Kroger — Local services in Madison Township

I was in your Groveport location @ 6011 Groveport Rd on Friday after work, as I am almost 4-5 times per week. I left very upset and in tears. I interacted with the store manager Tim and a customer service representative names Keith.

I after working all day, stopped into Kroger for a couple of things and some wine to go with the pizza I had just ordered for my husband and kids at home. And I was trying to time everything up to be home at the same time so we could all sit down together. I went over to the wine.. not being picky and not wanting to spend a lot, I grabbed 2 separate bottles- each marked for 4.99. I went to check out and both rang up wrong. No worries yet, I have been going to this Kroger since it opened as I was born and raised and 32 years later still live in the same town..I am very used to items not ringing up correctly… and just having it corrected.

Tim was called over to assist me in the correction with the price… I walked down with him and showed him the error.. he advised me that with it being alcohol they would have to charge me the full price and give me the difference on a store gift card.. which again.. I was fine with.. I am there all the time and it would be spent. He walked over to a cashier and came back to me.. Told me once I was finished cashing out that Kevin- since he was over 18- was aware of the situation and would assist me once I was done ringing out my other items and to just go up to the customer service counter.

I did this.. I rang up the rest of my items.. and went and stood behind 4 people in line at the customer service counter.. when it became my turn.. I told the young man that I was told Keith was assisting me… and offered to step down to the second register so he could continue helping me.. mind you the whole time.. Tim and Keith saw me standing up there.

10 mins passed.. and multiple, multiple people assisted behind me. Tim finally looked at me again and I threw my hands up to get his attention.. at this same time.. Keith was joking around and laughing with another kid as they both slowly bagged up a customer’s groceries at the end of a register… He looked over his shoulder at me at least 5 times. I felt so disrespected it wasn’t funny. Tim walked over and I thought he was telling Keith to come assist me… well they stood and joked long enough I actually was able to take a picture on my cell phone… I couldn’t handle it anymore.. I had to yell out are you kidding me??? They both then walked over to me… Tim said I apologize I assumed you were helped already… which is b.s because a customer would not be standing there 10 mins later if they had been helped. The whole time Keith had a smirk on his face… Tim said I was telling Keith to come help you… no.. they were standing there laughing and talking… Tim basically brushed me off and blamed Keith. Tim as the GM should have come and assisted me after clearly seeing I was upset. That man is only doing one thing ever.. walking around and socializing.

After accepting Tim’s apology and him walking away.. I apologized to Keith as he issued my 5.00 store credit that took me getting upset and over 10 mins to wait for…. I said sorry… apologized for getting upset and being ignored and he literally didn’t say a word to me.. ignored me completely. I even said.. or don’t say anything back to a customer. They were both completely rude and had ZERO customer service skills at all. I walked out in tears from my local grocery store…. One I have gone to since it opened… And I have not been back since Friday… I will do any and everything I can now to avoid that store.

Never would I think you would want customers treated like this.. or a GM to handle it in the pathetic, joking non-caring way that he did. Very long story short—I missed pizza with my kids as they were done by the time I got home.. and upset...

This is the racist Kroger I have ever experienced as shopper and employee. The management and staff are primarily white – and depending on what department you are in; the racist undertones are undeniable. I think his name was John Hock (store manager) and Melinda/Melissa (pharmacy manager). The produce manager wasn’t too bad, but he had a similar temperament.

The pharmacy staff was cold, off-putting, and just rude as hell. I couldn’t believe this was their general attitudes. I was the only black person in the department, and they sure did not want me there. It all started when Melinda/Melissa came back after giving birth to her latest runt in her litter. I’ll never forget the look on her face when she saw a black person working there. I don’t know what she said, but she left the pharmacy and I believe she went to talk to Hock. There was another assistant manager, I forgot her name, but she was the mouthpiece(she was racist too).

Anyway, suddenly there were no hours available for a few weeks. Melinda/Melissa was icing me out. Everyone had hours except for me. Comical.

Naturally I raise concerns, to no avail. I’m “offered” to work in another department I think, but subsequently I transferred to a more “urban” store up the street to work in that pharmacy. But my house was closer to this location.

Did you know not even days later, they had two or three new white boys working back in the pharmacy LOL!

The word on the curb was Melinda/Melissa only wanted to work with other white people, who attended OSU. Fun fact – I knew the President of OSU – she personally wrote “me” a letter after I assisted her one day – not even knowing who she was(not that it would have made a difference). I never shared with her my experience.

Given the facts and timing, I had a clear case of discrimination. There were plenty more issues and subtle incidents, covert comments, attitudes, bad energy, just an awful experience. One of the most racist experiences of my life.

I don’t know why this was on my spirit to tell my story, but it needed to be told.

I haven’t stepped foot in this store since. You shouldn’t either. Judging from the latest reviews, it seems karma has caught up with the racists and I’m quite pleased. Meanwhile my life is fabulous and well, check...

Since I last wrote this post 5 more dogs including a Great Dane today 10/26 @6:48pm in the produce section. I guess location doesn’t care about violations of Ohio Code 618.17.

PARENTS & PEOPLE WITH DOG ALLERGIES BEWARE! FOR MONTHS, I have asked Customer Service and various managers at this location to post a sign that only allows service animals to enter the store. Nothing has happened. A month ago I witnessed a couple allowing their dog to sniff or lick the bacon. When I saw them later in the store, they didn't have bacon in their cart. Since then I have counted about 7 dogs in the store without a service harness. Today this woman had a Yorkie in a cart with a towel under it, WHY because when Yorkies get excited they do what -- PEE!! They were in the fresh produce section with the cart pressed up against the veggie bends. I went to customer service and they all were too afraid to say something to her. Nevertheless it is unsanitary! Animals are unsanitary, and laws protect the national food supply from contamination from dog drool, urine, feces and other material that dogs carry on their coats and paws and might leave behind on store shelves or counters. You have parents with kids that have dog allergies and you are exposing them unnecessarily. Dogs should not be in a cart that other people use for their groceries. If you arrive home and dog hair is on your groceries, you know why. I love dogs but they don't need to be in grocery stores unless they are a legitimate service animal to someone that has a disability. If you want your dog to lick all over your groceries, then wait until you them home. How can Kroger guarantee Fresh Food if they are allowing pets in the store. KROGER MANAGERS: The FDA is very clear about Non Service Animals being in grocery stores... Kroger POLICY: Kroger does not allow pets in their stores with the exception of service dogs. This policy has been in place for many years and SHOULD BE enforced at all of their locations across...