How to Handle.... - Page 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lafont 

Today I went to my favorite store for menswear in this metropolitan area, where I've frequently gone many years. I love the ambiance and experiencing the wonderful designers - including in the Hermes collection - and they even have elegant furnishings, accessories, art, etc. A lot of French influence but much to appeal to the "horsey set" and other "Old Money" types - very classic, in general. A few times I've purchased but usually I'm there just to look. I've considered their items other times, but once there I find they're simply not worth the high price. Today I made a remark about our Saks now carrying Charvet ties again, and noted they're at a higher price than those sold in this store. He made what seemed a "borderline off" remark - something to the effect that I've been coming for years and "enjoy the garden" but don't tend to buy, adding something like "You're welcome to buy something, too." I didn't appreciate the remark , but sort of made little of it verbally. I did respond something like I have purchased items there. Otherwise the guy, the owner or owner partner, was his usual cordial, if dignified self.

I went away and walked around other parts of the village shopping area, as I do, and decided this was kind of annoying but actually, this time, there was a gorgeous Ralph Lauren Polo shirt on sale I might consider. I went back and tried it on - letting the owner judge its fit for me, when we got into a decent conversation about last evening's "Downton Abbey" - of which we are both fans. I purchased this wonderful shirt.... I showed him!

Next time...cliffs....question?

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Shoes1 

 . . . and then I went home to show my new shirt to my wife, but I discovered the bag had a hole in it.  I wonder if the owner played a trick on me by intentionally giving me a bag that had a hole in it and then had a sales associate walk behind me to pick the shirt up and resell it.  I'm not sure if I'm ever going back there again, but I probably will because I really like Downtown Abbey and it was nice to talk to another fan about the show.  Speaking of which, when I got home, I was not able to watch Downtown Abbey because my wife accused me of cheating on her.  When I got home and she asked where I had been, I said I had been shopping and bought a new shirt, but when she asked to see it, all I had was an empty bag with a hole in it.  She did not believe me and accused me of lying about where I'd been.  I had to go out to the garage to let her cool down and this got me really made because I was missing my favorite show and I became convinced that the owner of the shop did this on purpose.  This is why I'm going to Saks next time I want to discuss Downtown Abbey while looking at Charvet ties.  The only problem is what if the sales associate is a woman and when my wife asks me where I've been, I'll have to say I was out talking with "a friend" regarding Downtown Abbey and when she asks for the friend's name, the name will be a dead giveaway that I was talking to a woman, unless she has a name like Alex or Jo or Teddi or something androgenous.  Which is why I'm going to name my future daughters with gender neutral names so that men can talk with them about Downtown Abbey without their wives becoming jealous.  Sorry, I lost my train of thought, but I think my question involved wondering why shopping for shirts and watching Downtown Abbey is such a complicated process.

Now THAT is a rant.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomerJ 


He's been here since 2007.

I'm not sure which Lafont thread is my favorite.

The Tiffany sterling key ring.

The 15 separate threads on his wedding outfit.. well not his but his daughter's.

I'd have to say the cotton sun visor from Ritz Paris.

Yeah, I'm not even gonna try to lie about this: I didn't notice his join date or post count when I first made my comment. 

That being said, I'll be sure to check out his oeuvre at this point. If even half of his work is as good as this thread, then sign me up for his newsletter.

To be honest, those remarks about "Window Shopping" have always made me feel a bit uneasy. I feel there is nothing wrong with shopping, and not purchasing anything you don't like.

I worked at a local store and my coworker would make these similar comments to customers until one day I pulled him aside and told him how disrespectful it was. I'm 25, he's in his 40's.  I feel your job is to provide Customer Service and get them to come back. If they want to buy from you, they will.

A few years back, I worked at a Automotive Place (Firestone, Goodyear, you pick one for setting) and the oil changes were $20. Four times a day a regular would come in only for that discounted oil change and they will take the recomendations we provided to another place to fulfill them. My coworker said the same thing to a guy who had come in for only oil changes for a year (every month or so) and eventually said to him that same "Garden" remark and recommended to actually buy something. He never showed up again.

That customer spent over $3,000 fixing their car with me a few months beforehand- but the bridge was burned.

Maybe you should burn your bridge and move on yourself, or tell the owner what was said. Bottom line, the owner doesn't want his hired help scaring away his money.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lafont 

edmorel and huntsman - I appreciate your kind words.

You'red welcome. I visit that fair city whenever I can; it is my favorite city in the U.S. This picture is from my last visit to the fine establishment of which you speak. I had driven a 28 year old Jaguar over 1200 miles to be there. I was trying t take a picture of a the first Bentley Continental I had seen as it pulled out.

I would have a hard time going back often if my purchases were rare. I might buy some wine or a scarf.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man Of Lint 

My favourite part was the horsey set and old money segment.

Truth is far, far stranger than fiction.

~ H

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubby34 

To be honest, those remarks about "Window Shopping" have always made me feel a bit uneasy. I feel there is nothing wrong with shopping, and not purchasing anything you don't like.

I worked at a local store and my coworker would make these similar comments to customers until one day I pulled him aside and told him how disrespectful it was. I'm 25, he's in his 40's.  I feel your job is to provide Customer Service and get them to come back. If they want to buy from you, they will.

 

Really depends on the situation. If it's a guy who's come in once or twice without buying anything, sure, be nice and don't be overbearing. Hope to convert him into a customer at some point.

But if it's a guy who's been coming in on a weekly basis, for years on end, never buying so much as a pair of socks, I think the shopkeep is well within his right to speak up about it. It's not a museum, after all. There are opportunity costs associated with waiting on people who aren't going to buy anything, and businesses -- especially smaller businesses -- can't afford to treat every customer with the same degree of attention or affability.

Insisting that he buy something or leave is a bit rude, but it's not out of bounds. The better strategy is probably to just ignore the guy (unless he's doing something like repeatedly trying on and handling all the merchandise, or taking attention away from other customers -- in which case, he's actually costing the store money).

No problems. OP, do you drink cocktails?