Pegasus Books Oakland

I do not like leaving negative reviews for places I love based on one negative experience, but I will share. I come here every couple weeks to browse and usually walk out with a couple books. The staff in general are kind, patient, and helpful. Today I asked for help from one (new to me) gentleman with a white beard to look up a book to see if they had a copy at this Rockridge location. He dismissively brushed me aside to "go look for it over there where you just were." I mentioned I just came from the poetry section but was now looking for a collection of short stories. Without looking at me he waved me off again and said, "go look at the fiction section." Unsure if I was feeling "sensitive" or if he was being a jerk, I called the Berkeley location to ask if they are able to look up if they have an in-store copy available. The Berkeley person said, yes! They can help me look up a book if I come to the store in person or over the phone. These are not times to "let it go" when someone treats you with disrespect. I went back to Rockridge Pegasus and waited in line while watching this same gentleman help two lovely older white women with the same issue I had -- find out if a book was in their store. Surprise! He was kind, patient, and helped them by looking up the book to see if they had it. Again I asked him to see if they had a copy of the book available, exactly the same way I asked before. Interestingly this time he decided to poke around on the computer, telling me that "the publisher is Penguin House and won't let the store order it but you can order yourself" ??? lol wat. When questioning why he wasn't able to help me before in the same way he helped the other women, he said "he was busy and had to make an order." Asked him why he couldn't ask me to be patient and wait a moment for help. He made the same weird excuses. I told him that even though he was behaving defensively, I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. He eventually, finally, told me he was sorry. I thanked him for saying that and he visibly relaxed. I asked him to please treat all of his customers with the same respect. --- That said, I love a good bookstore and this is one of them. I'll come back to get more, they have great stuff. I do recommend you stop by if you love words. Just don't let him do you wrong lol.