Village of Fruitvale - Fruitvale, British Columbia

Braedon Z.

It's hard to give an honest opinion on this place, especially since I absolutely love living in Fruitvale. It's a beautiful town filled with lovely people and a great atmosphere. This isn't about the town. The village office is the most unhelpful, frustration inducing experience every time I'm in there. Not only are they unhelpful, they're mocking and rude when you have concerns and questions. Every time I attend to pay a bill, they give me the run around and make it difficult. Most recently I was in there to pay my utilities. I was unaware that we couldn't pay by credit card and when presented I was rudely told that it costs the village too much in charges and that everyone's taxes would go up for something that not everyone uses. When I pointed out that my taxes are increasing anyways because the village invests in things that I don't use and aren't beneficial to me I was met with blank stares. Her follow up example was that it doesn't make sense in a town of say 1200 people (her example) to implement something if only 500 people use it. That's exactly the reason to implement something. To not alienate almost half a group. She followed up by circling the e-transfer option about 5 times and rudely told me to read my documents better. I read them. I understand those are options. That isn't the point. Now I get that the front line workers aren't the ones who make these decisions and that council needs to intervene on these choices but the attitude and rude comments from them are so unnecessary. It's a bit dystopian to demand our money but also strictly dictate how we pay. I mentioned how it would just be nice to have all the payment options available. She told me that if I wanted my utilities up to date I'd just pay how they want. I get it. I'm happy to pay the way you want but if I can't have a discussion with you without absolutely unacceptable attitude from a customer service standpoint, that's not ok.

Karen H.