HomeGoods — Local services in Laurel

I have visited the Laurel, MD store twice and won't go back again due to the most rude, disrespectful, and condescending store manager that I have encountered in almost 60 years of living. The store manager's name is Veda and had I actually been able to reach the corporate office (none of the phone numbers I found on the internet so far are working) I would have registered a formal complaint. On my first visit, the store staff were helpful and seemed nice enough. The down turn came when I had to ask the manager a question. The interaction left me shaken and disturbed for the rest of the day. On this trip to the store, my goal was to do a spring refresh of a guest room because family was coming into town. That day I purchased an arm chair, brass and glass table lamp, brass and glass floor lamp, orchid flower arrangement and a few other items that totaled around $425. The manager (Veda) spoke to me as if I was trying to "get over" on the store when I asked if a damaged metal and glass $12 tray could be discounted. She was so rude that I handed her the tray and walked out of the store. Had I not already paid for the $425 worth of items and been pressed for time I would have returned everything. I just didn't have the heart to ask the young man who had just taken time to move the chair so that I could put it in my SUV to put it back. I am a woman of color and so is the manager but by the way she spoke to me it felt like racial profiling and classism. When I am out and about shopping I dress pretty casually because as a senior executive I'm buttoned up all the time and I like to be comfortable when I'm shopping. Fast forward, I get home and realize that the glass and brass floor lamp is damaged. There was a slight bend in the base that I could live with but the finial that holds the lamp shade to the base would not stay on--definitely something I didn't notice in the store. A few days later, I proceed to take the lamp back to the store for a refund. I enter the store, and approach the cashier telling her that I wanted a refund. She asks for my receipt and I hand it to her. I explained to her that the lamp was broken and she then tells me that we have to wait for the manager who was at that point outside in the parking lot helping another customer. There was a man standing behind me trying to return a rug so I said that I would step aside and let her help him. The manager comes into the store about five minutes later. She looks at me, looks at the lap and says in a very loud and condescending tone "well what's wrong with it". I explained that the finial was broken and she asked "what happened to it" as if I had broken it. Then, she proceeds to try and try again for at least five whole minutes to make the finial fit while I'm standing there as if I wasn't telling the truth. Now we try to process the refund...but the cashier has misplaced the receipt. The manager then berates me for not having a receipt. I said, I don't know what happened to it but I already handed the receipt to the cashier and she put it on top of the keyboard. I said, maybe she gave it to the gentleman that returned the rug by mistake. The manger then raises her voice and says "you shouldn't be making assumptions about what happened to the receipt". I'm bewildered at that point. She finally processed the refund but with so much attitude that I couldn't wait to get out of that store. It took everything in me not to match her energy. Someone like this should never be in a position to manage staff or interact with the public. When I say that I will NEVER shop in that store again, I mean it with everything in me. It's a shame that I have to leave my area and drive 30 minutes away to an area that has a majority white population to buy what I need and get decent service. ...

My experience at the Laurel, MD HomeGoods on Monday, August 25th at 12:30 PM was shockingly poor. I was assisted by the Assistant Store Manager, Veda, whose rude, dismissive, and unprofessional behavior was appalling. As a loyal HomeGoods customer who spent $600 - $800 at this location the prior week and over $1,000 at nearby locations, I was stunned by the lack of basic courtesy.

From the start, Veda offered no greeting and carried an annoyed, impatient attitude. I came in to return four items with valid receipts, but instead of helping, she immediately looked for reasons to deny my return. She repeatedly stated: “The description is not for these items,” and when I asked her to clarify, she refused, saying: “I’m not going to tell you that” and “I don’t have to.” This is completely unlike any other HomeGoods experience I’ve had, where employees clearly explain receipt discrepancies and process returns efficiently.

When processing the remaining two items, Veda again checked the system and incorrectly claimed one item was not on my receipt. When I corrected her, she responded only with a dismissive “Oh.” She even attempted to break open a sealed box to inspect its contents, despite the box clearly being unopened. The entire interaction was unnecessarily hostile, rushed, and unprofessional.

I later called another HomeGoods location. The manager there reviewed the department numbers, confirmed the items matched, and processed my return immediately, highlighting the stark contrast in customer service. Before driving 45 minutes, I returned to Laurel to ask Veda for her full name and title. Again, she was dismissive, refusing to provide complete information and saying: “You are the one with the nasty attitude. I do not care how much money you spent at this location.”

This behavior reflects poorly on both Veda and the store’s management. Good customer service requires patience, communication, and a willingness to resolve legitimate issues - all of which were completely absent. I contacted HomeGoods Customer Service the following day; the representative apologized, documented my complaint, and promised a call from store or regional management within 24 - 48 hours. As of September 3, 2025, I have received zero follow-up.

It is alarming that this is not an isolated incident; multiple reviews confirm Veda has treated other customers similarly. Laurel HomeGoods management should understand that experiences like this drive away loyal customers. I deserve a formal apology, but I will never return to this location and will actively discourage my clients from shopping here.

This is a clear reminder that good customer service is not optional - it is essential for maintaining trust, loyalty, and a positive reputation. Buyer beware: I gave Laurel HomeGoods time to address my concerns, but they failed. Check the reviews...Veda is a recurring problem, and management seems unbothered by...

Dear TJ Maxx Corporate Team,

I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding the store manager at your Laurel, MD location (Store ID: 280498, 332 Domer Ave, Laurel, MD 20707). My recent experience at this store was appalling due to the unprofessional, rude, and outright hostile behavior of the manager, whom I later discovered goes by the name “Veda.”

First and foremost, I was shocked by the way this manager conducts herself in a professional retail environment. She was dismissive, condescending, and outright disrespectful—not just to me, but to other customers as well. She speaks with an unnecessarily harsh tone, refuses to provide basic customer service, and acts as though customers are an inconvenience rather than the reason the store exists. When I asked for her name to file this complaint, she initially refused to provide it, which is unacceptable for someone in a leadership position.

Even more concerning is her treatment of her staff. She belittles and barks orders at them, creating a hostile work environment. It was heartbreaking to witness employees being spoken to in such a degrading manner. No one should have to endure that kind of verbal abuse in the workplace. Employees deserve to feel respected, yet Veda’s behavior makes it clear that she thrives on making others feel small.

During my visit, she not only spoke rudely to me but also used profanity in the store. At one point, it seemed as though she was gearing up for an argument with a customer—something completely unacceptable for someone in a managerial role. This kind of behavior is not just unprofessional; it is entirely inappropriate and damaging to the TJ Maxx brand.

It is clear that this manager is deeply unhappy in her role, and it reflects in the way she treats both customers and employees. This store deserves leadership that fosters a welcoming and professional environment, not someone who creates tension and hostility. Frankly, she should not be in a managerial position at all.

I strongly urge TJ Maxx corporate to investigate this matter thoroughly. I will also be reaching out to HomeGoods headquarters and any other relevant departments to ensure this complaint is acknowledged. I hope immediate action is taken to address this issue, as allowing such toxic leadership to continue will only drive away both customers and employees.

I reached out to corporate. Please see attached someone...