I realize that tales of frustrating Christmas shopping are overdone this time of year, but, seeing as this is my site, I don't care. I wanted to relate a tiny incident that wasn't really all that big of a deal, but seemed rather annoying in retrospect.
I'm lucky enough to live in a town that seems to think that ultra-rapid commercial growth without any regard for traffic is a good urban plan. And while I'm happy that we've become even more of a hub than before, I can't help but think that an aerial view of our area would look like that "fix the traffic" scenario included with Sim City games years ago.
That being said, any store that has abundant parking, and stands alone from a mall should revel in it's ability to draw customers based solely on convenience. Enter Bloomingdales. You would think that they'd be more than happy to serve customers that have decided to wrench themsleves away from the malls nearby. Now let's take it a step further--to the fine jewelry department IN Bloomingdales. Anyone working in this area should kiss the feet of every customer that chooses to even consider buying jewelry in this economy. Oddly enough, this didn't seem to be the case.
In short, my mom wanted to verify her ring size for a ring she had picked out. The act of getting a ring size takes 5 seconds. We first asked a young lady behind one counter doing nothing. She brought out a many-ringed device, but did NOT use the common "pole shaped" ring measuring tool we've all seen at jewelry stores. Having seen the latter used at this counter only 3 days earlier, we asked her to use that one for a more accurate measurement. After looking for a total of 10 seconds in ONE drawer, she gave up--stating that "it's not here." I guess looking at the four other jewelry counters within 6 feet of her was not possible. She walked away quietly. Bite me all day.
Attempt number two was by yours truly, who approached another saleslady doing nothing. When I asked if she could measure my mom's ring size, she said, "are you going to buy something here?" Nice! There's something in the customer service handbook, I'm sure. I answered, "maybe," and she proceeded to look for the device for a total of 4 seconds right in front of her--without moving. "Someone must be using it," she said, "I'm sorry." Wow, thanks. You suck immensely.
Attempt number three was by my mom, who went over to this latest sales associate again, and asked her to measure her ring size. Lo and behold, the device magically appeared! And within 3 feet of where BOTH associates previously looked! Ring size determined! Was that so hard? Apparently it was!
This kind of thing may not seem as dramatic or action-packed as customers fighting over an Elmo doll, but it's just as sickening. I mean, within 10 minutes, I experienced poor help, malaise, lack of effort, and discrimination to ME because I was apparently younger than the typical jewelry buyer. It was a virtual clinic in how not to be a salesperson. Good work, Bloomingdales! In an age where people are so reluctant to spend, why not make it even less palatable?
I will say this: I did leave from Bloomingdales with a wry smile on my face that afternoon. Why? Because I knew the ring we had just measured and picked out would be purchased at a competitor later that day. Happy Holidays!
