I wasn't allowed in the shop

[ILikeGlitter]

Should I complain about this or just let it go?

I wanted to go into a shop today with my ds who is 3. The shop is within a shopping center which has a lift and escalators. The escalator leads directly into the shop but before Covid you could also use the lift to enter from the first floor.

I cannot use an escalator as they make me go dizzy and I would need to carry ds. It just wouldn't have been safe for me so we took the lift.

When we got to the top the lady at the door said this is exit only. I needed to go in from the escalator at the bottom. I said I couldn't use the escalator for health reasons. She then went on to ask me what health reasons. I then had to explain to her and she said she will check with her manager if I can go in it was a big exit and no one was even coming out at the time.
She radioed over to them and said I have a lady and child here who don't want to use the escalator can they come in through the exit?
I didn't hear the reply but she then gestured for me to enter.

It made me annoyed probably more than it should have. Would you complain or just leave it at that as after all I did get to go in the shop?

While I think OP is being unreasonable MN is a strange place. A couple of weeks ago there was a thread about someone who's friend had to explain to retail staff why she couldn't wear a mask. Everyone was up in arms saying the staff were rude and unreasonable.
This poster comes on with a similar issue and is attacked by everyone. Can't see the difference.

How would you have got into the shop if you used a wheelchair or had a baby in a pushchair? You did get into the shop but their policy for only having the lift as an exit is unreasonable.

@bigknickersbigknockers

There was nobody else using the entrance/exit so no they didnt need to ask you why IMHO. Just another example of shops making up rules for people to follow.

They did. Even if just so it becomes routine for them to make sure things are done properly.

When places start with a “well it’s quiet” or “it’s only one person” approach that’s when bad habits slip back in and at the moment we can’t afford to let that happen.

I know i am repeating everyone else but your title in incorrect as you were allowed in.
YABU for all the reasons already listed.

A feature of MN these days seems to be people saying "I don't understand the problem" and then going ahead and advising. If you don't understand why something is an issue you are unlikely to have anything useful to offer in respect of dealing with it.

Complaining isn't the route I'd go, OP, but contacting them to explain why they need to bear in mind that the system they have in place is going to be genuinely unworkable for some people is something I would consider. You should not have to give details of your health condition to be able to enter a shop safely.

I work in retail and we have a one way system, but the amount of people who ignore it is staggering. It's to try to keep people safe but also because we are only allowed so many people in the shop, if everyone comes and goes as they please it becomes impossible to to monitor

I understand that shopping can be frustrating at the minute but you were allowed in the shop. The shop assistant was not wrong to check with her manager. Would you have preferred her to just let you in without checking and risk getting into trouble? It is not really an issue.

You wanted to circumvent the one way system, ffs! The drama!

Health reasons - end of. No need to explain what health reasons, and wrong to ask.

If everyone can trot out 'health reasons' to get round the regulations what's the point in having them to keep us all safe?

Petty complaints are very demoralising for staff. They lead to resentment and potential burnout.

Don't be that person.

You wanted to circumvent the one way system, ffs!

But the entrance and exit have different accessibility, if both were stairs or lifts then sure, but OP didn't want to do so just to be a pain, but because she couldn't access the entrance.

Would it #be kind to complain about the employee doing their job OP?

No. Fed up with people using that hashtag when they are in the wrong and don't want it pointing out.

Absolutely you should complain. Customer services needs a good laugh like the rest of us.

"I would like to complain that when I refused to use the one-way system on made-up health grounds, I was allowed into your store through my prefered entrance."

My title isn't wrong. I wasn't allowed in the shop unless I could provide a valid reason to be going in through the exit.

I mean you’ve answered your own question here? They had a valid reason to ask, checked it, then let you in. They didn’t do anything wrong so any complaint you file would be virtually thrown in the trash

@Lweji

BTW, you could have lied about the health reasons. She didn't ask for proof or anything.

You got let in what’s the problem?
Maybe have a letter ready from a medical professional explaining why you can’t use an escalator?
I’m sure they won’t miss your custom. Don’t worry!

AryaStarkWolf
I'm stealing that one.

Can't see the problem. You got in the shop.

I got no further than reading that you were allowed in so you lied in your title and the thread is pointless.

By the way where's all this 'Be Kind' bullshit coming from? I'm seeing it all over the place and it makes me laugh when I see it on AIBU. If you want us to be kind, don't lie.

YABVU to kick up a fuss about a very reasonable request.

YABVVVU to come in here and call people “funny”

For those of you wondering why people are using #be kind so often, it's possibly because you are being a little harsh to people on a forum when it's uncalled for. We are all going through enough as it is and kindness from strangers can go a long way.
Obviously everyone has an opinion but sometimes people add extra that is unnecessary.

@ILikeGlitter

For those of you wondering why people are using #be kind so often, it's possibly because you are being a little harsh to people on a forum when it's uncalled for. We are all going through enough as it is and kindness from strangers can go a long way. Obviously everyone has an opinion but sometimes people add extra that is unnecessary.

But you've not answered the question several posters have asked about whether you think its kind to complain about the women doing her job...

Indeed.
Why would it even cross some people's minds to complain about an employee doing their job? #bekind

@ILikeGlitter

For those of you wondering why people are using #be kind so often, it's possibly because you are being a little harsh to people on a forum when it's uncalled for. We are all going through enough as it is and kindness from strangers can go a long way. Obviously everyone has an opinion but sometimes people add extra that is unnecessary.

A little harsh? Just like you were then

Goodness me the hypocricy

@ILikeGlitter

For those of you wondering why people are using #be kind so often, it's possibly because you are being a little harsh to people on a forum when it's uncalled for. We are all going through enough as it is and kindness from strangers can go a long way. Obviously everyone has an opinion but sometimes people add extra that is unnecessary.

And do you think you were being kind to the shop and its staff when you wanted to complain to them about having to wait a few seconds until you got your way?

“Be kind” seems to be used exclusively by dickheads who want everyone to treat them nice than they treat people.