“The code is 05xx#.”
“What?” I asked.
“The pass code to get into the restroom is 05xx#. I saw that you wanted to get in there,” responded the store employee.
“Thanks.”
Isn’t it all about the small things?
Reply
Category Archives: Retail Customer Service
Iffy Swiffer – Part II
It seemed only fitting that, unlike the sunny day when I went in to buy my Swiffer Wet Jet, the day I went back to return it, was rainy and cold. I generally do not like returning products (even though the store was at fault in this situation). Maybe that’s because making a return reminds me that I failed at my first attempt at a purchase.
I was prepared for the worst given how many stores deal with returns.
When I walked back into the store, I was relieved to see my cashier from yesterday was working and thankful that the store was quiet. Figuring that I could make the exchange process simpler, I went to see if the store had gotten more Wet Jets in in the previous 22 hours.
Iffy Swiffer – Part I
It was such a gorgeous day and I had a few errands to run and since the weather was nice, I decided to walk and not take the car. One of the errands was to pick up a Swiffer Wet Jet for spot cleaning around the house.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first sunny weather we have had in a while as I spent 20 minutes walking to the store.
When I got to my neighborhood drug store, I was pleased to see that they carried the Swiffer Wet Jet and that they had one remaining in stock. Grabbing the last Wet Jet and a few other items, I headed towards the cash registers. There, a friendly and attentive cashier rang up my purchases quickly and efficiently while chatting with me about her plans for the Super Bowl. She even made sure that my purchases would be applied to my frequent shoppers account.
A simple smile
A store marquis caught my eye as I walked through my local mall last week. The marquis belongs to a small jewelry store chain here in the Pacific Northwest and this particular chain of stores holds a special place in my heart.
Six years ago, I found these stores while hunting for a replacement wedding ring after misplacing my expensive first one. Fortunately for me, they happen to stock a nice choice of reasonably priced silver wedding bands so I could fulfill my commitment to my wife to wear a ring. The store was easy to shop and the staff had been friendly and helpful so I bought my replacement wedding band there and have managed to hang onto it ever since. But I digress.
Stymied
As stores begin to make room for their summer assortment, they discount their winter outerwear making January a great time to buy. I decided to take advantage of this and headed to the mall to find my next winter jacket. (It did not hurt that holiday weekend sales events were in full swing.)
Walking towards the storefront of one of my favorite brands, I saw signs proclaiming “EVERYTHING UP TO 60% OFF!” The signs only served to feed my expectations as I entered the store and walked past a salesman posted just inside the front door. It was poor form of him to not greet me as I passed since he was not busy with anything. Continuing further into the store, I began checking out a rack of men’s winter jackets. The clerk finally called out a friendly greeting.
Seeing red
(Full disclosure: This photo was taken on an iPhone and this blog was prepared on an iMac.)
As I approached my local Apple store, I witnessed a sea of red. I got to thinking was this a welcoming sign of service or would it be intimidating to an Apple neophyte?
To sale or not to sale…
I saw this sign while I was in the mall today and it got me to thinking; recollecting actually. Any person that has followed retail for some time can recall countless tales about AF. (I even remember when the original company filed for bankruptcy.) One of the tales was about AF and their struggle with sales and price promotion. It looks like for now they are embracing it.
Would you like some soap to go with your artwork?
I was walking by one of my favorite local shops, Boys Fort, just before Christmas when an art print in the window caught my eye. It proclaimed, “Only a poor craftsman blames his tools.” I thought that this would be a perfect housewarming gift for my upcoming visit to my brother, a weekend craftsman.
Heading into the store, I quickly found the print I saw in the window. My immediate needs being met, I now had the chance to browse the store at my leisure. After wandering the floor for a few minutes and examining some interesting items, I eventually ended up standing in front of a display of locally produced soaps.
No thanks, I am just buying
I was on the road for the company I worked for at the time and after several flight delays had finally landed in Atlanta. If all went well, I had just enough time to get to my appointment with the Atlanta store manager.
As I was stepping off the plane, I hit my arm against a cabinet near the plane’s doorway popping my watch off my wrist. The watch skidded across the floor and fell neatly between the plane and the gangway twenty feet to the tarmac below. In the post 9-11 era, I did not feel it would be worth the time and effort to try to get the inexpensive watch back.
He’s back
Walking by City Target, I spotted Bullseye in this window display. He must be preparing for his return to tv.
Do you have any favorite retail mascots?
The Observant Customer 