Lawl, I'm banned from my old place of work. Update: DM fired! Sick burn!

[The Fake Shemp]

I went to GameCrazy to pick up Batman: Arkham Asylum and Bad Company in a successful transaction with a manager I'm good friends with. I went outside to converse with the GameCrazy manager on a smoke break, then walked inside Hollywood Video with Disposable White Guy and was told I am banned from the store.

I don't think I've ever been banned from anywhere in my life.

[OptimoPeach]

Did you knock over a magazine rack?

Sorry, just had to get that out of the way

[Great Rumbler]

That's pretty awesome that they still recognize you.

[demi]

who wouldnt recognize jonah hill

[OptimoPeach]

Was that the store you walked away from without giving your 2 weeks notice after putting up with all their bullshit? Or are you banned because of some other petty reason?

[The Fake Shemp]

No, I was kind of stunned. I had gone in there after I resigned from the company prior to this incident, with no problems.

When the store manager sternly told me I couldn't be in there, I thought it was a joke. I asked him why, and he said, "You just can't be in here."

It was a little embarrassing.

Oh well, that's why God invented Netflix and onDemand.

... The GameCrazy manager was pretty pissed about it, and offered to forward me contact information for higher-ups to complain to. I might do that. It was pretty unnecessary.

[Rman]

So did you leave on bad terms or something?  Sounds stupid on their part.  Money is money.

[The Fake Shemp]

No, I gave my full two weeks and everything. I was managing two stores at the time. The week after I left one store, it went to total shit, because the DM decided to go on vacation the same week I was no longer working.

He managed to get one shift leader to quit before I resigned, and told me to fill his shift, but I was unable to and let the acting DM know this. Within three days of my departure, another shift leader quit and for that week, the store didn't open until 5 or 6 PM almost every day. Sometimes it wasn't locked up properly.

I know he got his ass chewed out for that (especially for going on vacation), but when I put in my notice, I did the schedule two weeks out and everything. It really wasn't my responsibility after that.

[Human Snorenado]

Did you end up giving notice or not?  Even if you didn't that's pretty shitty.  I mean, I've walked back into plenty of Gamestops where I used to work after calling the DM a shithead to his face with no problem.

edit- oh, just an extra special shitty dm.

[The Fake Shemp]

Yeah, I gave a full two weeks notice. I was going to be dick and give two weeks notice, knowing that one of the weeks I had already put in a written notice for vacation - thereby only serving one week.

... but I attempted to play nice, and did a full two weeks.

[OptimoPeach]

So he's just butthurt over getting reamed for being a moron, basically. What a prick. Just be glad you don't have to deal with that retail bullshit anymore, I guess

[The Fake Shemp]

Yeah, I mean, it's really their loss.

I can't contemplate a video rental store turning away business in this economic climate (it was getting ugly when I left), especially considering the alternatives. I already use Netflix. I just wanted to rent a campy horror flick for tonight with Disposable White Guy and kick a few beers, but we ending up renting The Sentinel and Lifeforce through Comcast anyway.

I am tempted to write the VP, who I know dislikes this DM, and complain (and Cc the DM). Just kind of rude. Especially when that store is standing because of me. When I took it on, it was almost 100k in the hole. No joke. I got it turning a profit within three months.

Not only that, Optimo, he withheld my final paycheck for over a month and didn't pay out my vacation. Total dick move.

[OptimoPeach]

Oh yeah, I remember that thread. You never ended up taking them to small claims court?

[The Fake Shemp]

No, I had family to contact someone from state labor to look into this. It's kind of a long drawn out thing now.

[The Fake Shemp]

Lawl, I e-mailed the regional director and VP. We'll see how angry he gets now.

[Reb]

Weight restrictions?

[Mandark]

Lordy, but that's a tale of astounding pettiness on their part.

All I know about the video rental business personally is that when I worked at a bowling alley, one of the girls who worked the snack bar was banging the manager of the Blockbusters next door.  We all assumed she got free rentals, but never actually confirmed it.

[drew]

Weight restrictions?

cold bloooooded

how cold so cold

[BlueTsunami]

Its good you're doing something about it. I wouldn't doubt that the higher ups have some sort of file on his ineptitude, would be hilarious if the straw and camel was turning away business due to some personal vendetta.

[The Fake Shemp]

Weight restrictions?

How does that make sense in a one story building?

... You guys are slacking.

Mandark, she totally got free rentals. I sent off the e-mail to the VP and RD, and Cc'd the DM. It was pretty well written, I thought. I almost wanted to type, "Wow, I was unaware that your finances had such a rapid turnaround since my resignation several months ago, and were currently capable of being selective about customers."

But I didn't.

[The Fake Shemp]

Full letter:

Dear [RD] and [VP],

I am saddened and dismayed over the callous disrespect one of your District Managers has shown me, a former employee (and now customer), upon my resignation from the company.

Mr. [DM], who withheld my final paycheck and failed to contact me (after two e-mail inquiries), was the main party responsible for delaying my last paycheck from Hollywood Video until well over a month after my final work day.

To add insult to injury, it seems to be that Mr. [DM] has barred me from entrance as a customer into your [hometown] location, despite no verbal or written communication as to why. As someone who gave his full two weeks, and suffered quite miserably as a manager of two locations under this supervisor, this is nothing short of embarrassing.

I am lucky to have moved on to a profession that has afforded me a modest amount of disposable income, and was stunned that considering the economic climate that exists today, your company would choose to turn away any video rental business.

I also have deep roots in the community - and I can tell you - any family and friends (some of which include public school teachers, day care providers, etc.) that have utilized Hollywood Video in the past, will be more than happy to use Redbox and Netflix in the future.

I have nothing but respect for the honest managers and associates who maintain your stores, and hold no grudges against anyone doing their job. You have a great staff working at your [hometown] location, one that excels in customer service. Yet, if [DM] is the type of field manager you plan on retaining as a company, then I doubt this will be the last complaint you receive.

I do not plan on returning to any of your stores, because it has been made well known that I am not welcome. It is not difficult to find alternatives for Hollywood Video, even in the same shopping center, as you are aware. In the end, I felt that a great disservice was not only made to a former employee, but to a customer.

Internal politics may mean my opinion does not carry a great deal of weight, but I felt this more than warrants an e-mail.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Will Federman

[BlueTsunami]

You should pop your head into the store (not fully entering), lookthe DM in the eyes, arrogantly raise your chin and state "You're move, District Manager" then slowly back out of sight.

[tehjaybo]

Full letter:

Dear [RD] and [VP],

I am saddened and dismayed over the callous disrespect one of your District Managers has shown me, a former employee (and now customer), upon my resignation from the company.

Mr. [DM], who withheld my final paycheck and failed to contact me (after two e-mail inquiries), was the main party responsible for delaying my last paycheck from Hollywood Video until well over a month after my final work day.

To add insult to injury, it seems to be that Mr. [DM] has barred me from entrance as a customer into your [hometown] location, despite no verbal or written communication as to why. As someone who gave his full two weeks, and suffered quite miserably as a manager of two locations under this supervisor, this is nothing short of embarrassing.

I am lucky to have moved on to a profession that has afforded me a modest amount of disposable income, and was stunned that considering the economic climate that exists today, your company would choose to turn away any video rental business.

I also have deep roots in the community - and I can tell you - any family and friends (some of which include public school teachers, day care providers, etc.) that have utilized Hollywood Video in the past, will be more than happy to use Redbox and Netflix in the future.

I have nothing but respect for the honest managers and associates who maintain your stores, and hold no grudges against anyone doing their job. You have a great staff working at your [hometown] location, one that excels in customer service. Yet, if [DM] is the type of field manager you plan on retaining as a company, then I doubt this will be the last complaint you receive.

I do not plan on returning to any of your stores, because it has been made well known that I am not welcome. It is not difficult to find alternatives for Hollywood Video, even in the same shopping center, as you are aware. In the end, I felt that a great disservice was not only made to a former employee, but to a customer.

Internal politics may mean my opinion does not carry a great deal of weight, but I felt this more than warrants an e-mail.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Will Federman

Weight restrictions?

I'm seeing a pattern here, Willco.

[The Fake Shemp]

The funniest part is that I'm not banned on the GameCrazy side, despite both stores being connected. The GameCrazy manager was quite vocal about his displeasure with such a stupid rule.

Disposable White Guy and I joked that I should run back and forth from the threshold, never staying on the video side long enough to get yelled out.

[drew]

the next best thing to kicking somebodies ass is walking up to them with a and a <^> tucked under your shirt

[The Fake Shemp]

Ugh, tehjaybo, you totally suck at this. I don't know if it's because it's late, or you guys are not very good, but the obvious joke would be:

my opinion does not carry a great deal of weight

"I beg to differ."

... or something along those lines.

Amateurs.

[tehjaybo]

I'm half asleep, just killing time until demonoid comes back up from maintenance so I can look for a torrent then go to bed.

You should print on a shirt and just stand in the GameWhatever side of the store and stare down the DM. 

[Reb]

You should pop your head into the store (not fully entering), lookthe DM in the eyes, arrogantly raise your chin and state "You're move, District Manager" then slowly back out of sight.

This needs to happen.

But why would he be move? How does that even work?

[Joe Molotov]

Full letter:

Dear [RD] and [VP],

I am saddened and dismayed over the callous disrespect one of your District Managers has shown me, a former employee (and now customer), upon my resignation from the company.

Mr. [DM], who withheld my final paycheck and failed to contact me (after two e-mail inquiries), was the main party responsible for delaying my last paycheck from Hollywood Video until well over a month after my final work day.

To add insult to injury, it seems to be that Mr. [DM] has barred me from entrance as a customer into your [hometown] location, despite no verbal or written communication as to why. As someone who gave his full two weeks, and suffered quite miserably as a manager of two locations under this supervisor, this is nothing short of embarrassing.

I am lucky to have moved on to a profession that has afforded me a modest amount of disposable income, and was stunned that considering the economic climate that exists today, your company would choose to turn away any video rental business.

I also have deep roots in the community - and I can tell you - any family and friends (some of which include public school teachers, day care providers, etc.) that have utilized Hollywood Video in the past, will be more than happy to use Redbox and Netflix in the future.

I have nothing but respect for the honest managers and associates who maintain your stores, and hold no grudges against anyone doing their job. You have a great staff working at your [hometown] location, one that excels in customer service. Yet, if [DM] is the type of field manager you plan on retaining as a company, then I doubt this will be the last complaint you receive.

I do not plan on returning to any of your stores, because it has been made well known that I am not welcome. It is not difficult to find alternatives for Hollywood Video, even in the same shopping center, as you are aware. In the end, I felt that a great disservice was not only made to a former employee, but to a customer.

Internal politics may mean my opinion does not carry a great deal of weight, but I felt this more than warrants an e-mail.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Will Federman

Wilco, kicking ass, taking names.

[chronovore]

Under what premise can they ask you to leave a store? I don't get it.

[Great Rumbler]

You should pop your head into the store (not fully entering), lookthe DM in the eyes, arrogantly raise your chin and state "You're move, District Manager" then slowly back out of sight.

[The Fake Shemp]

Under what premise can they ask you to leave a store? I don't get it.

Any store can pretty much refuse service to anyone, but you usually only give that line if you pose a threat (to staff or inventory). If they called the police, that would've been laughable, since I know many of the officers.

[ManaByte]

I'm half asleep, just killing time until demonoid comes back up from maintenance so I can look for a torrent then go to bed.

You should print on a shirt and just stand in the GameWhatever side of the store and stare down the DM. 

Careful with demonoid. MPAA and RIAA have infiltrated it. People are being nailed left and right these days.

[Don Flamenco]

I'm half asleep, just killing time until demonoid comes back up from maintenance so I can look for a torrent then go to bed.

You should print on a shirt and just stand in the GameWhatever side of the store and stare down the DM. 

Careful with demonoid. MPAA and RIAA have infiltrated it. People are being nailed left and right these days.

uh oh, really?  that's like, my main site.

[ManaByte]

I'm half asleep, just killing time until demonoid comes back up from maintenance so I can look for a torrent then go to bed.

You should print on a shirt and just stand in the GameWhatever side of the store and stare down the DM. 

Careful with demonoid. MPAA and RIAA have infiltrated it. People are being nailed left and right these days.

uh oh, really?  that's like, my main site.

Just go look up any of the big seeded torrents for any major movie and you'll see people posting the emails they're getting.

[BlueTsunami]

Demonoid also uses outside trackers. Main tracker of interest being The Pirate Bay. So basically, when you begin downloading off of Demonoid, make sure the trackers being used aren't public.

[demi]

Or stop using torrent altogether and leech off megaupload/rapidshit

[OptimoPeach]

Yeah, Demonoid is like half a notch above public trackers. Fuck em. Move to Usenet or get on some private torrent sites

[Don Flamenco]

Anyone wanna send an invite to a private site?

I've got a demonoid invite to trade 

[BlueTsunami]

I don't have any invites but keep an eye out for http://www.iptorrents.com/ openings (it could be open right now). I downloaded Season 1-5 of The Office (US) fairly quickly. They also have a Bonus Point system in place where you can use Bonus Points (for being a good user in regards to seeding) to augment your upload stats (which then buys you some free leeching towards something you want).

They also have freeleech torrents that don't count towards your download but anything you upload as counted towards your ratio.

[OptimoPeach]

All I have invites for right now is a music tracker. If you want one just PM me your email

[The Fake Shemp]

Update. Got a reply from the Regional Director.

Will, thank you for your e-mail. I will investigate this further.

- [Regional Director]

[Human Snorenado]

Yeah right, he probably doesn't give a shit.  Too busy updating his resume for the impending retail apocalypse.

[The Fake Shemp]

Nah, if he replies, my DM got an earful. He probably won't call a private detective, but the DM got an earful.

I always knew that my DM would get yelled at, not because of the content of the e-mail or my name, but because the VP would be angry that he even got an e-mail. I know how that company works, and I'm sure the VP immediately called the RD and was like, "Who the fuck is Will Federman? Why is he sending me e-mails, keep your goddamn DMs in check, asshole!"

So I was never expecting a reply, but was expecting my DM to get yelled at. This only confirms that. I forwarded it along to one Hollywood DM that I still am friendly with and a few of my GameStop friends that are now DMs, and they all laughed.

He got chewed out.

[The Fake Shemp]

UPDATE

I found out sometime last week, after my e-mail, that the RD decided to schedule a visit to the district - pretty much out of the blue.

Earlier this evening, while out to buy some food, I was called by another manager and told that the RD called the DM to my old store and fired him. Apparently, my name came up a bit in the conversation.

[Madrun Badrun]

wilco

[OptimoPeach]

Owned

[BlueTsunami]

sogood.gif

[EmCeeGrammar]

    

edit: well he sounds like an unpleasant individual, buuuuut still sucks.  Hope he adjusts his attitude and lands on his feet.

[The Fake Shemp]

Are you kidding EmCee? I was actually halfway tempted to text his cell, "Congratulations on your promotion to customer!"

... but I felt that might be too much. I mean, I don't want the guy to hunt me down and shoot me.

[Bocsius]

I was going to say I wonder if he would be allowed in the store, but I doubt he'd even go.

[The Fake Shemp]

Probably not.

[Smooth Groove]

So the guy's fired just because you weren't willing to go to another video store?  Do you really want to gloat about this? 

Now the poor guy and his family are probably gonna starve because he doesn't have any rich Jewish relatives to fall back on. 

[Madrun Badrun]

wilco

[The Fake Shemp]

Will I gloat? After all the disparaging remarks he's made about me after my resignation, the fact that he withheld my paycheck and banned me from a store?

Hell yeah.

To be fair, I think the vultures were circling, because the district performance went into the tank after I resigned (and a couple of other people left). This is in addition to the fact that he got chewed out pretty severely for letting my old store open late after I quit (his primary reason for hating me).

It takes a lot more than an e-mail to can a person, so he had to have a couple of strikes against him. I was told that my e-mail was likely the straw that broke the camel's back. I feel good that during the discussion to can the DM, the RD objectively used my performance to refute his bullshit.

It's nice to be held in semi-high regard.

But I have little remorse for someone that would treat people like garbage.

[max_cool]

So the guy's fired just because you weren't willing to go to another video store?  Do you really want to gloat about this? 

Now the poor guy and his family are probably gonna starve because he doesn't have any rich Jewish relatives to fall back on. 

part of good management is knowing who you can fuck over and who you can't. this fuckwit misscalcualted and fucked over some one who he shouldn't have.

[bork]

This is awesome.  He got what he deserved.  It would be amazing if that guy does go back to that store for whatever reason, and his replacement bans him from entering.   

[Flannel Boy]

Now the poor guy and his family are probably gonna starve because he doesn't have any rich Jewish relatives to fall back on. 

does he have any rich siblings who are doctors?

[chronovore]

Gloating is justified, particularly here on a board ostensibly filled with friends. Going up to the guy in front of his girlfriend? Probably not.

Anyway, the guy was  conducting his work in an inappropriate way. Nothing  Willco did in the store warranted being kicked out, and yet this bozo just wanted to flop his peen out on the counter as a mean spirited gesture. It doesn't sound like it was the only thing that he did wrong, and it caught up with him. PEE PEE SMACK!

[Human Snorenado]

It's interesting to note that all of the whining crowd have likely never had to deal with a shitty retail job before.

WHINE WHINE WHINE

This is awesome, Federman.  Major dap to you.