[Blindtlk] A Horrible Experience at Kmart

Wed Jan 27 00:51:31 UTC 2016

Really! We are responding to a July 16 message. But while we are, let me
just say that this attitude that it is not independent to shop online at a
grocery store because we are blind and it doesn't show independence is just
a bit ludicrous. I feel certain I have plenty of opportunity to show others
what I can do. I am not really shopping independently if I have to have an
employee go around the store with me. I shop on line as do many others. The
Hy-Vee stores offer it as a service; they charge $4.95 for it; they have
shoppers who collect the stuff. They do a decent job of produce and meat.
Shopping on line gives me the chance to look more at what is available to me
without having someone read it. I think we run the risk of being foolish if
we don't think we can shop on line just because we are blind and don't want
to look pathetic. Who knows? When they get your order, often they don't know
if you are blind or if you aren't. 
Anyhow, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
July 16?
Cindy Lou Ray

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Carly
Mihalakis via blindtlk
Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2016 11:56 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>; 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
<blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Carly Mihalakis <carlymih at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] A Horrible Experience at Kmart

Good morning, everyone,

	This is precisely why On-line shopping and such doesn't appeal to me
personally. Why not  do a little traveling, persuing the good things life
sometimes offers, not to mention  having an opportunity to model for people
how blind folks find their life experiences and in fact, do the same things
as everybody else but perhaps a little differently.
CarFrom: blindtlk
[mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cheryl Echevarria via
blindtlk Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2015 2:26 PM To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
Cc: Cheryl Echevarria Subject: Re: 
[Blindtlk] A Horrible Experience at Kmart I would like to say, becoming
hermits and not getting out of the house and traveling? As stated early live
the life you want, and I am totally for those who want to not go shopping
without other people with you, but when you do go shopping. on in
restaurants, etc. That we show independence. 
Sitting home doesn't give that. I also order online, but remember staying
home the outside world doesn't learn about blind people. Things like the
KNFB Reader which is now an app on your sell phone can help with this for
shopping. It can tell you want you are looking at or at least read a code,
and there are exciting other inventions on the horizon. Google Glass, which
we tried at the NFB Travel & Tourism, and other divisions at convention.
Michael Hingson was part of the group. Many things new and updated  at
convention. -----Original Message----- From: 
blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Charlotte via
blindtlk Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2015 2:30 PM To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Cc: Charlotte Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] A Horrible Experience at Kmart Hi. Our
paratransit is pretty much 24/7 so I would be okay with coming at a time
that was less busy. It was 2 hours when the manager came in, not 4. We were
planning to stay for 3. I asked the cashier when we started shopping if that
was acceptable and he said it was. I've had to change employees before and
was totally okay with that. One time I had to wait 20 minutes for another
employee to come off break and was okay with that because I knew about it
ahead of time. I am very willing to work with people if they are willing to
work with me. I know I take a bit longer because of my mobility issues and
am totally okay with rotating employees or waiting 20 minutes or so for them
to get someone else. On 7/16/2015 1:01 PM, Judy Jones via blindtlk wrote: >
My concern about calling in ahead of time, although I understand why it was
done, is that, if you start them thinking you need special
arrangements/help, then in future they may get the idea to ask you to only
shop certain times when they CAN offer the time and attention you are asking
for ahead of time.  You might want to go during a time you can use your
paratransit, but the store may then say, well, we don't have the personnel
or scheduling to be able to accommodate you, you need to come at
such-and-such time. > > In other words, if you start asking for special
ahead of time help, they could start putting limits.  They shouldn't but
that may get them thinking in that direction. > > A long time ago, when I
went into the Winn-Dixie late at night to shop, I was told to come back
during the day when there was more staff to offer customer assistance. > > I
told them that I worked and commuted, and had to come when was convenient
for me.  With that explanation, I was promptly offered customer assistance,
and have never had a problem since. > > Also, with employees, they are
needed in certain departments doing certain tasks, and the shift's schedules
are made accordingly.  To take four hours to shop with one employee can
upset the scheduling and possibly disrupt that employee's lunch break.  It
might be good to check with your shopper to make sure the time frame will
work with them.  A solution is to work with one shopper for a while, then
trade to another if the first employee needs to take his break or clock out.
As I understand it, they are strict with their employees and clocked time,
something we as customers don't usually have to think about, but we should
be considerate of those factors. > > Judy > > -----Original Message----- >
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of > Charlotte
via blindtlk > Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2015 11:46 AM > To: Blind Talk
Mailing List > Cc: Charlotte > Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] A Horrible Experience
at Kmart > > That definitely had an impact on it for sure. Also, there were
2 of us, both totally blind and one in a wheelchair. That added onto the
time. > That's the main reason I called ahead and told them. > > > On
7/16/2015 7:47 AM, justin williams via blindtlk wrote: >> Yeah, not having
the knowledgeable employee is what may have caused it to be so time
consuming. >> >> >> -----Original
Message----- >> From: blindtlk
[mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of >> Charlotte via blindtlk
>> Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2015 8:46 AM >> To: Blind Talk Mailing List >>
Cc: Charlotte >> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] A Horrible Experience at Kmart >>
>> It was 2 hours when he banged on the door and there were 2 of us and we
were looking for several items that took a long time to find. Also, if
they'd given us a female it would've went a lot quicker. Also, if that were
going to be a problem, we could've been notified of that when we, twice,
called ahead. >> >> >> On 7/16/2015 2:16 AM, Paul Wick via blindtlk wrote:
>>> No offense meant, but I would never tie up customer service for 3 1/2
hours. but that doesn't eexcuse his rather narrowminded behavior. >>> >>>
Paul >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>>> On Jul 15, 2015, at 8:02 PM,
Charlotte via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
wrote: >>>> >>>> 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 >>>> >>>> >>>>
-- >>>> 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 >>>> >>>> >
 >>>
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 >>> 0c >>> omcast.net >> -- >> 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 >> >> >> >>
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blindtlk: >>
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 >> comcast.net -- 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
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