Amir sent a message to W. Craig Jelinek – President and Chief Executive Officer of Costco Wholesale Corporation email address that said:
Dear Craig,
I went to shopping at Danville, CA Costco this afternoon. As usual my Costco experience was excellent. Got what I needed and was greeted at the register and everything was fine. When the clerk "Antonio" at the register number 13 finish scanning my items and I paid with my Visa his receipt roller ran out of the paper and he couldn't print out the receipt. He said if you are not looking to return anything, I'll send another clerk with you at the door so you can get out. As you know they check receipts at the door. I said I don't mind. So I start walking to the door with the clerk. The guy at the door who was checking the receipts "Arlie" (I am not sure I am spelling his name right) asks for receipt and I said I don't have one. I said clerk ran out of the paper but here is the clerk who also helped us checking out. Clerk said that the roller ran out of the paper but this customer has paid for everything. He didn't care to listen to anyone. He shouted and yelled at me "move your cart on the side and get out of the store". I started to say something and he yelled again, "listen to me, it is your job to print the receipt, leave the cart and get out the store immediately". I said you have no right to yell at me. Call your manager and get the receipt printed again. He got very angry and start saying that "what do you think you are, who the *^% you are. Manager Drew finally came over and said he will get my receipt printed in just a minute. Which he did. This guy insulted me in front of at least 50 customers and other employees. He was so angry that I feared for my life. I thought he was going to hurt me. He constantly started to stare at me and was moving his lips in a very mean looking way. He continued to give me the dirty looks for the time I was standing there waiting for the receipt. I never felt this insulted in my life. I feel horrible. This guy tore me apart. Now, I am home and reflecting on the situation and I get chills. I don't think I'll able to shop at that location anymore. I ask another Costco employee that why this guy treated me so badly, his response was "because you are brown". I was shocked and my brain froze. I am in shock. I am brown, I am east Indian by birth but I am a proud American. I've been living here for over 25 years and very proud of being an American. Judging someone and insulting a valued customer based on the color of their skin is not a value that Costco should hold. I truly hope that you and your management will take time to re-train these employees on how to treat ALL customers, with respect and dignity regardless of the color of their skin.
Very disappointed customer
Amir
