Formal Complaint Regarding Treatment by Donation Manager on August 2, 2026…read more
On August 2, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m., I came to Unique to donate three bicycles and garden fencing. I have been a customer and donor at Unique for many years and have donated similar items, including fencing, in the past.
When I arrived at the donation area, the manager on duty informed me that Unique could not accept the garden fencing. I explained that I had donated fencing previously, but I understood and did not argue with his decision. I then turned toward my vehicle to remove the fencing from my trunk so that I could access the bicycles.
As I was doing this, the manager said to me, "I told you we can't take that!" I explained that I had heard and understood him and that I was simply removing the fencing from my vehicle so that I could get to the bicycles. At that point, I asked him not to speak to me anymore because I felt that his tone and manner toward me were rude and were making me uncomfortable.
Despite my repeated requests that he leave me alone, he continued engaging with me. I repeatedly told him to stop speaking to me and leave me alone. Instead of respecting that request, he took out his phone and began recording me, stating that I was making him uncomfortable at work.
This escalated the situation significantly. I was attempting to disengage from the interaction, yet he continued to engage with me and record me after I had repeatedly asked him to stop. I began raising my voice and yelling because I felt unsafe and wanted to draw attention to what was happening.
This is particularly concerning to me because this was the third interaction I have had with this same employee that has made me feel uncomfortable. I have been shopping at and donating to Unique for many years, and I have never experienced this type of treatment from any other employee.
I believe that race may have played a role in the way I was treated. I recognize that I cannot definitively know his motivation, but the repeated nature of my negative interactions with this particular employee has caused me serious concern. I do not make this allegation lightly.
During the interaction, I asked to speak with his manager. He told me that he was the manager. I then asked for his name, but he refused to provide it. He subsequently threatened to call the police because I was yelling. I told him to do so, as I was not threatening him or attempting to cause harm; I was trying to get the situation to stop after repeatedly asking him to leave me alone.
After I removed the bicycles from my vehicle, I parked and entered the store because I wanted to speak with another manager and formally report what had occurred. As I was preparing to speak with management, the same employee approached me again and stated that I was "causing a scene" and accused me of calling him racist. I acknowledge that I did call him racist during the interaction because, at that point, I was extremely upset and felt that I was being treated unfairly.
I was eventually told that I could call the store at 9:00 a.m. to file a complaint with a manager named Gabby. I again requested the employee's name so that I could accurately identify the individual involved. I was told to simply refer to him as the "manager on duty of donations," by another manager. After doing some research I learned his name is Joshua P. Rapke.
I am extremely upset by this experience. I am not someone who routinely files complaints. In situations where I have had poor customer service experiences in the past, I have generally chosen to simply stop patronizing the business. However, this interaction was different. I left feeling disrespected, uncomfortable, and genuinely unsafe, particularly because I repeatedly attempted to disengage from the interaction and my requests were not respected.
I am asking Unique to take this complaint seriously and investigate this incident, including reviewing any available security footage and determining whether the employee's actions and conduct were consistent with Unique's expectations for managers and employees interacting with customers and donors.
I would also like this complaint documented formally and would appreciate a response regarding the outcome of the investigation and what steps will be taken to address this situation. I have been a longtime customer and donor, which makes this experience especially disappointing.
I expect to be able to donate and shop at Unique without being subjected to confrontational, intimidating, or disrespectful treatment. Outside of this particular employee, I love Unique. Just tired of the treatment I get from this one man. Avoid this man at all cost!
Manager Gabby followed up with me and apologized and let me know the incident is being handled internally. I appreciated the call.
