Posted by crackinsack (anonymous) on October 10, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"I don’t always feel like walking"... Perhaps you should hire a personal shopper or maybe purchase an electric wheel chair.(some stores have electric carts for your type) If you say "I can't afford it", maybe you shouldn't be out shopping in the first place. You seem to be the type that wants everything handed to them. My question is how have you contributed to the community and what have you done to feel you deserve to be waited on hand and foot? I don't think you're the type of citizen we want here anyway. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. On second thought...

Posted by notasheeple (anonymous) on October 10, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What?

crackinsack.. "some stores have electric carts for your type"
I resent the way you type that!

Posted by create (anonymous) on October 10, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Crackinsack, what the hell kind of jerk response was that!!! Who do you think you are???!!! Waited on hand and foot? That is not at all what the lady wanted. She wants some independence and she wants a little bit of help. I myself must ask for more help than most people because my own back is messed up. But for someone like you to say what you did is unbelievable and crass!

The more I see of your posts, crack, the more I disregard them. I wish I had disregarded this one.

Posted by crackinsack (anonymous) on October 10, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I’m not trying to be insensitive. All I'm saying is that this person seems to complain a lot. What do they expect?...That the store employees should come to their car window and take their order?
Like I said, the author can have independence (with electric cart), but to expect the store's employees to carry him/her around is ludicrous. What if everyone had this attitude? "I don't want to walk to aisle 3 because my toe hurts...go get it for me!" The stores wouldn't have enough money to pay all the personal servants required for all the customers.
If you are truly disabled, I understand that you are presented with more challenges than a non-disabled person. Just don’t complain so much when you don’t get everything on a silver platter. Also, did the author tell the employee that he/she wasn’t able to walk? If not, how would the employee know that you needed so much help?

Sorry, notasheeple. I used "type" as in the type needing help getting around...not used in a condescending way. Just a categorical way of including elderly, obese, disabled, etc into one bunch without having to spell it all out.

Posted by USNretired (anonymous) on October 10, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

How long has she had Texas plates and lived in Emporia? I see a lot of out of state plates here considering I believe only military and certain students are exempt from getting local plates. On another note, she has as much right to express her opinions as anyone else, and hers don't seem as idiotic as some I have been reading on this site recently.

Posted by notasheeple (anonymous) on October 10, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A lot of times on the internet it is hard to expect others to know what type, of type one is referring to, though an explanation was needed for that one.

But in this instance Frances said “Do they care or even get up off their tall stools to help?”
This is what I’m thanking your referring to?

First.. The employee should have seen the customer coming up to the counter (if there head wasn’t down) and noticed that the customer had a walking cane or a limp. (just assumptions with both hips being replaced and with back surgery on top of that)
Second.. Is the employee allowed to leave the counter?
Third.. If not allowed to leave the counter.. Said employee should have called for assistance for the customer.

So I’m assuming that the employee is at fault and there is all rights to b***h about this particular instance.

Posted by paulkersey (anonymous) on October 10, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Is it just me, or does this piece not make a lick of sense?

"The “good ole boys of Emporia” don’t want new businesses or people moving in their precious little town."

then 2 lines down

"A park or a new housing development! Who needs it? Who can afford it?"

Then this person states "Frankly, I’m tired of shopping in dark, dirty places" The businesses in Emporia I have been to are well lit, and very clean. I would like to know which ones Frances is talking about.

My guess is this person won't be happy anywhere they go, and no place will be good enough. We in Emporia are ever so fortunate that this person crash landed in our back yard.

"Get Out” you say. Soon as I can save enough money." Are you accepting donations? Don't let the door hit you on your way out.

Posted by hogan77 (anonymous) on October 11, 2008 at 3:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have to admit, I am confused by the rambling that went on in this letter. The author jumped from one thing to another, and each one very literally didn't have much in common with the next.

I do have to say though, no matter how this was written, that obviously this citizen has troubles getting around. And, I can fully understand that she is angry that more people are not helping out like they probably could. I may be wrong, but from the sounds of it, she sounds like she could be elderly. Now, I understand, in many stores, employees are incredibly busy. With bosses hovering to get this done or that done, they do not always have the time to do extra work. However, assisting someone who obviously cannot get around all too well should be included in what they do on a day to day basis. To crackinsack: Not all businesses have motorized carts. And you are a jerk for treating this person like crap because she has troubles moving. Point I am trying to make: not everyone is asking for a handout. Sometimes, as it sounds in this case, a little friendly assistance was all she was asking. It USED to be, back when I worked at your "lovely" Wal-Mart, that when asked to help someone out, we obliged. If it was showing someone where something was, or helping them with their shopping (requesting a motorized cart for those who needed it- they are NOT always in clear view), helping a lost child find her mommy, or even reaching something for someone too short... it was our JOB, it was actually a requirement that we helped the customer. Simple fact is, you tick off the customers, they will stop coming to the store, will stop spending money there, etc... you get the picture.

Posted by hogan77 (anonymous) on October 11, 2008 at 3:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Continued....

As far as her complaints on the other things... for an outsider, someone who obviously is not from the area, she is seeing Emporia fall apart in ways that locals aren't realizing. As an outsider myself, I see the once lovely town falling into disrepair. I see people complaining that they need new jobs, but when some come in, they have to complain even more because it isn't what they wanted. It is time for you all to get your heads out of your rear ends and realize that change, when it does come your way, should be accepted with open arms. Jobs are NOT plentiful, and if a company wants to come in and bring with them 50+ jobs in their store, LET THEM! It is the only way that Emporia will truly grow back into the town it has known to be in the past. With Tyson being non existent, Lord knows you need all the help you can get. And what is wrong with updated parks or more housing? Fact of the matter is, you are not only a college town, but you are a family oriented town as well. Housing will provide more room for families to be, without college kids taking it all over. A nice park will bring more people into Emporia, providing fuel to ease your financial burdens. They will begin to shop in your stores, bringing much needed revenue, and making jobs more necessary.

Perhaps this person is just an unhappy citizen. In that case, try to be nice enough to say, sorry this town isn't for you, we wish you well wherever you decide to go. Stop being jerks already and grow up.

Posted by justthefacts (anonymous) on October 11, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would suggest this is an opportunity for local businesses to take heed. Sometimes folks get comfortable without any competition. The reality is a community is made up of many different people. Not all of them are as articulate as others. This one took the opportunity to try to express an opinion and look what happened. What kind of openess and welcoming is that? How many nights are downtown businesses open after 5PM? How many provide handicap access, I mean real access and assistance? Convenience and service will develop loyality and customer service, even when the price is a bit high. But ignoring new customers when they walk in or showing a bias toward their skin color or social status (all of which I have witnessed and in some cases, experienced) is not a good way to recruit new customers and new residents to this community. We all can't be the same and that's good, our diversity and uniqueness is what makes us stronger and better.

The reason big box stores succeed is because most people get the same cold and impersonal service there at a lower cost as they would at a "local" business. People vote with their pocket book. Most people won't complain, they just go someplace else. It it's very clear based on the Buxton sudy that most Emporians go someplace else. I've experienced the same frustrations at Sutherlands and other local stores here. I've even tried to complain. I've been either ignored, told it was "the best we can do" or told in one case that if I didn't like it, I could go someplace else.

I have and that is why I now travel to Topeka and Wichita for my dry goods and hardware supplies.

Posted by slipandslide (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

price chopper has been a good store to shop at, they are friendly and i ve seen the employees helping elderly customers get the electric cart or find groceries. the cashiers are happy with their jobs and it shows.

Posted by paulkersey (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

slipandslide,

I have seen the Employees at both Reebles, Dillon's, Wal-Mart, Graves, Sutherlands, and most other stores in town do the same thing. My guess is there are two very different sides to this unfriendly employee story, and we are only getting one. I wonder exactly how friendly the author was to the employee....