Inhuman and heartless treatment this festive season

My son traveled for more than half an hour yesterday to buy his Christmas shopping at Checkers South coast mall in Margate. Checkers is “our shop” and where he stays isn’t a Checkers. They have 3 kids. He didn’t have much money so they spend a long time in the shop, firstly because it was busy and secondly because he counted the things he bought because he only had about R1500 for Christmas. They bought 3 small gifts for the kids and some food. When he got to the till point he gave his Xtra savings card and it was swiped, but for some reason didn’t go through. When he looked at his till slip, it shows he could have saved R200 or R300. Overwhelmed in sadness and frustration, ( for them that is a lot of money), money he could use well, especially this time of the year. He told the lady at the till point where he paid that the card didn’t deduct the savings that were advertised for savings card holders, but she wasn’t helpful. Obviously, because my son is now wasting her time and the queue is long. He asked to see the manager. He said if they can’t deduct the money for the xtra savings that didn’t go off he will rather take the money back. He said that because he counted every sent and because they couldn’t afford “lose” the money after he gave his card for that discount. They walked with a calculator counting the money for the shopping. When you don’t have R200 or R300 to spare it is extremely sad, especially during Christmas time. Instead of helping him to see why the Xtra savings card didn’t go through or helping him in any other way, the manager was also clearly heartless and impatient and said he will give my son back his money. That is NOT what he wanted. They traveled more than an hour to get to that Checkers and back home, They went back home without gifts for the kids, and the food they needed. My son was upset, sad, and angry. I am sad and angry because it is inhuman. Spending so much time and counting every sent just to go back home empty-handed. He didn’t go to another supermarket. There was no time because someone had to babysit the kids and it was getting late. They were worried about the children and the baby isn’t well. I don’t think we will ever look at Checkers as “our shop” again. We will just see another cold business that doesn’t care for its clients!