LOCAL BLIND COUPLE BANNED FROM NORTH RALEIGH Lowes Food GROCERY STORE AFTER ASKING FOR HELP WITH GROCERY SHOPPING 1/23/2010.

 

            Around 5:30 PM this Saturday evening Michael and Evelyn Evers, a local blind couple and their two guide dogs walked in to a Lowes Food Grocery store in the Millbrook Commons Shopping Center to buy a few perishable grocery items to take home for Sunday dinner.  The couple approached the customer service counter to ask for sighted assistance with getting their groceries because they could not find the items on their own.  When asking for help, the couple was told by Christina the store manager that they were under-staffed and would not be able to help them find the items they need.  Michael then asked to speak with her supervisor and Christina replied that her boss was on vacation.  She refused to verbally give the blind couple a telephone number they could write down to call and express their concerns.  She only gave them an old coupon for a buffet at some strange restaurant.  

            So Michael told the store manager that if they were going to refuse to help him and his wife with their grocery shopping, then he would take his business else ware and not shop there again.  The store manager then told the couple that they could call the Lowes Food to Go Delivery service and pay them to deliver their groceries.  He then informed the store manager that he and his wife did not believe that they should have to pay extra to have their groceries delivered to their home when he and his wife made the trip to the grocery store in the first place.  He finally went on to say that he would tell all of his closest friends and relatives not to shop there again.  Then the store manager replied by saying “that’s fine.” 

            As Michael, Evelyn and their guide dogs were making their way out of the store, they told a group of customers about there frustrations with Lowes Food customer Service refusing to help them and a few of the customers decided to leave the store as well.  Once the couple had made it outside of the store, they thought that would be the end of it. 

            After Michael pulled out his cell phone to telephone a cab to take them to another grocery store, the couple was greeted by two Raleigh police officers.  The police officers explained to the couple that there was a disturbance and that they were called out to investigate the incident.  The couple then explained their side to the Raleigh Police officers and the officers then told the couple that Lowes Foods were going to ban the blind couple, barring them from shopping at the Capitol Crossings Shopping Center location and all Lowes food locations for life.  The blind couple was told by the Raleigh police officers that they could be arrested for trespassing if they set foot on any of the Lowes Food Properties.  So the blind couple told the two Raleigh Police officers that they will never have to worry about them ever setting foot on any of the Lowes Food properties ever again. 

            Strangely enough, the blind couple had been shopping regularly at the same Lowes Food Location for over one year prior to getting their guide dogs.  It was only after getting their guide dogs that the blind couple has experienced problems with getting Lowes Food customer service staff to help them with getting their groceries.  Is this a case of discrimination or a case of poor customer service?  You decide.  Stand up and help protect the rights of the blind and all disabled consumers by expressing your dislike to the Lowes Food Corporation.  

 

Lowes Food of Raleigh2900 East Millbrook Road

Capitol Crossings Shopping Center          Store Hours: Mon-Sun: 7:00am-11 pm

Store Phone: (919) 873-0722

Manager Email: lfs192sm@lowesfoods.com

Directions: Take I-40 East to Hwy 1 North/64 East. Exit at Capital Blvd, turn left. Go approx. 5 miles. Store is located on the corner of Capital and Millbrook.

 

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Lowe's Food Stores, Inc.

ATTN: Customer Care Center

PO 24908

Winston-Salem, NC 27114-4908

 

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ATTN: Customer Care Center

PO 24908

Winston-Salem, NC 24908

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