Long-time readers may well recall the dismal customer service routinely experienced at a Topeka farm store over the years. In fact, employees who exhibited cheerful, helpful attitudes never lasted more than a few weeks - ever. I always thought the employees must have worked for a bastard of a manager. No one worked there for very long. There was never anyone who seemed to last even a full year- not even the most disinterested, surly employees who seemed to be the favorite hires.
Some things in life simply are, and because that particular farm store was so conveniently located, I continued to take my business there. The employees were only borderline rude and if I genuinely needed help, it only took about ten minutes to track down someone. Since I am not the Queen of England, after all, it was tolerable. At least I always knew what to expect.
Saturday I needed salt and mineral blocks, dog food, and equine fly spray. (I also knew they would have baby chicks, my favorite time of the year!) The place was hopping! I only recently started going into stores again, so all the hustle and bustle is almost overwhelming. There were so many customers that all the flat bed carts were in use. I had to use a deep, grocery-type cart.
I trundled along, getting my supplies by rote, especially after they only had ducklings left - very disappointing. (Ducks are cute little critters, but they are not chicks!) The American Stockman mineral blocks weigh 50 pounds apiece. I can still easily pick them up but lifting them above my waist is a struggle. I slid one block under the cart, trying to figure out if the second one would also fit under there, when a nice woman happened by, only a few things on her flatbed cart. She saw me shuffling the blocks and asked if I would like to trade carts with her! I readily agreed, thanking her very sincerely.
I no longer walk with a cane, but I must appear to be around 100 years old, or something, because often people offer unsolicited help. This kindness happened in the long depressed, surly atmosphere of the farm store! A minor miracle that simply made my day.
But, it gets better!
Only one cashier when I got to the front of the store but I am patient. Suddenly, out of nowhere, farm store employees appeared. A young gal looked specifically at me, calling me to her register. What's this new devilry?! She was so pleasant, speedy, knowledgeable - and apparently a manager as she also directed several other employees while I was paying. She asked if I wanted to sign up for an award card since they are now a different company. I did not catch the name but it was news to me.
And, even better!
I was making my way out of the store, threading through incoming customers when the heavily laden cart smashed into the edge of the door! I was horrified that I had broken the door but there was an employee right behind me, and I apologized. He assured me that it was not the first time that day people had crashed into the door. When I saw that it was not broken, I quickly got out of the way of all the folks coming and going.
I made it to my car, and was debating whether to put my purse inside first before I unloaded the cart when a man's arm appeared reaching over my purse. Oh my god, I was getting mugged at the farm store!! I spun around into the smiling face of the employee who had fixed the door. He had followed me to help load my car, scaring the bejeezus out of me! I started laughing, mainly happy that I was not a mugging victim - but help to load my car that I did not have to ask for? Witchcraft! Are you kidding me? Happy, helpful, energetic employees?! An Easter miracle!
