Complaint Review: Dollar General - Pinellas Park Florida

I saw this post and had to respond. And let me be clear, this is far from a generic response. I am not sure how my response will be taken, but I am pretty sure someone is not going to like it. If I offend anyone, please know up front that my aim is not to offend. However, If you get offended, that usually means that you know that it's true.

I am a Dollar General employee.  I am an ordained minister.  I am a veteran. But above all that, I am a decent, friendly human being.  Let me respond to this post from each perspective, because each perspective adds another valid point to the discussion.

As a DG employee, I do sincerely apologize for the woman's rudeness. You are correct in being upset by her attitude. However, I must also refer to DG Corp.'s Standard Operating Procedures on this matter. The SOP manual states that any customer that enters any DG store with a pack of any kind, besides a lady's purse, must leave their pack with a DG employee when requested to do so. This is designed as a deterrent against shoplifting, not as an insult to ANY individual, regardless of status.

As a minister, I can safely and honestly tell you that while she was wrong in her attitude toward you, you are also most definitely wrong in your attitude when transferring your distaste for her on to the entire company. Generalized states are ALMOST always (sidestepping a generalized statement) incorrect, if not inflammatory to the subject matter in question. DG is not a glorious company that never does wrong, but let's not over-inflate the current issue.

Finally, as a former member of the US Armed Forces, let me be the first to say that I am ashamed that someone touting the status of 'Veteran' would react to this situation in such an off-target way.  Everyone knows, especially us, that the US Military is trained to be pin-point accurate in whatever task they seek to accomplish. We have also been trained to show restraint and personal decorum in all aspects of our lives. Obviously, you have not stuck to that high level of training. None of us are perfect, not even me, and I openly and honestly admit that. However, if you are going to sound off as though Veterans are above everyone else, at least act like it and show us why. Otherwise, climb down off of your 'Veteran Martyr Soapbox' and get on with life.

In Truth,
The DG Reverend
MM3 (SS), USN (Hon. Disch.)

   Do non-veterans get to take their backpacks into the store?   Are you complaining that their policy should apply to everyone except veterans?   Your post is senseless.

" She does not have a right to touch it. She didn't earn the right to touch it.  "

   You are correct!  She doesn't have the right to touch it and you don't have the right to take it into the store.  Simple enough?

" And what kind of tacky, classless thing is that to say to a customer? "

   You are in a dollar store.  Just what sort of tact and class do you expect?

   The rules are the same for everyone.  If you somehow expect your veteran status to magically exempt you from those rules, your going to be disappointed.   You merely encountered a store which has a policy that you don't like.   Crying "veteran discrimination" only does a disservice to your fellow veterans.

If I walk in there with my purse, they don't ask for it. But they demand your pack? That means they treat two different customers differently - and that's discrimination in its simplest form.

Everybody knows there are thieves out there, but to treat every customer as a potential thief is tacky. That's what insurance is for. Treat your customers with respect. Maintain your cameras and loss prevention technology. Thank your customers for paying your salaries. The fact that you mentioned the store was empty speaks volumes! Just imagine how much business they are losing to Walmart and Walgreens and CVS all those other stores because they are paranoid and unfriendly?

Military personnel have it beaten into them to "bend over and take it"... Don't complain, don't question anything. The truth is, sometimes, military personnel as courageous as they are, lack a different kind of courage. They lack the inner courage to stand up for what is right. They would rather just agree because it's easier. Blind compliance. But as you mature, your mind opens up a little bit and you start to question your world. You are standing up for yourself and there is nothing wrong with that. More people should have the courage to do so.

You are a ranting, raving, IGNORANT lunatic.  In other words the typical dollar general customer.
FYI mr "I served in the Armed forces", this policy is in place to deter shoplifters, because the typical customer of dollar general is a low life 99 percent lazy lout who feels the world owes them a living, so they get what they want by stealing it.

First, no where in your report does it say this store discriminated against veterans. They simply asked you to remove your bag per their store policy. As a veteran I would assume you have some honor and respect towards this person. Clearly the military taught you nothing and as a veteran myself I am insulted. The manager told this to you because that is their store policy as with most dollar generals. If the manager had called you a "baby killer" or some other form of anti-military insult THEN you would have some ground to stand on. Shape up, act right and get back to worrying about your life and not dollar general. No I do not work for dollar general just a honest veteran who respects others wishes.