"It was for an internal memo, for no one else to see"

What a crock of crap! There's certainly ways to say someone shouldn't be charged without saying they're a "bankrupt deadbeat". After getting an apology, I'd tell 'em to kiss my ass and I'd never go into that store again.

No. Simple rule. Never add anything to a customer record that you wouldn't be happy with the customer seeing.

Follow that rule and this doesn't happen.

EDIT: Didn't see Kakana's comment until after I'd posted mine.

But there's no harm in agreeing.

Well there's some good advertising for your business.

I guess Penn Drug isn't too afraid of Walmart, Walgreens, Costo and the rest of the big boys taking them out of business.

Nah. What's one totally embarrassed customer and TV/internet coverage of how your really feel about your customers.

I am sorry, but no... I really disagree with putting the customer sentiments first...

If the customer is a deadbeat, call it like it is. Perhaps this customer, in light of everyone knowing what she is known for, will do something about the situation...

And granted... this may be a case where she can't help but being in that particular situation, but regardless, she should have done something to prevent being perceived as anything less than what she perceives herself...

Some times it takes humiliation to inspire change...

<--- True testament to it!

Even unemployed for 2 entire years did not end in me filing for bankruptcy. The LOWEST I had ever sank was asking my father for money so I could make a car payment; and even THAT money was paid back in full!

Irrisponsibility is not the only reason that people go bankrupt. There are good hardworking people out there who get in a bad way. If she had to file because of massive amounts of medical bills what was she going to do? I think there is a huge difference between making a car payment and trying to pay back 100,000 in medical bills. Not only that but maybe she didn't have anyone to borrow money from either. Maybe she is all alone and trying to make it.

Next point. It was incredibly unprofessional of a business to behave in this manner. There is nothing professional about the word "deadbeat", and part of a successful company is being professional through and through.

She had filed for bankruptcy a 'few years ago' according to the article. If she was working and had insurance, she should have been able to afford her medication. I think that 'a few years' is enough for most people to get back on their feet... especially after filing for bankruptcy...

If she was working and had insurance then yes she could possibly afford her medication. However, I believe you are making the assumption that her job had great affordable insurance number one. And number two not all medications are covered under all insurance policies. Depending on the disease, medications can cost incredible amounts of money and not all insurance companies will cover them. I have had some experience with people (responsible people) who for vairous reasons had to file for bankruptcy, and it can take more than a few years to get out of it. It can be dependant on how much money you make, and sometimes even when you think you have finished with it, when it goes through court again the decision that you need to pay more could always happen.