Humiliated by Sainsbury’s staff for buying a slimming magazine

[Moody230]

A bit of a long one but not sure what to do about it?

Whilst shopping at my local Sainsbury’s store last night I was repeatedly humiliated and judged for the contents of my shopping basket by the checkout assistant. This was in front of a large queue and my 8 year old son. I purchased a Slimming World magazine which was the first item of a basket load on the conveyer belt. The sales assistant said ‘you do know it’s just a magazine and won’t work?’ he then scanned a ham and pineapple pizza and said ‘so why you buying a pizza with a slimming world magazine and held it up? i said ‘it’s for my son’s tea’ and pointed at my son who was standing next to me, he then held up the pain au chocolat’s and said ‘what about these?’ i replied ‘actually their for my daughter’s breakfast.’ He then lifted up the croissants and said ‘i suppose your gonna say the same about these’.

I’ve never felt so humiliated and embarrassed in my life! He made another derogatory comment about buying the magazine, but at this point I genuinely cannot remember what it was and just wanted to get out of there. I left the store physically shaking and reduced to tears.

What the sales assistant also failed to recognise is not only is it none of his business what I choose to purchase, but my 8 year old son who witnessed the incident has been gastrostomy fed via a feeding tube since birth, and a result has a very limited diet. If he wants to try a pizza, I am more than happy to buy him one and should not be humiliated in front of him and other customers for doing so.

On returning home I contacted the store and asked to speak to the manager, I was informed he was not in so I was put through to the assistant manager. He took my number and said he would inform the store manager about what had happened and apologised. He said the store manager would call me back today. No surprise, he hasn’t.

The only outcome i’m seeking from this degrading experience is that other people are not judged and humiliated in the way in which I was for buying a slimming magazine. The sales assistant may have thought he was being funny, but the tirade of abuse in front of a large queue lasted several minutes, in which the only look on my face was one of embarrassment and still he did not take this as a cue to stop.

I now feel too ashamed and embarrassed to set foot in the store.

A mum of two, slightly over weight size 14, but who’s judging?!

[Leanne1977]

That is awful! How dare he pass judgement on your shopping or your magazine! I would have been embarrassed and upset too. So sorry you had to go through that. Keep on at the store and get a complaint logged, the staff member needs telling that he was bang out of order!

[jackster14]

Wow - words fail me! I'm sorry you had to go through that.

I wouldn't let it go and would contact the store again, maybe put something in writing.

it's no one business but yours what you buy.

I sincerely hope the cashier was trying...and failing at humour - but still no need.

[judy22]

What a horrible experience. I can only think the assistant thought he was being amusing - which he wasn’t. I hope Sainsbury take it seriously and a bit of training offered to the employee.

[MissFortune]

Awful!

I hate it when the checkout staff inspect & comment on my shopping even when it's just reading the stories on the front of a magazine/ saying something looks nice.

Can't image how I would have felt in your situation.

What a horrible, small man!

If the store do nothing I'd write a letter to head office informing them of the situation and stating the manager at the store in question chose to ignore you.

[Rac20]

Oh my goodness. That is terrible. I would be writing a strongly worded letter or complaint and also informing them the manager of the store has not responded.
I know hindsight is a wonderful thing but it’s a shame you didn’t walk out, leaving everything on the conveyor belt so he would have had to deal with it.
Your 8 your old son should not have to witness you being belittled whilst you do your weekly shop and you are right. It’s got nothing to do with him. His job is to scan items. If he wants to give health advice he should switch careers!

[Bianca]

OP, What an unpleasant experience!

It's one occasion where I would suggest writing a letter to the store manager. Bearing in mind how upset you feel, you can probably explain what happened more clearly on paper, without having to find the words on-the-spot in the store (if you were to go back in).

It sounds like it relates individually to this particular assistant, who needs some serious customer service training a.s.a.p before upsetting other customers. He couldn't have known about your son's health, but the very fact that he can't know the circumstances of the customers he encounters is why he needs to be much more careful and respectful with his words.

Hope you feel better soon.

[DadToThree]

I genuinely thought this was going to turn out to be a joke. But no. A real story!

This is absolutely appalling and you are absolutely right to complain. Can’t believe he thought this was acceptable.

[duchy]

Sod that, do go direct to head office and complain.
I have always worked in customer facing roles and have had my share of foot in mouth moments but this goes way beyond that.
There will be a customer care number on the Sainsbury's website. I used it when my local store behaved inappropriately and the asst manager tried to claim it hadn't happened. I got a prompt hearing and appropriate action.

[keeley78]

That's shocking, I would have just said what the "bleep" has it got to do with you what I buy but I'm gobby, in fact if I'd been in the queue behind you I would have said something, i understand not everyone is the same though, I would have certainly complained though aswell, keep on at them about it, he should at least get a warning for that, he should not be passing comment on anyone's choices, I'm angry for you