Retail Slaves…those of us that have dedicated a great part of our lives to working in Retail. I guess that would be me. It has consumed my life for that past 7 years, but of course it would since I own a boutique. The question now is, “Do I want it to continue to?”
So much has changed in the world of retail over the past 7 years. I went from loving each day to feeling like I was the main character of Freeman Hall’s “Retail Hell.”
Business has changed, people have changed, life has changed, and at this point in my life I crave a new direction.
It’s a bittersweet note to write to my clients over the years, my vendors I have adored and my friends who have supported, but Flaire will be closing it’s storefront in Milwaukee.
It’s funny how much you see from my side of the counter, the stories people share, the conversations you over hear….the Retail Slaves of the world hear it all. And we love it too, but there comes a time in every one’s life when the walls start pushing in and the room begins to shrink and you know you have to get out. It’s not that my love of fashion is gone, or that I will forget that retail therapy is an actual type of therapy, or that the connections you make with people really can change you or that the little girl draped in costume jewelry will always be a part of who I am, it’s just that life changes you. The people you meet, the places you visit, the opportunities you seize, all have their impact and at times they point you in a new direction.
So as I depart from ”Retail Hell,” I leave you with a few of
Freeman Hall’s shopping Do’s and Don’ts from his book (267-270).
Freeman Hall’s Do’s and Don’ts of Shopping:
DO be friendly, polite, and patient. You’ll reap rewards you didn’t know existed. People behind the counter have the golden key to your savings and shopping experience. Kissing their ass will get them to use it for you.
DON’T be a Bitchista. Otherwise, no discounts or mentions of upcoming sales for you! Your douchey rude ass took care of that. Remember: Nice customers ALWAYS walk away with the best service and deals from a store.
DO go shopping in a decent mood and with a sense of respect for humanity. The people working at stores and restaurants do have brains and some may even be smarter than you. Being condescending will only encourage them to use those brains to find a way to give you the worst service possible.
DON’T go shopping when you’re in a rush, off your meds, feeling frisky, stricken with swine flu, hours away from giving birth, seeking psychotherapy, or basically feeling like you want to kill someone. You are not making a contribution to society out in the world like this. Stay home and shop online.
DO read merchandise signs and tags. Ask the sales associate to explain discounts and markdowns that are confusing to you. Shopping illiteracy is at an all-time high and is the cause of MAJOR Retail Hell for slaves and customers alike.
DON’T be an annoying Discount Rat and ask for discounts when there are clearly none offered. Unless the store is closing down for good, the ENTIRE store is never on sale, so don’t bother asking.
*But lucky for you, our store is all on sale!*
And lastly, if you love retail, pick up a copy of Freeman Hall’s “Retail Hell,” you’ll laugh your ass off.
*Sale Begins Wednesday, April 13th.
Store Hours will be Wednesday & Thursday 11am-7pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-5pm and Sunday 12pm-4pm.
All Sales will be Final.*
![boutique-blowout-2011-b-1UP[1]](http://www.shopflaire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/boutique-blowout-2011-b-1UP1.jpg "boutique-blowout-2011-b-1UP[1]")
Time is Ticking for this year’s savings at Flaire!
Coping. We all do it differently. Some of us turn to comfort food, some of us drink away the pain, and some of us shop. This was always me. While I surely enjoy a tub of ice cream and a bottle of wine (okay, who am I trying to kid – 7 bottles of wine), shopping has always been the most therapeutic to me. Something about walking into a store, starting on the left, (because when you have to choose the left is always better – right Elliot!?!) and slowly making my way around the store being sure to touch everything in hopes that the touch of one of these items will be the spark that moves me. 
I still have a pair of earrings purchased when I realized I had made the wrong choice in college. The glitter heart heels I got when I didn’t win a competition – they were so Elle Woods in Legally Blonde – the original of course.
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