Rude Chasier: Marcia Phahlela

Ever since I was a regular customer of Checkers - Balfour Park for over 20 years, I have never encountered a rude and arrogant cashier as Marcia Phahlela!

I shopped at your store today (4th July 2020) around 12h00, which was packed from the long queue outside the store and at the tills. I stood for about 20 minutes, with three people ahead of me, at one of your tills so that I could pay for my grocery. When I got to the cashier, whose name is unknown since she didn't have a name tag, she told me that she only accepted cards and not cash, which was my method of payment. I asked her why she couldn't accept cash and she said something about her manager not assigning her to accept cash. I then requested her manager to come forth because it would not be acceptable for me to join another long queue whereas the said cashier/till point didn't even have a sign that stated that it only accepted card payments only. The manager, whose name I did not record nor did i notice whether he had a name tag or not, apologised and admitted fault of not having a sign. He then led me in conversation that he understood that I should not join another long queue and, as a result, he will get me to a cashier who accepted cash payment.

As I followed the said manager, he then got to Marcia Phahlela who was cleaning her till point at the time and there was no queue on aisle towards her till but just one lady who was a bit further away from her till and who looked like she was about to walk towards the Marcia's till. The said manager then called me in and explained to Marcia that I should be served first because of my issue from the former till point and he further explained to the lady who was about to get closer to the Marcia's to wait as she will be served immediately after me because I come another till point - after waiting for a while.

As the said manager walked away and I started unpacking my grocery to the till point, Marcia started to makes rude remarks about me and talking with the other lady/customer (who was behind me) that why didn't the manager make me wait for the lady to be served first and that it unfair to the lady. The lady also responded in the same manner. I then asked Marcia why would she talk like that about, as customer, in front of another customer and she said I am not her customer but the lady behind me is. She said that several times as i was trying to understand what she meant and i literrally stopped unpacking my grocery and asked her to call the store manager.

The store manager arrived, whose name i did not record, and I explained the sitution to him and he said he will talk to her. She was quite at the time when the manager was at the till point but the moment he walked away, Marcia started again with her remarks and when I told her that I was going to report her to the head office about her treatment towards the store's customers - her reply was that, I think she's scared of her loosing her job and that she didn't care what I was going to do or report her. Then the manager walked back towards her and told her to keep quite - which she did temporarily until he walked away again. As I was about to pay and leave, she still continued to tell me that she didn't care about whether I was going to report her or not.

I was left baffled and humilated that some of your stuff members can be that adamantly rude towards your customers - who have had long term shopping experience with your stores as if they amount to nothing. I walked out of your store regretting why i went there in the first place since i saw the long line outside and even from inside, but because it has always been convenient for me and my family all those years - i didn't see a need to go to another store.

Please assist with this matter and feedback regarding my complaint. The kind of behaviour i experienced today could, and might have been, experienced by some of your customers by the same perpatrator and if it is not dealt with, unfortunately you will loose customers - especially in these trying times where our economy is facing hefty challenges and people are watchful with every cent they spent and how they treated from spending it.