Customer service

Customer service 0/10

I had a very disheartening experience at Mr Price Walmer Park today. My first interaction with the sales assistant, Akhona, was already uncomfortable — I asked for a shoe size and she responded without even looking at me, while continuing to look at the wall. I let that go.

The second interaction was even worse. As I left the fitting room, I asked her if they had another size in a top I had tried on. Before she answered, a white customer spoke over me and Akhona immediately helped her first. I stepped aside and waited for her to finish, expecting she would return to me next. Instead, she walked right past me without acknowledging me at all — even though I had just asked for help and stood directly in front of her.

When I asked whether she had forgotten about me, she responded, “You also could have asked again what you wanted to know,” even though she hadn’t looked at me or given me a chance to speak after walking away. This was the second time she ignored me, and I genuinely didn’t understand what I had done to deserve that kind of treatment. It made me question whether I was being overlooked because I’m Black, especially since she immediately helped a much younger customer who interrupted.

I asked to speak to the manager because I was upset and in tears at this point. The manager was supportive and promised to address the issue.

However, what hurt even more was overhearing Akhona in the fitting room complaining to a colleague that “customers are rude and expect them to be nice,” even though she was the one who dismissed me and treated me disrespectfully. She didn’t apologize, didn’t acknowledge her mistake, and even told me she has altercations with other customers — as if that justified the way she treated me.

This was a deeply upsetting experience. We all have our own struggles, and no one deserves to be treated with disrespect in a place where customer service should be a priority.