[Pairadocs]

Trying to purchase a new refrigerator, no hurry so visiting all options. Went to Lowe's a second time as I'd made a decision. It was after dinner, about 6, and they were very busy in the appliances. Only 2 employees so we all needed patience. Not long after I arrived, one of the 2 employees closed up their desk area for the night and left. The one employee left was, in my mind, doing a great job, helping her customer, running to computer to print off the information on various items the couple wanted, and thanking the considerable line of us who were waiting to make a purchase. She glanced over at me and pointed to a seat in a kitchen display, told me one more and I'd be next. I replied "you can only do so much so fast, I'm fine" as I walked over to the the seat she indicated. I watched as she finished with the last person before me. As she gave them all their receipts and went over the delivery details, she glanced over at me and again apologized, held up a finger, and said "I will be RIGHT BACK". I assumed she had to go to the restroom or up to the front. I sat patiently and realized it was only 12 min.until closing and I might as well go home as there would not be time to write up the purchase and make the delivery arrangements, etc. As I stood up and was right at the edge of the appliance area, a woman came up and asked if I needed help as they were about to close. She had a heavy accent but I understood her to say she is the assistant manager. I told her "thank you, but I am waiting for _____, I've been working with her twice now and she ask me to have a seat and she'd be right back".
The woman kind of stared at me, saying in her thick accent, noooooo, noooo, ______ went HOME, she is not coming back, she was OVER her hours ! ????? She then insisted on helping me with my purchase (4 min. to close) and I declined and thanked her one more time.... and left. All the way home I kept wondering...this kind of thing seems all too common these days. Is it just that it's so difficult to find people to work in any kind of business, that there seems to be so many rude people, some places they seem angry, some just seem to have no "people/customer awareness at all. Didn't leave angry, but certainly perplexed and frustrated ! ! Today I went to HD to see if I could buy the one I had chosen at Lowe's. Not a great experience there either. Many customers, many questions, many people trying to make multiple purchases for new homes and trying to coordinate all.... I had a 1 p.m. appointment so had to leave. I had arrived at 11:20. Maybe I'll try the "Covid way"....LOL... order refrigerator on the internet... LOL !