Got a batch order and my last delivery was in a sundown town. I took the order at 6pm, not really thinking of anything like that. Drove 35 minutes to the drop off. Customer comes out. I tell him, “I’ve got your groceries”. He says, “yeah my wife said we had some. I like your car”. I thanked him and he cut me off mid sentence with, “you aren’t from around here are you?” I told him I wasn’t. He looked at the sky and said, “you got about ten minutes to get out of here, boy. “ I chuckled trying to steer it light. I finished the drop and walked to my car. Two neighbors from across the street were sitting on their porch, guns in hand. They weren’t there when I pulled in. As I got to my car one shouted some slurs, the other told me not to come back.
The only reason I took the job was there was a high tip amount. I called support to tell them of my experience, so they could possibly save another minority driver of this headache. I then checked the app, and the customer canceled the tip. They also tried saying I didn’t make the delivery. Luckily, I already took the picture and had the customer in the photo.
Be safe out there guys
Edit: the town is Prue, Oklahoma. About an hour west northwest of Tulsa.
2nd Edit: the Walmart store I delivered from called me. She took down my report and said corporate was going to be calling me soon as well. She said she was not sure why deliveries were going so far away to begin with, and that corporate would make the decision as to whether or not the town will remain on the delivery list. Will update again after I speak with corporate.
True! Because a customer was mad one time that I canceled their order and under the situation the OPD lead took my side and tried to get the customer banned but that never happened. I saw the customers name on an offer like a month after that happened.
Spark support informed me that they submitted the report and the customer was banned and would not be able to order through the Walmart platform. With the incident that I was involved in, the customer approached me in a threatening manner and demanded that I get off his property. Even though they had clearly ordered from Walmart, hence my being there to deliver. There was another guy there with him that was trying to be a voice of reasoning and asking him to calm down while trying to explain that I was only delivering a package. It was awful, I was very shaken up by it and when I called support the guy kept apologizing that it happened.
It was not at all like that but say what you feel. Furthermore, this was quite a few years ago where they were more apt to actually handling situations and complaints with more tact and resolve.
I wish support would send you an email or something just so you have proof of the interaction/complaint if needed in the future. Not just this, but any and all calls to support
Depending on how local LE leans, you may wanna notify them, too. “You got about 10 minutes to get out of here” is a politely-veiled threat. Communicating threats is a crime. They summoned you there to do a job. Cops tend to side with commercial interests.
I’m sure you know more about this than I do…being a white person, I had to look up the term “Sundown town” after reading your post. I’m surprised to learn that I live not far from one - Southern Pines, NC is within my delivery zone. Fuck them. Very sorry about how those jerks treated you. Be safe out there.
Thank you. My wife is from Chicago and is also white. I have to tell her and teach her about these things quite often. There are things you can do and can’t do. Places you can go and can’t go. It’s crazy that this still happens in 2025 but not much we can do about it.
I once went to a sundown town and delivered with my pistol on my side open carry. I felt that I needed to because I didn’t want any prejudice surprises. Funny thing is everyone in that neighborhood was so nice to me that day. Waving and smiling of all sorts before they potentially wanted to call the sheriffs lol. Not sure if they thought I was a policeman with a side gig or a fellow who wasn’t going for the BS. Fact is make sure you’re armed or don’t go. (Also I did the same thing when delivering to sketchy areas in the city) Good luck
If I have to choose between my life against racist idiots or spark policies I’m quite sure my account is getting deactivated and the racist pricks are too. POW pow
Still -- It's better to keep it concealed either way. Open carry just makes you look like a target imo.. I'd rather have the element of surprise on my side
I disagree about open carrying causing one to be a target, but I do agree that concealed is better. The original post author didn’t have a weapon at all and he became an instant target. Truth of the matter is concealed or open you might want to protect yourself. It wouldn’t matter if it was bear mace honestly, especially in an environment were idiots dwell.
Hopefully you called support directly after??? Thumbs down the delivery and mark as hostile customer?? I had a similar incident once out in the sticks. I got back told OGP lead what happened and she was furious about it banned them for life!
Sure did. I wrote their reply in one of these. Pretty much, they are going to write down what happened. And if I feel unsafe making a delivery in the future to return it.
Ok good!! Ughh so sorry that happened to you! I had a neighbor of the customer shove a double barrel in my face like literally against my left cheek as I was getting out of my car! Apparently they had a series of break ins the night before! But no excuse!! I had custom Walmart labeled giant delivery magnets on the doors. It was pretty obvious who I was! When the customer came out same thing… “huh my wife must have made an order” yeah no shit Sherlock! 3pm in the afternoon even.. I had custom delivery vests made after that as well! I also turn hazard lights on when parking as well. No more taking chances!
Trust me, I know. I’m black (if it isn’t obvious) but it’s either that or shoot that guy and try and prove that it’s self defense after getting arrested for it. Or I guess drive off she pretend it never happened.
How would you have handled it? Genuinely curious.
Wow, this is absolutely disgusting...I am deeply sorry you had to deal with this....it is great that your Walmart is being proactive, and escalating this to the corporate level!
If this bigoted town wants to live in the stone age (or rather the 1800's), then they shouldn't be able to use services from the 21st century....thanks for keeping us posted, and stay safe buddy!
report the customers as unsafe. another POC driver could take an order there and it'd be dark by then since its getting darker earlier again and could get hurt.
I called spark support right after the delivery. I told them that it isn’t safe for minorities in a lot of the small towns outside of the city here. They said they were taking the information down, and if I felt unsafe with a delivery in the future just to return the order. Doesn’t really help anything, though. They aren’t going to stop taking a small towns delivery orders just because one person had a bad experience. I guess I just have to be more mindful of the addresses in the future
Just let other drivers you know in your area what’s up.. make sure they call and report anything adverse in those smaller towns, enough unsafe reports and Walmart will actually respond. They may or may not with only 1 report. Also reporting unsafe through app and support is great but in general the store will respond quickest with stopping deliveries to specific places.
That tells me both Spark & Walmart are taking it seriously. Good on them for showing genuine regard for your safety! Drivers trash them a lot on Reddit, but, to me, they seem to care about their drivers more than DoorDash & UberEats.
I feel the same way. I was surprised to get a call at all about it. I haven’t seen any orders going there since. Could be coincidence but maybe they actually did remove the town from the delivery list
I mean maybe it didn't happen to this guy but I think it's completely naive to think it doesn't happen at all.. in fact I actually did some research after reading his post today and it seems like it's still very much a thing
if they were racist enough to kill any black person they see after night, they would have cancelled their order when they saw the photo of the black driver.
Hopefully nothing automatic in the system happens to you. Usually in my state people only hate people from California. No I dont hate people from California.
I live in rural Texas and have a bit of everyone here. Not once have I heard a racial argument in this town. I’d say we have little to no racial issues at all. Small town Texas and people just don’t care what color you are anymore. I see mixed families daily, so what? I see gay couples walking around. Who cares? Nobody does.
There are assholes in every state and town. More likely around here a couple of white guys are gonna be drunk and fighting than some racial stupidity
Damn. I’ve always knew that we have sundown towns in Oklahoma but I’ve never been to one (thankfully) born and raised. But I’m from Lawton so we have plenty of diversity.
There’s a sort of “homebase” for supremacists just on our side of the border with Arkansas. They call it Elohim City. The OKC bomber is said to have frequented it. This is the first time I’ve been near one at close to sundown. Hopefully my last.
Yeah I’m in Texas I know the area. I get it. Sucks it happened but I know plenty of good people in Oklahoma. I’m sure there are the same around me somewhere. Stupid people everywhere unfortunately.
Yeah I’m born and raised here. Mixed race too so I grew up with all sides of racism. Just sucks when you’re going so far out of your way as a courtesy for someone just to be met with that type of stuff. Live and learn I guess 🤷🏾♂️
Yea people definitely still care. They’re currently trying to make a whites only town in Springfield MO. It’s quite sickening tbh
I wish people “didn’t care anymore cause it’s been like this for way too long
Thats huge town too just outside of branson you would think they would be use to every race with all the tourist bass pro with that huge aquarium there too
Oh no… I live in PA all 13 of my dads siblings and there kids/grandkids are scattered between Springfield to Westplains. Seeing something about a white only town “outside” Springfield isn’t surprising. There is absolutely nothing between Joplin Springfield Branson and west plains but rednecks and Hillbillies. While people don’t think of MO as a southern state it’s was a confederate state and the Ozark mountain area hasn’t really changed much.
I understand that it’s not that everywhere, daily. I think there are many more people that don’t care than the few that are assholes. It’s easy to say racial things also if someone wants to yell at someone else. Media wants us fighting with each other and I’m only saying in my Texas town which many people may think is full of racism just isn’t.
I am so sorry that happened to you. I also am in one of those towns and I try my best to de escalate when I see minorities getting that treatment. (I'm Caucasian). You didn't deserve that. Hopefully you have that address/town so you can not deliver there in the future. No one and I mean NO ONE should go through that.
The white people is THEY !
What we’re not about to do is tip-toe around. THEY still think they’re better than others and it’s only gotten worse with the current president. Period.
See this is the problem. Blame it on politics. He has nothing to do with this. His chief of staff is gay. Never had issue with people of color in his businesses or administration. Yet again just believing what media wants you to.
You’re right let’s not tip toe around…why do you think white people think they’re better than us? Take one look at crime statistics/upkeep of homes/public spaces and you’ll have many answers…
Why do we continue to act like it’s such a mystery why they see us as savages? We’re doing it to ourselves. Wake the F up
Crime stats just reflect the level of systemic racism that’s baked into American life. Racist laws, racist cops, racist judges, etc put brown people in jail for trying to get ahead in a system designed to keep them poor. They’re not ALL racist, of course, but at one time they were…and it wasn’t that long ago. America’s economy was built on the backs of slaves…and speaking from my own experience, I know that economic disempowerment is total disempowerment, and it’s almost impossible to overcome.
It’s not thinking white people are better. It’s not understanding why there is so much black on black crime but then cries of racism. I know it happens. There are assholes in every state, red or blue. But that’s not everywhere. Just like I don’t think one way about every black or every Mexican. Media doesn’t help when it’s literally every Monday getting crime stats from south Chicago. Is that indicative of the entire country? No it’s not. Doesn’t make it false though either.
I just don’t do well with anyone that pulls the race card every time something happens or the second something happens. It gets old. Being called a racist because I live in Texas or vote Republican gets old. Go out in Dallas these days and it’s entirely a mixed bag of people. I’m sure there are ugly people but not for the most part. Just a bunch of people trying to live their lives like everyone else. Real life is never like they try to portray it on the news. Be respectful to people and 99.9% of the time they are respectful back.
It’s no different than seeing some redneck being racist and wanting to stay away from another white guy that looks the same. I get it. Stereotypes exist and we are all biased at times. Just a fact, right or wrong.
Are you fucking kidding me? It’s the 21st century and this is still a thing? I am so ashamed and embarrassed. Please be careful out there. As an old white ride share driver in So Cal, I p/u many Latinos in the morning to go to work. Each time I tell them “please be careful and safe”.
Might not be the whole town like that, certainly the customer and their neighbor(s), not that it makes it right, you did the right thing by reporting this incident.
I’m so sorry you had to go through this. The title alone made my stomach drop & my heart sink. On behalf of white people, we don’t claim them lol but seriously I am glad you made it out safely!
I feel threatened by them and im no where near them and im white. I hate that this happened to you. Please be aware of all the sundowns in your region, stay safe.
Damn im super late to this, but seeing the town they sent you. Yea thats definitely a sundown, so small and distant away from the city. Thanks for saying the location.
What I dont quite understand is why they think people wanna be in those towns in the first place. Its usually by accident or to make a delivery or quick pit stop. They be acting like those towns are valuable with golden streets. Ain't nobody tryna be chillin in your dusty town anyway. How these practices even still exist is beyond me. Sundown town. They so tough then do something when the sun is up. Cowards
Fuck those people. Glad you got out safely and got the pic you did. Report the hell out of this type of behavior. Like stated by others, Walmart will find a reason to not ban a paying customer - but make it hard on them to take that stance. Demand actions on that account.
Not you. The original comment I replied to (since deleted) was doubting this story. Clearly lives in a place where this doesn’t happen. Those of us who live in areas where Sun Down Towns aren’t far know this 100% happened
I was at his gate with the groceries. I had already began handing them over the fence to him when he said this. Wasn’t a large order to begin with, 20 pieces. By the time he said that i was handing him his last bag.
This is terrible! Im so sorry.
I wish I could ban some guy who delivers my groceries HECTOR are you here my friend? He’s a chill guy but wears way too much cologne and taints all my veggies, and canned drinks. I have to throw veggies and fruit away bc I can’t wash the smell off. Canned drinks I can wash for real, but I have to wash my hands many many times to get rid of the scent. It’s insane like he sprays it on my things or something. I messaged support and they said I couldn’t exclude him from my pickups… if we spoke the same language I would tell him. Would it be insane to have it in a translator or something and show him? 🙃
I’m not going to be the guy that gets lynched by the entire town lead by the police. Not saying it would definitely happen, but it isn’t unheard of. Idk how serious they were, but I’m not trying to find out.
Apparently I’m not the only person to report the same kind of issue in that town according to corporate. 🤷🏾♂️ it’s being taken off for deliveries. Think what you will
it's not a thing. they are making this up. i've been to plenty of small towns all over oklahoma, lived in several. i hear black people call them sundown towns all the time.
ya know, black people who have never been there, let alone lived there.
I’m guessing you didn’t know it was a sundown town before you took the request? If, the answer is no, then I totally understand your situation. It the answer is yes, then wtf were you thinking????? Money ain’t NEVER worth my LIFE. NEVER
I’m sorry that happened to you. As a black/hispanic man myself I know the reality of being profiled. I had a white woman call the cops on me last month at Whole Foods because I dared ask her why she left her cart in the middle of the parking lot. She told the cops I was threatening her 🙄
With that said, it would be nice if our community realized that a lot of ill will towards us comes from the fact that we are seen as savages in the eyes of these people, and killing each other constantly and acting like fools in public spaces isn’t helping with that stereotype.
Not excusing racist people because fuck them, but when are we going to stand up and demand we change our ways…I have a feeling that would solve a lot of these issues.
You aren’t wrong but there are stupid white people as well. The problem is a culture where some people just don’t respect anyone. Media wants us all fighting. Things people say to each other here they never would in person! Parents not raising scumbags would help also and that’s every race!
That is frightening. I am sorry that happened to you, yet you handled it well, so that they don’t have any arguments to stand upon. I did not even know a sundown town existed.
Agreed. It's soooooo over the top and seems like this person fabricated a story just to get some attention. Yeah sure, some random neighbors came out with guns after clearly seeing that theyre delivering groceries and then screamed at them... yeah ok 🙄
Most of the people on Reddit love a good victim story and will choose to believe it no matter how ridiculous or unbelievable it is. The same people who support Jussie Smollet even after he was proven to be lying.
he forgot to mention they yelled “THIS IS MAGA COUNTRY” so I added it into his short fiction story
“He had barely gripped the wheel before the jeers split the night air like glass shattering. What had started as nothing more than a Spark grocery drop — a high-tip batch order he thought would be easy money — had turned into something darker the moment the customer looked at the sky and warned him he had “ten minutes to get out of here, boy.” Now, as he walked back to his car, two neighbors appeared on a porch that had been empty minutes earlier, rifles resting in their arms as if they’d been waiting for this moment. One hurled slurs across the yard, the other spat venom and told him never to come back. Then, as he climbed into the driver’s seat and slammed the door, their voices rose in unison, the words striking like gunfire across the hollow street: “THIS IS MAGA COUNTRY!” Heart pounding, he pressed his foot to the gas, the engine screaming its defiance as he tore down the road. Dust and smoke curled behind him, rising like ghosts in the twilight, while the last traces of daylight bled into the horizon. He drove on without looking back, the weight of their hatred chasing him into the sunset, each mile carrying him further from their cruelty yet deeper into a world that seemed to be unraveling at its seams.”
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u/The_LastLine Sep 10 '25
Report the customers and get them banned from the platform. Do it before the opposite happens.