June 17, 2005
Hastings Entertainment Superstore
To whom it may concern:
This letter is being written at this time because today I had an
experience that I do not wish to repeat, and by writing this letter, I
know that this store has in its possession an archived copy of what
transpired between an employee Robert and David Ian Brager, the author
and narrator of this letter.
Since last summer, my family has been buying books at yard sales and
selling them to Hastings. We do this regularly, and did last fall
until November and from late April, 2005, until today.
Last fall, after bringing some four cases of books to a late afternoon
Saturday, of which the total accepted was about eighty-five books,
Robert asked me to not bring more than twenty books. This spring
I obtained permission from Randy, Robert's departmental superior, to
bring 40 books at a time.
Robert said to me, last time I came when he was working, that out of
consideration for "the staff," I only bring 20 books. I then met
with Randy to query this.
In my meeting with Randy the next day, in the morning, I explained that
unlike the gross majority of people who bring books to Hastings
Entertainment Superstore in Richland, WA,:
1. I clean all the tags off the books,
2. I always make sure to buy the very best quality that I can,
3. I never bring unacceptable books, including
a. books that are marked up,
b. book-club books,
c. trade paperbacks,
d. books without paper covers (if the book was so issued with one),
e. books with missing pages,
f. books that have worn or disfigured covers,
g. books that are written on edges or outer covers,
h. or books that are advance copies.
Thus, Hastings employees, that serve me in this process, are saved time
and the company is saved money because I do the work that they would
otherwise have to do. On top of this, I only come either before
Noon, after 2:00pm, or, in the evenings, after 7:00pm, so that I am
never selling books when the staff or the store is busy. This is
my agreement with Randy, and it is reasonable.
In 2004, I declared my income from Hastings on my IRS taxes, of which I
would bet most people did not ever consider. I also have
documented obsessive-compulsive disorder, and my obsessive nature is
fully realized in the management of this book buying and selling
experience.
Today, Robert said to me (paraphrased as I'm not 100% sure this is
word-for-word), 'So, you have disregarded my request that you not bring
more than twenty books out of consideration for the staff,' to which I
replied, "I talked to Randy and he said that I could bring forty
books." Robert looked me even sterner in the eye and said, 'So
you have disregarded my request that you do not bring more than twenty
books out of consideration for the staff.'
I said "Yes,"and then went to the management and verbally filed a complaint.
I understand that Hastings corporate does not have a problem with 40
books, and Randy clearly, by my participating only under the times and
noted, does not have a problem with 40 books. Therefore, it
appears clear that Robert has a problem with comprehending his
relationship with Management, or with Hastings. Robert should not have
raised these issues again with a customer, any customer. The fact
that it happened to me is of little concern. I have a fairly good
grasp on reality and my self-image. What about if this happened
to someone who was not as forthright to look Robert in the eye and
stand his or her ground. Robert is one gruff and intimidating
person. It takes courage to not blow one's stack, but instead to
go straightaway to management and explain things in concise
fashion. However, protocol requires that I behave in a
professional manner at all times, and that is what I have done.
I am of the belief that given the situation, this encounter should not
have happened to me. I hope that Robert will come to grips with
the fact that I am a customer, and one who behaves in exemplary manner,
at least most of the time.
I have placed a copy of this letter to an hidden web page, that is not
linked off any known site but can be reached from anywhere on the
internet, is located at:
http://www.geocities.com/dibragerowtcom/let2robert.html
Therefore, I believe my actions were reasonable.
Respectfully,
David Ian Brager
517 Newcomer Street
Richland, WA 99354-2243173
509-946-4471
scrypnosis.com
writer for the Reactor