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Does your LSS owner rub their hands with glee when they see you coming?
I'm really lucky to have a great craft shop nearby and the owners are fab. I'm well known in there now as I'm rather an erm, 'enthusiastic' shopper, oohing and aahing loudly LOL! I'm sure they get that 'kaching' in their eyes when they see me arrive! There is lots of "oh Ruth, have you seen this or tried that?"
My enthusiasm has led me to now being invited into their back room so I can see what has just arrived before it's been unpacked and hits the shopfloor. I went on Thursday and they told me the Bazzill Bling CS had arrived so they opened every box so I could have a look. Of course, this always results in sales!
I love visiting but my poor wallet takes a real battering!
I'm really lucky to have a great craft shop nearby and the owners are fab. I'm well known in there now as I'm rather an erm, 'enthusiastic' shopper, oohing and aahing loudly LOL! I'm sure they get that 'kaching' in their eyes when they see me arrive! There is lots of "oh Ruth, have you seen this or tried that?"
My enthusiasm has led me to now being invited into their back room so I can see what has just arrived before it's been unpacked and hits the shopfloor. I went on Thursday and they told me the Bazzill Bling CS had arrived so they opened every box so I could have a look. Of course, this always results in sales!
I love visiting but my poor wallet takes a real battering!
Please tell me I'm not the only one!
I think if it's a big box chain, not so much love is shown towards the cutsomer.
However, in the smaller stores I find them to be genuinely more excited to share their new stuff. I am not in frequently enough for anyone to see $$$ as I walk through the door though!! I am sure there a few places that are friendly like this!
I have to go in with blinders on to not take a beating on the ol' wallet!!!;)
Location: prolly in my 'rubber room'... in the mid-west
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actually... probably not any more than i am doing the same!
we don't have a LSS here in my town so when i do go to one i am the one wringing my hands!
i TRY to have some self control as i have not spent 'house hold' money on any of my stamping supplies for 2 years. i have a small resale business that makes enough money to keep it going and gives me a little $ to feed my addiction.
Mel, I've always been accompanied while in the back room - someone has got to be opening the boxes LOL!
Yep, I really do get the red carpet treatment. The shop owner has twice delivered items to my home rather than posting them when I've placed an online order if I can't get to the shop.
Also, my other smaller LSS has a brilliant owner too - she always makes you a cup of tea or coffee. She will happily let you try out tools etc. before you buy which is great. Last time I was there I came home with an armful of old craft magazines from a huge pile she was giving away.
We don't have the big craft stores here like you US folks, so our LSS's tend to be the independent retailers who know how to look after their customers.
I shall consider myself well and truly spoiled from this red carpet treatment from now on LOL!
Mine LSS owners actually let me know when they are putting in orders for specific stamp lines and let me go through the catalog and put my name next to what I want them to order for me. Now that's great customer service.
__________________ Charlee
My SU website - http://charleeg.stampinup.net
Live in the moment and make it so beautiful it's worth remembering.
I try to support my LSS as much as possible. I don't spend a lot on stamps, but I spend a lot on classes there. I get welcomed by name and I appreciate that. I know that many of us don't have the luxury of going to a LSS. There is so much that is available on the internet. But if we don't support our stores, they will have to close. My store has demo's, classes, lots of support. And they will order just about anything for me. So I would be very very blue if they ever shut their doors.
Yup...I get a very warm and enthusiastic greeting when I walk in the door. I think she even has my debit card number memorized! :-D
I went in one day, and the owner remarked that she hadn't seen me in awhile. I told her it was because I had to get a job to support my stamping habit. "Bookkeeping?", she asked. "Nope.", I said, "Quality Engineer." She just looked at me. I told her I had a big habit to support so I needed a big job. She thanked me very much!
Seriously, I love my LSS. Sure, some of the prices are a little higher, but I can try anything I want and get all of my questions answered.
I don't have a lot of LSS closeby but when I go into the local ACM there are a few employees who, when they see me, will ask me if I've see the new (whatever it is that's come in) & then give me a tour of some of the new goodies. One gal at the register greets me by name & drops my goodies right into my tote because she knows I don't want a plastic bag. What's really bad - she has even stopped me from buying something - she remembers me buying it before!!!!
Kitty
I too am loved by the LSS especially when my DD comes in with me. Funny story... I've was on the couch with a broken ankle for 6 weeks and had not gotten out to shop. I talked my 21 year old DS into driving me to the LSS and the Dollar Tree. At both stores the cashiers remarked they had missed seeing me and had worried about me. My DS remarked that he could understand being missed by the LSS as it is small and not as popular as the Dollar Tree, but he thought it was embarrassing that they had missed me at the Dollar Tree. I told him it is because I am so chatty and always talk to the girls. He didn't believe that one for a moment!!!
Barbara
__________________ Barbara SU! Demo with a Blog
Procrastinators of the world unite... tomorrow!
Oh Julie...........a bas-kit? Surely you must need a shopping cart? :razz:
OMG, fond memories!
A girlfriend and I would go shopping on rubbah road trips together (man, I miss those times with her so much--we're on opposite sides of the state now . . . :( ).
Anyway, we'd each get our baskets, and start out together, side by side. We'd ogle, and giggle, and fondle all the goods . . . eventually, one of us would spy something else across the store and venture off . . . alone . . . inevitably, shrieking would occur: YOU GOTTA SEE THIS!!!! And, the other would scurry through the aisles to come see what the ca-fluffle was! More peals of laughter, more bas-kit filling . . .
Repeat the above several times . . .
Then, we'd find vacant aisle, and dump everything from our bas-kits out onto the floor, to sort out that which we really didn't need, and that which we fully did. And, of course, *everything* would go right back into the bas-kit. snort!!!
We'd make our purchases, walk out the door with blissful sighs and scope out a nearby restaurant with *BIG* booth tables . . . our shopping bags would come with, and we'd spread aaaaaaaaall the loot out onto the table and compare each other's finds . . . sending the waitress away several times until we had thoroughly pawed and drooled over each and every treasure.
Then, it was time to order food.
Good times . . . !
It's all in the bas-kit experience. Carts are difficult to tip over in an aisle, UKWIM? ;)
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
Location: Proud Jayhawk Living In Hostile Territory In St. Louis, MO :)
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I don't get the red carpet treatment of being escorted to the back, but my LSS owner knows me and has a giggle every time I come in and is always sure to bring me a bas-kit :p She loves me even more lately, as a friend I met right here on SCS came to town and we met, in the parking lot of her store and we then spent hours shopping and of course buying!! I love the LSS so much more than those big chains, they are good for buying the more commercial items (of course with coupon) but when you want something special the LSS ROCKS!!
I must give props to my LSS because she won the best large stamp store in the country...check them out...The Stamper's Ink...let me run and get their website and I will post it...oooh, I am being an enabler :rolleyes:
Julie, those rubbah road trips with your friend sound like a lot of fun! I love shopping with crafty friends. It's always fraught when 2 of you spot the same 'must have' item and horror of horrors - there is only one! Usually some unseemly scuffling takes place I'm ashamed to say!
I dunno! :shock: But, that's what I'm doin' when I walk in! ;)
Climb into mama's shoppin' bas--kit, baby!!!
ROTFL!
You're killin me today Julie, just killin me! Ya got me ROTFLMBO!
Unfortunately, I don't have to do much coaxing....things just LEAP into this momma's basket!
__________________ If you get and appreciate comments, leave comments! Pay it forward....You'll make someones day!
Keri, it's great when our LSS's get recognition for their fab service - our LSS (the Glitter Pot) was named South East Craft Retailer of the Year - a wonderful achievement as they've only been open a few months.
Oh yes, my wonderful LSS opened four years ago, and I've been an enthusiastic customer since before their official grand opening. They're all smiles whenever I walk in the door, and always point out the latest arrivals to me. I knew I was in big trouble when they recognized my voice on the phone before I identified myself! :shock:
Linda
__________________ Linda Art is the only way to run away without leaving home. -Twyla Tharp
The owner of my LSS knows the sound of my voice on the phone too! I visit her store at least three times a month. Fortunately, this store has a rewards card program that is very appreciated. I have spent a growing fortune in this store
i get some of that treatment but they dont rub their hands with glee cause i am only spending 40$ to 80$ at a time, but some of the girls love me.
The treatment i DO love, is i always go on thursday nights when its pretty much the new stuff have come in and i want to browse, but i always have my dd with me, hard to shop but one of the girls is in love with my daughter and will play with her for a bit and so i can shop in peace. i wont do that anywhere but there.
I don't go to mine as often as I thought I would when it opened a mile from my house. They are pretty expensive. I do go at sale time though and to pick up primas or new stuff.
The person who gets excited when I come over is my demo...I spend an arm and a leg with her, I joke that I need direct deposit. It isn't just for merchandise either, its for stamp a stacks, classes, etc. I stamp with her at least twice a month if not more. She's awesome!!
Oh yes, my wonderful LSS opened four years ago, and I've been an enthusiastic customer since before their official grand opening. They're all smiles whenever I walk in the door, and always point out the latest arrivals to me. I knew I was in big trouble when they recognized my voice on the phone before I identified myself! :shock:
Linda
I'll bet it's cuz your voice is SEXY, Linda! ;)
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
i get some of that treatment but they dont rub their hands with glee cause i am only spending 40$ to 80$ at a time, but some of the girls love me.
The treatment i DO love, is i always go on thursday nights when its pretty much the new stuff have come in and i want to browse, but i always have my dd with me, hard to shop but one of the girls is in love with my daughter and will play with her for a bit and so i can shop in peace. i wont do that anywhere but there.
Oh, that is so SO sweet!!!
When I lived in E. Washington there was a store that had a little play area just for toddlers--it was WONDERFUL, and the mom's could shop and everybody so happy! It was a large store, so they could provide the space for it, and, of course, that would be so hard for a small shoppe to do, but I thought it was a GREAT that they even thought to provide an area to try to keep the little ones entertained!
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
Oh yes, oh yes...they know and love me...AND my LSS is owned by the wife of the man who owns Bazzill... ;) And I've taken quite a few classes taught by their daughter (who ROCKS, btw). They all make sure to say 'Hi' and its great to be a 'regular'...seriously, I LOVE that place.
All of the LSS's near me closed not too long after I started this habit. That only leaves Michael's, JoAnn, and Hobby Lobby. Don't get me wrong - I'm grateful for them, but they don't have the personal service a smaller shop has (but they do have better sales).
However...the bright spot is that my demo works across the hall from me. If we slightly raise our voices, we can each sit at our desks and talk. I resisted her for years, not wanting to plunge headlong into another hobby, but one day about 3 years ago she brought supplies and showed me how to make 2 cards at lunch. I think every quarter since then I've placed a personal order large enough to qualify as a party, and a couple were Level 3!
Sadly. never. that is because they NEVER have what I went in for. Not even something like plain red eyelets. It si so pitiful. We have a michaels and a joann too so I get stuff there. Now if I happen to se and archivers or some such in the city..........
__________________ ~Vee
It's not who you know-it's whom you know.
Well...they do yell..." There She Is" when I walk in the door!! LOL!! I love my LSS...always a great selection and helpful and plus they are located on the city square with alot of great little cafes and places to eat.....(so I go prepared to spread the love around!!). I go about every other week and spend at least 60.00. So..incase you are in Atlanta..its called Rubber Stamp Fantasy and they are located on the Marietta Square! Really nice people.
Mine is the same way i walk in and i am on a first name basis with the lady as she also taught some card classes i have taken but she runs around showing me all the latest and greatest as i am filling my basket along the way LOL..
Does your LSS owner rub their hands with glee when they see you coming?
I am used to stores being very strict about who they let in the back room because of the cost of shrinkage (aka shoplifting, which must be much easier to do in the back room than in the store itself). I'd be interested to hear if many shoppers in North America get the kind of red carpet treatment you do! 
