http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021072351Oh my.
tpsbmam (3,629 posts)
unbelievably frustrating shopping experience at Lowe's yesterday
My dishwasher crapped out and I was lucky enough to have the money saved to buy another. (I keep saving for a new TV as both of mine are old and crapping out --invariably, something like this happens. This'll soon be a no-TV house but I'll have clean/sanitized dishes!) A dishwasher is pretty important for me. I have failing kidneys and am incredibly prone to infection. I stave off a lot by good hand sanitization & doing things like using my dishwasher to sanitize dishes, glasses, sponges, etc.
I did lots of research before going to Lowe's and had the models I was interested in written down. My research was primarily for MADE IN AMERICA machines. Well, I bombed on finding one 100% made in America -- the best I could do was foreign parts and assembled at USA factories. Well, something was better than nothing.
So I got this total asshole salesman. First HUGE mistake was talking down to me. He saw a disabled woman who looks like she's in her late 50's, early 60s and thought that was a-okay. Then he made his fatal mistake: he rolled his eyes when I told him the models I'd selected online were the only I'd consider since they were made in America!!! HE ****ING ROLLED HIS EYES! I couldn't believe it. I lit into him...."So, it's fine and dandy with you that most of our manufacturing is no longer done in America but has been outsourced to other countries? And it's fine and dandy with you that all of those jobs have been killed in America and shipped overseas? And it's okay with you that the whole tax base engendered by keeping manufacturing here is gone? You're just okey-dokey with our middle class being decimated in large part because of all of this?" He's standing there with a bemused look on his face and I want to run over him with the Lowe's electric cart I'm using!
I told him I wanted a salesperson with at least 1/2 a brain and rolled away. I got a great manager who actually further researched the models I'd selected -- wasn't sure if one was the actual model assembled here -- he came up with new info for me and totally agreed with me about buying made in America. Needless to say, I totally skewered the asshole salesperson.
I actually ended up with a Bosch -- German company but all appliances sold in the USA are made or at least assembled in the USA -- there's a factory right here in NC (the other is in TN). Whirlpool was my other choice, but after reading this Truthout article definitely demoted it to a distant second (model I selected is one of the few Whirlpool models still assembled in the USA). Told the manager I didn't give a damn whose CEO got richer off my purchase but I care a great deal about who employs US workers and, in balance, whether a corporation helps or harms communities and the country.
You know, I've never been fond of shoppers using those electric go-carts in large retail places.
Many of them look as if they can use some exercise to melt off some fat.
There's probably some who have a legitimate need for them, but that's clearly not the case most of the time.
But what pisses me off about those go-cart users is their regal attitude; they act like they own the whole aisle, bump ambulatory people out of the way, whine a lot, and demand to be first.
tsuki (11,603 posts)
2. I did the same thing. I am really delighted that you settled on a Bosch. I have similar problems, and the Bosch has worked for me. It takes a long time to wash, but the dishes are sanitized. I also use the recommended dish powder and amounts. I buy one box ever six months, unless I can find buy one-get one free.
NutmegYankee (3,403 posts)
5. Sometimes people in the service industry bring it onto themselves.
Here's a general rule - don't treat your customers like garbage and they won't reciprocate.
NYC_SKP (42,347 posts)
7. OK then. Please watch this short video:
after which a youtube thingamajig
You never know what a person is going through in their personal life.
Expecting civil treatment as a condition of being civil yourself is doing it the wrong way.
tpsbmam (3,629 posts)
9. And they never know what their customers are going through....
why the **** is this a one-way street in your book?
Because on your little go-cart,
you act as if an aisle's a one-way street.....going your way, and to Hell with anybody else.
NYC_SKP (42,347 posts)
12. If you're even asking this question, it's doubtful I can explain to your satisfaction.
but it boils down to rising above it, being the first to be peaceful and the last one to be angry.
It's what good teachers and parents do: provide UNCONDITIONAL caring and respect, even in the face of disrespect.
You either "get it" or you don't.
dsc (36,957 posts)
6. I think this is quite different
She came in looking for a specific brand of dishwasher for a specific, well thought out reason. The salesman had no right to roll his eyes at her. This isn't going off for no reason, like that CFO did at chick fil a
tpsbmam (3,629 posts)
8. Totally disagree that it's a hard and fast rule in every instance....
I'm normally incredibly polite and thankful for the assistance provided by service personnel. I don't go out to eat often, but when I do, I'm a HUGE tipper.
But getting a condescending asshole as a salesperson who rolls his eyes when one says "made in America," means for me at least, that I no longer owe the individual the respect with which I treat ALL people until they completely and totally lose my respect.
So, in your book, his total disrespect of ME should have gone unanswered?
Screw that.
lunasun (2,075 posts)
18. It happens on both sides of the aisle IMO
Store would not have gotten my business
I am polite as a worker and customer but often am treated like shit in both positions
I'll just say young older whatever race or sex there are a lot of rude folks out there and that sucks
I think a lot of these over the top nasty TV reality shows do not help
you can roll your eyes over that comment becasue I can not see you so that is OK with me
If he had just thought to himself "whatever old lady" he is entitled to that thought but it was rude to outwardly roll his eyes imo
RebelOne (24,157 posts)
14. I have never had a problem with Lowe's.
I have bought many appliances there and they were all American made. My last purchase was a refrigerator and I was quite happy because they came and installed the new refrigerator and hauled the old one away.
And guess who
has to show up to say something.
nadinbrzezinski (107,254 posts)
17. You'll be happy with it
The Bosc we have is 15 years old and still going.
