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Intimidation: Now "I've Gained Back Some Self Respect."

Name: Gloria Collicutt
Email: gcollicutt@sympatico.ca
Date: 15 May 1999
Time: 17:51:05
Remote Name: cr181930-a.pr1.on.wave.home.com
Remote User:

Story

Since the onset of MS 10 years ago, I backed away from any sort of confrontation. Because of one instance (in 1990) where I was given a hard time after purchasing something (which broke some days after the purchase), I was made to feel less of a person because I was handicapped (in a scooter). Of course, that was my fault for not taking a stand for my rights as a consumer.

Ten days ago, I purchased a very nice bracelet from a jeweler in my home town. Six days after later, it fell off my arm in the bathroom. I first thought the clasp had broken, but, when I looked at it, the bracelet had broken in half.

I took it back to the store, where upon the jeweler said, "I do not give refunds or exchanges." To which I replied, "You have no signs posted as such, nor was it written on my bill."

He also said that I must have caught my arm in a drawer or door, to which I replied, "No, I did not." He insisted I must have, and, after telling him, "I'm sure I would remember if I did that," he said, "Would you?"

He also told me I should take more care when wearing my jewelry. I informed him, since I did not work, nor hardly could do any housework of sort, that was not a problem. He replied that I looked like I could "work in an industrial field" (an insult to my weight, since I weigh 175 pounds).

Now, that's when I stood up for myself! I was there over a half hour, arguing with him, and finally, because another customer came in, he threw my money ($200.00) back to me and said, "I am doing this only to get rid of a bad customer."

For 3 days days now (2 hours at a time), I have sat outside his store ( on my scooter) with a large sign that says, "Buyer Beware.Talk to me before you buy here."

In doing so, many people have stopped to talk to me, and I was amazed at the number of other people who had similar problems with this same store.Strange thing, though, is that all those people either had a cane, walker or was in a wheelchair.

This man insulted my dignity and my handicap. All I want is an apology from him. It may very well never happen, but at least I stood up to him." So that is why the subject of my story is "I'm Back."

Copyright © 1999 Gloria Collicutt. All rights reserrved.

Gloria's other stories: Time To Open the Bottle! and The Love that Empowers Me

Last changed: October 20, 2003

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