A couple of months ago I was visiting a Borders Book Store, but luckily it wasn't the Borders I usually visit because on this occasion I was forced to endure some terrible customer service which has forced me to write a letter of complaint to company headquarters.
From time to time I enjoy going into bookstores and looking at different cookbooks.
On this particular occasion, I had about a stack of about 4 or 5 cookbooks and went to take a seat to go over them and see which ones I may be interested in purchasing. I sat down in one of their sitting areas with other readers and began going through the different cookbooks. Whenever I look through cookbooks I may be interested in purchasing, I mark different recipes I may be interested in or unusual ingredients that may require a special trip to the supermarket by underlining them with whatever pen I have in my purse.
Well, this is what I was doing on this particular day as I have done many times in my regular Borders location. I had gone through 2 books and was going over the third when I noticed a group of three male employees huddled together about 30 feet away and glancing in my direction. At this point, I paid no attention and continued marking the recipes I would like. Eventually, one of them approached me with the other two close behind and I asked me if I planned on purchasing that book. Perturbed, my reply was "I haven't made up my mind on that yet, if you don't mind". To which his reply was something along the lines of "well, uh, we don't, uh, really allow highlighting until after books are purchased". I couldn't believe this. After rolling my eyes (at least in my mind), I first explained to this nitwit that I wasn't highlighting, but simply marking certain recipes and ingredients that would require special attention if I should purchase the book and second that I had done this on many occasions previously in another Borders store.
At this point, one of the other two male employees went and filled in a manager who had overheard the conversation.
Perhaps I was a bit loud in explaining to the employee my position, but surely this sort of treatment warranted such a reaction. The manager approached and the situation was once again explained. He suggested after flipping through the book that I should purchase it. I scoffed and flat out refused due to his and his employees treatment towards me and interrupting my shopping experience. When I asked why I was being harassed when this behavior is apparently perfectly acceptable in other Borders, his reply was "I guarantee you its only because they haven't noticed you doing it". This was the final straw. I told him that he doesn't guarantee me anything and that I would under no circumstances be purchasing this book or any other at this Borders location and I suggested that he reimburse me for this trouble and their harassment with a gift certificate to be used at ANY Borders. At this point the manager asked me to leave, which I did but not without first promising to write a letter to the corporate headquarters.
Well, I kept my promise and have used the $40 gift certificate they mailed at my regular Borders where I am not subjected to such disrespect.
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