I recently decided to revamp our current dresser in the guest room instead of buying a new one. The goal is to sand it, paint it black, and replace the hardware. Not too bad for my second DIY project!

And so I ventured out to find the tools and materials I need to bring a new look to this old dresser. After finding the paint and paint brushes I needed at Wal-Mart, I headed to Lowes in search of the hardware to update the existing knobs and pulls. Unfortunately, the hardware on this dresser is old and is not standard size, ie additional searching to find something that will work.

And so when I could not find the size of pull that I needed for the drawers by myself, I went up to the clerk to ask for help. I explained my situation and asked if there were any additional sizes. Now it seems to me that this would be a pretty common scenario. One that the sales clerk should be accustomed to. And yet, when I asked him for help he replied “Did you look at the items we have?” To which I replied, “Yes but I could not find the size that I am looking for.” And then this lovely sales clerk replied with the most helpful answer he could have, “Well if you don’t see it we don’t have it. Drill a new hole.” WOW! I could not believe that this was really happening.

As a young woman, it could be possible that I just didn’t know what I was looking for. And yet, he could not even take a moment to help me make sure that my solution was not available. And although you may be thinking that this response was not that bad…it gets worse. As I am standing there trying to find the solution in the items I already looked at before asking him, just to make sure it wasn’ there, he came and stood next to me to restock a certain pull. And he still did not acknowlege me or ask if I needed help. I was furious. Turns out that after searching for 2o minutes I did find the size, but I was so upset that I decided to go home and order it online from another store.

After leaving Lowes, I was not happy. I called my boyfriend and then my mom to discuss what had just happened. I then went to Publix with a huge chip on my shoulder after feeling that I had just experienced the worst customer service in my life. I was still upset about the encounter when I arrived at the check-out line. And then a funny thing happened. I experienced customer service at its finest. The bagger helped me unload my cart onto the conveyor belt and then offered to help me take my groceries to my car. Now, I must point out that this was not uncommon behavior from Publix staff. In fact, it happens everytime someone checks out. But at that moment, it was enough to make me forget about my previous encounter and go home happy. This customer service pick-me-up was all I needed. And so even though the entire ordeal was not that monumental or even uncommon, if you need a little customer service pick-me-up, might I suggest Publix?