Okay... This is going to be a rant and then a rave... but hear me out: 2 stars because they fail to hire qualified and educated people in management positions... but 5 stars to an individual in the pharmacy department. Here we go...
10/22/07 I went into this store at 5:50pm (I'm looking at my receipt for the exact details). Accompanying me, wearing his bright red Service Dog Vest was Der Hund, who was leashed, calm and clearly identified by (duh) the SERVICE DOG VEST and the multiple patches on it that say, I'M A SERVICE DOG.
The power-tripping Assistant Manager, named Mohammed Tapis (just Tapis on his name tag) approached me and demanded that I leave the store because dogs were "not allowed" in the store. I replied, "But he's a Service Dog..."
He said: "Doesn't matter. No dogs allowed in store. You have to leave now." I pointed to Der Hund's vest. And the patches. "It's against the law for you to throw us out of the store," I said... not believing how ignorant this man was. "What if I was blind, and I had a seeing eye dog with me - that's a service dog, too... " I fumbled around in the zip pocket of Der Hund's vest for the Service Dog Identification Cards, but was so flustered, I didn't realize I was looking in the wrong pocket.
"That's different," he said. I asked him how it was different, and told him he was in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act by telling us to leave, and said, "Fine, I'll leave, but I'm going to buy this toothpaste, first."
"No! You leave now. Our company has never allowed dogs in the store. Leave your dog outside, then come back to buy," he shouted at me. A small crowd was gathering and I was so humiliated. "I want to speak to the Manager."
"I am the Manager." I should have known from the spiffy blue polyester vest he was wearing. But when I looked closer, it said Assistant Manager.
"I'm buying this toothpaste, and then I'm leaving. Give me your name and the name of your manager," I said, firmly, my cheeks flushed with rage. He said, "Tapis." That's all? What's your full name? Write it down for me on a piece of paper. Grudgingly, he complied. "What's your last name?" He refused to tell me, insisting that everybody at the store knew him. Whatever. I just wanted proof, in his writing, of his identity.
I bought my toothpaste, and was so upset, I nearly drove all the way home but then decided that I had to set him straight. I called the non-emergency line of the police department to make a complaint report and have them follow up. Instead, they said that an officer could meet me and take a field report. I thought that was a better idea, because then they could see my time-stamped receipt, Tapis would still be at the store, and the police officer could see that Der Hund was properly wearing his Service Dog ID Vest.
An Officer Santamaria took my report, verified that Der Hund was properly identified and wearing his Service Dog Vest and accompanied me back to the store, where she explained to this brilliant, sensitive Mr. Mohammed that by law, Service Dogs are allowed in stores.
He played stupid and said he didn't know that Der Hund was a Service Dog... although he clearly recognized what a Seeing Eye Dog is. Whatever.
I ended up talking to the District Manager, who apologized for his employee's lack of education... suggesting that maybe his English skills weren't up to the level of "understanding" what a Service Animal is. I didn't buy it.
Do me a favor: If you go into the store and see this guy, flip him off for me. That's the end of my rant. Negative 5 stars for Mohammed Tapis.
My rave is for Tony, in the pharmacy department... I was filling a prescription for Prilosec, that my delightful insurance said was going to cost me just under $70 for a 30 day supply. Lovely. But Tony pointed out that the exact same dosage was available, over the counter... and he took the time to come out, into the retail portion of the store, walk me over to the product, and note that the price was $19.99 for 28 day supply.
5 Glowing Stars for Tony, who went out of his way to help me NOT get screwed over by Big Pharmaceuticals! Whenever I go to this 24 hour pharmacy location, I will let other people go ahead of me in line so that I can see Tony again, and thank him for the stellar service that he gave me.
Tony wasn't just doing his job... he was being a kind and compassionate person, and I will never forget that. Rave, rave, rave!
Avoid the ignorant, power-tripping assistant manager who harrassed me and my service dog.
And say hello to Tony - he's a great guy; he's professional, courteous and extraordinarily helpful. read more