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Tuesday, 26 October 2010

Tales from behind the till. Epsiode 8,0746329

another completely unrelated photo, it's a skill you know.
Well, it's episode four I think, but do stop me if I get boring. I'm back at my real job now. Believe me, even the excitement of a new desk made to order and fitted into a proper office can't compare. Actually, all the new stuff is just a smokescreen; Mr Dunnit doesn't want me to realise how permanent this job is!
So back to bedlam; I can't remember which day it was, but I know I wasn't alone in the shop (you never are for long). I was definitely sitting at the workshop table, and I think I was bravely pretending to make a card. I know I was chatting. Anyway, in comes tall gentleman, beautifully dressed for autumn in a nice jacket and a cravat. Perhaps he was going on to luncheon. He asked if I sold epoxy resin. I regretted that I did not. He asked why. I explained that us paper users tend to stick with tape and PVA, or as emergency use, Glossy Accents. Well said he, epoxy glues are a craft item. I suggested that they are if you're a model maker, but that this shop is all about paper crafts and besides, we wouldn't like the smell of epoxy glues. He sagely pointed out that I wouldn't have to smell it if I just kept it for sale. Score. I sagely pointed out that I'd never sell any if I didn't use it, for lots of people wouldn't know its application. Score back! He expressed his disappointment that the sign over the shop says Kraft Crazy but it was not a general craft shop as implied. The sign also says scrap booking, card making and children's crafts, says I, again adding regret that I can't help. He wandered around for a bit, expressed a couple of further disappointments and left. And blow me, as I went to close the door before 80 thousand leaves blew in, he was standing in the middle of the road, reading the shop sign. He waved - I don't think it was a two fingered salute.

25 comments:

  1. Isn't it strange that folk can't take No for an answer. Me? I'd have apologised to the shop lady - you - and probably bought some little thing because of my own embarrassment!

    BTW I searched the shop name and this post came up - hope the man doesn't do the same!

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  2. Heheheheh. I've just had a royally good chuckle at your last few entries. Well, I would chuckle if I could, but at least you've cheered me up cos I'm laid up at home with the worst cold and laryngitis going. That'll teach me not to put on a brave face and go to Blackpool pretending I'm not that ill, and then scream my throat out on the Pepsi Max.... Self pity aside, thanks for cheering me up a bit! At least your time manning the fort was interesting and entertaining!

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  3. Don't you just love customers - or potential ones, at least. Keep these going, they cheer my day up no end.

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  4. From working in a well none bookstore I have a few of these stories too - like why dont we sell milk or the other day was asked for toilet roll! These stories are hilarious and cheer me up to think that it not just me who gets asked for random things then gets told off!
    Rachael xx

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  5. You should have put your nose in the air and informed him that 'we only do acid free' and sent him to B&Q.... not sure if epoxy resin is acid free or not but it does stink!! You really seem to get them eh? Nothing so queer as folk... but it still sounds like you were having the time of your life!!

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  6. er...men just don't get it do they? hahahaha XXX

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  7. LOL - but I just love to see a man in a cravat

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  8. Hah! You win he looses! Loved that one - again! Great stories - you should start on a little book! I bet it would be a bestseller amoung us crafty girls! Think about it!
    Hugs,
    Cardarian

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  9. How rude! Definatly not as entertaining as myself and Laura ;)

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  10. What a rude man! Expoxy glue is for fusing plastic... my dad just gave me a bottle last week to fix my shower head with. Worked great but that stuff stinks to high heaven. He should have been looking at a hardware store, not a papercraft shop. A hobby shop, sure, but not a papercraft store.

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  11. the customer is always right.......
    now whoever made that up probably never set foot in a shop ha ha

    Hope your days improves, thanks for the chuckle
    mandi xx

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  12. hehe
    No surely a man in a nice jacket and a cravat wouldn't give a two-fingered salute!
    Anne x

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  13. HMM. Never heard of epoxy resin, but there's a big trend to make altered necklaces and other jewelry using two-part resin. Of course a proper scrapbook and card making store probably wouldn't carry it, and I have no idea if it smells or not. I do like the card, though.

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  14. What - no epoxy resin? and no Cow Gum either I Expect? (Cow is the only thing that REALLY sticks metal to wood)

    you only do PAPER stuff - ptshaw and begushed

    oh such a narrow life you lead - no sweeties, no proper smelly dangerous glues...

    it's a wonder you manage to get one man a week in there...

    dx

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  15. Wonderful!
    I think you ended slightly ahead!
    Love the card too!
    Chrissie

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  16. Brilliantly fielded ...having worked in retail for 20 years back when, I know how difficult customers can be and how much you want to say **** off to some yet the true retail assistant smiles and answers every queery with a smile.
    I once was punched on the arm by a menapausal irish publican who didn't like what she had bought the previous day ....it was the start of a strange relationship and 10 years later she still would only be served by me and gave the others merry hell if she popped in on my day off.lol I loved retail ...most of the time.

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  17. Score Jules! I'm well impressed at your control. That's why I would not be good at the job of shopkeeper, even if I was surrounded by yummy scrummy stash. I can't always help myself you see ..... this week I did battle with some big-mouthed woman over a parking space at the supermarket. We then bumped into each other at the store front and she mouthed off again. WELL. I had my dear old dad with me who was really embarrassed of course, so I took him into the supermarket, lent him against a wall with the trolley and then went back to start Round 3 in a "I-have-my hair-up-my-slap-on-and-I'm-taking-no-prisoners" mode. She eventually resorted to name calling as I got increasing louder and more politely righteous, much to her annoyance, and she walked off with a p*ss off thrown over her left shoulder whilst I shouted "dear, dear, what appauling language, poor woman" or something of the sort and cheerfully went back to DF considering myself the champion.

    All I know is that there is sometimes you turn the other cheek and other times you roll up your sleeves and defend your ground. You just don't do it in front of your Dad!

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  18. Blimey - is this craft shop in some strange twilight zone! I would have thought you would have been safe working in a craft shop......
    Linbyx

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  19. I've just been reading up on your exploits as a shopkeeper and have had a good giggle at the eccentric people you have had to deal with. I bet as you were dealing with them, you were seriously taking in every detail to tell us weren't you? I would be!! Mind you, i'd have to write it down so i didn't forget! xxx

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  20. I've been giggling throughout your detailed account of this chaps visit, absolutely hilarious. Thank you so much for sharing. Random card is lovely :0) xx

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  21. Fabby post as always hun, great entertainment! Love your card, simply stunning! Be back in the morning as always, hugs Hx

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  22. Loved your post !!!!
    Anne xxx---- hope you gave him two back ---in way of V for Victory !!! he he

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  23. ROTFLOL....I can just see that scene! I think you won in the end...hee hee.
    =D
    P.S. Pretty card!

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  24. Typical of some men, don't you think? A woman would just have accepted your reply and perhaps asked if you knew who sold it. I got ask for sand a couple of months back! by a man of course. lol

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