mark handler
SAWHORSE
Retailer apologizes after ignoring disabled customer's parking spot complaint
By Dennis Rockstroh
drockstroh@mercurynews.commercurynews.com
Posted: 05/04/2012 12:00:00 AM PDT
Q The Orchard Supply store on West San Carlos has been expanding their nursery department into their parking lot.
What started out as a few parking spaces has mushroomed into a much larger expansion.
And while ordinarily I would not complain about the expansion, it is now taking over several handicap parking spaces. Not only were they putting their merchandise in the handicap spaces, but they also were putting it in the areas adjacent, which were painted with the stripes making it part of the handicap spaces. This made it not only hard to find an open handicap spot but also to be able to gain access to it.
What is more appalling is that I complained to the customer service desk, and he took one look out the window and then just blew me off without so much as an apology while looking at me with my crutches.
Needless to say, nothing was done to remedy the problem. As I passed there this morning it looks like they have kept everything up from the weekend.
California law says that it is unlawful for any person to obstruct, block or otherwise bar access to those parking spaces.
Perhaps a mention in your column might get their attention and remind Orchard Supply of their responsibilities so that they might live up to their mission statement about providing the best customer service and taking care of the customer instead of only taking care of those who are not handicapped or disabled.
class="lettername">Brian Ward
San Jose
I contacted Orchard Supply for you, Brian, and a representative said the store has opened up the disabled spaces.
Marketing Director Rick Saunders responded by email: "We apologize that the handicap spaces were not all available at the San Carlos Street store.
"This situation was a mistake on our part and was corrected.
"These spaces were temporarily holding merchandise that was being moved, and this should not have occurred.
"The policy that all handicap spaces as well as access to them (should not be obstructed) has been reinforced to all stores.
"As an additional follow-up, we are finalizing best practices for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) parking and parking lot safety for all stores that will be implemented very soon."
Contact Action Line at actionline@mercurynews.com, 408-920-5796, www.facebook.com/BayAreaNewsGroup.ActionLine or http://twitter.com/Action_Line.
http://www.mercurynews.com/act...sabled-customer-over
By Dennis Rockstroh
drockstroh@mercurynews.commercurynews.com
Posted: 05/04/2012 12:00:00 AM PDT
Q The Orchard Supply store on West San Carlos has been expanding their nursery department into their parking lot.
What started out as a few parking spaces has mushroomed into a much larger expansion.
And while ordinarily I would not complain about the expansion, it is now taking over several handicap parking spaces. Not only were they putting their merchandise in the handicap spaces, but they also were putting it in the areas adjacent, which were painted with the stripes making it part of the handicap spaces. This made it not only hard to find an open handicap spot but also to be able to gain access to it.
What is more appalling is that I complained to the customer service desk, and he took one look out the window and then just blew me off without so much as an apology while looking at me with my crutches.
Needless to say, nothing was done to remedy the problem. As I passed there this morning it looks like they have kept everything up from the weekend.
California law says that it is unlawful for any person to obstruct, block or otherwise bar access to those parking spaces.
Perhaps a mention in your column might get their attention and remind Orchard Supply of their responsibilities so that they might live up to their mission statement about providing the best customer service and taking care of the customer instead of only taking care of those who are not handicapped or disabled.
class="lettername">Brian Ward
San Jose
I contacted Orchard Supply for you, Brian, and a representative said the store has opened up the disabled spaces.
Marketing Director Rick Saunders responded by email: "We apologize that the handicap spaces were not all available at the San Carlos Street store.
"This situation was a mistake on our part and was corrected.
"These spaces were temporarily holding merchandise that was being moved, and this should not have occurred.
"The policy that all handicap spaces as well as access to them (should not be obstructed) has been reinforced to all stores.
"As an additional follow-up, we are finalizing best practices for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) parking and parking lot safety for all stores that will be implemented very soon."
Contact Action Line at actionline@mercurynews.com, 408-920-5796, www.facebook.com/BayAreaNewsGroup.ActionLine or http://twitter.com/Action_Line.
http://www.mercurynews.com/act...sabled-customer-over