3 years ago
I had a terrible experience while shopping at the ...
I had a terrible experience while shopping at the Junior League of Charlotte located on Pecan Avenue. The store advertised a 50% sale on all items from the thrift store, since I had only been in the store once, I thought it would be a good idea to stop and browse for clothes for my husband. I found some items that I liked. All located on the thrift area of the store (incidentally, the men's clothes are all located at the back of the store in the thrift area). I asked my daughter to inquire about the price of some jeans (since they were in the thrift area I assumed they would be 50% off as advertised). An African American middle aged at the cash register man told her that they would be full price because they had just been taken to the back. I decided to buy them anyway (along with several men's shirts). I continued browsing, but I could not help but to overhear the man at the cash register speaking harshly to an African American lady wearing a traditional African head wrap. His exact words were, why are you shopping here if you can't afford this item? (he was referring to a piece of clothing being held by the lady). She seemed very uncomfortable. When it came my time to pay, I asked the man to please direct me to the manager. He answered that the manager was not in. I then requested the manager's contact information. He said that he did not have it, but demanded to know why I needed it. I told him that I wished to inquire about the price discrepancy on the pants. He became very irate, condescending, and demeaning in his manner and speech toward me. I told him that I did not wish to argue with him. I also informed him that his manner was inappropriate and that I was feeling very threatened by him. He leaned forward, came very close to me, looked down at me, and in the most condescending manner that I have ever been spoken to, informed me that I was trying to "play him," and that store is ran by women for charity purposes. I replied that that was fine but that I still required his manager's contact information. He again refused to provide it and proceeded to tell me that I needed Jesus in my life. I don't know what came over me, but I proceeded to inform him that I do not need Jesus in my life because I am Jewish (I normally do not disclose my beliefs because I am fully aware of anti Semitic sentiments that some people hold). An African American woman standing next to the cash register promptly said, "oh no, you didn't" and glared at me while the man smiled and gloated at the very real possibility that she would physically assault me for my refusal to acknowledge my need for Jesus. She stood there the whole time, ready to attack me, until I left the store. This was truly one of the worse experiences in my life. I would advise the management at the Junior League Warehouse to select employees and volunteers more carefully in order to make it a safe place to customers to shop.