Family Dollar — Local services in Salem

I've always loved going to Family Dollar ever since I was a kid. Some places it's better, but the one in Salem, KY needs some serious improvement. As someone who has been working in Quality Assurance and Customer Service for years, there are several things that need improved at this Salem store. Don't get me wrong, it's not the worst I've seen, but it's certainly got room for improvement. I've listed a few things below that I feel need vastly improved at this store.

1. Customer Service. Some of the employees are friendly. Some keep to themselves. I've been greeted by about half of them when first entering. The one I experienced today; I'd give a 5 out of 10. She didn't greet when we first entered the store. She did ask how I was doing when i was checking out, so I give her credit for a little rapport, but where's the branding of the company? I wasn't thanked for shopping at Family Dollar. I was given the opportunity to enter my phone number to use Smart Coupons. She didn't ask, encourage to use, or brand the Family Dollar Smart Coupons app. You want to represent the company you work by branding the store and their products such as apps.

2. No automatic doors. I know there are several other stores like this, but how about making it easier for the handicapped? Speaking as one who is in a wheelchair, it is impossible to exit the store in a wheelchair if you have a buggy full of items. You have to hope a customer is friendly enough to open the door because the employees certainly don't offer. I get it if the check-out area is completely packed, but when you're the only customer at check-out and you have a buggy full, how about walking over and offering to open the door? Better yet how about installing automatic doors? I know they're expensive, but why make it harder for those less fortunate that can't have a healthy and pain-free life?

3. Aisle Cluttering. Several aisles were cluttered. If you're fortunate enough to walk, you can slide by, but you're preventing those who can't slide by to miss out on some of your products. What if they need something in that aisle? Some handicapped want to be as independent as possible and be able to shop for themselves.

4. Improvement on the check-out. I didn't notice it until I got home, but I had the $5 coupon clipped on my phone for the Saturday sale $5 off $25. My total before any coupons was $31.90 + tax, which totaled $33.58 with no coupons applied. The $5 coupon didn't come off for some reason and yes, I checked the requirements, and it was met because it was the $5 off $25, I use once or twice a month. I'm not blaming the employee, but for some reason, your system didn't recognize it this week. It recognized it the week before and I got the $5 off, but for some unknown reason it didn't work this time. The employee did rush through the check out and didn't give me a chance to use it at first. I had to ask to be allowed to enter my phone number. I do take partial responsibility because I could have checked the receipt in the parking lot or even before putting my debit card in. I've had an issue before with coupons a year or so ago, but you know how it is when everything runs smoothly for months or years and you get in the habit of not having to check. That's true until something like this happens so it's a friendly reminder to me to always check.

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