Had the misfortune of experiencing a flat tire on a rental vehicle we had just picked up 15 minutes earlier. Managed to pull into the parking lot, much to my relief, as I knew that I would be able to get help in the store, as anyone would reasonably expect.
Well, I then realized that my phone was dead and I had no way to contact Enterprise, a tow truck, the family, anyone. Went into the Better Way store with the hopes of purchasing a charging cord. Instead, one of the clerks did allow me to use a charging cord, much appreciated. Unfortunately, after returning the cord, the phone went dead again, mid-call with roadside assist.
Returned to the store, would happily purchase a cord, but didn’t see any, otherwise, the issue would have been resolved. Instead, I mentioned my dilemma, the fact that I was stranded, no contact, nothing nearby as far as I could see. Now, if it were myself and someone was stranded, vehicle right outside with a flat, this would have been a no-brainer, but maybe that’s just me. Without hesitation, I would have offered to use the store phone, my personal phone, offered to call someone, something, anything. Honestly, I just assumed that would be the response, the decent thing to do, without question, and not really that hard. Instead, and I paraphrase, what I got was basically “you’re out of luck”.
This is not really a crime-ridden area, laid back Midwest, and I’m about as clean cut as they come, 60 year old physician. Again, maybe it’s just me, but I wouldn’t have to think about this one for two seconds, it’s just the decent thing to do, at least where I came from. When I did inquire about using a store phone or an employee phone, I was met with a litany of profanity, the epitome of disrespect, and among the trashiest displays I have ever seen. I couldn’t count the “MFers” and “I already helped you” and various profanities, all at the top of her voice, all continuous, until I had fully exited the store. Absolutely no excuse for ever, ever treating someone that way. Bad enough you can’t even provide the most basic of assistance to a stranded motorist, but to compound things by calling someone every name in the book, all for asking if they could use a store phone, is unimaginable.
In all years of adulthood and practice, I have never seen such a profane and disrespectful display. No business whatsoever working with the public. If that were any of my staff at all, I would personally terminate them on the spot for speaking with someone that way. After that display, I fully understand her reluctance to help in the first place and dismissal with an “I already helped”, pretty much consistent with what I heard coming out of her mouth during the profane rant.
Seems like that’s just the person that she is.
Sorry if this is so long, but I am simply shocked at this display, just over-the-top ridiculous. Absolute trash behavior. Me? Like I said, I would have offered to help if the shoes were switched, but even if not, I can’t see myself ever acting the way...
Read more
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AI.
