In a small town like ours, the “grapevine intercom” is loud and clear — and means more than all the advertising of our big box stores!

I have been boycotting a certain store in our area from April 2023 to November 2024. For over 18 months I managed to not step foot in the place. I have bought all my birthday gifts at other fine stores in our area and our small, privately owned shops. At Christmastime, I did not give in.

You see, in April of 2023, a good Samaritan blessed me by surprising me by paying for my order with her own credit card! She is married to a fine businessman in the area and apparently, they believe in “giving back.” The next day, I tried to return one garment I had gotten for a larger size. I was treated like a criminal and the store associates threatened to keep the garment and not exchange it, although I brought the receipt showing I owned it. I was appalled. I stood there, pursed my lips and shook my head.

Hindsight is 20/20; I should have politely stepped aside and called the cops.

In November I had to break the boycott, as I needed a $3 necessity I could not find elsewhere in the area. But mind you, I never will shop there again.

A letter I wrote to the general manager didn’t even get acknowledged. Terrible service! I have never passed up the opportunity to let people know of my experience. Yes, we can demand service.