While pondering on a way to voice this statement about racism that still somehow going on after many years of slavery and people fighting for American American rights! I experience one of the nastiest customer service experience every in my entire life. Growing up I understood racism, but never experience it in such manner(setting). My mother and I decided to purchase some paint and had a few questions in regards to exact paint types we'll be needing. We approach an older lady by the name Shelley(Manager/Supervisor of Paint Department) who just finished up giving this man the most top of the line customer service, so I knew my mother and I would have no issue experiencing the same. Little did I know this lady had it out for me.... As soon as I approached the lady at the counter with my questions, the first thing the lady tells me is "hold on"! I didn't think much of that until I proceeded in asking her about which paint is best used for painting porches. I showed her a picture and she instantly started yelling and pointing "no if your referring to that, it's not over here it's over there". I responded, ok. I'll just get this yellow paint here. She grabbed the can, slammed it down and begin mixing it with this machine. I had no idea what was going on when she snatched the jar of paint from me, she didn't state what needed to be done. I waited around for over 15 minutes and had no knowledge that this lady was mixing the color for me and whatever else they do with the paint. She walked about, no eye contact, no assistance, no nothing. Another guy came by asked is there anything they can assist me with, I pointed at the paint and told them they left it there. The manager that started helping us, grabs the can of paint from him.... from there I asked if she could call a store manager because the attitude and customer service I received because I walked up to he counter, with a "I CAN'T BREATH, Black Lives Matter" mask on, I would be attacked just because the color of my skin.
The store manager at the time comes over and I begin to speak with him while the Manager Shelley is standing right there. Her attitude is at an all time high, she's yelling, cutting me off, not letting me speak, & still holding the paint she grabbed from the gentleman. I'm sharing with the store manager, I witness this lady give this White man the most outstanding customer service but when I approached the counter her attitude changed instantly. The lady goes to tell the store manager "I don't have to tell them how long it's gone take, I don't owe them anything". The look on the store manager face was very shocking, he looked appalled. He apologized for what occurred and proceeded with giving us 50% off our total purchase.
Fast forward to 2 hours later, I needed more paint, I sent my wife up there this time to see if she'll receive the same service. She walks in there while on FaceTime with me, mind you I didn't share with her what occurred earlier to me and my mother. She walks up to the counter there's two young ladies by the name "Kasey & Nayeli", who were in the middle of conversing with one another they instantly stopped and asked how they could be of assistance. My wife showed them the picture of the lid we had previous purchase, the two girls then proceeded and said "ok perfect, I'll have two grab the paint for you and since it has to be mixed it'll take about approximately 7 minutes". That there is the service my mother and I should have received because the white man that was before us received just that from Shelley, while my mother and I went unnoticed.
Fast forward to an hour before closing and I needed a few extra items, this time I did go in with my wife because I then informed her what occurred so she insisted in me coming in. We happen to stop by the paint department, this time I didn't have my mask on and also a different outfit on as well. I say all that to say, you wouldn't believe who walked past my wife and I with another employee and greet us with the most sweetest " Hello, How are you", Shelley ( The Department Manager)..... I said all this to prove my point of the racial profile I experience while shopping at Home Depot.
I normally don't speak out, but one thing I pride myself on is equality. I didn't receive that today in such a Big Corporation I wouldn't have expected an employee, or should I say "department supervisor" to conduct themselves in such manner. Instead of defusing the situation, and apologizing since I was the customer she insisted on trying to prove a point! No matter what, a customer is always right and as a supervisor her role was to correct the issue and make sure that I was valued at the end of the day like any other customer she interacted with, no less. read more