Last night I had the worst experience at this whole foods, and unfortunately it happened right after a very nice experience with a sweet, patient, and knowledgeable young lady at the cheese counter. Thank you Naomi for you kindness and your spot on cheese suggestions!
As for at least one member of their management team, I can truly say she seriously lacks in the customer service area! This is what happened. As I passed by the registers I noticed one of their signature black sample tables. On it was an open clam-shell container with 2 cookies inside. I grabbed a cookie and proceeded to go to the produce section. A few minutes later I was finally ready to check out. As I was placing my items on the conveyor belt, a short woman with short brown curly hair and black glasses about 15 feet from me began to yell. I looked up to see what the commotion was about and realized she was yelling at me. "Ma'am... ma'am, just so you know" she exclaimed bitterly, "those cookies were NOT samples!" I was so shocked and at that point everyone within earshot was staring at us. I said I was sorry and I offered to pay for the cookies, and she retorted nastily with "If you want to." The bag girl looked horrified and I was thoroughly humiliated. At least the cashier realized I made an honest mistake (I found out later that I wasn't the first one to make it) and tried to redeem their store's reputation by reassuring me "it was OK." However she didn't appear to be surprised by this woman's ridiculous and senseless behavior. I wonder if she makes a habit of berating customers and her employees? A customer from the other side of the next register actually came around to offer me comfort after this vicious verbal assault.
In taking the cookie I made a blunder but I already had over $80 worth of groceries in my cart, it wasn't like I was trying to get away with some kind of cookie heist. This manager should have handled this situation in a more professional manner. She should have approached me in a kind and informative manner (smile preferred) and brought the error to my attention in a normal conversational volume. It is BAD business to publicly and uproariously mortify paying customers!
Bottom line, I will not ever return to this store!