Dollar Tree Store# 2306 Sales Associate Violated and Harrassed Me and My Son Everett Washington

Beware Parents!!! You & your kids could be victims of an angry Sales Associate.

Just another pleasant trip to the Dollar Tree Store, like usual- the same one my family has always gone to for 15 years except.. it wasn't pleasant this particular night. My 12 yr old son had 5.00 to spend, but was abruptly interrupted by a yelling sales associate (calling herself the manager) demanding to know if he was, "here alone, where's your parent's, where's the candy you took, and you better go be with your parents".

My son, shocked, came immediately to me and told what happened. One min later I heard an announcement over the intercome (same lady) stating, "parent's keep your children with you at all times, do not leave unattended", (repeated the same thing-clearly "eating the microphone". There were only 2-3 other people in the store at the time and they were ADULTS. (hmm..wonder who she was talking to over the speaker?)

The same lady checked us out. and when I calmly confronted her, she argued with me stating that, "any kid under the age of 18 should be supervised." "I saw him take it".So now your accusing my son of stealing?Aren't you suppose to take what you want so you can pay for it?Or should we leave it on the shelf and put our order in? She shook her finger at my son and yelled, "it's not like I said you stole it!".

I informed her that I/we have never been treated like this before in ANY store. The rule that kids should be with their parent's apply to those kids who are being disruptive with loud noises, disarranging items, running, disrespectful behavior and unruly attitude, or just too young to be alone. I understand why alot of children SHOULD be with their parents, but my son is 12 years old and he is a well mannered boy. He was making a special trip to his favorite store with his Mom and Grandmother.

He is a very thoughtful shopper-thinking very carefully about how he wanted to spend his hard earned money. He has never been accused of shoplifting, or being dishonest. I am proud of the choices he has made, and he doesn't deserve to be treated so poorly simply because..?-he's not an adult? There was nothing he did to cause her to be so out of line..rude. Especially since he CHOSE to hang out with us 95% of the time.

This entire situation could have been avoided if the "Sales Asscociate's" conduct was more tactful and not negative with an accusing attitude. The night ended with her putting an item in our bags of already purchased items (60.00 worth of stuff) and me noticing it right after I paid. I then had to wait 10 for her to do the return and me sign a refund reciept.. What makes me mad is because of that-she now knows my full name. I should have asked for a refund on everything I bought. What was I thinking???

Violated mom
Everett, Washington
U.S.A.