Fabulista Applauds: The Loyalty Shopping Friends

Most specialty shops, as one is apt to know, have a incentive-based salary scheme; the more you sell, the more your month end financial benefits. As such, most sales executives are encouraged to attend to (potential) customers. This system has its pros and cons, of course.

The pros of it is obvious; more attentive execs, service with patience and better after sales attention. Unfortunately, its very pros is also indirectly linked to its cons. Since they are paid more when they sell more, they are more inclined to ‘target’ customers with a higher ‘potential buying ratio’.

When the Fabulista goes on a purchasing trip on the sunny island set in the sea, one avoids those abovementioned like one would a leper in biblical times (hell, I still might do so now, biblical or not). Trusting one’s instincts, I have come to know a number sales execs, many of whom have since gone on to be one of those I’d like to call ‘friends-of-the-shopping-variety’.

Let me see if I can list some of them here to share with you:

Prada – Romana at Paragon; is a very friendly and patient executive. She comes across as genuine and would wave to you when you just happen to pass by the boutique’s doors. When shopping with you, she would chat with you and share her knowledge and opinions of the collections with you. Ultimately the decision to buy and which one, is still yours, of course.

Tiffany & Co. – Carol at Ngee Ann City; is a warm and very encouraging and obliging lady. She does not hesitate to show you the different item and designs that a) have just arrived; or b) suits what you have mind on the day of your visit. She also makes suggestions to which is most suitable amongst what is available to you.

Bally – Catherine at Takashimaya; welcomes you in as a friend. Being in the boutique as a possible customer is secondary and happenstance. Many a times, I have been waved in just to have a chat with her, without any intention to buy and end up having a half hour chat.

Louis Vuitton – Janet and Vernon at Ngee Ann City; are both very obliging and efficient. I have once made an order for a one-of-a-kind bag and Janet scouted the island, with the help of the computer to make sure that I get one at the soonest possible time (I managed to get what I wanted in less than three days). I was also privy to many yet-to-be-seen runway collections thanks to her. On another occasion, I managed try on and purchase a rare runway piece in my size (which makes it even more precious) thanks to Vernon.

Hermès – Jimmy at Liat Towers; is incredible with his service and knowledge of the various collections at the historical saddle-makers’ boutique. He once scoured the island’s three boutiques to make sure that I get the EXACT product as requested. He even offered to pick up the separate pieces for me from the various stores so that I can just go back to the one place to pick the assembled piece.

Please do not say, “well, that’s their job and they get the monetary rewards at the end of it…”. Firstly, it is a very ungrateful statement. Secondly, it is very vulgar to equate service to money – it cannot be measured thus. Thirdly, the sales exec need not spend all the time on just ONE person to make a sale – they’d be better off dashing to another with better potential since it’s obvious they haven’t got what one wants off the shelf. And possibly finally, it is better, in such cases, to err on the side of generosity of judgment (since there’s nothing to lose) and find the possibility of making a ‘shopping-friend’.

So go ahead, when you’re out shopping, see if you can find the same warm service as I have – sometimes, all it takes is good intuition and a warm smile...