Thursday, February 12, 2009

Toddlers and Potties

Thursday was a fun, exciting day for this mommy and her children. Because of the sudden warm sunny days and children who grow like weeds, it was time for clothes shopping.

I took all four children to our outdoor shopping area right after school. Shopping for four (two of which are very picky girls) takes time and I did not want to waste a minute. They had snacks and drinks in the car to save time too.

Our first step was an all-girls store. 75 minutes and 8 outfits later, we were onto out next step. A fancier clothing store. Empty and pricey. But the clerk (like the clerks at the girls' store) were beyond sweet and understanding. Running from the back to the front, searching for the right size and the shirt Dino just had to have in his size. They were great. Sadly, nothing he liked was in his size.

And so we went to the next stop. Another empty store but this time both clerks stood behind the counter chatting away and did not want to bothered with a frazzled mother and her four children.

I proceeded to view the boys' clothing with Dino and wondered aloud if any of the orange shirts were in a size 4T? The conversation between the two clerks continued. Obviously it was an important conversation--much more important than the only customer in their store for the past ten minutes. Actually not a single customer came into the store for our entire visit.

I continued picking up some shirts and shorts and then looked down to see Dino do the infamous potty dance. I knew I had a very short window to find facilities for my son. I had to act fast.

With a smile on my face, I came up to the counter and asked if my son could use the restroom.

"There are restrooms at the book store at the opposite end of the shopping center," the clerk with short red hair did not smile and met my face with a glare.

"Oh please," I smiled. "He doesn't have great control and there is no way we can get there in time. He'll pee before we get there."

Not smiling, she said "We don't have restrooms here. None at all. You need to go to the book store."

"Ma'm, "I tried to remain pleasant. "I have worked in retail. I know you have a restroom in the store."

And it is true. I worked in a children's store and we had an employee restroom that we allowed our smallest customers to use because small children have very small impatient bladders. Since having my children, my kids have seen restrooms at Baby Gap, Gap Kids, Hanna Andersson, CrewCuts, Limited Too, Children's Placce among smaller kiddie boutiques. And never has a clerk ever said 'No' because they understand kids (good thing as they are kids' clothing stores).

"We don't have a PUBLIC restroom."

"But you do have a restroom."

She said nothing. If she said, yes we do but it is dangerous and things are a mess, I would seriously understand. Heck, if she had at least greeted us when we walked in the store or asked if we needed help, I might be a little understanding.

As it was, she was being nothing but unhelpful. So I got angry.

"OK. Let's hope for your sake, my son doesn't need to go because I would like to pick out some clothes without having to walk back and forth to the other end of the shopping center."

No response.

"Soooo (and this is my really mean side) if he can't wait, he's just going to end up having an accident and peeing on your floor."

"No," she reached over and snatched the clothing I was about to buy out of my hands. "We will hold these for you. You will take your children to the book store and then you can come back and buy your clothes." Yes, she was loud and no she was not smiling.

At this point I saw red. At this point I no longer was calm, cool and a lady. I became the very angry,  ignored, frustrated customer.

"No, I'm just going to let him pee on the floor, OK?"

She began to raise her voice louder, "You are rude. You are going to have him pee on our floor."

Now I realize I am dealing with a moron. No mom would ever tell her child to pee on a floor. She was heartless or had little experience with children and moms.

"OK," I try to be peaceful. "I think you are not understanding how it is for kids. Do you have kids?"

Looking at me straight in the face, still no smile,"Yes, yes I have a child."

And what do you say to a mother who treats another mother in desperate need like this?

Nothing.

I took the kids and we ran like crazy, dodging cars and shoppers to the book store. And Dino just made it :)


And for the first time in my life, I called the corporate store with my story and I emailed the corporation with my story. I am that angry. 

And I will never return to this store again. Their corporate office knows this very well now. Crewcuts, Hanna Andersson, GapKids, Children's Place and Limited Too is much better stuff anyway.


FYI for the executives at the store where the incidence occurred: After our potty break, we went to Children's Place for Dino's clothes and spent $134.00 Money your store just might have made if the clerk was human.

21 comments:

RuensOnTheRun said...

Unbelievable - Do you really think she had a child or was she just lying?? When I do actually get mad, I really get mad too, but I would have put the name of the store on my blog.

Brian and Staci said...

As I am sitting here reading this...my jaw keeps gaping wider and wider. As Wendy put it...UNBELIEVABLE!!!! Truly...I would have been so angry! I can't believe people actually act like that! Rude I tell ya! Just plain rude! Sorry girl...you are such a trooper. So, I'm dyin' to know though...WHAT store WAS it!!!

OHmommy said...

Wow.... you ARE a trooper!

Jules from "The Roost" said...

WOW....they must not need business!

dani said...

"unbelievable" is the first word that came to my mind, too!!! wow, was it gymboree??? that's one of the only names i don't see here??? what did corporate have to say, lisa???
love,
dani

Gretchen said...

Okay, seriously, you need to go back and edit the post and put the name of the store in there. So other people know. So that behavior doesn't go without consequence. So that a store will think twice about the type of employees it hires. Plus, I'm dying to know so I can boycott!

Grace Acres said...

I swear some people have so much nerve. I hope she has an issue like this with her child and is reminded of her bad behavior. I so would have lost my temper too. What store was it because i will boycot, us bloogging mama's need to stick together.

mah-meeee said...

ok, you so need to share the name of that store. we can start a 'bloggy friends' boycott.

i have visited children's stores before where the clerks are just chatting away and no help to you at all. and on top of that, no friendly smiles, just icy looks towards your kids.

hate them.

you go!

Anonymous said...

Why do these types of people work at a children's clothing stores? You should have nice friendly people who work there.

4funboys said...

and that, my friend... is a SPECIAL KIND OF DUMB!

really... good for you for calling the store.

reminds me of the scene from Pretty Woman when she goes back to the snob store..

huge mistake... HUGE>

Amanda said...

When a kid needs to go, he needs to go! End of story.
If i'm lucky enough ever to visit Texas you must let me know the name of the store so we can avoid it too!
love,
Amanda x

Jackie said...

No. Way. This is absolutely unbelievable. What has happened to basic customer service - more than that, just common courtesy?

Anonymous said...

That is terrible. Believe it or not, I think I know the store. A very similar thing happened to me two days ago at one of the "nice" children stores. Needless to day, I didn't make any purchases there.

just jamie said...

Whoa. Whoa. And Whoa again.

WHAT store did you get such horrible customer service? Tell, pleeease....

EatPlayLove said...

Oh yes, you have to share the name of the store, get the word out!!!

Anonymous said...

Obviously, I know the mall - now I wanna know the store. How horrible. Tactless and awful.

Elizabeth Byler Younts said...

i cannot believe it! what a mean mean cashier! wow, i am always amazed when running into people like this in children's depts especially...you'd think they'd understand but, alas, they apparently don't. even in maternity shops they have a little bathroom for preggy mommies who can't hold their bladder...bladders must be accommodated! unbelievable!!!!!

Momo Fali said...

Good for you! I was really hoping to hear you would contact them and I hope they find a way to make it right. That's ridiculous! I don't know what happened to good customer service, but in times when people are struggling to find work, clerks like that shouldn't be taking up a job that someone decent could fill.

Tyne said...

That is outrageous! I think I would have found a 4T, laid it on the floor, had Dino stand over it, and tickle the pee right out of him... then walk out.

Unknown said...

You've got to be kidding me??? That's just ridiculous!! I can't believe that. Although, I guess I can... unfortunately.

I'm glad you let the company know about it. I would've done the same thing.

Anti-Supermom said...

Lisa,
I can't believe this happened and I'm so happy that you called.

If they sell children's clothing they should be accommodating to them.

Crazy story. I hope you emailed them and linked your blog :)