Ray Wilson
Pickering,#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Mon, August 03, 2009
Hello, I came across this report today and, despite the fact that three years have passed, I felt obligated to reply to this individual at his request. Although I was a manager at this location at this time, I have no recollection of this occurance. I haven't worked for the company for some time now, but thought that, in good faith, an olive branch should be extended. If anything even close to what he recounts actually did occur, I must apologize. It is certainly not in my character to act this way, so it does come as a shock to hear these words. I wish you only goodness going forward. After reading the note, I will offer a few thoughts. I have had hundreds of customers in my years in retail. It is not only common, but expected that customers will ask for a deal. No matter what retailer I would have been working for, I certainly oblige when I can. Based on your note, I can only think of one thing that would have even remotely shaken me; that being the tactics of negotiation. I am a firm believer that negotiation is merely a condition of the purchase. If someone enters into such action, it is an objection that can simply be overcome on the way to making the sale. If someone agrees to a price and the negotiation ends, the purchase is assumed. Think of going in to a dealership to buy a car, beating the price down, and then walking away. Without a doubt, the salesperson would be furious. With no commissions at stake at Best Buy, I can't imagine why it would matter to me or the salesperson; hence my curiosity to your comments. At the time, our salaries were paid by Future Shop, so it wouldn't matter where you were to buy your TV. As for throwing you out of the store, Best Buy investigates all such actions thoroughly, so I wonder if you might not be embellishing somewhat here. To call the store back within minutes of a heated argument wouldn't be the best idea either, and could possibly even be considered a form of taunting. In reference to being hurt, I can tell by the tone of your message that you were certainly affected by this event. Again; any involvement I had I must apologize for. Having said this, making reference to being racist is what prompted me to reply. I understand that this occurrance must have troubled you, but that's a very bold comment to make of someone simply because you had a bad experience. I think that even I felt bad for you up until this point. You often refer to "praying" for someone to take the incident seriously. No person of faith would make such an allegation over a non-sale gone bad. By calling someone a racist without any such proof or reasoning does in effect what you suggest happened to you; being judged in a nasty, unjust, and unfair manner. As for Best Buy, please feel free to shop there as the employees are kind, friendly, and multicultural. Finally, I submit my apology once again. I have left Best Buy on excellent terms, and if you feel the need to reach me to discuss (three years removed) :), I would be happy to say it in person through contact with the company. All the best to you and your family. Ray Wilson