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Do You Patronize Inaccessible Shops?
One of my biggest frustrations is inaccessibility. To me, it feels like inadvertent discrimination. Nobody means to say you’re not welcome, but you don’t have to say it when a step does it for you.
For years I’ve overlooked that my favorite shop’s clearance section is down a flight of stairs. Although it’s a bummer I can’t get a firsthand look, they’ve always been accommodating, bringing up selections if I’m searching for something. Recently they expanded upstairs, now making almost half their shop inaccessible. Here’s the kicker, they actually justified it by saying it makes the main area of their shop more accessible. Honestly, I don’t even know how to respond to that. Thank you? Yes, thanks for providing me with more space to look at fewer products while your able-bodied customers get the best values. Can you see my eyes rolling?
I understand accessibility isn’t always easy. Especially when it comes to old buildings. Instead of using these areas for the general public, my thought is to use these spaces for other business activities that don’t require foot traffic. Maybe it could be for extra inventory, online orders, or even production. It probably feels like you’re not utilizing your square footage, but you’re also not alienating your customers.
How would you respond? Would you continue to shop there?
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