you, just until you decide you want to come back" Which, aside from being grammatically incorrect, just doesn't make sense. It had been exactly 2 hours 23min., and my understanding is, that's the entire point of putting things on hold. I was only able to locate 6 of my items, the rest were gone. The current shift manager, "Chantelle" chimed in, "we can't hold items for you that long!" Then just stood there, not offering to help me, nor even attend to the line of customers.
While I was trying to locate my missing items, I was still attempting to ask about the decanter. Chantelle, cut me off each time I tried to ask, talking over me, and still trying to "scold" me for their decision to put back all my items on hold. She literally never stopped long enough to even hear I was trying to ask a question about the merchandize. I tried for too long to find my itemsMy 13 year old daughter finally said to me, "Why are they being mean to you, when you're just trying to buy stuff here, and they keep trying to stop you? I don't know what kind of store this is, but please mom, let's just leave?!?" I really would have, if it wasn't late evening on 12/23, and I just desperately needed to get home to start wrapping and baking!
What's sad is that there was a cashier who was the sweetest woman ever working under these tyrants! I didn't get her name, but my receipt had this on it, "AUTH# 234336" She went above and beyond expected customer service. She tried to help me find missing items and made suggestions for what I couldn't find from what I had on hold. This was while she kept quickly checking out customers in her line, while Chantelle just stood there. She tried to make small talk with my younger daughter, who was staring at the ground, trying to avoid eye contact, again while she kept checking out her line. She heard Chantelle cutting me off repeatedly, so when I was finally checking out, asked me twice if she could help me find something to go with the salt shakers. I told her it was ok, too late, etc. She offered to wrap the glass items, and when I tried to shrug it off, just quickly did it, saying they'd be safer. When she was done ringing me up, I realized I never had her scan my coupon. As I was telling her to forget it, she refunded and re-rung my entire purchase with the coupon within a minute, insisting it was no problem. This woman embodied everything I associate with the Hallmark image and should be a manager or at least a hiring manager, because she understands customer service. People like her should be running stores like Hallmark, it'd be more profitable for the company and rewarding to the customers.
I can't evaluate who was ruder, Chantelle or Rose. Unfortunately, after dealing with Chantelle, I was no longer able to dismiss Rose's demeanor as a fluke, or a one time bad day, etc. Seeing Bianca's response to putting back my items on hold, couldn't be ignored either. It was obvious to me, that if three employees from a store are displaying the opposite of customer service... there's a deeper issue at this location. How does a Hallmark end up with two managers who are on power trips, treat customers like it's a privilege to be in their store, and feel justified for being openly rude in front of a crowded store?
Not only is this usually an indication of poor working conditions resulting in disgruntled employees, but also of a poor regional manager who's hiring inappropriate personality types for a clearly customer service related job. No matter how angry I am at my company, I'm not going to be rude and take it out on my customers... because I'm a nice person, so treat people kindly even when I'm miserable. I hope employee #234336 finds a better suited work environment, she deserves it!
There's no way it's a coincidence... there's a huge attitude problem at this store. I will never shop here again. One quality employee can't make up for three unacceptable ones. I may avoid Hallmark all together.
After a lifetime of associating it with everything good about holidays and family traditions... it now leaves a bad image in my mind. Thanks' to Rose, Chantelle, and Bianca, for ruining my default for gift shopping. read more