Injured while shopping, but who cares?

Madam – On June 27 at 11.20am, I visited a well-known store, with a view to make a few purchases.

On entering the store there were a few floor managers standing at the front desk and chatting. I proceeded to the fridge that was situated on my right and reached out to take an item from the fridge, unaware that a staff member was standing behind me with one of those long iron, flat bed trolleys and as I turned around, I walked into it, fell over, bumped my head on the hard iron bar and injured my knee and ankle and cut my finger in the process.

When I enquired from the men who were standing about 2metres away if the person pushing the trolley was an employee, they all quickly answered that he was a customer. One of the men then quickly rushed to the man with the trolley and summoned him to disappear because they didn’t want to face the consequences of my injuries and accept liability.

One of the other men asked a female employee allegedly first aid training, to administer first aid, but she could not even put on a plaster properly on my bleeding finger.

What irked me the most is that these men could blatantly lie that the person who caused my injuries was nothing but a customer. I left the store limping and in crucial pain.

On my return home I inspected my injuries and found my leg to be blue from my knee to my ankle. To add to it, I am recovering from stomach surgery I had four months ago, and now this! The repercussions could have been serious.

On Monday, June 29, I called the manager of the same store and advised him that I was the person who was injured in his store to which he replied, “what was I calling for and what do I want him to do about my injuries.”

Is this what you call “CUSTOMERS FIRST”? This slogan certainly does not apply to this store.

I cannot believe that people could lie just to shirk their responsibilities and face the consequences of my injury.

I pity the few people who want to save a few Rand when visiting the store as you could get severely injured or even lose your life and no one will take responsibility for your injuries or your loss of life.

I vow never to set foot in that store again. Good luck to your business and may you prosper with this attitude and arrogance.

Injured & Disgruntled Shopper

[Letter shortened – Editor]