October 17, 2018 – Bait and switch?

         Years ago in business class in high school, we were taught that merchandisers often advertise something [not available] to get customers into the stores.  When the customers found that the item or items were not available – they were ‘switched’ to a higher priced item.  That was the classic illegal “bait and switch” tactic.  [I wonder if anyone even teaches these principals anymore.]

         I am a catalog shopper and today I am CALLING OUT one entity whose catalog arrived yesterday.  I am sick of something on the front cover and inside not being available to the customer.

         A perfect example is the Fall/Winter 2018 catalog from Création L my boutique.  There is a stylish model on the cover and on page 62 wearing a boucle cardigan and a cream or white scarf that has a leaf trim.

         I searched the catalog for the scarf – no find.  I then went on line and searched their website.  Next, I jumped on the Chat contact and asked about it.

         First, the representative advised me to search on a link of all the scarves they currently have.  I did so and again – no find.

         Then I asked the most impertinent question:  How can you show something on a model twice in your catalog without offering it for sale?

         The answer from Création L my boutique was: We used it as a prop.

         Prop? Those are puppies, or backdrop locations, or a fresh flower in a model's hand – which their catalog has none of these.  They do have scarves that they sell that could have been used.  But, to use an item of clothing that is not available to the public – “BIG, BIG, MISTAKE.”  [I take that  line out of the movie Pretty Women- you movie buffs will recognize it.]

         One nice thing about their chat on line – it is printable – so I have proof of their mediocrity, ineptitude, and their bait and switch tactic.

         OHHHHH – you are wondering why I am so “hot” about this. 

         I see this just about every day.  Our local paper has reams of wasted paper filled with advertisements for chain stores – yet the chain stores in this area are so small and so – out in no-where’s-ville – that they seldom stock what is on sale.  It is a joke – I see something – I take the advertising flyer with me and I am told either: 1) Our store is so small, we don’t get all the sale items in, or 2) We only had a few and they are already gone.

         This reminds me of my personal Coup d’état against a women’s clothing store in Myrtle Beach, North Carolina – several years ago.

         I window shop and when I see something I like in the window, it lures me in.  I saw a fall sweater tunic of muted browns and cinnamon.  It reminded me of the color of the fallen pine needles on the ground beneath a forest of tall pines. 

        

         Always when I am on vacation, I have a “Benny” tucked back for some exquisite item to celebrate I am on vacation. [A Benny is a $100 Benjamin Franklin bill – just in case you don’t know what I am alluding to.  Very powerful in your wallet for those surprise items that you simply MUST HAVE.]

         I was with other wives of the golf vacation group and they prowled through the store with me.  I did not find any sweaters that matched the one in the window.  I assumed they had all been sold except the sweater in the window. 

         I then proceeded to the front window display and climbed into it – OH yes, I am that type of brazen hussy, on occasion. I fished for the tag and noted the price – within my means – and was even more delighted that the size was the correct size for me – win-win, good luck for me.

         Of course, my climbing into the window display was noticed by the store personnel. A sales person came to chastise me or was it “rescue” me from the fate of being in a sales window without permission.

         I stated flatly, “I want that sweater.”

         “AHHHH,” was her answer.

         After a hesitant moment she said, “It is our display.”

         “I didn’t find a sweater like it in the store – it must be the last one – so I wish to buy it,”  was my straight forward request.

         The two other women with me paused in their shopping and watched the situation unfold. Their interest was piqued because they’d never seen anyone climb into a display window to see the price and size of a garment.

         “It is our display . . .”

         “So, just undress the mannequin and put something else on it to sell. It has a sales tag and it is my size and I want it.  What is the problem?”

         “AHHHH,”  the sales person was almost in a state of apoplexy.

         “Where is your manager?”  I was heels-dug-in determined to get that sweater.  I was sick of things in the windows that were not for sale.  I was making my own personal stand.  Besides, I adored that sweater.  It was gorgeous – perfect for my coloring and my wardrobe.  I wasn’t going to be easily put off.

         The sales person scuttled away in haste to find the manager. The manager arrived, a more polished professional than her subordinate and asked, “May I help?”

         “I wish to buy the sweater on this mannequin.  It is tagged for sale, it is my size and I believe it is the only one left of its kind in the store.”

         “We don’t undress mannequins during the day . . .”

         “I am here on vacation and this is the only time I will be at your store.  This is a vacation capital of the world.  You do realize that?”

         I stared her down.  The manager was waffling.  It was early in the day, we were the first customers, few people were out in the mall.

         After a lengthy silence, I offered an olive branch in the form of,

         “If it is an issue of modesty or propriety and you don’t want the public to see a naked mannequin, I can assist you in carrying it to the back, out of view, so you can disrobe it.”

         That comment clinched it.  The manager turned to the sales person and sent her into to the display window to undress the mannequin – funny right there in front of the public for all to see.

         VICTORY!

         Side note:  When we came back by the store a few hours later, we noticed the mannequin was still naked.

         I still own that sweater.  It is scrumptious and gorgeous and I always, always get a compliment when I wear it.

         The morale of that story? 

         Any time I went back to Myrtle Beach, NC on my husband's annual golf outing, I specifically shopped at that ladies’ store. I became famous among the golf outing ladies on my shopping prowess – “She even forces store personnel to take items off the mannequins . . .” [I heard them whispering a few times.]

         The weather forecast calls for cool weather this weekend.  Good – I’ll pull that sweater out and wear it to the Writer’s workshop on Saturday.