On Being a Shopkeeper: Good Service Doesn't Cost Extra!

When we had the Red Dragonfly Gallery as a brick and mortar location, one of the things we emphasized was good customer service. It was a priority we placed above most other aspects of the business.

As a customer, it has always distressed me when I walk into a place and it seems like the people who are supposed to help you don't seem to care whether you are even alive and breathing! Sometimes I feel inclined to shout out "Hey! I'm trying to give you MONEY, here!"

Of course I recognize that retail sales jobs are pretty close to the bottom of the proverbial totem pole as far as occupations go, and people who work in retail shops most likely are being paid something very close to minimum wage.

But here's the thing: it doesn't take any extra effort and it doesn't cost extra to just be fundamentally pleasant to others!

Many many years ago, I attended a lecture by a prominent retail chain president (from Neiman-Marcus), in which he pointed out that they weren't in the sales business, instead they were in the happy customers business.

His point was that if you create a happy clientele, they will automatically spend money at your store because when they come in to visit you they're having a pleasant experience.

As we are coming up on the Holiday season, more and more people are going to go shopping. That's just the way of things this time of the year! And whereas I realize it can be stressful to work as a salesperson this time of the year —because you get very busy and everybody is in a hurry — again I would like to remind the world that it doesn't cost extra to be kind and courteous to people!

Oh, and if you're naturally inclined to be a bit of a grumpy-pants then why on earth are you working in a customer service related field??? Go somewhere and do a job that's behind the scenes like being a dishwasher, stocking grocery shelves or chopping vegetables in a restaurant kitchen.

I felt inspired to write these words because next week is Thanksgiving here in the United States, and immediately following we have the (in)famous "Black Friday" shopping day immediately after. Traditionally, that's the day when millions of people go out to try to get great deals and electronics and the latest toys and very often we see reports of people behaving extremely badly.

Don't behave badly! We're all part of the same life!

And with that, I'd like to wish everybody a pleasant week! I appreciate you coming to visit my blog!

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(All images are my own)