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.
Ahmad
Calgary,#2Consumer Comment
Mon, August 11, 2014
This is in responce to Stacy's rebuttal. You claim to have a better grasp of grammar then OP yet make many more errors. Is your reading comprehension not elevated to a level where you may understand what the actual problem was. Does making personal attacks from behind a computer make you feel stronger?
I have spent tens of thousand on luxury furniture and have always asked for a discount and have always recieved one. Furniture, even when on sale, has a lot of give in price. Additionally, I think OP would have still bought regardless, the worse thing you can do is not ask. I was given this advice by Oprah Winfrey, she told me she always asks for discount because the worse thing you can do is not try. Money does not grow on trees and there is nothing wrong with asking for a discount.
Clearly you cannot see the real problem was Karry being discriminating and extremely rude towards the OP. A situation like this NEVER justifies a person to make a personal attack on a client.
Stacey
Texas,#3Consumer Comment
Mon, August 11, 2014
You asked for another 25% off on a sale item??? That is nothing more than "piggy backing" a sale item ie: you want something for nothing. "They day went on smoothly as we perused and zeroed in on the sectional we wanted to purchase"
What is "they day"?? You state you have a Masters - what is your Masters in?? I have a post grad degree as well and I know better than to be "cheap" ie: wanting this item for the sale as well as 25% off. 25% off for what??? Because you are a "minority"?? Unacceptable. SO - prove that you we "discriminated against" because of your ethinicity. AND if you indeed do hold a Masters then you know that you need to have solid proof ie: video, audio etc etc.
Don't buy it and NO I do not work for this company.