Grocery Outlet — Local services in Tukwila

On September 19, 2024, I walked into this Grocery Outlet with a 32oz carton of coconut water that I bought from another store. After about 5-7minutes of shopping, I was only able to find 2items from “grocery/shopping” list. With my halfway empty carton of coconut water and the 2 items in hand, I walked to the register and stood patiently in line for my turn to check out. There were about 2-3 people in front of me and about 4 people behind me in the checkout line. Everyone in line appeared to be older (between mid 40’s - 60’s). The Cashier (who I later found out was also the stores evening Manager) appeared polite to the customers ahead of me asking them how they’re doing and telling them have a good night in a friendly tone of voice/body language. However, his character instantly changed as soon as it was my turn. I tried not think nothing of it and asked “hey, how you doing?”, he replied “good”while avoiding eye contact then immediately followed with “do you need a bag?”, I replied “yes”. He looked at my coconut water and asked “how about that?”, I replied “oh this is mine, I bought it from another store”. He appeared irritated and moving too fast and must’ve not heard me say yes to a bag. He scanned my 2 items and left them on the counter for me to grab. I paid for the items and asked, “can I get a bag?”. That’s when he became frustrated and rudely replied “you said you didn’t want a bag” I replied “no I said I yes to a bag”. He hands me a bag, I genuinely say “thank you” and as I turned away to exit the store, he points at my drink and says “you can’t bring that in here with you next time”. At this point I knew he had something against me. He told me I had to leave my opened drink at the front with security before I come into the store or I won’t be allowed in. I told him there’s no law or rule that states that. He kept speaking over me saying things like “you won’t be allowed in the store, I’ll have security kick you out”. I repeated my question “for an open drink?, what law/rule is that?”. I asked him if it was a company policy and he kept being confrontational and saying “you won’t get in with that”. He then looks at security and tells him to kick me out so I asked for his name and the Manager info so that I can make a complaint. He replied “I am the Manager!”. Although I did not want to believe he was the Manager, no one else said anything so I had to take his word. I asked him for his name so that I can make a written complaint about him and his unprofessionalism/harassment behavior and he became combative and told me to figure it out. I tried to explain to him that he is required to have his name badge showing and give his first name, specially during incidents like this one, but he knew he was as wrong so he probably hoped I would forget about this situation and keep moving forward. He refused to give me his name and told me “figure it out”. I asked him how to go about making a complaint about him, he told me to “figure it out”. I pulled out my phone and recorded while pointing it at him and asked him “you’re saying I have to figure out how to make a complaint about you?”, realizing I was recording, he calmly replied “yes yes that’s exactly what I’m saying”. He then looks at security and tells him to kick me out. Security did not want to intervene because he heard majority of the conversation and knew the Manager in the wrong. However, he still decided to try and lecture me and convince me to let it go. Security confirmed the Cashier name is Carlos and he is a store Manager. Days later, I make a written complaint to corporate and they replied back explaining the situation has to be handled by a Manager/someone at the store location. I called in and talked to the morning Manager and she seemed confused about what to do about the situation. She even told me she didn’t know what to do since he is a Manager & eventually told me she’ll talk to him. She did not ask me for my name or contact information to give me any updates. That was weeks ago & I haven’t heard...

Below is the letter I sent to the store just now. I see that the door man is a jerk to more than just me by reading the comments. I guess I will send a message to Grocery Outlet corporate now. They should know that this store is giving them a bad name. Too bad. I like the store and the staff is generally very nice but the jerk at the front door needs to go!

Hello Skyway Grocery Outlet

I have been offended one too many times by the guy who works the front door.

I came in with my hard sided grocery bag to your store several months ago. It is normal for me to bring this is because I use it to bag my groceries. Since it is also a hard sided bag it is great to use as a grocery basket too. I do this at all the stores I shop. I have been using these bags at your store for MANY years. I have lived in Skyway and shopped your store for about 10+ years now.

The short skinny man that you have working the front door came up to me months ago and said that I needed to use a store basket and not my own. He brought me one. I thought this action was not needed but I took his basket. Now every time I come in the store he harasses me into taking a cart or basket. I don’t use my bag as a basket anymore because he asked me to not do that. I get it. Today and like normal I have it under my arms. I had three maybe 4 things to buy so I didn’t even need a cart or basket.

If I don’t need a basket or a cart, I don’t need one. I don’t need him chasing me all the way to back of the store to basically accuse me of potentially stealing from the store. It is obvious that is what he is worried about. It is embarrassing when he implies in front of other customers that I am probably a thief. He literally was pushing a full-sized cart at me today. I left very upset

Back to my earlier statement. I have been shopping this store for over 10 years now. Before this man started working here the guys at the front door would greet you and get to know you . This man does not do that, he is just rude.

The thing that is strange is I have been at the store so many times he has to see that I am a regular paying customer. I don’t get it!

I love Grocery Outlet… I love your store… but do I need to shop else where or will I be harassed when I simply bring my own bag into your store, under my arm??? ...

So tired of stores that never reopened the bathrooms after Covid's peak, who also pretend to be taking thoughtful measures to combat shoplifting by policing bags WITHOUT A SECURE LOCKUP.

Honestly I'd give them 4 stars if they would just show some integrity and respect for their customers by opening the bathrooms again, and converting their lockup cage by the front door into a secure bag storage with a staff member at the registers right there who is responsible for helping customers secure and retrieve their bags. That solution would be fine, cause it would be respectful and practical.

LOTS of people use the bus right here- either provide secure storage or lose the bag policy. And for goodness sake, reopen the bathroom like a normal grocery store. The customer base is not miscreants, not matter what c-suite management for Grocery Outlet might think. This is a community - they need to seek solutions that build up our community, not stigmatize it while acting like the customers' comfort doesn't matter.

Posting today cause this visit was a last straw - I brought a reusable bag with me, hanging out of my pocket since I'm not allowed to have a bag of bags with me in the store. Of course at some point it fell out of my pocket, and when I looked for it, it was gone forever. So it goes, but i would have had my reusable bag at the cash register if this store didn't have such an extreme attitude towards customers with large purses, bags of reusable bags, backpacks, etc. I typically go to WinCo instead, but it's a bit of a drive, so I gambled today, and...