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Meijer, Inc. Complaint - Relationship Discrimination - Cashier/Manager Rudeness and Discrimination
Cashier/Manager Rudeness and Discrimination - Complaint
FORT GRATIOT, MICHIGAN -- My boyfriend and I were unfairly discriminated against by a cashier (unknown) and the 2nd Shift manager, on the evening of May 7th, 2009. We were attempting to purchase a bottle of liquor when the cashier informed me that Meijer policy states that all adults purchasing liquor must show ID. When asked if I could return the car and have my boyfriend re-enter to purchase liquor in the interest of preserving the sale, we were ordered to leave. We understand that the cashier was acting in her best interest to protect company policy, but her personal verbal attacks were way out of line.
The cashier made several statements regarding the age difference between myself and my boyfriend (I am 29, he is 45) and referred to him as my "sugar daddy" while on a phone call to bring her manager to the register. Another customer overheard this and was appalled saying aloud "did you hear her? That was extremely rude." Additionally, she took my boyfriend's license and did not return it while she went to the phone and we fear she was taking information for an identity theft scheme, as we saw her remove a pen and paper and write down notes about it while waiting. Then, when returning his license, she struck an aggressive stance and threw it onto the register in our direction. We asked her not to be so hostile, which only increased her aggression. The manager did little to stop her personal rant on us.
We planned on spending over $500 in this location this weekend alone for an impending Mother's Day Celebration and would have returned the following day to purchase a variety of cooking supplies and products. Additionally, we spend $200-$300 monthly on items like hot dogs for "customer appreciation" for professional functions. Fortunately, there is a Wal-Mart located directly next door to this Meijer, so we will be moving all of our business to these locations instead.
I am appalled by the injustice that was done to us. Having our relationship referred to as being "suspicious" and "inappropriate" by a manager and a cashier simply based on the fact that I look young is discriminatory and offensive.
When we asked if my boyfriend would be allowed to buy liquor with his daughter (a minor) present, we were informed that "was fine because that is his daughter, but because I look old enough to be an adult, I must present ID." What I don't understand is that this "store policy" seems to encourage discriminatory behavior amongst Meijer associates, and does little to prevent minors from obtaining liquor. We understand that these employees were doing their best to follow company policy, but their verbal attacks on our personal situation were unnecessary and wrong. I have been encouraged by several friends to seek legal counsel for this incident, but I believe that doing so would only encourage more speculation on our healthy romantic relationship, which I am unwilling to do, not matter what type of financial gain I would receive. Some things are more important than money, like values and morals.
I pride myself for practicing anti-discriminatory values in my daily life and consequently am glad today to know that I will never cause anyone to feel as violated as I felt on May 7th 2009, when verbally attacked by the staff of the Fort Gratiot Meijer.
The cashier made several statements regarding the age difference between myself and my boyfriend (I am 29, he is 45) and referred to him as my "sugar daddy" while on a phone call to bring her manager to the register. Another customer overheard this and was appalled saying aloud "did you hear her? That was extremely rude." Additionally, she took my boyfriend's license and did not return it while she went to the phone and we fear she was taking information for an identity theft scheme, as we saw her remove a pen and paper and write down notes about it while waiting. Then, when returning his license, she struck an aggressive stance and threw it onto the register in our direction. We asked her not to be so hostile, which only increased her aggression. The manager did little to stop her personal rant on us.
We planned on spending over $500 in this location this weekend alone for an impending Mother's Day Celebration and would have returned the following day to purchase a variety of cooking supplies and products. Additionally, we spend $200-$300 monthly on items like hot dogs for "customer appreciation" for professional functions. Fortunately, there is a Wal-Mart located directly next door to this Meijer, so we will be moving all of our business to these locations instead.
I am appalled by the injustice that was done to us. Having our relationship referred to as being "suspicious" and "inappropriate" by a manager and a cashier simply based on the fact that I look young is discriminatory and offensive.
When we asked if my boyfriend would be allowed to buy liquor with his daughter (a minor) present, we were informed that "was fine because that is his daughter, but because I look old enough to be an adult, I must present ID." What I don't understand is that this "store policy" seems to encourage discriminatory behavior amongst Meijer associates, and does little to prevent minors from obtaining liquor. We understand that these employees were doing their best to follow company policy, but their verbal attacks on our personal situation were unnecessary and wrong. I have been encouraged by several friends to seek legal counsel for this incident, but I believe that doing so would only encourage more speculation on our healthy romantic relationship, which I am unwilling to do, not matter what type of financial gain I would receive. Some things are more important than money, like values and morals.
I pride myself for practicing anti-discriminatory values in my daily life and consequently am glad today to know that I will never cause anyone to feel as violated as I felt on May 7th 2009, when verbally attacked by the staff of the Fort Gratiot Meijer.
Comments:
Posted by MissMarple on 2009-05-08:
For the life of me, I can't quite understand why people don't carry ID.
Posted by Bunza-Bsk on 2009-05-08:
I didn't have ID simply because it slipped my mind. I understand that part is my responsibility, but I think, MissMarple, you are overlooking the reason for this post, which was to explain a case of customer discrimination.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-05-08:
Your boyfriend is a lucky guy but needs to be a little more proactive in your disputes!
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-05-08:
Customer discrimination? How about poor customer service?
Posted by Bunza-Bsk on 2009-05-08:
No, unfortunately we are both professionals in the area and do not wish to rock the boat. This incident only happened yesterday, so I'm blogging away while he's working :)
And he is a lucky guy, lol, and tells me so everyday! Thanks!
And he is a lucky guy, lol, and tells me so everyday! Thanks!
Posted by jktshff1 on 2009-05-08:
I don't see the discrimination here anywhere. Bad manners & comments, yes but no discrimination.
Posted by Bunza-Bsk on 2009-05-08:
The cashier clearly made comments in regards to him being a "sugar daddy" which is considered discrimination in an May-December Relationship. So is the term "gold digger" etc; it implies I am only with him for money and not for love, which is not the case! :)
Posted by Starlord on 2009-05-08:
One of my favorite questions to drivers I stopped used to be, "What are you doing driving on my roads without your license?" Pinal County could have built new roads on the fines from No Driver's License In Possession. That is not to mention the number of arrests I made for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License.
Posted by BokiBean on 2009-05-08:
There's nothing discriminatory about commenting on a older man with a younger woman. I know, my first husband was 15 years older. You have to suck up and grin at the 'gold digger' remarks, they're part of the territory.
The cashier could have handled this a lot better simply by being polite, but what you got was a bad case of customer service and not a case of discrimination....unless you're using the term in the loosest way possible.
Let's save the discriminatory label for cases involving discrimination of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
The cashier could have handled this a lot better simply by being polite, but what you got was a bad case of customer service and not a case of discrimination....unless you're using the term in the loosest way possible.
Let's save the discriminatory label for cases involving discrimination of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Posted by jktshff1 on 2009-05-08:
+1 Boki
Posted by littleyaya on 2009-05-08:
I look young and constantly get hassled at bars and stores when I buy liquor. They always stare at me, my id, back at me, the id again. This goes on for a few minutes. Then they ask me for my middle name (a trick question since I don't have a middle name), my address, weight, height (to which I reply "short"). I'm used to it. When I'm 40 it will be a huge compliment whenever someone tells me how young I look.
Posted by BokiBean on 2009-05-08:
My mama got carded for wine one time (well into her 60's) and we'll NEVER hear the end of it! :D
thanks, jkt!
thanks, jkt!
Posted by littleyaya on 2009-05-08:
I would love to have a rich sugar daddy
Posted by BokiBean on 2009-05-08:
Amen to that, yaya. You can fall in love with a man with money as easy as a po' man... I want you to have a man who will treat you like a queen, you deserve that.
Posted by MRM on 2009-05-08:
You're a wise woman, Little, you can have any men you like as long as they got money.
Posted by littleyaya on 2009-05-08:
I will be accepting applications for a new man starting immediately. Poor men need not apply
Posted by Wally86 on 2009-05-08:
rips up Application .
Posted by littleyaya on 2009-05-08:
Aw Wally. You don't need to be super rich. You just need enough money to buy me dinner, drinks, some jewelry, maybe a new Coach purse and matching wallet.
Posted by JohnInSoCal on 2009-05-08:
pssst! yaya... If your aiming high, aim for the Luis Vuitton (spell check). >:-)
Posted by Wally86 on 2009-05-08:
Burns Application .
Posted by JohnInSoCal on 2009-05-08:
OOPS! Everyone! Back on topic which is "discrimination".
Posted by Wally86 on 2009-05-08:
I don’t care if my woman used me for money as long as she delivered the goods.
Posted by littleyaya on 2009-05-08:
Ok John, I promise not to discriminate against men with money. But, if you are poor but really hot, I will not discriminate either
Posted by madconsumer on 2009-05-08:
yes this was blatant discrimnation.
sue em.
sue em.
Posted by Ponie on 2009-05-08:
No ID? How would they know where to ship the body if you were involved in an accident? Evidently you haven't lived in MI for very long if you tried to purchase alcoholic beverages without proper ID. Live and learn.
Posted by madconsumer on 2009-05-08:
lol ponie .....
Posted by old fart on 2009-05-08:
Ponie... you're more likely to die in a drive-by shooting than an accident in the state of Michigan..
Posted by Ponie on 2009-05-09:
OF, LOL. Depends on which part of the state you call home. Doggonit, they keep creeping north of 8 Mile Road.
Posted by melime on 2009-06-01:
I would say all the needs to be done is file a customer complaint against the cashier. I work for Meijer, and if a group of young adults comes up and one has alcohol, we must card everyone. We aren't doing it to be jerks, but we are doing it because we value our jobs.
Posted by LadyScot on 2009-06-18:
In the store I work at, if you do not have a license, you get no liquor. If the person who ASKS or PAYS does not have the license, the partner is NOT allowed to show theirs. Same with tobacco. If you go the register and ask for smokes, but do not have an ID, the person with you CAN NOT show theirs and buy them.
You ask, you must have ID.
Now, the comments should have been kept to the clerks self. AS for the ID being taken to the phone, the manager was probably asking what the DOB was and what state the ID was on, and the Expiration date.
You ask, you must have ID.
Now, the comments should have been kept to the clerks self. AS for the ID being taken to the phone, the manager was probably asking what the DOB was and what state the ID was on, and the Expiration date.
Posted by ladyjaja on 2009-07-05:
She referred to your boyfriend as your "sugar daddy???" Is she still employed?! LOL! Seriously wtf? Also, you were in error with the ID. Just make sure you always carry it with you, and not only because there may be a chance that you're going to be buying alcohol that day. ;-)
Posted by lizcolby10 on 2009-07-16:
She shouldn't have even asked for your idea unless you were splitting the cost of the bottle of liquor with him. I used to work at Meijer and I know for a fact that only the person or persons paying are the ones that need to show identification for purchasing alcohol. I think you made the right choice, just take your business elsewhere. I don't think Wal Mart sells alcohol though...
Posted by lizcolby10 on 2009-07-16:
Oops, I meant "ID" not "idea," sorry.
Posted by LadyScot on 2009-09-07:
Liz, many Walmarts sell alcohol. In TN, if you touch the alcohol, you must have ID. If you don't have ID, your friend, mama, daddy, boyfriend, yada yada yada can not buy it for you.
Posted by madconsumer on 2009-09-07:
hi ladyscot!
welcome back!!!!
welcome back!!!!
Posted by LadyScot on 2009-09-07:
Mad, thank you! It has been awhile! Walmart keeps me busy lol!
Posted by /\ Idiot on 2009-12-06:
Maybe this all happened exactly the way you described, but that is very hard for me to believe. I don't doubt the cashier made those comments, but I'm sure you were no innocent bystander.
The way this plays out in my head is quite different, the two of you start yelling at this clerk, calling her every name in the book for daring to card you, which by the way, is the cashiers call to card anyone in the party, for whatever reason, and if they can't present I.D. they have the right to refuse sale.
So the two of you continue your verbal assault of the cashier, smug with the notion that she can't do anything about it, because you, after all, are the almighty and omniscient customer. The cashier is finally pushed to the limit of being harassed, calls up her manager, and makes those comments.
You were not this innocent bystander, who was the victim of some unprovoked "discrimination". Here's how I know, because at my store I have both the most guest complaints, and guest compliments, and it should be noted the the compliments outnumber the complaints about 3-1.
I get talked down to by people all day, and most of them don't even realize it. Whether they are putting my intelligence into question because I won't give them a sale item I have already determined wasn't on sale, or because I handed them their receipt "wrong", or any number of things. I am cursed at for not doubling expired coupons, that I was nice enough to accept in the first place. In most of these situations, I keep my cool, but I am, like 97% of people, only human (it's a joke).
There comes a time when I stick up for myself. My particular brand is wit, delivering a sarcastic line so dry they don't know whether or not they should be insulted. This is my last resort, I don't like to use it, but sometimes it has to be done. So, how do I still have a job, because I treat people that treat me with respect (and very many that don't) with respect, which, I mean is humanity 101.
I have had plenty of research into what leads up to a cashier blow up. Everyone wants to think they were an innocent bystander, and are being victimized, but there are always precursors to situations like these, whether or not the customer believes it.
Am I sticking up for the cashier in question, not necessarily as I wasn't there and clearly don't know the entire story. What I am saying is this, next time you think your cashier is rude (and I'm not talking about not smiling or carrying on long conversations with you, because some people are very shy) take a look at what you are doing, really look, you may just find that you are doing something to exacerbate the situation.
The way this plays out in my head is quite different, the two of you start yelling at this clerk, calling her every name in the book for daring to card you, which by the way, is the cashiers call to card anyone in the party, for whatever reason, and if they can't present I.D. they have the right to refuse sale.
So the two of you continue your verbal assault of the cashier, smug with the notion that she can't do anything about it, because you, after all, are the almighty and omniscient customer. The cashier is finally pushed to the limit of being harassed, calls up her manager, and makes those comments.
You were not this innocent bystander, who was the victim of some unprovoked "discrimination". Here's how I know, because at my store I have both the most guest complaints, and guest compliments, and it should be noted the the compliments outnumber the complaints about 3-1.
I get talked down to by people all day, and most of them don't even realize it. Whether they are putting my intelligence into question because I won't give them a sale item I have already determined wasn't on sale, or because I handed them their receipt "wrong", or any number of things. I am cursed at for not doubling expired coupons, that I was nice enough to accept in the first place. In most of these situations, I keep my cool, but I am, like 97% of people, only human (it's a joke).
There comes a time when I stick up for myself. My particular brand is wit, delivering a sarcastic line so dry they don't know whether or not they should be insulted. This is my last resort, I don't like to use it, but sometimes it has to be done. So, how do I still have a job, because I treat people that treat me with respect (and very many that don't) with respect, which, I mean is humanity 101.
I have had plenty of research into what leads up to a cashier blow up. Everyone wants to think they were an innocent bystander, and are being victimized, but there are always precursors to situations like these, whether or not the customer believes it.
Am I sticking up for the cashier in question, not necessarily as I wasn't there and clearly don't know the entire story. What I am saying is this, next time you think your cashier is rude (and I'm not talking about not smiling or carrying on long conversations with you, because some people are very shy) take a look at what you are doing, really look, you may just find that you are doing something to exacerbate the situation.
Posted by lizcolby10 on 2010-12-21:
Maybe it's just the Wal Mart near me then.... My mistake. I guess in Ohio the laws are more lenient.
Posted by meijer x on 2012-12-06:
It is policy to check for the customer ID before selling liquor to them, but the comment I believe was out of place. Being an x Meijer person I would not have sold you the liquor, nor would I have sold it to your friend with his minor daughter next to him. I would have explain the policy and asked that you both return with ID without the minor. Now, as far as the name calling the supervisor should have step up and corrected the person, and asked forgiveness for the behavior. Cashier are fired daily for not getting ID for the purchase of liquor and taken off the property by the police in the area. Sometimes they are even taken to the police station (not sent home). So I agree with not selling the merchandise, but not the comment.
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