
Thien of New York, NY on Jan. 30, 2005
I was appalled the way I was treated at Duane Reade located at 405 Lexington Ave and 42nd St I was threaten both verbally and physically by the store manager named Eric and his assistant on January 22nd at about 3:15 p.m.
I entered the store to ask for a refund on the roll of film I purchased on December 31st from the store located at 1 Penn Plaza. The box was opened but was not used. The cashier walked away to the back to ask for store manger if I can return it. She came back with a replay that since it was opened and purchased last year I cannot return it. I can only exchange it. I asked if I can speak to the store manager since the receipt clearly states refunds require a receipt which I have. She pointed me to the back where his office was.
I went to his office and asked why I cannot get a refund since I have my receipt. He said he cannot because it was opened. I reasoned with him that no where in the receipt that states you cannot take it back on opened box item. We went back and forth on the reasoning. In the mist of it, he blurred out that I should watch my mouth since my voice was raised a bit, but in no way a shouting volume. I was offended.
I asked for his name and phone number of the corporate office to file my complaint. In the mist of him writing down the information, I took my phone out to take his picture to send along with my complaint. He went ballistic and threatens to call the police to come and arrest me. He tore the information he was about to give me to pieces. I started walking but his assistant grabbed my arm and held me hostage. Eric started to threaten me several times by saying that I was to get by ass whipping for taking his picture. He threatened to take me outside in the snow and cold to harm me. I was horrified and feared for me life.
Even after I apologized for taking his picture and deleted it, he was still threaten my life and his assistant was still holding me back against by will. After several more minutes of enduring his threat, he finally let me go without a refund.
I left the store fearful for my life. I thought he was going to hurt me and left me out in the cold.
No one should have been treated the way I was treated. Managers should have been trained properly to handle customer complaints instead of threatening peoples lives.
I have written a letter to the President at the corporate office about his incident. The address and phone numder there are:
Attn: Mr. Anthony Cuti, President
Duane Reade Inc.
440 Ninth Avenue
New York, NY 10001
(212) 273-5700