February 2017 by NNN BBB
Hueco Tanks guides - bring your business elsewhere. I had an extremely negative reaction with an employee here who presented herself as either the owner or a manager. I walked in with a brand new Dual-Band Transceiver that I needed programmed to use for guiding. I had called in advance; they stated they were familiar with the programming required by TPWD, and told me to come on in. I presented my radio with a "Good morning, I'm the one who called a few minutes ago" and a smile. The employee who greeted me barely glanced at my radio before putting her hand on her hip, turning her nose up, and very dismissively stating "I don't program these radios." She stared at me expectantly and no further explanation was offered. When I confusedly asked for clarification ("What do you mean?"), she just repeated (with some sarcasm now folded in) "I don't program these radios". She continued to stare at me with her hand on her hip and eyebrows raised, and I got the feeling that meant I should leave. Upon further questioning, I was able to gather from her subsequent, equally dismissive remarks, that my particular brand of transceiver does not come through her shop very often and it was not worth her time to learn how to do it. I would have been okay with a simple explanation stating as much, but her attitude, body language, and verbal tone were just so sneering and almost contemptuous... it was all just very upsetting. To this day it still bothers me because it came seemingly unprovoked and I am not sure what about my presence offended her so badly that she decided to treat me that way the moment I walked into her store. A simple rejection without all the meanness would have sufficed. I told her that as far as I'm aware, most of the Hueco guides bring their business to her, but if she is going to treat her customers with such disdain then then perhaps they should go elsewhere. She waved her hand and said "Go right ahead, good luck finding someone." Well, I am pleased to have found someone who is more than happy to do it. Lowell at VCRUX Mountain Hut (Hueco Tanks Climbing Shop), located just a mile outside the park, will do it and put a smile on your face while you chat with him and look around his cool shop. Support another local business (and climber) who values your patronage, treats you like a friend/human being, and will return your respect :)
