What do I do to contribute to this great relationship that has formed?
- First off, I don't take advantage of her willingness to give me her time. She has more responsibilities then to just wait on me hand and foot and when I'm in the store and she is busy I respect her situation and let her do her job..
- I'll choose times that are low traffic as to not put pressure on her to feel "divided" with her priorities.
- I never ask her to do favors for me that would compromise her integrity or the stores policies.
- I remember her on her birthday and during holidays. and always put a card in the mail and stop by when she isn't there to leave a small gift of something she has admired.
- Often times, I'll stop and call and find out what time her break is, and plan it so I show up right before with a hot cup of coffee for her then go to another store while she takes her break so she doesn't feel rushed knowing I'm around.
- I leave the items I've tried on back on their hangers properly and return them to the place that I got them from and never trash the racks as I shop.
- I ask about her family, remembering her children's names and where they are in life.
- I've filled out comment cards complimenting her work and sent them into her corporate headquarters (it's the least I can do).
In other words, I treat her as I would any friend because over the years that is what she has become, a friend first and foremost.
Have I developed this type of friendship with other sales associates in other stores?Not to this degree, no, but since this experience, I have made it a point to find one person in each of my favorite stores to "connect" with and return to them each time I shop that particular store. I follow many of the same guidelines above, with them as I do with my friend, and it has really made a difference to my shopping experience. I treat them and the store merchandise and policies that they are working in with respect and in return they treat me, the rock-bottom bargain hunter, as one of their best customers.
This change in my shopping outlook has proven to be one of the most cost-saving steps I've taken over the years and surely the most enjoyable.
