IGA Supermarkets review: Customer service

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to you today to lodge an official complaint with our local IGA (Burgess Cobar), please see the following,

On Wednesday the 3rd January 2024 I (Sharron Ohlsen) have attended our local IGA Supermarket on Linsley Street Cobar with my son Richard Pretty. My son and I entered the supermarket and proceeded to the drink isle where we had grabbed some drinks, On our way to the registers we were approached by a staff member – Jodie Collier who stated that “I need to ask you’se to leave” I have asked why? Jodie then repeated herself making the same statement. My son Richard Pretty has then approached myself and Jodie and has asked “What is going on”

- Please see verbatim notes below –

Sharron – put those drinks down

Richard – No, what’s going on

Jodie – Is he dick Pretty?

Sharron – For [censored]’s sake you know who he is

Jodie – Your band from here

Richard – Why

Jodie – You know what you did

Richard – What did I do

Jodie – You know what you did

Sharron – What did he do

Jodie – He knows what he did, youse have to leave

Richard – Come on mum just leave it

With this we have left the premises and Jodie proceeded to follow us within close proximity (1 metre), she remained standing in this position whilst she watches us get in our vehicle and exit the car park.

My complaint to you is that I have never felt so humiliated and embarrassed in all my years shopping at our local IGA (26 years) and to be spoken to in such manner in front of other local community members that happen to be shopping at this time. I would like an explanation as to why Richard Pretty and I were asked to leave this day and on what basis. I have never had an issue shopping here previously and or our other local IGA Supermarket.

I would like it noted that I did attend the local police station on this date as I was advised by Richard Pretty’s parole officer that this was a police matter. On arrival at the police station, they are aware of the situation as Jodie had already contacted the police. I have given the local police station a statement and I would like this investigated as a matter of urgency. I hope you can appreciate that we are remote and don’t have a lot of option to complete food shopping as both IGA’s are owned by the same owner. I would appreciate that I could attend our local supermarket free from this type of behaviour or harassment.

If you would like any further information, please feel free to contact myself and I am happy to talk about this further,

Kind regards,

Sharron Ohlsen.

[protected]

[protected]@hotmail.com