Office Depot — Attraction in Saint Louis Park

There are two reasons you call a Sales Associate by their first name:

1. The store requires the Associate to wear a plastic name badge and you are interested to see if you can pronounce their international name correctly, or
2. The Sales Associate does his or her job really really well and you want to return to this same store, same location, time and again, seeking out your Sales Associate “Brian Tomniczak” because he was in a word, EXCEPTIONAL. In a world of faceless internet purchases, you found a “friend”. Someone you can trust. Someone you can identify, and call on a first name basis and, you discover, through casual conversation, that he is a great father and husband as well. It figures. Your instincts were correct. I was fortunate enough to discover my exceptional Sales Associate, Brian Tomniczak at the Office Depot in St. Louis Park last week. Not only did he assemble my new rolling file cabinet with the upholstered top (I love it because I can rest my legs on it as well use it for filing), but he delivered the cabinet directly to my downtown neighborhood. I drive a fast, sporty car (very slowly, mind you) and there is not enough room in it to transport more than two bags of groceries so, using his own sturdy vehicle, Brian Tomniczak drove easily through the madness of downtown traffic, to deliver a new piece of office furniture directly to my door. What a guy! And now as the credits roll for Brian Tomniczak of Office Depot, I would like to add a bit of music. It is the famous opening theme song from The Golden Girls sitcom, titled “Thank You for Being a Friend”! Thank you Brian for your friendly and courteous assistance with my Office...

The way the manager Michael spoke to me today was completely inappropriate, unprofessional and unnecessary. I am in customer service and extra mindful not to be impolite and speak with respect and gratitude. I tried to explain that when placing my order online, I only chose options that offered a same day pick up option if the order was placed by 2pm but the confirmation stated I could pick it up 2 days from now. Michael almost immediately he became aggressive and combative. He said he could maybe het one part of the order done today but that there would be a 25% upcharge, his tone and demeanor was clearly trying to talk me into canceling my order. I let him know that I thought his tone was unprofessional and I was trying to find a solution and from that point forward he would not let me speak without interrupting me and eventually said he was going to cancel the order and hung up on me. I called customer service back and they are trying to get another store to complete the order. I even made mention to an earlier customer service rep that this store has always been great, that said it has declined recently and it is easy to see why. Folks like Michael should not be in positions they are required to deal with the public and even worse, in a leadership position managing folks in customer service positions. Maybe times have changed but I don't think a minimal level of customer service or mutual respect is to much to ask when trying to spend $300 on copies...

I have worked in customer service for years. This location of office depot is an example of why "box stores" are failing across our nation. No one said hello as I entered the store which is understandable as many stores are trying to cut costs with fewer associates. But when I went to check out, the cashier did not greet me with a smile, did not ask me if I found everything OK, looked at me with half open eyes and a "I hate this job" face and asked me for a rewards number. During and after the transaction, they never smiled or said a word, never said "thank you" or "thank you for shopping office depot" as the clerk continued with the blank stare. I sarcastically said "your welcome" loudly as I exited the store. This individual was totally unqualified for a position in this type of store. Personally, if I want that kind of customer service, I would shop at Walmart (the epitome of poor customer service) where at least the prices are lower for the same product I was purchasing. What is sad is the lack of training and enthusium in box store associates (Target excluded - they seem to care). This is one of many reasons why Amazon and others are flourshing. I have no interest in ever returning to this store as their corporate bigwigs seem to not only focus on profit and loss but continue to listen to their educated idiots in their little offices who don't know that personal interaction is the icing...