#809:
Justine B:
Hello
We would like to make a formal complaint about your Canadian Tire Store located on King George and 102nd in Surrey near Surrey Central Mall.
We have been shopping at this location for well over 15 years. It has only been the last 2 years or so that we have noticed that the security has tightened up, I'm sure due to the location and the type of riftraft that is in the area. We can tell you however, no other store in the area will mistreat you like the security and Managers at the Surrey Central location.
Every time we enter the Surrey Central CT and we are dressed up with hair done, the security greets us, whether we have a purse or grocery bag with us or not they are friendly. The moment I enter the store (a hardware store I might add with a trades and home improvement customer base) after a hard days wear, hair a bit frizzed we are treated aggressively and like garbage and asked to leave anything from a small hand bag to a bag of lettuce at the counter.
Firstly I understand there is a lot of theft in the area, however, when your front line of employees and managers treat your customers like garbage when first stepping into the store, you need to realize the store would not exist without these customers.
I came into the Surrey Central store for the 3rd time this week and was harassed for the 3rd time this week. I was absolutely furious!!!!!!! I spoke to the manager Steve who was rude, unapologetic and made excuses for the way they treated customers, he did not apology, he did not empathize but instead made excuses.
After 15 years of being a patron I would like an apology. I deserve an apology. I think you guys need to realize who is paying for your store to stay afloat and look at the fact that NO other store in the surrounding area treats their customers as badly as the Surrey Central Location.
I am requesting an immediate response in regards to this issue and I believe Steve and Canadian Tire owes us an apology for your profiling and mistreatment.
I'm feeling your pain Joseph! After 15 years I no longer want to step foot in one either.
More:
Justine:
This is my response from the customer service rep. A few false points here...one no one was slapped, I patted the manager on the back...two the security has been like this long before October...3 no other store treats their customers like that....and 4 no one ALLOWED me to do anything, I chose to grab the glue myself instead of leave. I will never attend this store again and I plan on making this an issue further.
Dear Justine
Thank you for forwarding your concerns to my attention regarding the issue you encountered at Canadian Tire #489 Surrey B.C. I only received the complaint today and now have had an opportunity to talk to the Security Company, customer service staff and the duty manager.
The security company has just started with us on October 26 and as such many of their staff are new and working through their new roles and responsibilities. I will talk with their president this week to explain that they should in no way be aggressive with any individual customers or staff members unless faced with potentially criminal situation.
Security is asked to remind all individuals both male & female, staff and customers that we require them to check their bags and or nap sacs at the customer service counter for safe keeping. There are signs at all the entrances reinforcing this policy and security is asked to remind those individuals that may have overlooked the posted signs.
I have had an opportunity to review the situation both on the security tapes and converse with staff that were present during your conversation with the Duty Manager. After listening to your concerns the Duty Manager explained to you the reason for in-store security and the reason why it was in place. When you asked if you could enter the store to purchase some glue you were granted access by the Duty Manager. Upon leaving to pay for your purchase you slapped the duty manager on the back and said you were going to file a customer complaint. He did not respond to your comment or physical action taken by you to him.
The reason we have a security officer present is to ensure a safe, comfortable shopping experience for all our customers, and whenever requested provide customer service to those individuals that require it. You are correct in stating that our store is located in one of the rougher neighbourhoods in the lower mainland but the area is getting much better and the security initiatives that are in place are here for everyone’s protection.
We hope that all our customers can appreciate the steps taken by Canadian Tire North Surrey in providing a safe and comfortable shopping environment.
Regards