Monopoly kills good service - Checkers

Checkers used to be my "go to" supermarket for their variety, fair prices and quality, but most importantly, the friendliness of their staff. That is now a thing of the past. I recently popped in to a local Checkers for bread rolls to help a friend with a shared home-cooked meal. There was only one customer being served in front of me. As he left, I stepped forward to be served, when the staff member behind the counter turned away and went behind the food counter, suddenly calling out to a customer walking past and took her time helping her instead, chatting away and deliberately ignoring my presence. I am usually a patient person and don't let silly small things annoy me, but the blatant rudeness was impossible to ignore. I have been in business all my life and I almost certainly not perfect, but my customers and staff were always my priority, because thanks to them, I had a business...without them, the business wouldn't exist. What I experienced was a bad reflection on the store and I determined to inform the manager, who was very decent and assured me that he would look into it. Then, last week I went to the same store for a few items and a recurring problem reared its head at the till... my bank card was declined, although I knew I had sufficient funds. From past experience, I was also aware that the bank charges R8 for every declined transaction. We tried to action the payment a 3rd failed time when I showed my banking app to the cashier, proving that the funds were available, which was now a loss to me of R24. It's not a huge amount, but it will easily buy a loaf of bread! It wasn't the first time this had happened and I was tired of constantly going to the bank to unravel one or other problem AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I insisted that the manager be called. Well, it was the same man from the last incident, but he simply said that there is nothing he can do. I had a friend with me who then got annoyed at the MANAGER'S offhand manner. Eventually my friend paid cash with my confirmation that I would transfer over the amount to his account. All that unnecessary drama over some unknown hitch to do with the bank! I understand that sometimes someone has had a rough day, but courtesy and concern costs nothing. Well, it is going to cost Checkers something - a loyal customer! The general attitude of big businesses today is very poor....they have no competition so why should they care? I am not the only person who will go out of my way, or do without altogether, rather than give one more cent to these large corporations. This attitude needs to be stopped NOW. If not, what will they do with shelves full of spoiled stock and empty tills, I wonder? Because that's the way things are going.... we have been bul**** and bashed enough. Covid was the last straw. Our lives have been stressed enough, we've list enough and been **** to enough, now it's time we took back our dignity and buying power and sent a loud message that we aren't going to stand for this nonsense anymore! Good people are really struggling while the ********s wash their hands with R15k bottles of whiskey??? REALLY??? South Africa is naturally wealthy, but the ******* few think it's for their benefit alone. NO! No more....it's time to fight fire with fire if need be, for the sake of the next generation!