Worst customer service ever. (Why is finding a good shop so hard?)

[rosemadder]

I have been trekking all over San Francisco (by bus and on foot, mind you) trying to find orchids and other plants to put in my house and yard. It's not easy to find such things around here, as most places are pretty small or rather distant, 1hr+ by bus.

There's this place Plant Warehouse, very close to a few other shops I frequent, with some very promising yelp reviews. I leave home early to check a few places-- several of which don't pan out at all-- and go to see this one on my way to work. I am running out of time. I will not get a chance to eat lunch. My feet hurt badly and I have a 7-hour shift on them to look forward to.

The shop looks amazing when I get there. Tons of plants. I see a long shelf of orchids. It's like a jungle. Awesome.

But the plants are not labeled. The shelves are organized by price only. I get to the nearest shelf by the door and start looking. I come across a plant that looks like it might be one I've been hunting for. I pick it up and start looking for somebody I can ask for some identification help.

A dude carrying a broom, and some other guy, approach from the back, deep in a friendly conversational discussion.

"What other ones do you have?"

"Oh, you know, some rare Nepenthes-- not the kind you usually see, but some that cost like $300 or so. I have a such-and-such, and a this-and-that..."

I step forward and position myself nearby, at a polite I-have-a-question distance, plant in my hand, expression of curiosity on my face. I wait.

"Ah, that's pretty cool. Blah blah blah." Dude starts sweeping while they chat. Doesn't even look at me.

"Yeah, blah blah chat chat. I get them from all over, like blah blah."

"This one time, I blah blah blah..."

Etc.

Okay, I've been waiting a while, and I only have maybe 10 minutes before I need to leave. Ordinarily I'd be fascinated to hear about the carnivorous plants and all, but I'd really like to see the rest of the store. I'm waiting for an opening, but it's very difficult to get a word in edgewise here, and it's obvious this guy doesn't feel like pausing to acknowledge me. So I speak up in a small break between their sentences.

"Hi, I just had a quick question-- what plant is this?"

He stops. Looks at me like I just farted loudly and it's making a terrible smell. "It's a (some name I don't remember)." Extreme condescension. Long, disdainful stare. "...Do you always do that?"

"Er-- what??"

"We're having a conversation. Don't you think it's rude to interrupt like that?"

Blink. Blink. Does not compute. ".....I'm... a customer... with a quick question...?"

"He's a customer too."

"Well, yes, but--" ...But they were clearly just having a chat, not actively discussing a potential transaction. The customer was describing his collection, not asking questions.

"He had questions too. Do you think it's okay to just interrupt while people are talking?" (he says, interrupting me while I'm talking)

Okay. Now I'm getting pissed. "...Isn't it rude to ignore a customer?"

He just talks over me, continuing his little lecture.

I am speechless with shock, disbelief, and rising indignant anger.

"What, do you not think that was rude?" He gives me a long, baleful, expectant stare as if I'm a turd on his carpet. As if he's wondering why I'm still here polluting his space. Isn't it about time I screw off? ...And then he pointedly turns away, and resumes speaking with the other guy as if nothing happened, giving me a very cold and contemptuous shoulder.

You know what, jerk? I work in customer service too. I have for 5+ years. I'm the assistant manager in a restaurant. If any member of my crew dared speak to a customer in this fashion, they would likely get themselves fired. I have NEVER spoken to anyone like that, unless they're a screaming psycho trying to steal the tip jar. And mind you-- I am NOT a fan of kissing butt. I do not expect anyone to fake a smile and put up with every bit of aggravation piled on them as if the customers are holy saints that can do no wrong and must be placated at all costs. That's unreasonable. If a customer is really being obnoxious or impatient, I'll politely say, "Excuse me, I'm in the middle of something. I'll be with you in a moment." There's no reason to get nasty or mean about it-- that's not just unprofessional, it's stupid. If somebody is being a jerk, why stoop to their level? Really. Why?? Where does this guy get off behaving like this? Is it really worth losing money?? Would he PAY money just to treat people this way, is it that gratifying?

I stand there for a few more seconds trying to process wtf just happened. I look at the shelves, all these lovely plants, the distant parts of the shop I'll never get to explore... Is this asshole really driving me out of a shop I was so excited to see, after I've put in so much effort for weeks hunting all over the city for good plants, after so much time spent getting here despite my aching feet and my hunger from going without lunch? My stomach twists in a knot of disappointment, hurt, and fury. I can't bear to spend one more second in this horrible place!

I leave.

I'm walking to the corner, drafting my yelp review of this incident, and the carnivorous plant guy appears beside me. "That really was pretty rude."

"What?" I look up and blink at him, amazed that he's followed me out of the store to tell me this. "I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to interrupt."

"No, I mean him. He didn't need to talk to you like that. It was really unnecessary."

"Oh! Thanks! Sorry about all that in there..."

"Don't worry about it, have a good one."

Bit late for that, but, "You too!"

Sigh. So, that's one more potential shop to cross off the list. The search continues.