Michael D.
Yelp
It so sad to have to write this, but after some time in thinking it over, the irritation of the unprofessionalism and callousness I experience this morning, as in many mornings at this particular place of business, only confirms beyond any assumptions that I must not be the only person trading with this establishment in experiencing such distastefulness by its employees. Upon entering the store in question (HEB Austin HWY) two to three employees in the front entryway of the store clearly seen me without a doubt, yet not one acknowledged me with any hint of a greeting.
While shopping, I had to be mindful of the scattered debris of trash upon various areas of the store's floor, especially that of white plastic box strips, strewed about the floor of the frozen food department. At 60 years of age and walking already with a bad leg, all I need is a slip and fall... on the other hand, perhaps the silver lining would be a hefty out-of-court settlement...? I wonder how HEB's board of directors and the Butt family would feel about that. In continuing in gathering my need of the day, upon exiting the frozen food department, two employees, "pickers" in gather items for online orders, met me in the main aisle. It was obvious I had to wait until they passed me, for the frozen food department had an array of box merchandise scattered on its floors with carts and a pallet blocking the main aisle for no more than one pedestrian at a time to pass. I stood there in allowing the two employees to pass by while I waited... not once did they thank me, greeted me, or acknowledged me in any way as they passed right in front of me. Not even when the first (male) employee made eye contact with me as he passed me, did he say a word or even a gesture a nod in the least. The female did not even look at me, just kept on walking by.
Once done shopping, and in completing my transaction at the self-checkouts, as I gathered my bags, the attendee behind me across the self-checkout area, as she leaned against a register, thanked me for shopping at HEB -under her breath, almost mumbling it as she played about with her cell phone and looking at her fingernails, not looking up at me once.
Nearing the exit doors, the only cashier at a register, looked over towards me as I walked past her, making eye contact with me...lazily leaning over her registers counter, offered me a friendly smile. Adorable as she was, she offered nothing more but a smile. Not a thank you, no thanks for shopping at HEB, no have a good day... nothing. Just a smile. She... was the most engaging employee on this visit.
I do take into consideration that all these employees are under 30 years of age, hence they know no better. Like themselves their parents too are of the last few generations of people, never having been taught proper manners, skills of oral conversation, politeness, etiquette, nor professionalism within the workplace. In the ladder, I would assume, HEB would conduct a heavy degree of coaching and training, in especially regarding customer service as "we" customers keep HEB in business and their employees -employed.
Just a bit of "Food for Though" for the HEB board of directors and the Butt family.
Signed by-
(A twenty plus year veteran of grocery retail from package boy to store manager, with Handy Andy, Wal-Mart, and yes... HEB of some seven years)
On a "positive" note, after my many written complains, the Produce department upon my last two visits, finally got it right in keeping the aisle and department clear of stacked boxes and merchandise, only bring out what they are working on in the immediate moment, hence not cluttering the counters in the early morning shoppers not being able to shop. Kudos on that! So, in this, perhaps complaining is the key in creating a more welcoming environment of shoppers at HEB then...?
