My inspiration for this post came from my dear, longtime blogging friend, Debbie @ Musings by an ND Domer's Mom, who is not only a gifted...
As most of my longtime readers know, I notoriously post about how HIDEOUS it is in the retail world on this particular day, and how much I DREAD going into work; dealing with the mass hysteria of Black Friday.
I would almost rather dive off the Empire State Building into a bucket of thumbtacks.
Yes, it’s a great day for the consumer because of the sales, I know. But it’s PAINFUL for those of us on the other side of the cosmetic counter, not only because of the crazed crowds, but also because today begins a month-long challenge of dealing with cosmetic and fragrance customers who will ask us, “If I buy something from you, what are you going to give me EXTRA?”
This whole thing about giving something EXTRA to a customer when they buy something from the cosmetic industry has gotten so out of hand, because now purchasing something has turned into a BARGAINING game.
A FLEA MARKET.
A LET’S MAKE A DEAL.
And this is a result of the Estee Lauder Company (which is one of the most aggressive cosmetic companies in the business) when they originally created a MONSTER by offering a free gift with purchase; making the public believe that unless we give them something EXTRA, they’re not getting what they paid for. But what they really did was make the public spend more money to GET the gift.
Sly little boogers.
Yet, not all of us in this industry work for companies who offer free gifts (such as myself), therefore I have to sell my goods by conveying to a customer that what we offer is simply a high quality item, so that’s what they’re getting as an EXTRA.
High quality.
Plus, I try very hard to give the best professional customer service by not being typically pushy, but rather by being attentive, sincere, and knowledgeable. I will also give samples as a token of appreciation.
Personally, I would much rather receive good customer service (which is VOID nowadays) than receive an EXTRA gift, which nine times out of ten is something I would sell at a garage sale with sticker of price of 50 cents.
I’m all for sales and offering specials now and then, because they give consumers a break in the their spending. But this whole EXTRA-FREE GIFT thing with every purchase is for the birds.
So I’ve decided this year, when I get exhausted from standing on my feet for 10 hours, and crash after my caffeine rush wears off, and my patience becomes as thin as a piece of unwaxed dental floss, that whenever a customer demandingly asks me, “If I buy something from you, what are you going to give me EXTRA?”
I will say, “How about this EXTRA exotic bird……”
Have a faaaaabulous weekend everyone!
And pray for me….please.
X
And pray for me….please.
X
.png)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)