Yesterday, I had to run to the pet store to buy a 40 lb bag of dog food for my dog, Bailey. I pick up a new bag every 3-4 months.
I don't know if I'm becoming more of a wimp or the 40 pound bag of food is getting heavier.
I grabbed my cart, rolled it to the back of the store, and there was the food that I buy, on the bottom shelf. It's always been on the bottom shelf. I don't know why. Maybe they could put it at waist level for me. Oh well,
I picked up the bag, like I always do, and shifted it over the side of my cart. Like I have always done. And I heard it...plink, plink, plink...uh oh, I thought, I grabbed a bag with a hole in it. Let me reposition it, so I went to shift the bag and then...plink, plink, plink, plunk, plunk....avalanche....OH NO!
Tiny little pieces of dog food were POURING ALL OVER THE FLOOR - Ugh!
My first thought was, 'how fast can I run the other way (LOL)?' 'How many people are looking?'
It seemed as if a million pieces of dog food were pouring all over the floor and rolling everywhere.
I have been buying the same dog food for 4 1/2 years and have put the food in the cart the same way every single time. Here I am standing in a mountain of dog food nearly up to my ankles and it was still coming out...AND NOT QUIETLY EITHER.
Why did I pick the 40 pound bag? I could have grabbed the 5 pound bag, instead.
I grabbed the gapping bag with it's jaws wide open, picked it up out of the cart, as it poured all over me and carefully (yeah, right) placed it on the floor. At least I could stop the avalanche, even though the bag was more than half empty.
I headed to the front of the store "I WASN'T ON AISLE 9, REALLY!" (kidding). As, I am almost run over by a stampede of drooling dogs racing to the back of the store, as they heard that there was an all you can eat free buffet in the back.
I grabbed the manager, sheepishly told him I broke open the bag of food. "Oh, don't worry about it, it happens all the time, in the mornings before the store opens." Ugh, I thought. He was so very kind.
"Here, let me get you another bag." He was so helpful too.
"Let me help you," I said. 'No, I've got it," he graciously said. He knew better than to let me anywhere near - he had already seen the magic that I could work.
I had other things to look for, found those items and went to check out. As I was leaving I found myself glancing back over my shoulder to see if that poor guy was still cleaning up.
Well, he was. I felt terrible.
I was glad that I hadn't brought my dog, Bailey with me, as that would have been fun keeping him out of a mountain of his favorite food. It would have been an early Christmas for him.
As I left the store, I wondered just how many thousand pieces of dog food are there in a 40 pound bag of food?
I bet that nice manager could have told me!
This article is authored by Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR.
South Brevard County, Florida Space Coast.
that for you
Thats a very funny story! Thank you for sharing that with us!
TOO funny...you have a way with words! What a great story..and what an adorable dog!!!
That was funny!! I did this once and it is very embarrassing. Except with my incident I had another customer actually fall when they slipped on the dog food. I was horrified!!!
Next time get someone to help you before you cause another scene. HAHAHA
Good story and also another good example of great customer service. When you spoke with the manager, there could have been alot of different negative responses but with his, you will never have any hesitation going back and will probably prefer it even more.
Great story. It is great that the manager helped you out, but an embarrassing situation none the less.
Nate Rowe Homes in Richmond VA
James, It's funny now to think back about it. But it was awful standing there watching those little pieces going everywhere! Thanks for stopping by!
Hey Susan, Funny to be able to look back and laugh at yourself. Thanks for the compliment on Bailey - he's a doll!
Skye, Oh my gosh that would have been terrible if someone had walked past and fell on it. On NO! I thought about if that happened. I hope they didn't get hurt - that's awful!
Hey Angelia, You know what, when I walked out of there, that's what I thought - that it was time to start asking for help -something very hard for me to do. When I came home and told my husband he said, 'what were you doing, trying to throw the bag over your shoulder?' (he was serious) Oh yeah, sure... 40 lbs of dog food over my shoulder, I would have been on the floor too - NOT just the food! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi David, Great point - the manager handled this awkward situation beautifully and you are correct in that I will not hesitate to go back for my next pet food purchase. Hard to find great customer service today! Thanks for your input!
Nate, The manager was great, the situation was embarassing! As Angelia mentioned, next time I need to ask for help to keep this from happening again!
Hi Sandy, Your story was just too funny. I know it wasn't at the time - but it is now! Thanks for sharing. I think Bailey is cute!
That is indeed funny....and embarrassing! But it could have happened to anyone!
Hi Sandy. Funny story. I suppose it could have been worse. The bag could have leaked slowly as you made your way to the checkout, and a group of dogs following you. LOL
Oh Mary,Mary, So true...it really was not funny at the time. Later yesterday I had to laugh about it. Bailey is my little sweetheart (all 80 pounds of him!)
Hi Barbara Jo and Bill, I bet that manager didn't think it was very funny. But, he was so incredibly gracious about it. I really appreciated that! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Rich, That sounds like a story right out of Hansel and Gretel, doesn't it?..the trail of bread crumbs they left behind them. As the manager of the store started cleaning up, there was a lady that asked if he minded if she walked through (the mess) with her dog. Now you want to talk about temptation for a dog! So she started through the mess slowly and each time her dog stuck his head down to grab a tasty morsel, she scolded the animal. She walked back and forth 4 times. And kept getting on her dog for grabbing the food. Now I don't know any dog around that wouldn't be tempted by 20 lbs of dog food laying on the floor - torture for that poor dog!
Oh Sandy, next time take Bailey and you won't have to buy 40 pounds, he can eat his fill in the store. Poor dog probably only gets to eat once a day. LOL
Hey Fred, I guess I never thought of it in that respect. I could have rolled Bailey out of there on a cart. My husband said I should have asked for the rest of the bag for a discount.
That would work Sandy. Damaged goods discount. :0D
Hey Fred, Yeah, I can see me carrying a 40lb bag of food out to my car, split open from end to end, leaving a Hansel and Gretel trail of kibbles behind me, like Rich Mielke said. No thank you. But, I'm sure my husband would have done it though.
Funny story Sandy I'm sure the experience was a little embarrassing. Good thing the manager was so understanding. Did you have to pay for the first bag of dog food?
Hey Justin, Funny now, yes. The manager was great! You mean the bag of dog food that wound up all over the floor of the pet store? - LOL . No, I was not asked to pay for the first bag of food. Now they probably have a "wanted" poster on the store front. - "Wanted - Sandy Shores - to stay outside!" Have a great weekend!
The next time see if they have your picture on a poster behind the service desk. I did that once with a bag-o-biscuits. Seemed like everytime I picked one up another would fall. Next time I was in the store I felt all eyes on me (or seemed to be).
Hi Jack, Don't you hate that? Makes you wonder if someone is standing in a back corner laughing their head off at you. Funny, then next time you go in, you become paranoid.
great story..only a a dog lover can truely appreciate it..
Hey Tara, I suppose that's why everyone I have told this story to thinks it is absolutely a crack up. Thanks for stopping by!
It would be nice if they sold 2 20lb. for the same price as one 40 lb. I seem to be getting weaker too with time.
Hi Gayle, That would be nice, wouldn't it? 2 20lb bags instead of one 40 lb bag? But, like you mentioned, they usually get you on the price, don't they? I just can't lift quite as much as I used to be able to.
Thanks for sharing your funny story. My parents winter in Florida, close to Melbourne I know there is a restaurant there that we like, but can't think of the name.
Hey Kathy, Your welcome for sharing my NOW funny story - wasn't real funny at the time! Hmmmm...what kind of restaurant is it? Let me know when you think of the name of it - so many around here. It's a great place to spend the winter - weather is beautiful here!