Bad Frys-Good Lesson

Ok, I'm not the person to name call or use my blog for my own benefit but the gloves are off today!!! I have a story to share with you and hope that you will read it and never give Frys Electronics your business afterwards.

Disclaimer: The names have been changed in order to protect the actual crappy people that I dealt with.

I went to my local Frys last week because I am buying the same gift for 3 family members and wanted to get the best value for my money.
I found the department and asked an associate to help me, enter "Corey".

I wont go into the details of the entire experience but to summarize, this is what happened:

I told the sales rep that I had a budget. The first item he suggested for me was $15 over my budget. I reminded him that I had a budget because I'm unemployed and that since I'm buying 3, his item would cost me an additional $45. To which he replied, "yeah but it's only $15 more."

Next, he suggested one that was $5 over my budget so I thanked him for offering to give me $15 to help me cover the overage. He did not laugh and decided I wasn't worth his time. He again reminded me that it was only $5 over my budget. When I reminded him again of my budget, he pointed to what he called "the crappy ones" and started to walk off.

I stopped him by asking him some technical information about one of "the crappy ones" and he said that he wouldn't even know what to tell me about it because, "No one ever buys these and I don't know anything about them." Exit Corey.

Ok friends....here is my beef. Yes, I would absolutely love to buy my friends and family the best and newest Christmas gifts on the market. I would love to have an endless budget where I could adopt a family, provide for my family and help anyone in need this holiday season. But in reality, I haven't had a steady paycheck in 4 months and I'm lucky that I can give any gifts at all. I am saddened by this current situation but I refuse to let it get me down because spending $ is not what this season is about. And when I go to buy a gift for someone, I don't need some crappy salesclerk trying to make me feel like a cheapskate.

So, I called the PIC (Person In Charge) and reached "Peter." I walked Peter thru my unpleasant experience in his store and told him that I didn't appreciate the way "Corey" made me feel. I also told him that I could pretty much guarantee that I wasn't the only person in Frys at that moment who was either unemployed or who was cutting back this year due to the economy.

Peter replied, "Well, you see, we as a company encourage our employees to encourage our customers to spend more in our store. Its called up-selling."
"Thanks Peter for the sales lesson. I'm fully aware of the concept of upselling." I replied.
"Oh good." Peter said as a smart aleck. "So you understand that we, as a company, make more money if our employees encourage spending in our stores."
At this point I wanted to reach thru the phone.
"Yes, Peter. I'm not an idiot. I understand the sales process. And I also understand that if you make your customers feel like crap while executing your 'sales process' you will no longer have customers. And I would think that given our economy and the fact that stores are closing left and right, you would encourage your employees to focus more on meeting the NEEDS of the customer instead of reaching the wallet of the customer."

Peter and I went back and forth and he even had the nerve to tell me that he didn't understand how Corey had hurt my feelings. He eventually said he'd tell Corey to be more sensitive and quickly got me off of the phone. A$$

I then called the Store Manager, the District Manager and the Corporate HQ. Cause I was just that pissed.

I know what you're thinking, dramatic. But after I got off the phone with Peter, I cried the entire way home. This has never happened. And I thought, if someone can have this affect on me and I'm doing fairly well given my situation....what kind of effect will they have on the person that is barely holding it together?

To end on a positive note, I heard back from the sales manager who assured me that was NOT the way their employees or managers were to handle sales or sensitive situations. He apologized profusely and stated that he would have a conversation with all involved.

I don't mean to rant and get everyone down in the dumps a week before Christmas. I do this, in fact, to help. Because this year, more than any other, we are all in this together. We all know someone, are related to someone or are in some way affected by the economy. Whether you are using less electricity/gas this year but paying more, had your savings/investments affected by this economy, know someone who is having a harder time doing the same job, know someone who is without a job, has had their work or pay cut back, or simply scared that they will be in one of the scenarios I mentioned....you recognize that its different this year. And so many people feel like they are on their own, with no one to turn to.

But we are a community, we are neighbors and we all rely on eachother. Whether we celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa or nothing at all, times are tough. So this year, more than ever, recognize eachothers effort, recognize the difference that people make in your lives, and recognize the needs, success and hopes of those around you. You might be person that is the straw that broke the camels back...but more importantly, you could be the person that reminds them to keep going, shows them the reason for the season and shows them that they can count on their neighbors, their friends and their community.

So all of you, my neighbors, family and community...I thank you for being there for me. I hope that your needs are met and your wishes are granted this holiday season. And if anyone gives you trouble....give me a call because you know I've got your back!