Bed, Bath and WAAAAAAAAAY freaking Beyond...

[moosmom]

I love working at this store. The people I work with are great and so are MOST of the regular customers. However, every once in a while we get a customer that, no matter what you do, they are miserable.

First let me start off by saying our store prides itself on their great customer service (do I sound like a commercial yet??) And I am by no means trying to bash anyone with a handicap or limitation.

A woman well into her 80's sat outside of the store in her car leaning on the horn for someone to come and get her with a wheelchair. We were terribly busy at the time so it took a few minutes to do so. Once inside the store, she demanded that a sales associate push her around the store so she could shop. No one wanted to deal with her (she's a regular who is a nasty, crotchety old witch). Finally, poor Mo, the MOD, took her on. She climbed ladders to show this woman things she wanted to see (but not buy). 2 hours later, Mo remarked about how dark out it was. The lady said, "Oh no!! I have to go, I cannot drive in the dark." (I'm so glad I wasn't on the road when she was). Mo brought her up to the checkout where another manager was waiting. The lady had one item worth $11.99 and 2 coupons for 20% off a single item. She only had $10 on her and started arguing with Craig as to why she couldn't use both coupons on her one item. After 15 minutes of her berating Craig, he finally reached into his own pocket and took out what she needed to complete the purchase, just to get her outta the store.

I'm glad I didn't have to wait on her. Some people are so miserable. Mo went way above and beyond the call, in my book. I hope this miserable old biddy never comes back!!

Thanks for letting me vent, guys!! It's just another day in retail paradise.

[Catty1]

If that lady behaved that way in a bar, she'd be banned.

My sister spent many years in a wheelchair - and I balanced my sadness with a gem of a phrase someone once told me: "A handicap does not confer sainthood."

[Reachoutrescue]

Some people are just so miserable that they seem to want to make everybody around them miserable too. Sorry you have to deal with cranky people. I know how you feel. I used to work at Hickory Farms for the Holiday Season for several years, we used to get people like that all the time. I get them at the bar I work at as well! This is why I like animals more! I hope your week goes better then today!

[Dorothy39]

The title to your Thread said it all!!!

One would speculate how "She" got into her car in the first place~let alone , turned the key and drove.

WOW!!!!

[jackmilliesmom]

Good job I was not there - I can have a bit of sharp tounge and if I was your manager I would have let her leave the store without her purchase - sorry but customer service can only go so far - kinda makes you wonder where her family are if she was blessed with any......... Although she was probably so selfish that no one wants her company and beleive me the next time she sat on her horn I would just leave her there. As Dorothy39 said how did she get into her car and get there in the first place????? She is just playing on the kindness of the staff and their soft side - maybe its time to turn your soft side into hard hide and leave her there or get her list and money from her and leave her in the car get what she needs and bring it out to her gently but firmly explaining that the store is quite busy and too many shoppers for wheelchair access at the moment see if she sticks around

[Pam]

It sounds like this lady, due to her advanced age, may have been suffering from at least some form of dementia. The scary thing is that she was out driving on the road. My hat goes off to anyone in retail at this time of year. Your store went above and beyond - as you said *way beyond!"

[Logan]

Pam and I were thinking the same way, it seems. I think it is a great reminder to us all about making sure we are extra nice to the people who we meet in a retail situation this time of year. They are so busy and mostly so accomodating, but those bad apples show up and ruin any glimmer of holiday spirit. Thanks to everyone who works in retail!!!! I promise to be nice!!!!!

[kuhio98]

She sounds like a very lonely, sad woman. Who knows? The highlight of her day (and the only time she's around people) may be when she goes out shopping. She may be all alone because her personality pushed her family away long ago. Just be nice to her. She's old so she probably won't be a "problem" much longer.

[borzoimom]

Well- I bet this trip into town was her one big event. I would also bet some dementia is in play here. She also maybe frustrated she can not see things for herself. My grandmother had altizmers- and later died from it. In the beginning, she was quiet and never asked anything of anyone. She also didnt have food in the house, needed necessities etc and finally when my parents discovered this fact, they moved in with her to care for her. After a few months, they had to sell the car. They tried to hide her car, but she would leave and go driving- one time got lost for 8 hours as she got caught on the 495 beltway loop and drove for hours as she could not remember which exit to take with the changes.
Older people are hard. Sometimes a little kindness reminds them of a simplier time. Some older people the reminder of kindness makes them upset- as they remember people that have left. I found when I had a retail store, if I approached a person of such needs ( and by law- of resonable accomindation, the management must comply) to fill the needs, but not going over board made them feel less embarassed about their situation. You do not know if a neighbor put her chair in the car or helped her. I understand your vent, but maybe she only comes there because your store is the only one that will totally accomindate her needs. Or she came there to have the opporturnity to actually talk to someone. If she lives alone, it IS a very lonely life. This was probably more of a day out than anything. And remember- she could be on a very limited budget- and embarrassed on that as well. If you knew her name and address, maybe social services could help.
I understand your vent- I just thought I would offer the opinion of the other end of the scale. Frustration can make people rude. And asking for things maybe her way of feeling like she is in some control of something in her life.
And for the comment of being 80 and at her age "she may not be a problem too much longer".. - put it this way- all 4 of my grandparents lived well into their 90's, and great grandparents my dad's size over a 100 ( 104, and 102) .. True her own actions could be why she is alone- or not- and that is why she is so demanding. I think she just wanted to feel like she had some control in life- dementia if at all or not- that is what I am seeing.. At least you could come here to vent- she doesnt have anyone to vent to.. Count your blessings..
BTW- I LOVE THAT STORE! I always spend more than I thought I would.. lol. I always find things I didnt even know were available... lol.. ***

[caseysmom]

My Father suffered from Alzheimer's disease, it sounds like this woman could be at the beginning of the disease. On one side we are all going to get old and respect your elders and on the other side we don't need to get abused in the process....this is a tough call.

[KYS]

Try to remember this woman is 80 yrs old and handicap.
(I was blessed with a grandmother whom never got crotchety
in her old age, but some do.) I hope I will be like my grandmother.

As for Bed Bath and Beyond, I find their customer service impecible.
I love shopping their and the workers bend over backwards
for their customers. kudos to BBB.

[Cataholic]

There but for the Grace of God, go I.

[lizbud]

She sounds like a very lonely, sad woman. Who knows? The highlight of her day (and the only time she's around people) may be when she goes out shopping. She may be all alone because her personality pushed her family away long ago. Just be nice to her. She's old so she probably won't be a "problem" much longer.

These are my sentiments also. I wouldn't be to harsh with this old lady.

[buttercup132]

You and the emplee's job is NOT to push her around the store.
So I don't really get why someone took her on if they know she is a old grump.

[borzoimom]

Buttercup- its a law in our country called " resonable accomindation" and used that stores have to comply with resonsible requests due to a handicap. They would have had to.