I Remember Why I Don’t Like Williams-Sonoma
I don’t visit Williams-Sonoma very much. The main reason is that I have a local gourmet kitchen tools store near me. The owner greets me by name when I walk in, She knows my likes and dislikes, and she carries – and is knowledgeable about – almost everything I could want or need in the kitchen. So if Heather carries it, I buy it from her.
I was in the Apple Store last night – I’m finally breaking down and upgrading to Leopard. The Williams-Sonoma store is right next door so my Sweet Lady Wife and I decided to drop in and browse.
We spent several minutes there and as usual I was drawn to the cookbook section. I don’t know what it is about cookbooks but if there is a display of them I seem to be magnetically drawn to it. I ended up picking out two cookbooks to the tune of about seventy five bucks. We took them to the cash register and waited. and waited. and waited. and waited.
We spent several minutes standing there at the counter while the three clerks all seem to find almost anything to do but wait on us.
Then we spent several minutes standing there at the counter while one of the clerks waited on someone else.
Then we spent a minute or so standing there in disbelief as the clerk finished with that customer, turned and found something else to do.
My wife and I looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders, abandoned our prospective purchases there on the counter and walked away.
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OMG! I know that store, it’s the Biltmore, isn’t it. And I thought it was just me.
You are right, Elaine! Thanks for leaving a comment here. I too thought maybe it was me. I’ll continue spend my money at Plate It Up!, where the owner appreciates my business and shows it.
Hi Dave – thanks for your comments. I do truly appreciate your patronage and that of all my customers. While it’s too bad you didn’t get the books you wanted, I’m glad you didn’t tolerate such crappy service. Obviously the clerks at Williams-Sonoma have no concept of how hard it is get customers, nor do they probably care.
Small business such as my own depend on people who believe in voting with their dollar and shopping locally. While people MAY save a few dollars in a big box store, they certainly pay a price in service (or lack thereof). Additionally, when people shop in big box stores and chains, that money doesn’t stay here in our economy – it just goes to big corporations out of state. When people patronize local businesses, the money stays right here. So besides getting better service and products when shopping locally, it helps our economy – which we all need and benefit from.
Dave – unfortunately, it’s not just you. Same here in San Antonio, where unfortunately we don’t have the pleasure of a nice shop nearby like you. So, I drive 50 miles or so to our “local” shop, “Kiss The Cook”, where I receive similar service to what you receive at “PlateItUp”. Gotta Love the name though.
Please keep up the great Blog. I check it regularly for new posts.
Thanks!
Dave,
It must be universal. I have, (on rare occasions), gone to the WS store in San Francisco (downtown) and have encountered the same lack of customer service. I typically do not just walk out however. I ask for a Manager (or their name if there is not one on the premises) AND I ask if they have a customer comment card. I speak to the Manager, if available, and if not I will write a letter addressed to them. I also fill out a comment card and send an email to WS (or whatever store has treated me poorly). Sometimes (but shockingly not always), I get an apology. It is very sad that many employees think their job would be better if the customers did not get in their way. Bottom line: I will pay more & drive farther to get better service.