Short $1.30, Man Denied Thrift Store Wheelchair Purchase

posted on Jan 12 by Guest Author in the Disability News, Opinion and Discussion category

A thrift store in Jacksonville, Florida issued an apology to a regular customer who was denied the purchase of a used electric wheelchair for his disabled wife when he was $1.30 short. Along with the apology, the store gave the wheelchair to the man at no charge.

When Jim Turner visited his local thrift store, City Thrift, on the outskirts of Jacksonville, he found a used electric wheelchair for $399.90. Turner’s wife, Carolyn, was in need of a new wheelchair, as hers was no longer working. The new chair would allow Carolyn to get around, complete basic household chores and get some time away from the house – things most people take for granted.

Turner withdrew $400 from the bank to purchase the wheelchair. Assuming that the store was a charity thrift store, he was taken by surprise when the total price came to more than he had anticipated, and he found he was $1.30 short. He offered to come back with the money, but the manager on duty told him he could not have the wheelchair.

“I was embarrassed; they acted like I was asking for charity. I am not a charity case, just didn’t take enough money. I can’t believe they can’t give somebody a break for a wheelchair,” stated Turner.

When asked about the transaction, the store supervisor expressed her regret, and said she would have given Turner the extra change he needed had she been aware of the situation. City Thrift’s corporate office stated, “One of our cashiers was ill-advised of our policy and did not call on the front store supervisor…. The home office will look into the matter because we want our customers to be happy…. Again we apologize to Mr. Turner.”

City Thrift is a for-profit thrift store that buys donated items from American Veterans for resale at a profit. When Turner came back to the store the following Friday, he received an apology and was given the wheelchair at no charge.

Source:
columbus.pointslocal.com/story/columbus/648440/man-short-36-1-30-paying-for-wheelchair-store-wont-give-him-break-at-first

Image source:
columbus.pointslocal.com