Eight years ago I wandered into an outlet store not far from where I live and began to browse around. I really had nothing specific in mind but I am always game to try something if the price is right. Browsing stores is a sport to me and one I thoroughly enjoy.
Not long after I entered the store I was greeted by a salesperson who wore a most genuine smile and said hello to me with a tone of sincerity. We began to chat while I continued to browse. We exchanged pleasantries and talked about the weather and gradually we began to "shop" together.
Normally I would have discouraged her from hanging around mainly because I often browse and not buy and I don't like to waste a salespersons time nor mine with small talk. But because of her easy approach and noninvasive way, I found I was having fun having her flip through the racks along side me.
At some point she did ask if I had any specifics in mind that I was hunting for and I explained to her that I am a pure 100 percent bargain hunter. Usually that comment in itself will send a salesperson away, but with her, it seemed to fuel her enthusiasm towards helping me.
She told me about the great selection of belts that had just been marked down from last season and were virtually, give aways. They were prized bargains! All leather, well made, designer belts marked down to a final price of $2.99. Also on the table were printed silk scarves in fabulous colors for $4.99, all designer labeled, all in subtle designs, all perfect for holiday presents.
I ended up buying close to $50.00 of the different accessories and right before she totaled the sale, she explained if my sale was over $50, I would receive a bounce-back coupon for the following month worth $10. We found cute visors marked down to $1.99 and began adding them to the sale until I reached what I needed to qualify for the bounce-back coupon.
Right before leaving she asked me what other kinds of things I liked to hunt for. I told her the kinds of things I hunt for and she jotted them down in her book, including my name and phone number. She joked about not becoming my worst phone solicitor and assured me she would just leave messages now and again if a deal was just too hard to pass on. I left the store that day feeling as if I made a new friend.
As I said before, in the past I would not exchange in much conversation with the salespeople in stores. I generally thought of them as being uninformed and rather pesky especially in larger clothing stores. My experience on this particular day changed much of my thinking on this and now I see that connecting with the right person can definitely make a huge difference to my wardrobe, my budget, my time, plus she makes it fun!
Her name is Andrea and she is about the same age as I am. Her style is similar not only in clothing but in manor. Since that first introduction eight years ago, she has become not only a real friend but also one of my best "spotters" for some of the most incredible deals I've ever purchased. She not only contacts me about items in her own store, but she'll even call when she spots something in other stores. Last year I received her message about a pair of leather boots she saw in a store next door to hers. They were my size, and she remembered me mentioning how I liked them months before. She even put them on hold for me because she was afraid I'd miss them and for good reason! They were from Anne Klein, original price, $265.00, on final sale for $18.00. I was in heaven!
What do I do to contribute to this great relationship that has formed? More...
