S B.
Yelp
Wasn't too pleased with my experience at Phinney Books. I went out of my way to support this local business, but it doesn't seem like they have they same priority toward their customers.
I needed a book and first drive to a big-box retailer to look at several ones. When I decided which one I wanted, I called Phinney to see if they had it. They didn't, but said they could order it. Despite wanting it immediately, I decided to order it so I could support them. When I went to pick it up, there were several people in line. There were two people behind the counter, only one was checking people out and the other was having a very involved non-work related conversation with the one that was working such that it was slowing her down. Since we were waiting so long, the line was not formed anymore as people started milling around. When she finished with the person, she looked up and asked who was next. We didn't know and as we looked at each other to decide, the other person said, in a deadpan way with zero smile or even acknowledgment that it was a human in front of him, "I can help one of you". He then proceeded to ring up their book.
I was just flabbergasted that we stood there for a long time without him even acknowledging us, let alone offering to check anybody out and continued chatting with the person who was checking us out as if they were on a stroll in the park together. On top of that, I got the feeling it was the owner. I'm sorry, but even if you weren't supposed to work that evening, don't stand behind a counter chatting away. At the big-box retailer, somebody saw me looking strong and asked if they could help me find something. Nobody did that here.
This is why people just order online. I'll go to another locally owned bookstore a few neighborhoods over.
A couple a stars for the worker who was doing her best.