Marshalls

I drove back to Marshalls and the manager told me no wallet was found, so I asked to review the store Surveillance. She told me that there were no lost prevention associate working on that day. I told the manager that I were going to notify the police to make a report about the incident. Meanwhile I was standing there talking to the manager when the same employee whom I suspected of taking my wallet shift ended. She came to the manager with a plastic bag and said to the manager, "Check my bag. I’m leaving," but her handbag was never checked by the manager. That didn’t sit well with me.

The police officer showed up. I explained what happened to the officer who then went into the store to see if lost prevention can review the cameras only for the manager on duty to tell the officer that the cameras have been down for three weeks. She should’ve just told me the truth, but I believe she told the officer that lie because she knew that old lady stole my wallet and it’s a bad look on the company if the police found out it’s one of Marshalls store associates. My Fourth of July was ruined by this incident.

When I shop for something particular, I buy the top, the jeans, the shoes, and of course, the purse and appropriate fragrance. I'm a very picky/particular woman and when I am going to a family function, or ANYWHERE for that matter, I always look my best. Marshalls carries Michael Kors, which is one of my favorite brands/designers, as well as Betsey Johnson. The prices are really reasonable, and I only use Betsey Johnson wallets. I'm only pointing this out because I am reiterating the fact that I'm a very particular/picky woman and shopper. I don't go out much, because I suffer from Severe Anxiety Disorder as well as OCD. So, when I shop, I get exactly what I want, and I take my time picking everything out.

I was in the women's clothing section looking through all the various tops as I had found several pairs of jeans that I wanted which were in my cart and the last thing I needed to find was that perfect top. I felt really awkward trying to put the clothing up to my body because, one, they have no dressing rooms, and two, I was afraid to even ASK for assistance because these "sales associates" were extremely UNAPPROACHABLE. The security guard would not take his eyes off of me. I didn't know if he was being creepy or looking to see if I was going to steal something, but I could literally FEEL him staring at me, which doesn't agree with my severe anxiety.

I was sweating profusely, and my stomach was totally nauseated. I've never stolen anything in my life. I've never stolen from them, obviously, and I never would!! I had my purse in plain view in the front of the cart and I wasn't acting suspicious or anything. I was just very very aware of every single eye in the store on me. As uncomfortable as I was, I was going to finish my shopping. I took my compact out of my purse and began to put some powder on my nose and look at my makeup to see if maybe I looked bad, or my mascara was running..something to show me why they were all watching me so intently. I'm very obsessive about making sure that everything is perfect and matches, which is why I take so long in stores. I like to shop, I love looking at EVERYTHING. I start from the front and I make my way all the way through the store.. that's what I DO! I can spend up to four hours inside of Walmart.

I was aware that I had been in the store for about an hour and a half, there were certain customers in there when I came in and were there longer than I was, and we're still there but nobody was looking at them. Mind you, this is a 90% Hispanic area and me being **, I felt as though I was being profiled from the second I walked in, because this is not the first time I have been treated like absolute garbage in that store. They have treated my husband and I unfairly and disrespectfully. They've treated my friends like criminals/shoplifters as well.

I have worked in retail, loss prevention, customer service, human resources, and I've actually trained employees, so I know that this kind of behavior towards customers is completely unacceptable in this kind of retail environment. Something must be done about this IMMEDIATELY because this behavior is a representation of ALL TJX Companies!! I really believe that these people need a human resources 101 training class and they need to realize that they are in customer service and if they don't like dealing with people than they probably shouldn't. They act as though they haven't received ANY kind of training WHATSOEVER. I was mortified at what happened next.

The store manager approached me and said, "Ma'am you can't do that here." I looked at him in disbelief. "I can't do what here?" I asked. He said, "Whatever it is that you're doing, you just can't do it." The security guard was approaching us like there was going to be a situation. I weigh one hundred pounds, the store manager is a grown man...what situation could he possibly need to attend to?! So I asked him, "I'm not allowed to fix my makeup as I look for an outfit?" He answered me, "No, you can't." I said, "Excuse me? This is a free country and I can do whatever I want in this store. I'm a customer and I spend a lot of money in here. I've never stolen from here or stolen anything from anywhere." He then replied, "It's not about freedom. It's about perception, and you've been in the store for almost two hours and your cart is full, so it looks bad. I'm going to have to call the police if you don't leave."

I was shocked at this absurd accusation!!! I told him, "So your perception of me is that because I'm ** and have tattoos and because I've been in here for a whole two hours, that I'm stealing? Wow.." Needless to say, I was embarrassed, upset, angry and confused.. Who in their right mind, as a store manager, thinks it's okay to treat customers like that??? I'm going to complain through every avenue that I possibly can everyday until something happens. I'm going to make sure that I file complaints to everybody under this corporate umbrella, post reviews and tell anybody who will listen. Already emailed the OC Register, and I'm going to post on Yelp, Foursquare, etc. Jennifer **

Anyway, I have spoken to many friends and family about this situation and they have all advised me to contact Marshalls. Or a consumer agency because of how the mouse situation was handled afterwards. I saw the guy that took away the box come back with the other foot. I spoke to him about being scared to try the size 9 shoe that was also in a box. In talking to him, I could see the boot he had taken away still had some of the brownish white residue on it still from the mouse. He put it back on the shelf and that is what bothers me. I would think they would damage it out or use some sort of cleaner to clean a boot. It didn't look like the boot was cleaned in any way and it was put out for someone else to buy as is. I think that is gross and unsanitary. Now, I will think twice before buying shoes from Marshalls and especially shoes in a box. I tried contacting Marshalls through their web page and I keep getting an error message and gave up.