ACME Markets

July 5 2021, The manager Eileen falsely accused me of stealing an item July 2nd with no proof or due diligence because I am black. I am highly offended and despite this being the only supermarket in town will NEVER patronize again until I know both Cassie and Eileen are held accountable for their unprofessional and racist behaviors.

Here's the details:
July 2nd:
I ordered a drink from Starbucks then went in the supermarket section and purchased K-Cups in the self checkout. I came back to Starbucks and purchased my drink. Cassie, the Starbucks associate asked me if I wanted her to ring up the K-Cups. I told her "no I purchased them already".
July 5th, The next day I visited the store, Manager Eileen pulled me to the side (I was with another person) and told me she knew I stole the kcups during my last visit and if it happens again she will report me to security. She said Cassie asked to ring the product July 2nd but I told her no and just walked out of the store. That is not what happened. When Cassie asked me to ring it I told her bo thank you I already purchased them. I was completely baffled as to why Eileen would assume I stole the items when I am sure I purchased them and am not a thief. Aside from the fact I have been a patron of that location for over 20yrs. I advised her there was a misunderstanding and that I purchased them but she accused me of lying. I gave her a $20 out of my pocket and told her to take the money, check the camera and confirm I purchased it then give me my money back the next time I saw her (I visit the store almost daily). She persisted that that wasn't necessary and stealing will not be tolerated at the store.
I went to my car and reflected on the situation and was sick to my stomach. I asked myself many questions. "Why would she take the word of an associate without proving they were correct before approaching me.
Why did she refuse to believe me eventhough I told her I paid at self check
Why didn't she confirm Cassie's allegations were true before approaching me
Why did she feel it was ok to embarrass me in front of other customers and the person I was with
Did I do something to make anyone accuse me of being a thief
How can I prove my innocence"
Then I remembered one thing that would prove I paid …. my credit card statement. I pulled up my online account, found and showed her, the manager Eileen, the receipt. all of a sudden her stance changed. I can't help but think why didn't she validate the associates concerns first. She demonstrated poor leadership of the Starbucks associate, Cassie who told her I stole the product by taking it on face value and not exploring other possibilities with an assumption of innocence, poor empathy for me as a customer and poor representation of the acme brand.
It is so hard to think she was easy to jump to this conclusion and manage the situation without due diligence because it was easy to assume I was a thief because I am black. I am highly offended and despite this being the only supermarket in town will NEVER patronize again until I know both Cassie and Eileen are held accountable for their unprofessional and racist behaviors.
Are these the type of employees you want to represent your store? Is the way I feel the way you want other black patrons to experience Acme?