A routine evening took a nasty turn for Mount Gambier resident Katherine Pickles when a simple attempt to return a $12 pizza escalated into a heated altercation with a Domino’s Pizza store owner.
The incident, which unfolded at a store in South Australia, was captured on camera, quickly making rounds on social media platforms and sparking widespread outrage and concern.
Pickles, a Mount Gambier grandmother, recounted her experience, stating that she had sought to return the pizza on Saturday night, deeming it unacceptable due to its subpar quality.
In her eyes, the pizza appeared to be hastily thrown together, resembling two separate pizzas awkwardly merged into one.
However, what began as a routine customer complaint swiftly devolved into a confrontation of alarming proportions.
As Pickles attempted to address her concerns with the store owner, he reportedly unleashed a barrage of profanities and aggressive threats.
In the video footage circulating online, the irate pizza owner can be heard shouting expletives at Pickles, demanding she leave the premises immediately.
“Get the fk out,” he bellowed, asserting his authority as the store owner. “If you don’t get out, I will smash your f***ing face.”
The scene quickly grew tense as Pickles attempted to defuse the situation, urging the owner to refrain from arguing with customers.
Despite her attempts to maintain composure, the confrontation continued to escalate, with Pickles eventually labelling the owner as “mental” and asserting that he was “finished.”
The disturbing incident left Pickles visibly shaken and distressed. “I cried the whole way home. I didn’t sleep last night at all. I’m quite shaken up by it,” she shared in an interview with 7NEWS, highlighting the emotional toll of the encounter.
In response to the uproar, Domino’s Pizza issued a statement expressing regret over the incident and emphasising its commitment to customer safety and service excellence.
A spokesperson for the company affirmed that Domino’s takes safety and wellbeing extremely seriously, condemning any form of aggression, harassment, or abuse within its stores.
The company swiftly launched an internal investigation into the incident, promising to take appropriate action in light of the findings. “This customer’s experience does not reflect the high standards and values we pride ourselves on, and we are sincerely sorry,” the spokesperson stated.
Despite Domino’s efforts to address the situation, the incident has raised broader concerns about customer service standards and the treatment of patrons in retail environments.
Many have voiced their support for Pickles, condemning the aggressive behaviour displayed by the store owner and calling for accountability.
Blame it on MENTAL HEALTH 😂