Family Dollar complaint: Complaint about refusal to refund or replace faulty halogen balloon

On 6/20 at 3:56pm I purchased a number of items totaling $39.45, including halogen balloons, greeting cards, tissue paper, gift bags, reader glasses and a strawberry beverage.

One of the jumbo graduation halogen balloons located just behind the cashier was not fully inflated so I asked Carlton, the cashier, if there were any more of that particular balloon. He said yes and pointed me to one lying to the left of the store entrance area. I brought that to him and asked for another 2 graduation balloons. Upon arriving home, approximately 5 minutes later one of the jumbo balloons immediately flew into the sky as the string slipped out of the balloon. I returned to the store to request a replacement or a refund. Carlton, the cashier, had me wait to see Justina. Justina said that she would need to make a call. On speaker phone she called someone, who I later found out was Gerald. Gerald told Justina that I could not get a replacement or refund. I asked Justina if I could speak with him, to which he said “I don’t want to talk to her!’ As the call was still on speaker, I introduced myself and asked that I please receive a replacement or refund as I had not purchased the balloon long ago. Gerald said “I do not want to speak with you!” and rudely, unprofessionally and abruptly hung up the phone while I was still on the line. I asked Justina his name and her name and informed her that I would be making a formal complaint. This is not the way that customers should be treated. I made a reasonable request and was treated in a rude and disrespectful way. I would like for Gerald to be reprimanded, Justina to receive additional training and a $20 compensation for my time, frustration and stress caused by Gerald. Carlton the cashier was wonderful and Gerald can learn a lesson from the way that Carlton treats customers.