Shopping at K-Mart: Prepare for Frustration

Is it just me, or does K-Mart usually have an insanely slow and frustrating customer service?

I took a trip over there tonight, as we needed a couple of things for dinner. Right away when I walked in the door I got ogling looks from the woman at the closest desk because of foot prints on the floors. There's flooding here now and with the heavy rain it's impossible not to drag in a little water as you go. Half of their parking lot is closed because of flooding, so you would think they would be a little understanding as you have to fight your way through 2 inches of water just to get away from the car.

Anyways, I ignored her with a blatant look and put my already water-dripping coat in the shopping cart. As I moved on into the stores, there were as usual big boxes of 99 cent toys as always blocking the routes, and add that with screaming kids and frustrated husbands standing in long lines I was happy as could be when I finally found my way to the food part of the store.

The peace and quiet would however not last long, immediately a lady who works there came up from behind and showed big folders of papers in my face asking if I wanted to do a survey as a home owner. I politely declined, as I just wanted to get the shopping done and get home. She looked at me, nodded her head and moved on past me.

I looked around, and saw nobody. Sigh, what a relief! I was able to find a small pack of KRAFT macaroni&cheese, thinking that $1.49 was a rip off considering Fred Meyer has 5 of those for a dollar when on sale. I then went on to find myself a cold and refreshing coke, but there were none that was cold so I ended up with a lunk warm giant coke that would go in the freezer as soon as I got home.

Next thing I know, the lady from before popped up again. She showed the papers in my face again, and then said "hmmm... Did I ask you already? I always have to look the person in the eyes to know." Then for five seconds she stared me straight in the eyes, just stood there completely still staring. I thought this was very peculiar, so I excused myself and rushed past her.

As I get close to the check out, there was one line open with five people having their carts full. A few feet away two K-Mart workers were laughing and talking, as if they didn't have one care in the world. OK, they do need brakes but when there's at least a 7 minute wait to check out it's kind of ridiculous just to stand there. Everyone is complaining loudly, and I'm trying to stay calm while sneak-reading about Celine Dion and her son in a magazine on a stand. I'm sorry to say, but that boy I would have guessed was a girl.

I get closer to the desk, and it turns out that the woman standing there has uncombed hair, wearing horribly and stained clothes that couldn't have been washed in two weeks, and has an awful mood. I do at least like for the people who serve me when I shop at their store to look a little presentable, but this was certainly not the case here.

When it finally is my turn he asks me if I want to sign up for a Sears's card and when I reject she asks if I want to give a donation. I tell her I just want to pay, and I finally get my mac&cheese and coke. While I'm walking out of the store I'm wondering why on earth I ever choose K-Mart. This time was even more awful than usual, but every time there is something.

What happened to just walking into a store and be met with people who will help you if you need to, but otherwise leave you alone. I don't want to do surveys or get credit cards or give donations when all I'm thinking about is finishing my dinner. K-Mart gets a 2 in my book, and that's 2 out of 5. So I'm curious if anyone else feels the same way.