I went into this thrift store expecting a positive experience, especially because I genuinely…read moreappreciate organizations like this. Before checking out, I overheard the same cashier explaining to another older customer that the people working there volunteer their time and aren't paid. That honestly made me appreciate the organization even more because I believe volunteering from the kindness of your heart is something worth supporting.
Unfortunately, that appreciation disappeared the moment we reached the register.
The same cashier was checking out my sister and me, and I'm not sure if the way we were treated had anything to do with us being two younger brown adults, but the interaction was incredibly uncomfortable and humiliating.
My sister tried to explain the price of the hangers she was purchasing. Rather than simply listening to her, the cashier questioned her and refused to believe what she was saying, even after my sister showed her a physical picture she had taken showing the price. To be clear, this review is not about the price. We completely understand that employees need to verify prices. What was upsetting was the unnecessary attitude and the way my sister was made to feel as though she was being dishonest.
Then, completely unnecessarily, the cashier commented that the hangers were too "small" for our clothes.
What exactly was she implying by that? Was she making a comment about our bodies or our size? Regardless of what she meant, it was an extremely inappropriate thing to say to a customer.
My sister politely explained that she was purchasing the hangers to hang her pants. Instead of simply moving on, the cashier responded with "ew, that's disgusting."
Who says something like that to a customer?
There was absolutely no reason for that comment. It was rude, disrespectful, embarrassing, and completely inappropriate. A customer should never have to stand at a register and be spoken to in a way that makes them feel humiliated for something as simple as purchasing clothing hangers.
What makes this even more upsetting is that I had been excited to support this organization because I respect what thrift stores and volunteer-based organizations represent. Unfortunately, one employee's behavior completely ruined that experience for me.
I left feeling angry, disappointed, and, most importantly, humiliated on behalf of my sister. Watching someone speak to her that way while she remained polite was incredibly upsetting.
I genuinely wish I had recorded the interaction because it was one of those situations where you leave thinking, Did that really just happen?
I will never be returning to this location. I hope management takes complaints like this seriously and understands that volunteering or working for an organization does not give anyone the right to belittle, embarrass, or disrespect customers.
People come into these stores to shop, donate, and support the organization. The absolute least they deserve is basic kindness and respect.
One star is honestly generous. If zero stars were an option, that is what I would give