Listener Opinion: I Have Money to Spend

Have you ever felt like you were treated differently in a store not because of your appearance but rather your marital status? That's what one Fort Collins resident claims happens to her when shopping and eating out in Fort Collins.

In the "rants & raves" section of the Fort Collins Craigslist, an anonymous woman posted the following:

There is a trend in Fort Collins that if you go to a restaurant or many stores, as a single, older woman, you get lesser service. In restaurants they quite often want you to sit at the bar. Recently in both American Furniture and Best Buy, I was side-stepped by sales people so they could wait on a couple. I made a comment on the way out of Best Buy. He said if I wanted to wait, he could maybe find someone to wait on me. How about waiting on me when I come in? Better wake up stores. We older people do have some money to spend.

Very interesting. As a younger female I don't quite relate in the same way, but I've personally had this happen to me when shopping at American Furniture Warehouse, as well. A little over a year ago, I was at the Fort Collins location with my mother (who I guess would fit this description, though she's married). It took forever to get a sales person to help me purchase my sofa - others were too busy waiting on couples. We finally flagged down one salesperson of many who weren't busy and he was able to help me get in and out of there in no time. Don't get me wrong, the service wasn't bad...once we were able to find someone to help us. But it was pretty frustrating seeing as I also had money to spend - I had walked in there with the intention of spending money on a new sofa, but I just needed someone to do the transaction with.

As for the Best Buy thing, I just think that's pretty weird.

I'm not sure why this is in my case or the Craigslist woman's case, but perhaps you could provide insight on this issue. Sound off in the comments below or shoot me an email!