The puppies needed to be protected from their ambition, which far outstretched their maturity; so, with this in mind, we began the process of buying a stair gate from Tesco. What a mistake!
Purchasing the stair gate on-line, using clubcard vouchers, was relatively straightforward. The instructions stated that the card, with which the purchase had been made, should be taken to the store when the item was collected. Clearly, this did not apply to us as we hadn’t used a card. So, with confirmatory e-mail on smart phone, we drove to the store.
At first, everything seemed entirely normal. However, within a matter of moments, we began to enter the territory of the surreal and then, the truly offensive. We provided the order number and were asked for our card. I explained that the gate had been purchased with clubcard vouchers, so we hadn’t brought a credit or debit card with us. Personal ID was demanded and when we confessed that we hadn’t brought any, as there were no instructions to do so, matters took a downward turn. We proferred the smart phone – complete with confirmatory e-mail – and were told that the gate could only be released if we had a printed version of the e-mail. Believing that the situation was merely a slight case of misplaced zeal, we asked to see a manager. Little did we know…
The manager, Mr Revill-Johnson, began by telling us (in front of staff and other customers) that he could not help us. That was followed by the comment that he didn’t know whether we had stolen the phone on which the confirmatory e-mail was displayed – other equally helpful comments were thrown in along the way. When I remarked that such behaviour would be excessive, as we were attempting to collect a £15 stair gate not a widescreen television, he replied, “That’s what all shoplifters say”.
Poor foolish man!
In complete outrage, I barked; “I am not a criminal, I’m a magistrate.”
Clearly, he did not believe me.
When I asked for his name and mentioned that I would be contacting Tesco Head Office, he responded, “Go ahead”. As if I was awaiting his permission…!
Suffice it to say, my stair gate was delivered with flowers and a voucher (both of which I donated to others, as they vexed me further!) and managers with more experience, a better idea of customer service and understanding of the potential cost of defamation of character, apologised.
I am simultaneously furious and depressed that, in 2012, there are still people who believe it is acceptable to make evidence-less allegations on the basis of a person’s ethnicity.
Welcome to Tesco, Southport.
