A shocking incident in Southport saw 22-year-old Necati Ayhan receive a four-figure payout from Asda after an unpleasant exchange with one of their delivery drivers. When Necati, who lives on Lord Street and has fibromyalgia and autism, informed the driver he couldn’t help carry his shopping upstairs, the driver allegedly replied, “disabled my a**e.” Feeling degraded and embarrassed, Necati recorded the exchange, where the driver retorted, “You don’t look disabled to me.”
This encounter left Necati deeply upset, prompting him to lodge a formal complaint at Asda’s Central 12 store. Initially, his complaint seemed to fall on deaf ears until it was later revealed that the driver involved had resigned from his position. Necati was eventually awarded a settlement from the supermarket giant.
Reflecting on the incident, Necati shared, “It was shocking. It made me feel degraded and embarrassed. It would have been different if I’d been in a wheelchair, which I actually use when I’m out.”
Despite being offered a £30 voucher for travel expenses at the time, the encounter highlighted the importance of compassion and understanding in customer service. Though Asda has not commented further, they assured that drivers would be reminded of the importance of courteous behaviour.
A reminder to us all that appearances can be deceiving, and kindness should always be at the forefront of our interactions. What are your thoughts on this situation?