The following extracted from Stephanie Chase’s Facebook page, read and weep.
@ABEDSBARBADOS I was having a great day until I walked into ABED’S & SONS COMPANY LIMITED. First let me state that I have always experienced exceptional customer service from this business up until today. My best friend and I went to purchase ribbon for our upcoming pageant like we have been doing since 2004. As we walked to the ribbon/zips/thread section I noticed that only one sales rep was on duty. He seemed to be new but very pleasant and working diligently to help customers. The line was long so it was clear that each of us would have to wait our turn.
After 37 minutes 20 seconds of waiting a young lady walked behind the ribbon desk. She did not say “Good Afternoon” or ask “Who is next in line?” Instead she picked at her nails, played with her hair and started to form conversation with sales rep who was passing by. Then she asked someone for a pen or pencil no one had so she left behind the counter and went for a pencil. When she returned she flicked though a receipt book for five minutes without looking up at any of the waiting customers. Suddenly a man walked up to the counter. She turned her attention to him and started to serve him. Clearly the 3 people who were waiting patiently in front of my best friend & I to be served were INVISIBLE. My best friend said, “That gentleman came after all of us. Is that the way it is now done?” I was shocked because normally she is never one to complain. The sales rep did not even acknowledge her comment or pay any of us attention. My best friend gently stated,, “Excuse me man we were here waiting patiently.” Again the sales rep did not acknowledge her.
By this time I had had enough. I walked to the front of the store and asked to speak to the supervisor. I was pointed to the direction of a man. I walked to him and said, “Excuse me sir, are you the supervisor?” He BARKED, “yes what you want?” I was taken aback so I said quite calmly, ‘May we step aside so that I may have a word with you?” The man SHOUTED the top of his voice “WHATEVER YOU WANT TO SAY SAY UM HERE CAUSE I AINT MOVING!” By this time his attitude, defensive stance and tone of voice indicated that he was not the most professional person to be in a senior position at this company which I have always shopped at. I said, “Sir I have a complaint to make about one of the sales reps.” to which he replied, ‘LOOK I AINT GOT NO TIME FOR U OR NO COMPLAINTS TODAY!” I said, Oh? Is that how you treat customers?” He started to holler, “WANNA SO DOES COME IN HERE TO CONFUSE THE PLACE! LOOKA IF U GOTS A PROBLEM LEFT FROM UP IN HERE!’ I was offended, insulted and extremely disturbed. I said to him, ‘I am not leaving!” to which he said, “Stop there then til Abed come downstairs like I care!” I stopped and I stared at him in shock. He looked at me grabbed a receipt book, slammed it down on the counter and said, “IF YOU COULD READ LOOKA ALL THE STORE CONTACT INFO THERE. EMAIL, TELEPHONE NUMBERS. IF YOU GOT A COMPLAINT, EMAIL UM YA ASS!” Today I learnt that customers who have problems and try to lodge a complaint are referred to as “ASSES.”
I was in too much shock to respond. However I had taken all the relevant notes on my ipad. I walked back to my best-friend who was still in the line waiting and the female sales rep was still dealing with the gentleman who was only purchasing buttons. The poor boy was struggling but trying his best to attend to the customers. Had I not needed the 40 yards of satin ribbon, pins etc. I would have taken my $151.87 cents elsewhere. It may not sound like a lot of money but I wish that Faustins or Moses had what I needed because today I encountered the worst customer service in my life from RICHARD HOLDER. Yes I got your name. Barbados is too small so even when you refused to tell me one of the staff did!!
The LORD in heaven above knows how Mr. RICHARD HOLDER – supervisor on duty treated me in front of staff & customers who shook their head in shame. You are a DISGRACE to Abed’s & Sons Company Limited and should be FIRED. To the sales rep Miss Ifill – you need to take a course in customer service because you have no manners or sense or propriety.
The best part of being in Abeds for over 90 minutes was the hug and kiss that I received from Justin xxxxx!!
I hope that Eddie Abed reads this post because I know that he too would be shocked at how his staff behaves in his absence.
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