I've always lived in or near small towns - never "the big city".
Most of these small towns have shops and businesses that are struggling to keep up, competing against Walmart, the internet, the "big city", etc...
So, Chambers of Commerce will have these "SHOP LOCAL" campaigns. (technically, should be "shop locally" )
My experience has been that, too many times, the local merchant doesn't seem to show that he appreciates your business. He she appears grump, snobbish, apathetic....
I've actually thought about starting a non-profit "secret shopper" service to send people into restaurants and businesses, then post their findings on a website. Yeah, I know there are big services like that, but this would be more controlled for other than just angry outbursts or biased reviews.
Meanwhile, I was trying to think, for our own Chamber of Commerce, of a training seminar for small business owners "locally" to help them understand how to EARN my business, not just demand it, or expect it because of a "Shop Local" campaign. And it hit me --- just have them go to Chick-Fil-A and order a meal, and sit and enjoy it.
You'll learn a number of things...
EYE CONTACT!
SMILE!
Be FRIENDLY!
Be COURTEOUS!
Treat the Customer like you actually want them to COME BACK!
Be EFFICIENT.....
We have one lady who runs a Boutique, and she's always complaining about people not shopping at her store, and running 45 miles over to the next town to get their goodies. She's probably one of the SNOOTIEST old bitties I've ever met (and I'm being kind) and she is always griping about the weather, small kids in her store, somebody didn't wipe their feet....
I really do WANT to "Shop Local", and I DO if it's financially feasible, and I'm not treated like an INTRUSION into their day!
Thanks for letting me rant.
Most of these small towns have shops and businesses that are struggling to keep up, competing against Walmart, the internet, the "big city", etc...
So, Chambers of Commerce will have these "SHOP LOCAL" campaigns. (technically, should be "shop locally" )
My experience has been that, too many times, the local merchant doesn't seem to show that he appreciates your business. He she appears grump, snobbish, apathetic....
I've actually thought about starting a non-profit "secret shopper" service to send people into restaurants and businesses, then post their findings on a website. Yeah, I know there are big services like that, but this would be more controlled for other than just angry outbursts or biased reviews.
Meanwhile, I was trying to think, for our own Chamber of Commerce, of a training seminar for small business owners "locally" to help them understand how to EARN my business, not just demand it, or expect it because of a "Shop Local" campaign. And it hit me --- just have them go to Chick-Fil-A and order a meal, and sit and enjoy it.
You'll learn a number of things...
EYE CONTACT!
SMILE!
Be FRIENDLY!
Be COURTEOUS!
Treat the Customer like you actually want them to COME BACK!
Be EFFICIENT.....
We have one lady who runs a Boutique, and she's always complaining about people not shopping at her store, and running 45 miles over to the next town to get their goodies. She's probably one of the SNOOTIEST old bitties I've ever met (and I'm being kind) and she is always griping about the weather, small kids in her store, somebody didn't wipe their feet....
I really do WANT to "Shop Local", and I DO if it's financially feasible, and I'm not treated like an INTRUSION into their day!
Thanks for letting me rant.
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