I hear you, but there is a 'Captive Audience' factor I've not seen discussed so far. Captive in as much as some of these stores deep-in-the-hood are incredibly rude; especially to those who they KNOW have no other choice but to patronize them [[the just and well 'er the unjust)! This mostly due to inability to drive or otherwise find transpo to get out to better stores and merchants with reasonable services where they can be found.
Case in point: I was at a fairly large grocer on Davison between Linwood and Dexter and I needed to talk to the manager about a price discrepancy -- denied by the cashier -- my first line of attempt to resolution. Cursing and 'going off' is not my default position, yet the manager really talked down to me, harshly questioning my gall to even challenge what I pointed out as simple check-out error... I remained calm which seemed to throw him off his poised-for-drama presentation. From this I demanded my money back for the 'entire' cart of food, reminding him that I was not 'captive' to his store -- surprisingly he refunding my order fast!
I got out of there and drove elsewhere... for my purchase. His store bouncer could do nothing more than 'shrug' embarrassed as I never raised my voice. Just to get the last word, and argue the owner lost a sale and a customer for good. Bye!
Now imagine an elder, or people living nearby, who cannot go elsewhere. They can be talked to any kind of way with impunity... this is a factor in the whole issue of respect and common courtesy that is far too uncommon with some merchants who make their living within the city.
Perhaps that is why we don't just stop going to the store. Fewer options!
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