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Writer's pictureNeil Greenwood

When Customers are Friends

Today was just the kind of day I needed. I've not had any appointments all week as one. canceled and another rearranged. When I spend too much time at home without any appointments I start to find it hard to get back in the swing of it.


My first appointment was with a lovely lady called Karen from Pipkins in Longridge, which is a baby and children's shop. I've been with Karen since she first started in a different location years ago. She had already pre-warned me that she might be a bit teary as she had recently had to have her dog put down, so I made it a conscious decision not to talk about it when I got there. I knew if it was about dogs I would be a blubbering mess myself and be no use to consoling her then so easier to just keep busy once we got there.


After doing our order we got chatting about space and displaying the various products and I mentioned that I know a lot of retailers display things by brand but as a customer if I was looking for a baby girl gift, I hate having to look all over a shop to find something. I would much rather have all the baby girl gifts together in one section and the baby boys stuff in another etc. It means I can quickly see everything available and make a decision. With some people (like me) if you give them too many choices/decisions to make (do I want a rattle, am I looking for a teddy, what about X, Y Z?) they sometimes end up getting what I call TXMax Syndrome and can't be bothered looking at everything and just give up.


I didn't have to be at my next appointment for a couple of hours so offered to do a little test area in the baby section and help organise it with her. I wasn't sure if I had steamrollered her into doing it but when I text her afterward she said she was glad I came and had already sold the baby girl doll from the pink section after I left. Result !


It's things like this that give me a nice feeling. It's not always about getting an order and going. It can also be about adding value on your visit too.

The next stop was another great customer I've known a long time. It was Serendipity House in Kirkham. Heidi is lovely and as soon as I mentioned the idea had already said she wants to sign up to The Virtual Tavern Directory. She sent me the money for a years listing before I had even set up the directory as she knew that would make me sort it out sooner.


As soon as I got home I set up her shop on the directory so it was ready go live as soon as we announced it.


I feel like I've had a really productive day and I know as soon as the directory goes live it will give me a new lease of life getting other businesses set up. Hopefully, it will really take off and create a revenue stream for the tavern to cover running costs and we can put on more events and raise more funds for different charities.

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