Saturday 23 October 2010

Tales from behind the till

I know, how much more blabbing about my week off I can do? Oh, loads, believe me. So the idea was that over the week, I would when possible, make a few cards - perhaps a couple of samples to demonstrate new stock - nothing in particular and luckily, no orders! I made one card this week. It's not that there wasn't time, it's much more that when I was alone in the shop, I tidied and straightened stuff - with the temperament of a huffy person who's own personal stash had been mis-handled I can tell you! This activity had two results - I learned a lot more about what is in stock and where it lives, and I spent a fortune.
Exhibit A: This is the one card.
I bought the 180 sheet 12" book of papers to use, the stamp, the bronze ink pad and the Cosmic Shimmer embossing powder (that actually you can't tell from this, it's gorgeously pearly and pinky brown) and then a packet of red buttons. In real life it comes to about £28. So if you get this card from me for Christmas, please be chuffed to bits! Because I'm special and because this is for next weeks workshop, I qualify for a discount, which I don't take for granted, believe me. But I hope Mr D doesn't read this - he doesn't get it. but he'd probably start taking a more active interest if he knew how much I needed to spend to make a card!

On Wednesday, late lunch time a lady came into the shop. It was very busy - the workshop table covered in stuff that 7 people were playing with and working at and chatting and supping coffee. Quite noisy too. This particular lady needed a walking stick and she leaned upon it carefully as she made her way up to the table...I was a bit trapped by people and was trying to get to her to save her a journey - you know what I mean. I called to her and she asked for a crochet hook. I apologised and said that we didn't have any. She looked very cross with me and said 'you do, I only just bought the wool from you about an hour ago'. She hadn't, this shop doesn't sell wool either. I apologised again, told her the best I could do was sell her a pack of needles - perhaps she'd got the wool further up the road (a very good Charity shop about 5 doors up). She got very impatient and said I was wrong, waved her bag of wool at the workshop table and said 'if you don't sell all that stuff, why are they doing patchwork in here then?'. Well colour me dumbstruck. To convince her, I had to let her see that the fabrics were actually papers and everything associated with cutting and sticking. Ah well, a sale lost. But at least she had the good grace to tell me that I wasted her time and effort!

17 comments:

mckinkle said...

lol Julia!! Sounds like youve had a thoroughly brilliant week at the shop despite the amusing 'care in the neighbourhood' visitors!

Lovely xmas card too, I agree, I just dont get why our hubbies dont 'get' the costs involved either!

Keryn x

Tracy Evans said...

LOL I did smile to myself when I read your tale, brings back so many memories when I used to have my shop. Customers used to try to convince me I had sold them something that I don't sell, all part of the service LOL. I could write a book with some of the stories. Have a great day, Tracy Evans x

Jan Hennings said...

Great Christmas card and love your tale of a shoppe keeper :)

misteejay said...

You just can't help some folk LOL

Love the card.

Toni :o)

voodoo vixen said...

LOL Julia, poor old cumudgeon... we will all be there one day!! ;) Sounds like someone may miss being Mz ShopKeeper when this is all over...

voodoo vixen said...

Oh poop... altzheimers has set in! I completely forgot to say... stunning Christmas card!!

Charlie said...

That is ONE stunning Christmas card for sure... and knowing you - you should be able to make a couple more making them only £9 each =0).

Your parcel arrived today - and I am very impressed and grateful. THANKS from me, OSH and anyone who will be the receiver of one of your cards. Bless you for being such a good friend. =0)

Sorry I have been MIA on the WYOWW for quite some time - LOTS of action on my desk for sure - but NO time to participate - will be back though. Promise....

kelly said...

Julia have you forgotten the tale of the customer that you charged £176,352????

Ciara said...

Eeee, there's nowt as queer as folk!!!

Sounds like you've have your quota of randoms coming into the shop. I like the fact I don't have to deal with 'the public' in my job!

Siobhan Brignull said...

LOL,those grumpy customers make such great tales though

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Always remember, the customer is ALWAYS right. Even when the customer doesn't know what she's talking about (grin).

Unknown said...

ah bless her, my mum is like this, she phoned me 7 times the other morning, to ask the same thing. It makes me chuckle but I know its very frustrating for her and perhaps this customer as well. Well done on on serving a customer that always knows better eh ?? xx

akilli melek said...

Julia, I actually laughed out loud at the cost of that card, lol. Hope you enjoy your week. caroline

Pam said...

LOL Julia! Aren't we humans just the funniest lot? Love your stories and your cards - keep 'em coming!

Lyn said...

Hilarious - and scary - I could be that customer. I'm forever having to chase teams up for late reports and quite often give the wrong team a rocket.

Fab card - love the colours. Don't forget to add your labour - most cards cost me over a hundred pounds when I do that. [Note to self - stop faffing and just stick it down.]

Sheilagh said...

I love the stamp, who made it? I gotta have it?

Sheilagh

Cardarian said...

Ha, ha loved this post - yep I think my Christmas cards come up to that amount!!! Nobody gets what we pay for this stuff! Luckily only we ( I mean the inner circle of crafty people) read blogs and know what things cost!
Ha, ha loved the story about the old lady - you naughty girl changing the shop in half an hour and not letting her buy a crochet needle!!! Ha, ha!!! Loved that one!! Poor women!
Hugs,
Cardarian