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Not OT, just wondering

Okay. The Central Coast Quilt Shop Association (in Calif) consists of 14 shop owners who have banded together and host a joint shop run once a year (first weekend in June). The distance stretches about 7 hours drive time south to north.

I usually don't do these runs because I don't have the time or inclination to do a lot of driving on my days off. As we were coming home on Fri we stopped at my friend's shop 100 miles from here (one of the 14 shops). She let me know the shop near me had some very negative reviews from people showing up in her shop. So, this morning I went the

20 miles out to see what was going on.

This shop is a place I am familiar with. They had no special flyer/treatment for those who were coming in. They had watered down lemonade for a refreshment. Each shop was supposed to offer a free quilt pattern, and theirs was a single-sided sheet with unclear instructions. The out-of-towners in there were not happy campers. I spoke to the owner about how I felt and she said "oh, well". Definitely not concerned.

So, I came home and sent an email to all the shops, including that one, to let them know the disappointing time people had there. And to let them know one of their members doesn't care about the quality of the presence they show, but boy! howdy she is the first one to complain about something.

If you have gotten this far, please bear with me. Was I right to let the other shops know? I have no intention of ever going back to the local shop, after the treatment today. I make it a practice to let everyone know if I have a good experience, like I let people know when the experience is less-than-stellar.

And for those who want to email me off group, I'll be happy to give names of those shops who responded to my email.

Ginger in CA

Reply to
Ginger in CA
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Reply to
Taria

Hi Ginger I am amongst those who give praise when praise is due, and get equally annoyed over poor customer service. In this day and age, with SO much available over the internet, and businesses all vying for their piece of the "disposable income" pie, I truly don't understand the "Oh well" attitude. I know that everyone has their bad days, but ....... when you expressed concern over your experience, it should have been addressed in a much more gracious manner. A simple apology and a coupon for your next visit.... anything! Just curious about what the other shops that responded had to say? Was it a "personal" reply, or was it a "Thank you for your email" template/canned email?

Patti in Seattle

Reply to
Patti S

Absolutely you were right! If someone doesn't speak up these other poor shop owners are never going to find out. Mind you, if you visit some of the others and have a grand old time - speak up again! Don't just criticise the bad but praise the good also.

Reply to
Sharon Harper

IMO it's very reasonable. They want a joint run to bring business to all the shops. If that shop is the 1st one a customer visits, the experience might be so discouraging that she won't bother trying any other shops in the group. By joining such a group, it seems to me a shop owner agrees to a certain standard in return for the benefits of joint advertising Roberta in D

"Ginger in CA" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@c74g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...

Reply to
Roberta Zollner

I think you did the correct thing. Since this was a special activity by the Central Coast Quilt Shop Association, I think it is appropriate to let them know one of the shops doesn't hold up to a friendly standard. This puts a bad mark against them all.

I go to a laocal quilt shop (Sunshine Fabrics) that is not invited to participate in the local shop run because (get this) they are so much larger then the others and end up taking customers away! LOL

I think it is important as a customer, to voice your opinion about service. Retail people should be listening if they want to stay in business.

Reply to
Boca Jan

Sorry to hear that other areas won't let all the local shops in either. The shops in my area started a shop hop several years ago.. When my friend opened her shop last fall the shop hop stores said it was too late for her to join their October shop hop as their publicity was all prepared. OK, we can understand that. But they would not let her join the annual spring shop hop either. They said there were eight stores in the shop hop and they didn't want it to get any bigger. Can't imagine that the shoppers would complain especially since the extra shop would not cause them to drive very far out of their way.

Happy to report that the new sh>I think you did the correct thing. Since this was a special activity by the

Reply to
Susan Laity Price

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