Discriminated by Goodwill

[srcdco]

Last night I stopped at the local Goodwill and found 8 record albums that I wanted. When I took them up to the cashier, the manager was there. She looked at them and looked at me and said "You can't buy these". I asked why not? Then she told me that since my wife works there, I am not allowed to buy the current weeks color, the same as her. Then she took the albums off the counter and refused to put them back on the rack until I left. She told me I could come back on Sunday, after they change the color. I said that they'd be gone by then and her response was "Oh well, too bad".
I've already filed a complaint with the main office and I'm ready to take it to the Better Business Bureau and the NY Attorney General's office as a case of discrimination. Once the item is on the floor, it should be available to anyone that walks through the door. I'm also ready to go to the media and let everyone know that Goodwill discriminates it's customers. At this point, I expect that they'll fire my wife, but I don't care. She's one of their best employees, so it will end up hurting the manager that did this even more. She's having trouble keeping people there as it is.
Besides the BBB and NY Attorney General's office, is there any other place I should file a complaint?

Scott

 

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[Mortamus]

The city attorney

 

[woodstock]

Not true and I wouldn't waste any time trying to make their practice change cause the BBB and NY Attorney General have bigger complaints and fish to fry . The Goodwill bans employees and the family from buying "sale ticket" items due to problems they've encountered in the past and new items on the floor have a 24 hour period that they have to sit before a employee or their family can buy it .... their rules , not mine .
It's their practice to not sell any item to a employee or family member items that just where placed on the floor due to those people getting their "best picks" before anyone else , I used to call these people as "scabby's" cause they reminded me of union replacements . It used to happen all the time at the Salvation Army where pickers from flea market would pay to see the items before they hit the floor . Most of those items are "re-sold" for a profit and even though it happens a lot the Goodwill isn't in the business of selling items for others profit but to sell items needed for customers daily use who can't afford new . And it's the managers call whom get's what and when and it's not discrimination . Know one said to you you can't buy it because of your race or age , that would be discrimination .
Your best bet is to take a friend (you do have friends) and have them buy those collectible albums and give the BBB a break . If my reply upsets you I apologize but that the way it is .... IMHO , Woodstock

 

[wvwildman]

waste of money on something your not gonna win

 

[srcdco]

I thank you for the input. However, it is a week, not 24 hours that I have to wait. As far as the friends thing, I said that and she said that if she caught me doing that I'd be banned from the store altogether.
I don't plan on spending money on this, just causing them a PR nightmare. I still think it's discrimination. The items are on the floor, it's not like I'm going in the back room and getting to them before the public does.

Scott

 

[wvwildman]

true it sucks but why get your wife fired people need there jobs these days unless you make good money she might cut you off for a few months

 

[Beans]

.
It's their practice to not sell any item to a employee or family member items that just where placed on the floor due to those people getting their "best picks" before anyone else , I used to call these people as "scabby's" cause they reminded me of union replacements .

That is a good policy, I use to see the GW employees put stuff in the managers office so they could buy it later. This kept people like me (retired with limited income) from getting something decent. Sounds like you tried the normal customer route and got burned. If they were on the rack you should have been able to buy them, it's not like your wife stashed them someplace for you find.

 

[srcdco]

Beans,
That is exactly my stance. My wife doesn't even work with media, she does the "housewares" (dishes, knick knacks, etc.), so she doesn't even know what comes in in media most of the time, nor when it gets pushed to the floor. By the time I get there, they've been on the floor for at least hours if not a day or so. I would not feel right trying to get stuff that never made it to the floor. That is wrong. Once it's on the floor, it should be fair game. That's why I'm pursuing this.

Scott

 

[spartacus53]

I worked for one of these places for a small stint and I never had a bad experience. Where I worked, once it hit the floor I was able to purchase it at the end of the day, or shift. I was like any other good paying customer. I spent the whole day in a section of testing electronics, re-boxing them, then setting them on shelves.

Then again, I love solving problems, so here you go

The only way around this for you is to go with an accomplice Bring a friend, point out what you want, and let them purchase it for you.

P.S. Buy them a coffee later too

 

[roygpa]

I second Spartacus53's idea.

 

[GibH]

You weren't discriminated against. Husband of employee is not a protected class.

I don't much care for Goodwill. Many of the items they sell here are priced at retail anyway. Their executives draw very comfortable salaries while paying some workers below minimum wage.

 

[Atlanta Mi Dave]

I agree with you. Regular old yard sales are better sources of good deals. I donate to Goodwill fairly often, some of the stuff I donate is good, some not so hot, but thats for others to decide.

You weren't discriminated against. Husband of employee is not a protected class.

I don't much care for Goodwill. Many of the items they sell here are priced at retail anyway. Their executives draw very comfortable salaries while paying some workers below minimum wage.

 

[stonehenge]

Ask a friend to get them for you.

I agree that it might suck, but I agree more that you should spend your time in a fight that you might win - and one that matters.

 

[jerseyben]

Although your story is quite frustrating, it is not discrimination. It is policy and I would venture to say that you jeopardized your wife's job with your actions. Just because you don't agree with the policy doesn't mean you can just do whatever you want.

Caveat: I am not a big fan of Goodwill so I am not defending them just to be a jerk to you.

 

[dejapooh]

You weren't discriminated against. Husband of employee is not a protected class.

He was discriminated against, but since he is not a protected class, there is nothing legally that he can do about it. Some discrimination is legal, some is not.

 

[srcdco]

Well, I did get a reply from the District Manager stating that the policy only applies to the employee, not family members. He said that he would use this as a coaching opportunity with his stores and that I can buy whatever I want whenever I want. I've printed the email and will have it with me for the next few visits. I did warn my wife that she may hear something about it at work today.
I do appreciate all of the discussion on this topic. It is interesting to see what others think.

Scott

 

[jerseyben]

I am impressed. Sometimes policies can be obscured because after they are written, it can be hard to disseminate the information to everyone to whom the policy applies. Sounds like in this case the company cleared it up in an acceptable manner. Glad to hear evewrything worked out!

 

[pat-tekker-cat]

Glad things worked out Scott.
if it was me, I woulda told them, I was taking my shopping cart, and 17 cats, and going to shop at Salvation Army store,
from now on!

 

[woodstock]

Again I disagree with a policy like that . When you become a employee of the Goodwill their rules a clearly stated and even if you don't like it they were put in place for a good reason . I became sick and tired of those who get a job their and took the best for themselves . If it was SO IMPORTANT and those albums where there for over a week (and they where or they wouldn't have been tagged " Clearance " you had plenty of time to but them at there regular price . It isn't discrimination but GOODWILL POLICY ... If you had a store and made rules you'd enforce them so why can't the Goodwill ? In fact , maybe now that you made a stink you'll have to buy them on their on-line store ! Don't rattle a cage until you know what's going to bite you . IMHO , Woodstock

That is a good policy, I use to see the GW employees put stuff in the managers office so they could buy it later. This kept people like me (retired with limited income) from getting something decent. Sounds like you tried the normal customer route and got burned. If they were on the rack you should have been able to buy them, it's not like your wife stashed them someplace for you find.

 

[woodstock]

I'm glad you got a better answer and mistakes in fully understanding the policy can happen . So what do you think of a thrift store owner of two stores coming in everyday and filling her cart with items to resell at twice the price at her store these stores were designed for those who can't afford new . So is it fine to take those items for those who need and sell them for twice the price at another second hand shop ... shouldn't this be another problem you need to report Just courious on that you think about this Or would this be fair game ? I sure your albums are for sale at the right price , aren't they ? HH , Woodstock

Beans,
That is exactly my stance. My wife doesn't even work with media, she does the "housewares" (dishes, knick knacks, etc.), so she doesn't even know what comes in in media most of the time, nor when it gets pushed to the floor. By the time I get there, they've been on the floor for at least hours if not a day or so. I would not feel right trying to get stuff that never made it to the floor. That is wrong. Once it's on the floor, it should be fair game. That's why I'm pursuing this.

Scott