[Blind-rollers] A Horrible Experience at Kmart

Thu Jul 16 18:11:04 UTC 2015

Thanks a lot for your advice. The Human Rights Commission is on my phone 
calls list as is the consumer advocacy group.

On 7/16/2015 9:17 AM, Becky Frankeberger via Blind-rollers wrote:
> File a complaint with the Human Relations Commission, or Human Rights
> Commission it is called in some states. That Manager needs a good hit in his
> pocket to drive hard the point. You were discriminated just by him in his
> position of Manager or whatever it is. The rest of the employees were great,
> and hopefully will testify on your behalf.
>
> So right now right down everything in detail, and your friend should also.
> When you arrived, who said what to whom, and how outrageous the Manager was
> with his loud berating of you and your friend.
>
> Becky former HRC Commissioner
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blind-rollers [mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Charlotte via Blind-rollers
> Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2015 8:04 PM
> To: Blind wheelchair users list
> Cc: Charlotte
> Subject: [Blind-rollers] A Horrible Experience at Kmart
>
> A few days ago my best friend and I were talking about the good deals she
> got while at Kmart with another friend of hers. They had sales on swimsuits,
> clothing, shoes, etc. and I was looking to purchase some of these same
> articles. She said she'd like to go back as well so we planned a trip for
> Friday, July 3, to go to Kmart on paratransit to get the items we wanted. I
> told her I'd call ahead the next day and let them know we were coming and
> that we would be there quite a while as we were two blind women, one in a
> wheelchair, looking for clothing and accessories. The next day I called to
> let them know. I spoke to the manager on duty. He assured me it was no
> problem. I didn't feel very satisfied with his brush-off quick response and
> told my husband about it. He then called again and spoke to a customer
> service lead. This time he, too, was assured that it would be no problem. He
> gave the times we'd be there and she said she'd get it taken care of and
> leave a note at the service desk so they could get someone in ladies'
> clothing or a similar department to help us. We again told her the length of
> time we were looking at and that there would be two of us. We arrived at
> Kmart Friday and I went to the service desk. I again said I had called ahead
> and spoken to two people and told them we were coming and that my friend and
> I would need help shopping. Not only were my two previous calls ignored, but
> we were given a male cashier who knew nothing about clothing. He, as an
> employee and a person, was fantastic. But I did not feel the most
> comfortable shopping for intimate apparel with a male not related to me.
> We proceeded to begin shopping and purchased some shoes, swimsuit, and were
> looking at pants. We had been shopping for about 2 hours. My friend and I
> were in the women's fitting room trying on clothing. All of a sudden there
> is a loud bang on the door. In a raised, scathing tone, the general manager
> of the store inquires how much longer we intend on tying his employee up. I
> again explained that we had called twice in advance and that I had indeed
> spoken to a manager on duty. I explained this in a calm tone, only letting a
> bit of my growing frustration show. Dan, the store manager, then proceeds to
> publicly, loudly berate me in front of the other customers and employees and
> tell me how unappreciative and ungrateful I am. He said I had tied up an
> employee for 3 or 4 hours. We had begun shopping at 11 and it was just after
> 1 when the incident occured. He said that from now on they are putting a 30
> minute maximum on any assistance because of my extreme attitude. I tried to
> reason with him as did my friend and say we were not being extreme. We'd
> tried to do the responsible thing and if we'd come separate they'd have had
> two employees tied up. It really hurt my feelings and upset me very much to
> be publicly humiliated and berated in front of the other customers and
> employees, and while I was trying on clothes in the women's fitting room. I
> came out of the room in tears. The gentleman helping us was appalled. He
> profusely apologized for his manager's rude behavior and said if he were us
> he'd just put everything back and walk out. I said I'd love to do that but
> with my transportation limitations, that wasn't an option for me. We did get
> checked out and went to wait for our ride.
> When I got home, I immediately called the corporate complaint department.
> The gentleman who took my call was also appalled by the classless behavior
> of the manager. I am still waiting to hear the resolution of this complaint.
> I will never set foot back in that store again unless that manager is no
> longer working there or at any store. He is rude, unprofessional, and
> according to the employee helping us, he treats his employees the same way.
> I've been verbally abused before and that was exactly what this experience
> reminded me of. My friend said he was accusing us of having an extreme
> attitude, when he was actually the one acting extreme. I would not recommend
> any person with a disability to go to Kmart. You will be treated as less
> than human and given the complete brush-off. If you go to the store on Lake
> St. Dan will impose a
> 30 minute maximum on your shopping time. This is not legal by ADA standards.
> He feels that we are taking advantage of a system and so I feel that he
> doesn't want us there or our business. Let Dan, the Kmart manager know what
> you think of what you just read. I have an update to this story. It is now
> July 15, and I still have not heard any word from corporate of any kind. I
> called twice and both times was told someone would get back in touch with me
> promptly. This has not happened.
> Apparently Sears and Kmart do not care about whether or not their customers
> are treated in a dignified manner.
> Charlotte
>
>
> --
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-- 
Visit my shop for handmade gemstone jewelry, bath products, and more.
Click here.
HTTP://WWW.ETSY.COM/SHOP/SCENTSGEMSNMORE

Need a tasty snack? Love popcorn? Try Hayward Main Street Gourmet Popcorn.  Many flavors and gift packs.
Click Here.
http://hmsgp.mybigcommerce.com/#a_aid=mamaotter

If you need a healthy snack packed with protein, try Jerky Direct. Beef, turkey, and buffalo in many flavors to please everyone.
Click here.
www.mamaotter.jerkydirect.com

Do You Bake? It's more than a question, it's a wonderful new company. They feature everything from dip mixes to dessert mixes, bread and breakfast mixes, dinner mixes, ready-made sauces and seasonings, grab and go snacks, and a nice selection of gluten free products and ready-to-bake treats for your pooch! Check out all the yum!
Click here.
www.doyoubake.com/mamaotter

If you're a crafter looking to advertise your wares, or you wish to buy handcrafted products, send a blank email to HandmadeSellNTrade+subscribe at groups.io