One of the most common horror stories is the lack of inventory control. You go in for a specific item, but it's out of stock. And this seems to happen a lot. Another is the quality of the products. Some products look like they've been mishandled or are already damaged when they are on the shelf. And then there's the lighting. In some Family Dollar stores, the lighting is so dim that it's hard to see the products clearly, which can be a real pain when you're trying to shop.
The most common is probably the poor customer service. Staff members who don't seem to care about helping customers. Another common one is the disorganization of the store. Items are often in the wrong places, making it hard to find what you need. Also, issues with product quality can be a horror story. Buying something only to find it's defective when you get home.
One horror story could be about finding expired or contaminated products on the shelves. It's really scary when you buy something thinking it's safe but then find out it's not. For example, some people might have bought food items that were already moldy or had a strange smell, which is a big problem as it can make customers sick.
Well, I heard a story where at a Family Dollar, the security system malfunctioned. People were being wrongly accused of stealing. An innocent lady was stopped at the exit and searched in an embarrassing way just because the faulty system beeped when she passed through. It turned out to be a false alarm but she was really humiliated. Also, some customers have complained about items being misplaced all the time. So when you are in a hurry to buy something, you can't find it easily as it's not where it should be.
A customer once said that while shopping, she saw a doll on the shelf that seemed to have a really creepy face. When she turned around and then looked back, the doll had moved slightly. It was really unnerving for her.
One common element is a haunted house. Many family horror stories involve families moving into a new place that turns out to be haunted. Another element is a cursed object. Just like the doll in the previous story, an object that brings bad luck or strange occurrences. And family secrets also play a big part. Sometimes the horror is linked to something that the family has been hiding for generations.
Flight delays are very common. You end up spending hours at the airport, missing connecting flights, and arriving at your destination exhausted and much later than planned. Another one is food poisoning. Eating at a new place during the holiday and then getting sick for days.
Betrayal is a common element. Like in the story where a family member lies about another for their own gain. Another is secrets. Families often have secrets that when revealed can be really horrifying, like a family with a hidden criminal past. And also, power struggles. When one family member tries to control the others in an extreme way, it can lead to a horror - like situation.
Getting lost is very common. You might follow the wrong GPS directions or misread a map, and end up in an unfamiliar and potentially dangerous area.
Running out of gas in the middle of nowhere is a typical family road trip horror story. You're happily driving along, not paying close enough attention to the gas gauge, and then suddenly the car sputters to a stop. You're miles from the nearest gas station, and it could be hours before someone comes along to help. And then there are the stories of car problems that mechanics can't seem to figure out easily. You're stranded at a garage for days while they try to diagnose and fix the issue.
One common element is miscommunication. The family responsibility office may not communicate clearly with the family members about financial decisions, leading to misunderstandings and disputes. For example, they might change an investment strategy without informing the family in time.
I heard a story where a customer found a bug in a product they bought from Family Dollar. It was really disgusting. They had bought a box of cereal and when they opened it at home, there was a small bug crawling inside. It made them question the quality control at the store.