Disappointing and sad. I previously thought highly of this place, and while I thought the prices were high, I am all for supporting local businesses. However, if you do decide to purchase anything be careful and take a friend.
In my case, I purchased firewood from them. I decided to buy a container full (1/3 cord if I remember right). I paid for it, and went outside. The person told me I could go ahead and load it into my truck, and I asked if they would use the forklift. Then she told me there was a charge for the container. I told her it seemed reasonable to assume the firewood came with the container based on how they had them displayed, and since I already paid I asked if I could bring it back under the honor system. She refused, and called the owner to find out what the deposit would be. They then charged my credit card a second time for a deposit and then forklifted it into my truck.
After using the firewood (as another point of caution, I think the wood was green... it did not burn well), I dropped off the container and waited in line. When it was my turn, I greeted the lady behind the counter, and asked for the deposit on the firewood container. She curtly said “you got your receipt?” I told her I didn't but might still have it at home. She immediately started taunting and shaming me in front of all of the other customers, basically asking if anyone could believe I was trying to get a deposit without a receipt. I told her when people charge a deposit for something it’s usually a standard amount, and the receipt is possession of the item. She said “we don’t even charge a deposit on those”. So, I left to go get the receipt. On my way out, the owner (Cary) approached me, and began the public shaming routine too. Then started telling me loudly enough for others to hear, that I was a liar and he had been there for 30 years and never charged a deposit for one of those crates. I told him calling me a liar in front of other customers in the parking lot was uncalled for, and it seemed to me like there was $20 or $25 in value in keeping a customer rather than going down the path he was on (I admitted I didn’t know for sure what their deposit was, but remembered it being $20 or $25, of course I assumed the deposit was standard). He told me if I had my receipt and could prove I wasn’t lying he would give me the money. I told him, also loud enough for others to hear “So your choice is to send me back to my house to search for this receipt just to prove you’re full of it?” At that point he exploded, and got in my face. He started screaming, and whipped out his wallet and said “here take $30 and don’t ever come back!” I told him I didn’t want $30… I wanted what I paid, and I was going to go get his receipt for him. He took a $10 back and pushed $20 at me, which I took.
When I got back home, I found the receipt which verified I had paid a $20 deposit, and that it had been Cary himself who told the person that night to charge me $20. So, I made a copy of the receipt and took it to them. I clarified with the rude woman behind the counter that it had been Cary I had talked to outside, and that it was his name on the receipt as the person who had instructed them to charge me. I told her “ok… well you can give it to him or not, I guess it doesn’t matter” and she immediately shot back “you’re right… It DOESN’T!” Not sure what I did to inspire all this acrimony, but both of them could use some customer service lessons… or just humanity lessons, especially since I was fairly cordial, even after repeated public shaming in front of other customers.
My advice, is first and foremost avoid the place. If you choose to go in, I recommend being careful and not going alone, especially if you are someone who is easily physically intimidated. The owner and some of the staff seem to be bullies, and will make fun of people or shame you publicly as well as get inside your physical space in the case of any...
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