Safeway Fortune - Kamloops, British Columbia

Angie

I stopped by Safeway to grab something to drink at approximately 10 :45 pm last night July 8. I had been in earlier that day to purchase a couple groceries but was unable to complete the transaction due to a presumable card failure. 2 staff members and myself tried multiple debit machines which would not allow me to get as far as entering my 4 digit security pin. I was using my Koho debit Mastercard...not sure if there is significance in mentioning that. suffice it to say I left behind my 3 or 4 items and said I'd be back once I figured out the issue with my card. so upon my return later that evening I had the security person approach me, ask me what I wanted and was told she would escort me; which I found rather offensive and odd. I have never had that kind of experience when I entered a grocery store. I figured it was due to the quickly approaching closing time. About 50 steps in I notice she was walking behind me...too close for comfort. it was unnerving and awkward to say the least. She had her cell in her hand and seemed to be talking to someone. When Igot to my destination in the dairy section I decided to ask if it was normal behaviour to treat customers in such a suspicious way. she smirked at me spoke a few words into her phone. I repeatedly asked her why she was behaving that way towards me and that it was not ok, nor within the perimeters of any professional conduct I've seen other more seasoned security officials display pertaining to their discretion and or reasonable grounds to believe that unfair and poor accusatory comments and facial expressions hould never cosign misconduct and and the blatant disregard for another persons dignity and human rights in general. At this point she turned her phone toward me and told me she was calling the police. She began to video and audio record our interaction. Holding her cell phone in my face not respecting anyone my personal boundaries. she was plain disrespectful and aggressive in her attitude. I asked multiple times what the issue was and she just followed me around with her camera in my face with a very disturbing almost allarming presence. At no time did she suggest what her position was in regards to the situation. At this time she continued to reiterate that she knew what I had done earlier that day. With a big belittling condescending smirk. I still have no understanding of why and what possibly lead her to think it was justifiable to demean accuse and humiliate a coming for me because she knows what I did. I was embarrassed and offended. she never offered me any reasonable answer as to why she felt it was her duty and privelege to abuse her authority in that manner. I've never been so offended in all my life. I was literally shocked. It was most definitely a disturbing experience and that detracts away from those employees who go above and beyond daily to ensure customer satisfaction is paramount to their consumer/business reputation within a community. The actions taken were deplorable. I never at any time gave her my permission to video me in any way shape or form. Her unwarranted actions were deplorable in nature and I'm hoping senior staff read this review and take swift action to address my concern moving forward. I will also be headed back to speak with the day time manager within the hour to promptly put a stop to this violation of my human rights and personal space. Very concerning and disappointing. Upon further investigation I learned this is a regular occurrence perpetrated by this same said individual. I hope this is taken seriously. The manager I spoke with last night was more concerned about closing the store rather than maintaining open and effective communication and utilizing any conflict resolution skills. Needless to say I wasted valuable time dealing with this person and the the time I sat sitting in the parking lot waiting for the police to arrive so I could give my account of events and at the very least defend myself. They never arrived. That just added more insult to injury.

Lagita P.

People are very friendly in Kamloops I think even friendlier than Kelowna. The Safeway verges are very fresh. Food at the Hackett n the frozen seems hv lots of selection. I love Safeway. And I can test in Starbuck after tired of shopping. Convenient. Good luck

bwide556

It's is unfortunate that I bring my review of this store to a two star score, but there is a fair reason why.

First, for some of the staff that I have seen and dealt with are very kind hearted people who work hard and have always treated me with respect. My thanks to you all involved!

Second and mainly, from my observation, the female security guard in the store seems to be lacking any skills in actually identifying and stopping theft, and wrongfully profiling first nations people by following them without just cause. I have watched as the guard in question would NOT follow an actual person who was committing the full steps of theft (which btw is lawfully binding to observe in cases of making a stop on someone), but instead would follow two regular customers that were shopping after their work day. As a matter of fact, I have observed this multiple times and she probably had more money leaving the store from actual theft than she did recovering items/deterring theft. Just because someone/people in general may look scetchy doesn't mean they're going to steal. My set of advice for this individual/business if they intend to have and keep any good faith of their customers/clients are the following: professionalize/improve your knowledge of theft and mischief (know the behaviors/characteristics of shoplifting, steps of making a stop on someone who committed the full scale of the offence), broaden knowledge of criminal code of theft and mischief and understanding of how to deal with the legal system, and have professional and effective communication (relationships) with customers. I used to be in the loss prevention industry and sometimes respect went a long way, even for the repeated offenders that I have dealt with.

My concern for this situation is if it is not dealt with properly and the security/business doesn't get the right training and tools they need to actually catch theft and deter it, this will cause nasty consequences to all involved. Thank you!

Harold L.

Twice no I have had to return food that was bad. Roast beef from the deli was slimy, the took it back it even looked rotten. And the other time grabbed sushi and and took a bite without looking and it was past its due date and slimy. Been very disappointed this year.

Jay

The shopping experience is overall good but with the female sercurity guard it makes me and a lot of other people super uncomfortable, I’ve had uncomfortable experiences with her before and just unnecessary experiences, me and my gf were going into the store and forgot to put our bag at the front she comes up to us and tells us in a very rude way to put our bag up front I said nicely that I would but she should talk to her customers nicer, she said she didn’t care and pulled out her phone and started recording us and laughing at us we put the bag at the front and asked to speak to her manager she said he wouldn’t do anything but when we talked to him he was on our side about the whole thing, she needs to be fired being a sercurity guard is meaning to actually do your job and not go for everyone because you want to even people who don’t look like their gonna steal she still follows them around the store honestly this is unacceptable of someone to do in a work place, recording, laughing, and just being rude in general is not okay

Lonnie B.

The security woman needs to stop following people around the store. Worst shopping experience ever. Next time I will ask her if she wants to shop for me. Ignorant and unprofessional. She did it again. I'm going after her badge next time. I called the manager he told me to get in touch with her company real good move next I'm getting in touch with CFJC

Marcus A.

my usual place, I like the deals and points even if their standard prices aren't the cheapest. I wish it still closed later, I hate shopping with lots of people around. still quieter than Walmart at least.

C A.

I went to the deli for chicken strips and onion rings, I was told firmly and loudly to pay now, I said I was still shopping she said you have to pay now, I said ok ,paid and continued to shop the deli as I was shopping the deli I noticed the same lady give other shoppers their food with a smile and let them go without forcing them to pay immediately, I am not white so what does that say for the Safeway Fortune store , this happened on Mar 8th around 2-3pm , this was not a good experience from this woman at all