Your location in Colorado Springs, Colorado off of Woodmen Road has transitioned back to having to show your membership card to gain access into the store. This is something that has always been done, but a while ago Sam’s Club didn’t require members to do so and have implemented this practice again. The problem is, now employees that are standing at the entrance asking members to show their membership card are being met with grave resistance from customers. Customers are responding and acting out in very rude, disrespectful, tasteless, angry and inappropriate behaviors towards those employees at the door checking/requesting membership cards be shown. Customers are reacting in aggressive, threatening and intimidating demeanors towards employees checking membership at the door because for a while, they didn’t have to and now all of a sudden they are required to again. I feel appropriate, visible signs should be posted at the entrance and throughout the store to inform customers of this change. Also, members should be notified via email and by whatever communicative resources that are available (news channels) to inform them of these changes so customers can be made aware in advance, to cut down on the unnecessary and negative behaviors from customers. In addition, management/supervisors should be made more available, or even stand at the entrance themselves occasionally to witness and intervene with these negative encounters. No employee should have to tolerate abuse and disrespect from anyone.
In this world today people are simply angry for whatever reasons and will utilize any scenario to vent and just take out anger and frustration on those employees who serve. I’d hate to have a member showing their membership card escalate to a mass shooting or employee confrontations in the parking lot or other unpleasant outcomes. Human capital awareness is imperative regarding this issue and employees are becoming more frustrated about this change along with the consumers. An intervention needs to be implemented immediately to ensure employee safety as well as consumer satisfaction regarding this matter.