I've been a regular customer here fora few years, often coming for water refills. Recently, I had an issue where one of my water bottles leaked in my car, causing a mess. I called the store to let them know, and while the clerk apologized, I wasn't fully satisfied because I knew my car would likely get mildew from the leak. I asked to speak to the owner, Wayne, who also apologized and offered to refill two of my bottles. I accepted, hoping for a smooth resolution. However, when I visited the store today, my experience took a turn for the worse. The store had a sign saying they'd return at 4:15 PM, even though I arrived at 4:25 PM. Other customers were waiting outside, some having visited multiple times that day without success. Upon entering, Wayne was behind the counter with a young lady. I placed my bottles on the counter, and Wayne immediately questioned if the leaking bottle was the one from my previous visit. I confirmed it was. Wayne then took the bottle, made a scene, and insisted that the bottle wasn't from his store and that the problem was my fault. I was confused and tried to explain that I always get my water from this store. Wayne's response was hostile and confrontational, which only added to my confusion. Wayne aggressively asserted that the cap on my bottle wasn't from his store and even showed me other caps as evidence. His behavior was unprofessional and unnecessary. He then remarked "Where I'm from" and how people should apologize when they're wrong, which felt condescending and irrelevant. I was trying to process the situation, realizing that a family member might have put the wrong cap on the bottle, but Wayne's aggressive demeanor made it difficult to think clearly.
Despite his hostility, Wayne agreed to honor the refill but continued to make antagonistic comments. He asked about my zodiac sign in a way that seemed to belittle me, and when I responded, he escalated the situation further. His behavior was increasingly aggressive and inappropriate, with comments about respect and disrespect that didn't pertain to the actual issue. As a mother and grandmother, I was deeply disturbed by Wayne's attitude and how he handled the situation. His behavior was more fitting for someone with a fragile ego than a professional business owner. He was combative and seemed more interested in asserting dominance than resolving the issue.
Wayne's treatment was a stark contrast to the professionalism I expect from any business, particularly a Black-owned one in our community. It's disheartening to see someone use their position to mistreat customers and create a negative experience. If this were a white-owned business, the service might have been different, and that's a real issue. Wayne's implication that I was trying to scam the store was absurd and offensive. It was clear he let his emotions cloud his judgment and failed to handle the situation with any professionalism or logic. His unprofessionalism, hostility, and lack of conflict-resolution skills were evident throughout our interaction. I left the store feeling disrespected and with negative energy from the encounter. Wayne's behavior was a poor reflection of his business and a disappointment as a community member. I will not return to this establishment or recommend it to others. Unfortunately, a business in our community could be run by someone with such a lack of character and integrity. read more