Five Below — Local services in Independence

I went into the independence location and felt uncomfortable and unwelcomed the moment I walked in. When I first walked in, there was a worker, young, long brown curly hair standing by the door who I suppose was meant to be the greeter. She just stared at me walking in, so I smiled and said “hello”. She immediately looks away. I still walk in and brush it off because I assume she’s just shy or young and still developing professional skills. I’m a teacher and came in to buy a bubble machine for my students and lucky what I needed was in the front display, right where you walk in. So I’m standing in the front isle making my selection and then another worker, also younger, bigger lady with short blonde hair walks up to the other worker that I had to greet myself, and I overhear her (and she didn’t even have the decency to whisper) tell the other to watch me and stand by the door. So the bigger worker goes to guard the door and proceeds to lock the door. After the two workers make it obvious that they are convinced I’m trying to steal (after me not being in the store for more than 2 minutes), I grab my item and check out as the other worker stands behind me as I checkout. Then as I’m walking out, the worker by the door unlocks it and lets me leave. I was blown away because this is the first time I’ve been looked at like a suspect while out shopping. It wasn’t that the two workers were rude and very unwelcoming. It made me wonder if they are like this to every customer? I know independence may not be the best area, but is it that bad where they have to lock you in the store and act paranoid when a customer comes in? I think five and below is great, but definitely won’t visit this...

I frequently shop at this store since it’s close to me and i’ve never had a problem, however today i decided to stop by and it was by far the worst experience. i first purchased an item for a friend using their card and when i went to pay with cash for mine i put in a 20 and the system didn’t process it. i asked for help and the guy was very nice and said it had been happening all day. He called the manager so i could get my 20 back and immediately the manager was rude. She was blonde and maybe in her 30’s. I apologized for the inconvenience and got no response as she called support on her phone. not only that but she did not give me my 20 back, she gave me 7 and then had me re ring up my purchase and pay with card. she also asked to check my other bag which i let her do but it was very off putting to me. i get that with the holidays there are lots of scammers but she was incredibly rude and basically made me pay twice despite there obviously being problems with the system. mind you i had to wait 20 minutes while she was...

I went here with the purpose of buying a screen protector for my phone... immediately went to my car and put it on. It was bent and wouldn't adhere to my phone. Crazy frustrated and trying to handle my 2 young kids. I went back in and there was a woman who helped me and said she would try and fix it for me. She tried and failed... even though their store policy is no returns or exchanges with an open package, she went and got me a new screen protector and cleaned my phone for me and applied it perfectly! She went above and beyond what I had expected from a discount store. She was really nice and helpful and understanding in my frustration. I myself am in a line of people business... a barber. I immediately grabbed a card out of my purse and gave it to her to give her a free haircut on me for being so compassionate to my frustration. Grateful for people like her that are still willing to turn my irritation into happiness. I did not gather her name but she has very short fade haircut...