Cameron Trading Co — Local services in Waco

On Saturday, September 7, 2024 my wife, myself and our properly leached and collared with tags identifying our dog as a Registered Support Dog were out in downtown Waco enjoying the early fall day. One of the places we wanted to shop was Cameron Trading Company. It has been some time since we have been out and about enjoying the sights and sounds and fresh air. I was walking with our dog allowing her to relieve herself prior to shopping. My wife entered the store and met the owner/manager of the Cameron Trading Company, (CTC). As a courtesy she told him we were outside and about to come in when he asked what type of Service Dog we had. Not that it was or is any of his business, he told her we could not bring our Registered Support Dog into the store since she was an "Emotional Support" dog. According to the ADA Government website, The ADA explains what businesses and state/local governments must do to make sure that they do not discriminate against a member of the public with a disability who uses a service animal.

Generally, businesses and non-profits that are open to the public as well as state/local governments must allow service animals to go most places where the public can go. This is true even if they have a “no pets” policy. It should be noted that the CTC has had a cat to freely roam the store in the past when we have been to the store. Not sure if the cat is still at CTC. In the past we have had our service dog in the store without incident and the clerks advised us of the cat in the store.

The law is clear! "If you are working at a business or state/local government facility and it is unclear to you whether someone’s dog is a service dog, you may ask for certain information using two questions. ( WE ADVISED WE HAD A SERVICE DOG)!

You / Businesses may ask: Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?

What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

You are not allowed to: Request any documentation that the dog is registered, licensed, or certified as a service animal.

Require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person’s disability.

Because service animals are not required to wear vests, a dog that is wearing a vest is not necessarily a service animal. The dog still needs to be trained to perform a task for a person with a disability to be a service animal.

When a Service Animal Can Be Kept Out A business or state/local government does not need to allow a service animal if the dog’s presence would fundamentally alter the nature of the goods, services, programs, or activities provided to the public. (Our Service Dog Has Never Been Aggressive and Loves Attention. Her Presence Wouldn't Be Fundamentally Altering to the Business!) Discrimination of SERVICE DOGS are not ALLOWED, in the United States of America! To confirm information regarding the law for SERVICE ANIMALS I have provided the following link for ADA.gov. U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights...

I had the misfortune of stepping into this antique store and was met with an experience that left a bitter taste in my mouth. As my family and I were admiring a dollhouse, we were abruptly accosted by a man, presumably the owner, who rudely shouted at us from across the room, insisting that we put it down because it was allegedly sold. Despite there being no indication whatsoever that the item was spoken for, he continued to berate us in a manner that was not only disrespectful but downright humiliating.

This Caucasian, chubby older man's demeanor was not just rude, but also condescending, as if we were somehow beneath him for daring to touch an item in his store. This behavior was particularly distressing for my 91-year-old grandmother and my mother, who were both subjected to his unwarranted aggression.

What made the situation even more appalling was his complete lack of remorse or apology, even when my mother extended her own apologies for any perceived wrongdoing. Instead, he chose to ignore her and continued to assert his authority in a manner that was nothing short of bullying. It was as if he took pleasure in exerting his power over customers, disregarding any semblance of respect or courtesy.

It saddens me deeply to think that on what should have been a lovely day out with my family, we were instead subjected to such deplorable treatment by this individual—a man who purports to run a business. This Caucasian, chubby older man's blatant disregard for common courtesy and customer satisfaction has left an indelible mark on our experience, and I can only hope that others are spared from such mistreatment in the future. If you do decide to visit this store, I implore you to beware of this man's description and demeanor—a man who seems to have forgotten the basic principles of respect, decency, and...

Shocking Customer Mistreatment

My recent visit to Cameron Trading Co turned into a distressing ordeal when I witnessed the appalling mistreatment of a lady and her daughters by one of the employees. The incident left me deeply troubled and compelled to share my experience to highlight the unacceptable behavior that occurred.

As I observed, the employee not only displayed a lack of professionalism but also showed a blatant disregard for basic courtesy and respect. Instead of providing assistance or addressing the concerns of the lady and her daughters, they chose to respond with hostility, subjecting them to unwarranted yelling and a disrespectful attitude.

What was even more disheartening was the complete absence of an apology from the employee, who failed to acknowledge their wrongdoing or attempt to rectify the situation. This left the lady and her daughters feeling embarrassed and belittled, turning what should have been a pleasant outing into a distressing experience.

It's deeply disheartening to imagine how I would feel if someone treated my own mother in such a disrespectful manner. The thought alone fills me with outrage and underscores the severity of the situation. As a customer, witnessing the mistreatment of another lady and her family only strengthens my resolve to speak out against such behavior. No one should have to endure such treatment, especially from those who are meant to serve and assist them.

It's imperative that Cameron Trading Co takes immediate steps to address this issue and instill a culture of respect and empathy among its employees. Failure to do so not only risks alienating customers but also perpetuates a toxic environment that is detrimental to both patrons and staff alike.

Do not go this...