Harrasment at Alfriston Road Post Office/Corner Shop Post Reply

[Working Mom]

I am shaking now after a harassment by a cashier at this corner shop.
After dropping off my kids at their school and nursery this morning, I went to this corner shop to get some cash. The post office there (where I usually get my cash from) was closed due to a technical problem and the cashier said I could use their cash machine which charges 1.99.
I didn't mind paying 1.99 cos I needed 200 pounds but the cash machine stopped after spitting out only 50 pounds.
I went to the cashier to say that I only got 50 pounds and still was charged for the fee, and if I can reverse it. Or if I could speak to the person who manages the machine. Then the cashier started to become very aggressive and yell at me saying - there is not enough money in the machine, that's why you only got 50 pounds, do you have a common sense, post office guy operates it and I don't know his name (I have seen them calling each other the other day) or when he will be back etc.
I was polite and just asking for a solution, and this guy just bombarded me with rudeness and shouting. Some people came in the shop during that time and I let people pay first to continue talking to this cashier but he claimed I wasted his time and annoyed other customers. It was extremely embarrassing to be yelled at when other people were watching.... and after all the customers left, he said 'Are you mentally OK? Because I am telling you the same thing over and over again and you don't get it.' Then he played a blind and deaf as if I am an invisible person - pretending he can't see me or hear me. I just couldn't believe I was being treated like that for just asking a simple question/asking for a help. If he cares about his customers like he claims, I am one of them too. How can he be so outrageously rude?

[tooposhtopush]

you poor thing, what an awful situation.

I think they were probably having a really really awful day!

[juliantenniscoach]

I find them lacking in interpersonal skills if I can put it like that? I do my best to avoid.

[Goldhawk]

Surely the machine said it could only give you £50 first??

[Working Mom]

No it didn't say it. I will also have to check if I am not charged for 200 pounds.

[papinian]

Several posters have previously reported issues with Alfriston post office, including not being given the correct change.

http://www.nappyvalleynet.com/mums/view ... ice#p67821

[Goldhawk]

What a nightmare! Definitely call your bank

[actuallyadad]

Normally these guys are great. Open long hours and stock a lot of useful stuff. Maybe they were just having a bad day.

Let's keep supporting our small local shops - it would be a shame if our only choice for a pint of milk became the petrol station in Nightingale lane

[Working Mom]

Actuallyadad, just because it is the only small shop in the area, it doesn't mean they can be rude to their customers.
They need to learn they have to be competitive if they want to keep their job.

[Working Mom]

Plus I never do this kind of thing to other people even if I am having an extremely bad day.

[Flowermummy]

So sorry this happened to you!

If the cash machine is part of the post office side, then you could complain on the post office website? I'm not sure how this is dealt with, but worth a try.

[Working Mom]

Thank you Flowermummy. I am not worried about £2 or not getting enough cash for the day.
I am just shocked by that shop's customer service. It might be just that cashier, I don't know if he is the owner or not, but in a neighbourhood like this where everyone knows everyone, how could he do this if he was thinking straight?!

[actuallyadad]

They are always charming and helpful to me. Perhaps you were rude when you complained to them? Maybe accidentally as you were frustrated. I doubt they would act unprovoked.

I suspect they are painfully aware of the need to please people in order to stay in business and it's rather patronising to them to suggest otherwise.

[Working Mom]

He might have thought I was rude because I asked a question about that cash machine he doesn't want to get involved BUT he was the one with shouting and yelling attitude from the beginning of the conversation until the end. Completely unnecessary. There were quite a few witnesses there too including my son's classmate's mum.
That shop has great baguettes ready in the morning and I used to praise them with a big smile 'your baguette is the best ever!'. But then the guy on the counter would always give me a funeral look without any reply.
I wasn't feeling great about that shop anyway and I am never going to return for sure.....

[KasiaM]

I try and avoid that shop after I've been there couple of times. The guy at the counter never ever actually replied to my "hallo" .Always stoned face and not very nice. I am actually very surprised people find them friendly there.