November 17 This past week I took a silk-screen print by a local artist to the framing department. Two employees, a man and a woman, saw me approach the counter, and the man asked if I ""wanted something."" I showed him my artwork, explained that I wanted to have Columbia Art & Drafting create a frame, and took the protective cellophane off the print. Another customer, a man, approached the counter. Without a word to me, the clerk left me standing there and helped the new customer. Neither the clerk nor the new customer acknowledged the fact of my existence. The other employee, the woman, could have helped the new customer, but she paid no attention. I waited for a couple of minutes, hoping that the clerk might say something like ""Excuse me, I'll be right back,"" or ""Do you mind if I help someone else even though you were here first,"" or that the new customer might say something like ""Sorry to interrupt, but I'm in a hurry,"" or ""I'm more important than you are,"" or anything else suitable to the occasion. But neither man said anything to me, as they went about their business. I wrapped up my print and left. The fact that this would have been at least a $300 order is beside the point. They have permanently lost my business as a regular customer of their art supplies department.
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