Bad customer service for a charitable donation

[snfcook]

I just wrote an email to Albertson's over the shameless display I just witnessed at their gas station while picking up my Sunday paper. This is just too wrong that I had to say something. It did not even happen to me.

Hi there!

I am a frequent shopper at Albertson's but just saw the worse display of self promotion at one of your gas stations. This was through Store #1758 @ 10880 N Beach St in Fort Worth, TX. This happened today, 10-25-2009 at about 11:55am. I was there to get my Sunday paper and there were two cashiers, both older, one man, one woman. I was in the woman's line and there was a dad there with his two kids. The male cashier leans down and in a very loud voice asks the little boy, "Do you want to donate $1 to the children?" I was kind of shocked that he addressed the child instead of the parent since obviously the parent was paying. Then he went on to say how he got to write his name on this balloon and he was going to "display it right now so all the big people can see that children donate too" That was when I looked at the parent, and he really did not know what to say. I understand that this money goes to a charity but I should not feel guilted into donating. When the woman asked me if I would like to donate, I kindly stated "No thanks, I donate in other ways" I do not think it is fair that this customer did not have a chance to refuse this donation. In this economy, we are all strapped for cash and us who are more fortunate than others, donate as much as we can. Please educate your cashiers on the proper way to ask for a donation. I will not be going back to this gas station again for my paper.There are many other places that I can frequent for my Sunday paper without feeling guilty that I did not donate $1.

Thanks.

Samantha Cook
Keller, TX

AND HERE IS THEIR BLANKET RESPONSE:

Dear Samantha Cook,

Thank you for contacting us regarding the cashier who asked the little boy for a $1.00 donation. We appreciate the opportunity to assist you.
We strive for continued customer satisfaction and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience that this may have caused you. We appreciate you taking the time to share your comments with us. Your comments have been sent to the Store Director.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our Customer Service Center at 1-877-932-7948.

Sincerely,

Connie H.
Albertsons Customer Care

AWESOME....

[BringontheWonder]

I do agree it's inappropriate to address the child like that, but I'm not surprised. I do disagree with your assertion that "this customer did not have a chance to refuse this donation." He absolutely did. It's the dad's responsibility to say no, if he doesn't want to donate. I'm of the mindset that no one can make me feel guilt or any other emotion because I'm in charge of how I feel. I'm an adult, and I'm assertive enough to say "no" when I mean "no" regardless of the pitch.