Thursday, July 12, 2012

Ms. Vertigo and Ms. Migraine

What happens when you put someone that has vertigo with someone having migraines.........some wild times. Actually, probably more mellow than usual. Yesterday I went to see my friend Sue (Sullivan and Murphy). Not only were we totally unaware of what time it was.......also the day. When I got home I asked my husband why he had the trash out. He looked at me a little funny and said because tomorrow was trash day. I said no it was only Tuesday. He then had to explain that it was Wednesday. I laughed and said that I had asked Sue if it was Tuesday or Wednesday and she told me Tuesday.. Yes, people we were out and even driving in this condition. We went to Tipp City to get some Annie Sloan paint and wanted to go to a couple other stores. We walked in one and they said they were closing because it was 5 p.m. Well we weren't the only ones that didn't know what time it was, three others came and and couldn't believe it either.
This brings me to a subject of customer service...........
When you are a storekeeper and you have 5 ladies walk in to shop do you tell them you are closing? Would you wait for them to look around? This was a consignment vintage antique kind of store. I would let them look around.......what would you do?
Now another customer service questions........You walk into an adorable handmade soap store with intentions of buying some soap. There are two store owners and two customers that are engaged in conversation. Do you totally ignore the two new customers that walk in. (That would be Sue and I) Never a hello, can I help you, can I take the picture of both of you since you can't seem to get a good picture, or thanks for stopping by. Okay, folks, not one word of acknowledgement. None. So........we went outside and tried to crawl into their bathtub to take a picture. That didn't work well.......but we got a picture. (Sue I couldn't download your edit so I did this one) Just wondering.......maybe this is why I am not a storeowner, he he. (Not the picture but the service)

Anywhoo.....we made our own fun. Never a problem for us. We just needed a bit more time. And ladies, look out as we got our paint........let the fun begin.
XO

13 comments:

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

That bugs the heck out of me when a storeowner doesn't acknowledge my presence. I don't expect him/her to drop everything and help me, but a simple, "Hi, be with you in a minute" is all it takes to make me happy. I have been known to leave stores where the owner or employee is unfriendly. Why give them my business? And your other point about letting people look -- I say absolutely. I used to volunteer at a food co-op in the mornings. The staff would unlock the door but if someone came in before opening time, they would tell them they weren't open yet. I was always mortified by this. I would have let them shop. Do places really have so much business that they can afford to alienate potential customers? (Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now.)

Susie said...

Hi Debby, What day is it? LOL You cracked me up . I needed to know I am not the only one.:):) Smiles, Susie

Kimberly said...

I always know what day it is. I NEVER know the date. RIght now I am trying to figure out the date...11th. Nope just checked my phone its the 12th. I find either store owners don't leave you alone or they don't even acknowledge you.

Polly said...

you girls!! sounds like a fun day! sounds like those shopkeepers need to 1. realize how bad the economy is and that any sale helps the bottom line.
2. be nice!!

Polly

Jo said...

Looks like you two had a fun day! When I managed a thrift store if we had ppl in the store we waited until they were done. And the whole greeting thing drives me nuts! I had the hardest time getting my staff to do it

NanaDiana said...

OMGosh- I would love to hang out with you two nuts for the day. I can tell we would be haha-ing all day long...and I could be the one to keep track of what day it is.

I think that when people come into your store you should let them look around a bit-even if it is closing time...a paying customer is always worth waiting on. After all, it's not like it was Target and closing time...and as far as the shop people and two customers talking and not acknowledging you----rude, rude, rude. You should have peed in the bathtub...okay....maybe not...

Hope you had a good day- (THIS IS THURSDAY-I REPEAT- THIS IS THURSDAY) xo Diana

Sue said...

Could you have posted a worse picture of a portion of my big head partially in the shot? LOL I will not be going back to the soap store, period! Rude, uncaring people in that Tipp City shop. luv ya, you silly girl! Sue

emily anderson said...

oh the customer service questions...totally bugs me! acknowledge that i'm coming into your shop to SHOP! i usually don't buy from people if they are rude. i am also that type of person who will drive 10 extra miles to go to a store/bank that the workers treat me better, than the one down the street.
customer service is huge to me!

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with you about the customer service, Debby! It can really make a difference in your shopping experience and whether or not you would return to that store. Some people just don't seem to get that. Anyway, it looks like the two of you had a lot of fun together!!

momto8 said...

pretty funny..

Relyn Lawson said...

There's just nothing like laughter with friends, is there?

Pam @ Frippery said...

You had me laughing so hard at the thought of the two of you wandering around in a clueless fog. Customer Service seems to have disappeared. If I find a business that still adheres to good service they will be my go to forever. Otherwise I avoid places with poor service. I would think small businesses would pay much more attention to service. I can see the franchises with minimum wage employees that could care less, but as a small biz you need quality and attention to detail to survive, since the price naturally must be higher for your merchandise. It needs to be worth the cost. What is staying open a bit longer for a possible sale? It could mean lots of future sales by happy customers.
Sounds like you girls had a blast none the less.

Pam Kessler said...

Today is Sunday, right? Glad you girls had fun. I guess the soap store isn't in the business to make any money. I see that all the time though. I'll walk in and have to interrupt someone checking their Facebook page or talking on the phone so that I can actually check out!