Complaint Review: Ashley's Furniture

Have you ever felt discriminated by a salesman or anybody who thought that he was better than you because you are a woman? How about being treated like a second class citizen because you are not white? Well, this is how Karry, the owner and store manager of Ashley’s Furniture Calgary Heritage HomeStore treated me this afternoon!

My husband and I decided to buy a sectional for our basement. We are quite excited about this purchase as we are normally savers and not spenders. We previously had pleasant dealings with Ashley’s three years ago and were hoping for a repeat experience. They day went on smoothly as we perused and zeroed in on the sectional we wanted to purchase. As they were having a storewide sale that day, we asked if we could get a bigger discount than the one that was advertised. Our salesman informed us that he unfortunately couldn’t give us lower prices. He, however, could ask his manager if he could do something for us.

Karry, Ashley’s Calgary Heritage Homestore manager, came in already curt with the salesman- continually interrupting him and questioning his price calculation. He gave us a lower price and argued that is so much more than the 25% off that was advertised. Karry then proceeded to interrupt me as I was questioning his math on the percentage off. Karry asked my husband “CAN YOUR WIFE UNDERSTAND THIS?” I informed him that I have a master’s degree, I can obviously understand basic math.

This is very offensive! Why did he not talk to me directly? Does he prefer to deal with his kind? Does he think that I cannot understand him because I am a woman or because I am not Caucasian like my husband? I told my husband that we are going home and not purchasing anything from him. Karry felt the need to shout at me and my family of how he was so happy to have met us. I said, “I unfortunately cannot say the same to him.” My husband, son and I stood up from the couch and walked towards the store doors. Karry felt the need to follow us and shout at me again saying “a person with a master’s should be able to understand basic math!” I asked him what his name was, he said he is Karry, he is the store manager and he owns the store and then told me to never visit his store again!

After you have read this, you might think I am angry and you are right! I am angry! I am angry that someone felt that need to make me feel ashamed of my gender, ashamed of my colour and made me feel simple. Karry’s attitude infuriates me. I do not feel that it should be tolerated in any circumstance.  I, of course, do not plan to go back to his store again; and I urge others to take a stand against any and all kinds of discrimination. Please boycott Ashley’s Furniture.