It has come and gone, but Feb. 28 was supposed to be a day of protest against the rejection of DEI programs. Honestly, I never understood how DEI wasn’t really another name for discrimination against one group over another, but that’s a subject for another day.
I was born south of the Gordon Highway. I was raised south of Gordon Highway. I have lived in Richmond County my entire life, educated in Richmond County Schools. All four of my children were raised and educated in South Augusta and have done well for themselves.
I love Augusta, but South Augusta has a special place in my heart.
Shop where you live?
For years I have subscribed to the theory of shopping where I live. Voting with my dollars as they say. When possible, I have spent my money in South Augusta. Gas, groceries, building supplies, auto repair, shopping, fast food, dining……you name it. If a product or service could be obtained south of Gordon Highway, that is where I bought it. This is one man’s effort to support those businesses that have chosen to invest, hire and produce a good or service in my community.
That being said, the difference in service, cleanliness and general customer service between other areas within the CSRA when compared to South Augusta businesses is more than obvious and has been for some time.
Be on notice that after a lifetime of ascribing to supporting South Augusta businesses because they are in South Augusta, I will no longer patronize establishments with poor customer service. I will no longer tolerate rudeness in waiters, check-out-cashiers, order-takers, etc.… I will no longer endure chicken franchises being out of chicken. I will no longer shop at stores that do not stock normal products. If you refuse to maintain your “pay-at-pump” equipment and require me to walk inside twice, I will buy fuel elsewhere. If you refuse to man check-outs and force people through self-checkout, because you can, don’t look for me in the future. My new mantra is to reward businesses that earn my business. If you go out of business in South Augusta, guess what: it is not the clientele. It might be time to assess the priorities of your business model.
You are in danger of losing my loyalty with poor service. You can earn it back when you train your employees to respect the customer. You can earn it back when my experience at your establishment is equal to or greater than what I see north of Gordon Highway.
And by the way, even though Augusta is a Democrat-voting city, Republican folks have money, and it is still green so…….just laying that out there for you.
