My complaint:
Greetings,
My name is Rod Saunders. I’m a resident of Co-op City in the Bronx since 1979. I also sit on the Board of Directors of Riverbay Corp. for Co-op City which is a $200m development. You have two stores in our community. One is in Bay Plaza shopping center and the other is in the Peartree Square Shopping Plaza.
During the holidays I had a most disturbing encounter with two employees over something extremely simple yet I feel this may need to get the attention of Mr. Carl Schlicker. The two members of the Stop and Shop team were Calisia (an associate) and KC (a supervisor). The matter was as simple as I asked Calisia to remove two items from what I scanned at the self check out which were two six packs of ginger ale. As I was walking out of the store looking at my receipt I noticed only one of the items were removed. I went back to Calisia to point out only one item had been removed. Calisia told me that I must have scanned it again because she already removed both items. In general items that are removed from the customer are generally taken by said associate; however, I didn’t mention that as I do not wish to have confrontation with anyone. I simply said I did not scan the pack of sodas and would just like to have the situation amended showing her I did not have the item. Calisia then raised her voice to me exclaiming the same thing that she already removed it and I was at fault with the idea I scanned the item again. At this point is when KC approached me. Making a bad situation explosive is the only way to explain it as she was in a raised tone said “ hold it hold it hold it hold it hold it.” I advised her I was having the conversation with the young lady and she has no right to what now is being construed as attacking me. She said “well I’m the supervisor.” As I looked at her badge it has the letters K C which threw me off for a moment. She went to refund me, still saying things that I couldn’t understand, as we are forced to wear masks in our society now. Calisia seemed to still be upset with the situation and KC said to her “Fuck that nigger it’s over I don’t know what his problem is.” I was so shocked, offended and disturbed that someone at their job and seems to be of African American heritage as well, would degrade anyone else in the most hideous fashion.
I have a family member that is a manager at this location. As soon as was in my car I called my relative and advised of the situation. I cannot really find the adjectives to express how I felt at this time. My family directed me how to proceed with an email to you expressing the events of the evening. Our community has a weekly publication, The Co-op City Times, and we as board members write an article each week. It was my original intent to advise the community of the level and caliber of people are coming into our community. As I thought about it I opted not to use my position nor social media as there are the majority of people in that store are absolutely brilliant to be around. I spoke to the store manager and he gave me the address to send a hand written complaint to. He also assured me he would address the two individuals when he gets word from corporate.
What I’ve decided to do is go to the Bay Plaza store to evade these individuals. My wife believes that’s preposterous but I rather be the one to go out of my way as opposed to anyone else. Out of sheer habit I went into the Peartree location after my daily walk. As I entered the store I remembered that I don’t go to this store any longer. I said to myself this is a completely different time of day of the altercation so I have a good chance not to see either of the two individuals. As I was going to the register I sure did see KC and everything came back.
I am a community leader and people must realize you do not always know who you are speaking to especially in the public sector. These two individuals do not belong in our community! I do not advocate taking jobs away in this economy; however, there is no way anyone should be subject to what I have been. If they can feel so free do to it once they have the propensity to do it again. Such vulgarity and malicious intent should not be tolerated by you on any level. I did not see Calisia as I was not looking for either one of them. Seeing KC in the store definitely moved me to write this correspondence and call for action on your part. My wife is probably more correct than not, I should be able to go into either of the stores in my community and feel at ease where I’m spending my money, we all should. I’m definitely calling on you for immediate action as I’m so disturbed I woke up in the middle of the night to bring this to light. Thank you.
Regards,
Rod Saunders
Suggested solution:
These individuals should be relocated to different stores outside of the Co-op City community
