Formal complaint regarding humiliation at Albermalie- The Reef Shopping Centre Germiston.

Good evening.

I'm generally not a complainer mainly because:

1: I understand that human error is inevitable and before one is an employee they are human first.

2: I have worked in a client centric, target chasing financial environment for the past 18 years and understand the level ***** and deception in our country.

With that said, I visited Mr Price Albermalie around 5pm rushing to get my mentality challenged sister that I dearly love an affordable outfit for her birthday this weekend using my Mr Price Money card. I was promptly assisted by a lady at the till who checked the card my ID green book as well as my signature. She was nice.

I then went next door to Sheet street to purchase some items for my elderly mom, her too for her birthday this weekend and naturally got excited with some items in store and continued to add more items to my collection.

The lady at the till was polite and as ussual asked for my card and ID. I obliged...

Now this is where an emotional purchase, to make my family happy went South.

1. A lady by the name of Ayanda approached to inspect my ID then advises she needs to verify.

I then asked her why as I have purchased from the store numerous times and she said it's procedure and that she needs to call head office. No problem, I wait.

2. A few minutes later, she disappears and I continue shopping, after about 5 minutes the store phone rings, the lady at the till then talks for a minute or 2 and hangs up.

She then asks for a cellphone from her colleague and proceeds to not only take pictures of my card, clearly reflecting my signature, but of my ID aswell. At this point I'm flabbergasted as my personal information is being taken on a cellphone I do not know.

3. After waiting for a further 15 minutes I become annoyed and request my belongings back and proceed to say my good byes.

4. I cheerfully leave the store a bit disappointed, but assumed I can still do this tomorrow. Little did I know the horror and humiliation that awaits me.

A few seconds later, a man in Mr Price uniform aprehends me as I approached my vehicle in the parking lot, advised he needs to verify my purchase.

Takes the plastic from Mr P and marches back to the store with me with no further explanation.

At this point I'm fuming as I enter the store, I'm told they suspect ***** as per my visit to sheet street. Was asked were I live and if it's really my address.

I totally loose my marbles because wow....do people like me not deserve to live in multi million neighborhoods? I oblige but further query why this is happening to me.

I'm then told Ayanda left the store next door while I was waiting for verification and told her colleagues she needs to verify and that's the reason I was fetched from a parking lot full of people because maybe I don't look surbubian enough or maybe it was just ultimate disrespect. Ultimately I returned all the items I had purchased and requested the account be closed with immediate effect. I went back to sheet street to ask why they would do that? 1 I had my driver's license, my ID, bank cards, laptop... seriously I was happy to provide anything to assist with the process, but no little miss know it all had to cause a scene.

2 As a frequent shopper I knew that verification process was unfirmi****

3 For Ayanda to go next door and blast me... wow very professional 👏

4 Being fetching from the busy parking lot like a *****, totally uncalled for.

Then later be told head office is closed and the account can't be closed. Pathetic.

Ultimately not only was an hour of my amazing life as well my petrol and mental health compromised, I was triggered. Yes I said triggeredby a business that I have supported all my adult life. I was humiliated by people who could have treated the situation with discretion and professionalism in a case of suspicion.

And I admit, I called her a little witch because I had never experienced such sorcery in my existence all because of a lousy Lambton address. Really the same Lambton with no working steet lights caused so much drama. I was upset, I still am. Mental health is a REAL THING....

Professionalism is key. We are not friends. Never mistake politeness for idiocy or even poverty. Really Ayanda...

I expect her to be trained again specifically in customer profiling, the Popia act as well as in general customer care.

DO BETTER.... Sort this out and revert.

No I didn't proof read or spell check.. ultimately you get my point. I'm very disappointed. Infact, I cried all the way home.

I may vow to never do business with this group or step in store ever againm but that's nearly impossible, so fix it.

Wendy Hlatshwayo The lady with beaded braids from Lambton.

A response email will be sufficient.