I own a busy surfboard repair business in Santa Cruz and have shopped at Home Depot regularly for many years. I had an emergency situation come up with a chemical spill that needed attention right away. Emergency responders were not immediately available. I am a Hazmat First Responder also trained in CPR & First Aid so I took action. I needed to soak up some chemicals containing deadly toluene. I had used up my "kitty litter" & available towels. I needed paper towels. Living close to Home Depot, Soquel I went there to get their large packages of paper towels. The aisle was closed while a female worker was stocking the shelves with a forklift. I couldn't wait for her and saw the towels within easy reach so I grabbed them and began to walk away. I've worked in manufacturing and warehouses and have driven forklifts, I took a calculated risk that was completely safe. The woman told me she was working and that I had to wait for her. I explained that I was a hazmat 1st responder and that I too was working at the moment. Several other women working there proceeded to rudely inform me that I was in the wrong. Ok then. Me personally had I been her, I would've stopped, let the customer get what they came to buy and go back to work. Since when do workers make customers wait for them to do their job on the customer's time that is responding to an emergency? Is what the workers are doing more important than a long time loyal customer is doing? Please stock your shelves on your time and listen to a customer when they have a special need. The customer service has really fallen off and I am tired of waiting to check out and being treated as though I don't matter. I am the customer and I am not going to put up with workers that think they are more important than me and my shopping needs.
