Joining Hands

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CLOSED NOW - Opens at 10:00am

Having moved to Carmel in 1989, after being honorably discharged from the US Air Force after 8 years of service, I have been to this store many times in the past since it was opened. I work in a very respectable administrative position where integrity is paramount and although I make a good salary, I make regular rounds of The thrift shops in this area, mainly the Yellow Brick Road and the SPCA thrift shop which are both great, friendly staff and very helpful. On this morning however, after visiting the YBR and SPCA, I stopped in to Joining Hands. They had a sign outside that read 50% off everything in the store. While inside, a woman walked around and let everyone know about the sale. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, picked up a couple of things and went to the register. When I got there the cashier told me that one of the items I had picked up had 2 tags and he would have to speak to the manager because the white tag read $25.00 and the yellow tag read $5.00. I said that was fine. He came back seconds later and said the manager was eating her lunch in the back room and would be out in a minute. A few minutes past and a woman came from another room, not the back, and walked to the register. The cashier proceeded to explain the two tags and wanted direction on what to do. The woman looked at me and looked at the tags and said "the price is $25.00. "The yellow tag was wrong and that if I wanted it for 50% off $25.00 I could have it, alright?" I told her that was not alright, the tag said $5.00 and that I expected the merchandise to be sold for the price on the tag, a policy that any store would honor . The cashier said "we should just give it to her for the $5.00." The woman began to tell me that " she has been in retail for 30 years and sometimes customers put different tags on merchandise" I was embarrassed by this and shocked as there were other customers shopping nearby who could not help but overhear her. I told her I hoped she was not insinuating that I had done this? She made a face and said, "well I've done everything I can to accommodate you" and went into the back room. The manager never came out. The poor cashier and everyone else in the store stopped talking and stood completely still for what seemed like an eternity. I told the cashier softly that I would just like to pay for the other two items I had and go. We were both shaking. He quickly rang me up, did the transaction and I left the store, humiliated and hoping no one I knew had witnessed this. This was the most degrading experience I have ever had while shopping. I go to thrift shops to support local charities, recycle and find items that are still usable rather than by new. And this is run by an Interfaith group. I don't know the woman's name but it is obvious why she is no longer in retail. The Cashier has my condolences. As for me, I won't be supporting their charity work anymore.