Who has the most influence on a company’s business results? Of course, the CEO, the board members, the decision makers… it’s all true, and a mistake at this level of management can be very costly. But people often underestimate the negative impact that individual frontline workers can have.
Just imagine – a company has a great brand, it provides consumers with an excellent product or service, all business processes are perfectly streamlined… but the dismissive behavior of an ordinary employee towards consumers can completely ruin the brand image, and even scare away loyal customers.
A similar story was recently told by a redditor in the AITA community, and the original post got about 10.9K upvotes and 1.1K different comments. This tale is about how the inappropriate behavior of just one employee cost the company an old client.
More info: Reddit
The Original poster came to a vet clinic with her cat for a regular check-up
Image source: shelbymaryr7
So, the Original Poster had an insurance contract for her cat with a veterinary clinic. The contract also included a regular check-up every 6 months, and everything was fine until the OP with her pet came for another check-up scheduled for 12 p.m.
Image source: aita_banfield
The nurse came out of the office and told the girl at the front desk that all the doctors had gone on their lunch break
In the reception area, besides OP and her cat, there was also another visitor, as well as a girl at the front desk. At one point, a nurse came out of the office and addressed the girl at the front desk: “Hey, just a heads up, everybody went on their lunch break, just so you know…”
Image source: aita_banfield
The OP was concerned about this, but the nurse replied to her rudely saying the conversation did not concern her
The OP approached the nurse, asking if she should come later, to which she coldly replied: “This conversation does not concern you.” The OP was surprised and just said she was worried about her cat and wished she didn’t have to wait in line like she was promised. The nurse again grumbled that her conversation with the girl at the reception did not concern the OP, and went back to the office.
Image source: aita_banfield
Upon returning to the office, the nurse started trashing the OP in front of other nurses
Before the door closed, the OP recalls she heard the nurse start trashing her in front of her colleagues, laughingly calling her “the crazy lady with the cat at the front.” Of course, the OP was indignant and would not want such a person to participate in the check-up of her cat.
Image source: aita_banfield
The OP asked the girl at the front desk for the manager’s phone number to file a complaint. The girl reluctantly handed her a business card. The OP dialed the number listed there… and the phone at the front desk rang. The girl put it on hold and looked embarrassed. When the OP asked her directly if it was the number of the manager or the store, she answered that it was the store.
Finally, the girl at the front desk admitted that the OP needed to wait for at least an hour
In the meantime, the OP’s cat began howling in her carrier, so the owner simply asked when the doctor could meet them. The girl replied that everyone had left for lunch, so they would have to wait at least an hour. So, as the OP points out, the nurse not only acted rude but also lied.
Image source: shelbymaryr7
In general, the OP was rightly outraged, left the clinic and decided to break the contract with them. When she called her mother for advice, she agreed that it was not worth going back, but stated that her daughter should not have threatened to complain like a Karen.
People in the comments supported the OP and advised her to write a critical review as well
However, commenters unanimously supported the OP, arguing that she did everything right. Moreover, almost all the people in the comments not only supported the idea of a complaint but also advised to write a review so that other current and prospective customers know what kind of clinic it is and what kind of employees work there.
Also, one of the commenters noticed that the business itself as a whole looks shady – after all, 12 pm looks normal for a lunch break, so probably two nurses lied to the OP at once, plus the employee who, when making an appointment, said that it would be just an in-and-out visit. In other words, even if the management of the clinic built all the processes at a high level, the inappropriate behavior of the employees cast a strong shadow on the brand.
By the way, what do you think of this narrative? You may also have experienced inappropriate employee behavior in various companies, so we would be interested to know your own stories.
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Yeah, I'm about the "be a Karen" when the maintenance office opens on Tuesday over our new death trap elevator in my building and the useless "security guard" that just stared instead of helping. Kinda unrelated but it just happened a few hours ago and I'm still LIVID. My 2yo could have been seriously injured and her older sister feels responsible because she pressed the button too quickly.
Load More Replies...I had a similar issue with a vet over my cat, Pixie. Pixie was, how can I say it... a bit highly strung with a diva attitude. The vet nurses would talk badly about her and one even called her an effing b*tch when she thought I couldn't hear. I complained and took my cat and my money elsewhere. You wouldn't shout and swear at a toddler throwing a tantrum so shouting at a scared animal is just as bad in my book. Especially when I'm paying you for a service
They're supposed to be trained in how to safely (both tech & animal) handle a rowdy patient. Those who can't need a different career.
Load More Replies...I had a poor interaction with a vet tech when I brought my guide dog in for surgery some years ago. Besides being generally abrasive, she ended with, "if we forget to call you to pick her up you can always call us after 5pm." How do you forget about a surgical patient? Anyway, the following day the vet called to see how my dog was recovering and I mentioned that I was concerned about the tech and before I could say more he interjected, "don't worry, she won't be a concern for much longer." I don't know if he fired her or she quit but I never saw her again.
Worst experience with a vet I had was with our guinea pig years and years back. He went off his food and really wasn't himself... so to the vet we went. Our appointment was half an hour late - we were fine with that as assumed it was an emergency in before us. Nope... vet just fussing over a dog in for a check up (from the parting words to owner). We got in... not so much as an apology. She took our guinea pig from his carrier, spun him round onto his back causing him to squeak and all but threw him back at me with a curt "it's fine". So... next day, guinea pig not eating... getting weaker. Requested another vet and back we went. She checked him gently and on pressing his tummy area, pus came from his... intimate bits. He had a bad infection. We were less than happy and made a huge complaint. Fine for a vet to prefer dogs over rodents... but her negligence could have killed him. She should have cared about our pet just as much as the dog she saw before us.
Wow that's insane. They always say you have to find one who's specialised in rabbits and guinea pigs. The one I found was so sweet and very good and cheap.
Load More Replies...I sacked my first vet because of the receptionist. I'd just adopted a rescue cat and he had been treated badly by his previous owner so he had a lot of anxiety issues. I registered with the vet closest to me and made an appointment to get him a medical exam. We booked in at the reception desk, and this enormous dog appeared from behind the desk and started sniffing around the carrier and scrabbling away at it. My poor wee cat was terrified, and I asked the receptionist to please call the dog back. "Oh don't be silly, he's just playing, he likes to play with others" OK, he might have been a friendly dog, but my cat didn't know that. So I asked her again, and she pulled the dig back, but told me "You're too anxious to have pets, it's not good for them to have nervous parents, they pick up their mood from you." I was too gobsmacked to reply, but I never went back there, emailed the vet to say why but didn't even get the courtesy of a reply.
Lotzen F****r, I don't know if you're a congenital idiot or a negative seeking troll. Either way, I feel sorry for you, trying to get kicks like this, what a sad life you must live.
Load More Replies...A Calico Cat 🐈 had been living under our handicapped ramp for a few days. I put food and water down for her but she wouldn't come out until she heard the kitchen door close. One day I ask my son to sit by the door and close it. She was out in a split second and I was ready for her. I grabbed her before she could hide away again and I was horrified. She was covered in scabs from nose to tail and hairless from her mid back to her tail. I almost dropped her because I was shocked at her condition. My vet is a bit away so I rushed her to the town Vet. I was frantic to get her help and then he said he recognized this cat as he had DECLAWED HER!!!! I picked up my Calico Girl and asked a few questions. I then told him what I thought of doctors who hide behind their degrees to amputate a kittens fingers. I went straight to my regular vet and she was so comforting to this shaking, crying 6 month old baby. I found out her age, medical history and the name of her former owner. I went to meet her for coffee to find out anything else I could about the still unnamed bald, sick Calico cat. As soon as I got her home she made a beeline for the nearest door. She had run down into the basement. She hid herself away and I could never find her. For a month she wouldn't come out of hiding but her skin was healing along with her broken heart 💔. I'd call her for her meals but I never saw her. My husband had been on a business trip so he didn't know Sweetie was there. One day my husband came home from work and started reading his newspaper when Sweetie made her grand entrance and introduced herself to her new human by laying on her back across his feet purring. My Sweetie loved on us until her heart failed her 11 days before her 19th Birthday. Sweetie-Paws Crossed Rainbow 🌈 Bridge April 23rd of this year. For the 1st time in 44 years of marriage we are without a furry child in the house.
Aw Susan, what a kind thing to do and I'm sorry for your loss. Bless you for taking care of fur babies. Hugs.
Load More Replies...What kind of outfit books appointments over lunch? Sounds like a very slapdash operation, I would have given a poor review also.
Banfield is part of PetCo stores (or PetSmart, I can't remember which). They sell pets and pet supplies, but a few years ago they started offering grooming and vet services. So basically it's Corporate America running a vet clinic.
Load More Replies...I've "fired" doctors for their staff. My mom worked in clinic offices. She noticed a huge drop in patients whenever they hired a rude office worker or nurse. This happened in multiple workplaces for her. We would switch doctors but also tell the doctor what we are switching because of the staff member. I don't see how a vet clinic would be any different. I'd be more worried if I wouldn't be in the room to see what is happening. A friend "fired" a vet because the nurse jerked on some tape to rip it from a sedated cat's arm and jerked the entire cat off of the table. Poor thing slammed on the floor. My friend complained to the doc. Doc brushed it off. At the next quick check up, my friend asked about that cat again and the doc brushed it off. She didn't feel comfortable going back and definitely wouldn't allow her pet to undergo any procedures there. Humans or pets, it's the same. Staff is c**p, go somewhere else
Unless there's a legit reason, I'm going back with my pet. If they give me some B.S. why I can't, it make me wonder what c**p they are up to and we leave.
Load More Replies...I knew it was going to be Banfield even before I got to that part. They're the worst. A local, independent vet is always the way to go. And it's a pet owners job to speak for our pets; they can't do it for themselves.
Banfield does have a bad reputation. Not sure if this is the case with all of them, but the one near my house admitted their "pet nurses" were not certified, licensed technicians. I was an LVT and I noped right out of there. Also, my pup acted scared to be there. She's currently very happy at her new doctor's office. Listen to your pets-they know.
We took our rescue pup to Banfield once - because we got a free visit with an adoption. While the care seemed adequate for a first visit/shots, etc. we were subjected to their timeshare presentation about the pet insurance for over two hours. Every new person would come in, greet the dog, and ask if anyone had spoken to us about their insurance plans. We would say yes, then they'd launch into it again. After our two and a half hour appointment, we noped out of there. The high-pressure sales pitch was too much. They cared and talked more about the insurance plan than our dog's health.
Load More Replies...Yeah, I'm about the "be a Karen" when the maintenance office opens on Tuesday over our new death trap elevator in my building and the useless "security guard" that just stared instead of helping. Kinda unrelated but it just happened a few hours ago and I'm still LIVID. My 2yo could have been seriously injured and her older sister feels responsible because she pressed the button too quickly.
Load More Replies...I had a similar issue with a vet over my cat, Pixie. Pixie was, how can I say it... a bit highly strung with a diva attitude. The vet nurses would talk badly about her and one even called her an effing b*tch when she thought I couldn't hear. I complained and took my cat and my money elsewhere. You wouldn't shout and swear at a toddler throwing a tantrum so shouting at a scared animal is just as bad in my book. Especially when I'm paying you for a service
They're supposed to be trained in how to safely (both tech & animal) handle a rowdy patient. Those who can't need a different career.
Load More Replies...I had a poor interaction with a vet tech when I brought my guide dog in for surgery some years ago. Besides being generally abrasive, she ended with, "if we forget to call you to pick her up you can always call us after 5pm." How do you forget about a surgical patient? Anyway, the following day the vet called to see how my dog was recovering and I mentioned that I was concerned about the tech and before I could say more he interjected, "don't worry, she won't be a concern for much longer." I don't know if he fired her or she quit but I never saw her again.
Worst experience with a vet I had was with our guinea pig years and years back. He went off his food and really wasn't himself... so to the vet we went. Our appointment was half an hour late - we were fine with that as assumed it was an emergency in before us. Nope... vet just fussing over a dog in for a check up (from the parting words to owner). We got in... not so much as an apology. She took our guinea pig from his carrier, spun him round onto his back causing him to squeak and all but threw him back at me with a curt "it's fine". So... next day, guinea pig not eating... getting weaker. Requested another vet and back we went. She checked him gently and on pressing his tummy area, pus came from his... intimate bits. He had a bad infection. We were less than happy and made a huge complaint. Fine for a vet to prefer dogs over rodents... but her negligence could have killed him. She should have cared about our pet just as much as the dog she saw before us.
Wow that's insane. They always say you have to find one who's specialised in rabbits and guinea pigs. The one I found was so sweet and very good and cheap.
Load More Replies...I sacked my first vet because of the receptionist. I'd just adopted a rescue cat and he had been treated badly by his previous owner so he had a lot of anxiety issues. I registered with the vet closest to me and made an appointment to get him a medical exam. We booked in at the reception desk, and this enormous dog appeared from behind the desk and started sniffing around the carrier and scrabbling away at it. My poor wee cat was terrified, and I asked the receptionist to please call the dog back. "Oh don't be silly, he's just playing, he likes to play with others" OK, he might have been a friendly dog, but my cat didn't know that. So I asked her again, and she pulled the dig back, but told me "You're too anxious to have pets, it's not good for them to have nervous parents, they pick up their mood from you." I was too gobsmacked to reply, but I never went back there, emailed the vet to say why but didn't even get the courtesy of a reply.
Lotzen F****r, I don't know if you're a congenital idiot or a negative seeking troll. Either way, I feel sorry for you, trying to get kicks like this, what a sad life you must live.
Load More Replies...A Calico Cat 🐈 had been living under our handicapped ramp for a few days. I put food and water down for her but she wouldn't come out until she heard the kitchen door close. One day I ask my son to sit by the door and close it. She was out in a split second and I was ready for her. I grabbed her before she could hide away again and I was horrified. She was covered in scabs from nose to tail and hairless from her mid back to her tail. I almost dropped her because I was shocked at her condition. My vet is a bit away so I rushed her to the town Vet. I was frantic to get her help and then he said he recognized this cat as he had DECLAWED HER!!!! I picked up my Calico Girl and asked a few questions. I then told him what I thought of doctors who hide behind their degrees to amputate a kittens fingers. I went straight to my regular vet and she was so comforting to this shaking, crying 6 month old baby. I found out her age, medical history and the name of her former owner. I went to meet her for coffee to find out anything else I could about the still unnamed bald, sick Calico cat. As soon as I got her home she made a beeline for the nearest door. She had run down into the basement. She hid herself away and I could never find her. For a month she wouldn't come out of hiding but her skin was healing along with her broken heart 💔. I'd call her for her meals but I never saw her. My husband had been on a business trip so he didn't know Sweetie was there. One day my husband came home from work and started reading his newspaper when Sweetie made her grand entrance and introduced herself to her new human by laying on her back across his feet purring. My Sweetie loved on us until her heart failed her 11 days before her 19th Birthday. Sweetie-Paws Crossed Rainbow 🌈 Bridge April 23rd of this year. For the 1st time in 44 years of marriage we are without a furry child in the house.
Aw Susan, what a kind thing to do and I'm sorry for your loss. Bless you for taking care of fur babies. Hugs.
Load More Replies...What kind of outfit books appointments over lunch? Sounds like a very slapdash operation, I would have given a poor review also.
Banfield is part of PetCo stores (or PetSmart, I can't remember which). They sell pets and pet supplies, but a few years ago they started offering grooming and vet services. So basically it's Corporate America running a vet clinic.
Load More Replies...I've "fired" doctors for their staff. My mom worked in clinic offices. She noticed a huge drop in patients whenever they hired a rude office worker or nurse. This happened in multiple workplaces for her. We would switch doctors but also tell the doctor what we are switching because of the staff member. I don't see how a vet clinic would be any different. I'd be more worried if I wouldn't be in the room to see what is happening. A friend "fired" a vet because the nurse jerked on some tape to rip it from a sedated cat's arm and jerked the entire cat off of the table. Poor thing slammed on the floor. My friend complained to the doc. Doc brushed it off. At the next quick check up, my friend asked about that cat again and the doc brushed it off. She didn't feel comfortable going back and definitely wouldn't allow her pet to undergo any procedures there. Humans or pets, it's the same. Staff is c**p, go somewhere else
Unless there's a legit reason, I'm going back with my pet. If they give me some B.S. why I can't, it make me wonder what c**p they are up to and we leave.
Load More Replies...I knew it was going to be Banfield even before I got to that part. They're the worst. A local, independent vet is always the way to go. And it's a pet owners job to speak for our pets; they can't do it for themselves.
Banfield does have a bad reputation. Not sure if this is the case with all of them, but the one near my house admitted their "pet nurses" were not certified, licensed technicians. I was an LVT and I noped right out of there. Also, my pup acted scared to be there. She's currently very happy at her new doctor's office. Listen to your pets-they know.
We took our rescue pup to Banfield once - because we got a free visit with an adoption. While the care seemed adequate for a first visit/shots, etc. we were subjected to their timeshare presentation about the pet insurance for over two hours. Every new person would come in, greet the dog, and ask if anyone had spoken to us about their insurance plans. We would say yes, then they'd launch into it again. After our two and a half hour appointment, we noped out of there. The high-pressure sales pitch was too much. They cared and talked more about the insurance plan than our dog's health.
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