Day 8 – Customer Service

Anne Marie Murphy from MSN News

Rachel stopped by Primp, her favorite cheap-chic clothing boutique, when she saw the “Sale” sign in the window. She didn’t really need anything, but bargains are bargains and they don’t come along every day. And Anne Marie, one of the sales women, always had suggestions for items that fit both Rachel’s wardrobe and her style.

Rachel saw Anne Marie by the belts and bags and headed straight towards her. The store was crowded so Rachel was pleased that Anne Marie wasn’t already with a customer.

“Hi, Rachel,” said Anne Marie. “It has been awhile.  Have you been out of town?”

Image from carbonated on Flickr

“No,” replied Rachel. “Just busy. Allison started first grade this year so I’ve been getting involved with the Parent Teacher Association. I wasn’t quite ready for Allison to be in school all day.”

Anne Marie nodded. “Before you know it, she’ll be wanting to shop here herself.”

“Don’t even say that,” responded Rachel. “I want my little girl to remain a little girl for life.”

“OK,” said Anne Marie, “let’s concentrate on you instead.  I think we have something that will work well with that knit black dress you picked up last spring. It’s over here. And I’m sure it’s your size.”

Anne Marie led Rachel to a rack with jackets and tunics at the back of the store. The “50% Off” sign above the rack caught Rachel’s attention and appreciation as Anne Marie took a hanger with a vintage silk vest with attached belt. As usual, Anne Marie was right – the vest would look great with the black dress and she already had shoes in just the right shade to pick up the pink accent in the vest.

“Let me try it on,” said Rachel as she hung her purse over the end of the clothing rack and slipped off her jacket which Anne Marie took from her. “It’s perfect. And the price is definitely right.” Rachel had glanced at the price tag as she slipped her right arm into the vest.

It took a little effort for the two of them to squeeze past the customers in line to reach the check-out counter. When there, Rachel asked Anne Marie, “So why is Primp having a sale at this time of the year?” She kept her voice low to keep from encouraging eavesdroppers in line.

Anne Marie kept her voice equally low. “The store has a new partner who wants to bring in new lines, so we’re making room. But we’ll still have plenty for you.  In fact, let me show you some earrings that I think will work with it, too. Your hairstyle is ideal for them. Here they are,” as she picked up the earrings and handed them to Rachel.”

Image from jijis on Flickr

Rachel took the earrings from Anne Marie and handed them along with the vest to the clerk at the cash register. Just as she was about to say something to Anne Marie, a woman she had never seen in the store before who was hovering over the clerk turned to Anne Marie and said, “Let’s move the line along,” as she looked over the top of her reading glasses and motioned with her eyes at the line that had formed behind Rachel. Anne Marie backed away from the counter, nodding her head in Rachel’s direction in farewell.

Rachel was about to hand over her credit card to the cashier, but she stopped and looked at the woman.  Once she had caught her attention, she said, “I was about to hand over my credit card to pay for these items, and if I thought it wouldn’t affect Anne Marie’s commission today, I would just walk away and leave these things on the counter instead. Anne Marie is the reason I shop here. She knows me, but you apparently don’t know her.”

At least, that’s what Rachel wanted to say. Instead, she handed over her credit card, paid for the vest and earrings, walked out of Primp, her favorite cheap chic clothing boutique for the last time.