Remember the "Little Guys"

I had an experience yesterday that helped me remember why I used to shop at a small "mom and pop" store.
Yesterday I went to a "box store" to buy our weekly critter feed. Every week we spend $50-$75 worth of critter feed. To us, that's a lot of money. That doesn't include the weeks that we need bedding or something else critter related. We have been going to this store for ages. When I went to get the meat bird feed, they were out. I asked a store worker if they could see if they had anything in the back, which she did and they didn't.  While I was still in the aisle, a stock boy came over and asked if he could go check the truck to see if they had any they hadn't gotten unloaded yet. Before I could answer him, a manager came over and in her helpful way, said they have a small bag of game bird feed at the end of the aisle. I'm sorry, that bag is about 5 pounds of feed. I'm feeding about 40 birds right now. That bag wouldn't even be enough to feed them all for one day. I felt the helpfulness of the stock boy change as the manager walked up, so I didn't think I should push the subject of him checking the truck as I didn't want to get him in trouble. The manager said I could leave my name and they could call when they get the truck unloaded if they had the feed. Again, I'm sorry but it takes us about a half hour to get to this store. I felt like she was being a little snotty by this time and had had enough. That made me realize why I needed to go back to the mom and pop store that I used to go to.
The mom and pop store actually appreciate the business they get. They go above and beyond for their customers. This store is a little farther for me to go to and is not really on the way anywhere, but is definitely worth the drive. They have always had feed and if they don't have it in the front, they tell you they have it in the back and will go and get it. I sincerely regret the times that I shopped at the big store and spent our money foolishly with people that don't care if you come there or not. You're just a face. To the mom and pop store, they know you by name and know what you need when you come in. It is so worth the extra gas money and the extra time to go to someone who cares and appreciates your business. When I make the next trip to get feed, I will let them know that their customer is back and it was never anything that they had done to make me go elsewhere. They can count on my visit and money every week.