During my lifetime, I have had good shopping experiences and I have had bad ones. I have been insulted by sales representatives – who I am sure that I have, in turn, insulted back – but I have also laughed with them, cried with them, along with everything inbetween.
Shopping, for me, is either quite monotonous or just plain fun.
Today, was no exception.
I was running a monotonous errand at Macy’s – exchanging sheets – when I decided that I would check out the winter boot selections (Yes, that is what I do on Friday nights… I go shopping for boots). In the shoe department, Maria and Robin were the ones to assist me. Between the two of them, I spent more than I necessarily wanted to spend, but less than I thought I would have to in order to get what I wanted.
What amazed me was the combination of technology and good old-fashioned sales people. Whenever I found a boot I liked, Maria would scan the code with her phone-like device, tell me if my size was available, and then proceed to retrieve it if it was. I know they must have been using this kind of technology for a while, but this is the first time that I’ve seen it in action: no wasted time going back and forth between customer and shoe library, just straight business.
And yet, it wasn’t. There was a friendliness and camaraderie that I hadn’t felt in a while. The last few times I’ve been to Macy’s, it was… professional. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it just hasn’t been… fun. Between Maria and Robin, it was fun to go shopping.
Though I suppose, I can’t forget that I made a new friend at the same time. Miss Dani, a civil engineer, made sure to add to that positive and fun atmosphere. She needed my “expert” shoe assistance, and, as it turns out, I’m a pretty good personal shopper. Who knew? Plus, I also abducted a makeup station at the Lancôme counter, applied soft shadows to her eyelids in combination with their Grandiose mascara, and made her feel pretty. So, all-in-all, it was a good night.
Ah! But I am forgetting one more thing: Robin. Absolutely amazing sales skills because while I was on the fence on the purchase of those lovely INC boots, Robin was able to convince me that I needed them, and that I was getting a fantastic deal. But, he did it in a way that wasn’t cheap or uncomfortable, it felt honest and, dammit, just plain fun!
Robin was fun! Maria was fun! Dani was fun!
It’s been a while since I had fun. 🙂
Next time you’re wondering what to do, a shopping excursion may be just the thing – and not on the weekend when everyone is running about trying to get the “best deal,” while stepping on your face and hands in the process. Just saying.
Kiminy Cricket 