The Jump Rope Store

Rude. Patronizing. RUDE.

When I called «The Jump Rope Store» to inquire about buying a new rope for myself (go figure), the man who answered the phone, and later identified himself as the owner, was quite possibly the most insolent and mean-​spirited, self-​content grouch I have ever spoken to in customer service or sales. «Customer service and sales.» Hmm… Let’s review those two points, shall we?
Context: I am relatively new to Portland and use Unilocal quite often to identify small businesses in the area that I can support whenever I need to buy something for myself, be it goods or services. Why do I do this? One reason is that I prefer spending as much of my money as possible at businesses owned by Americans and staffed with American workers. The other reason? I usually enjoy the people I meet. I get to know them and they get to know me. This is not a review for one of those people. This is a review for an asshole, excuse my French.
Now back to our two points…
Mind you, by the time I called The Jump Rope Store, I had already exhausted contacting several other small businesses in the area, all of whom said they didn’t sell jump ropes, much to my surprise. Feeling exhausted, I decided to call the aptly named Jump Rope Store, thinking that surely THEY will be able to help me…
Wrong! The man I spoke to on the phone was altogether short-​circuited, bothered and patronizing. When he answered the line, I told him I found their business on Unilocal.And since it had no reviews (until now), I was calling to make sure 1) they were still open and 2) did indeed, sell jump ropes. But first he made me feel like a total idiot for not knowing that they usually handle large orders for teams. And then he told me I was free to drive there and «buy one off the rack — they’re $ 10 a piece,» but before I could get a word in edgewise — to say that I don’t own a car — he proceeded to ramble over me, giving directions and cutting me off every time I tried to make a new point.
Even so, I remained willing to give them by money and buy a jump rope. When I asked if he could mail one, as he had previously offered, explaining that it would be easier, he made no secret of his disgust, exhaling like a mean bastard who hates anything outside his consistent routine. «What kind of jump rope am I buying?» I ask. But now this really pisses him off. That I had the nerve to ask for a description of the merchandise I wanted to purchase was more than he could handle without letting me know he hated my voice and my phone call… How unnecessary. How inconvenient! I ask him if I’m wasting his time… «No!» he says, «But you’re asking a lot of contradictory questions.» This makes my blood boil in less than 20 seconds. Here’s a contradictory question: What the hell does that even mean? How are any simple questions about your business, your product and your options for purchase at all contradictory? Give me a break, boss. Though I push him on his tenor and responses, he pushes back, unforgivingly and with great vitriol.
We hang up on each other.
And this is what customer service looks like in much of America these days. Piss poor «owners» and their entitled employees who treat everyday folk in the shameful way this man treated me. He should be embarrassed, but I know he isn’t, which makes the whole thing frustrating all the more. I myself work for a small business owner, and though I know with confidence he would stand behind any one of his employees if they TRULY were being disrespected by a customer, he would probably fire someone instantaneously if they «answered questions» the way the Jump Rope Store answered mine: By making me feel like a total idiot and a waste of their precious Portland time.
It’s clear The Jump Rope Store knows where the majority of its business lays… In large-​quantity orders for big schools and big athletic teams. What’s one random dude, who just wants one lame jump rope to them? All my questions just aren’t worth the hassle, I guess.
Too bad, because if he had simply answered them, and been even minimally polite and patient with me, I would’ve happily given The Jump Rope Store my money. But now I guess I’ll just go to Dick’s Sporting Goods or, hell, maybe even Target.
At least I have Unilocal