Has anyone else had an experience where you really wished you were the shopper?
I went to a new bagel store today (not as a shopper). I walked in with the intention of buying a dozen bagels. Once inside, the bagels didn't look that impressive, so I mentally downgraded my order to just a few bagels. I considered not buying any, but looks aren't everything, and with nobody in line, I would've been mildly embarrassed to walk out of this particular store without buying anything. Why not give them a try?
Three people behind the counter paid no attention to me while I thought this through. Two were making bagel sandwiches, the third was talking to the people making the sandwiches. I stood there for maybe 30 seconds (it felt like longer--it always does, I've noticed) before deciding that it wasn't worth my time to wait to order bagels I wasn't excited about anymore, So, I left.
This store lost a customer who was actually inside the store ready to make a purchase, literally because nobody bothered to say hello within 30 seconds of her walking in the door.
It really struck me, how hiring mystery shoppers can be the difference between this company staying afloat and folding. I wasn't upset at being ignored, but the truth is I'll probably never bother to go back. (Unless they hire me to!)
We are all here on earth to help others....What on earth the others are here for I don't know.
--W. H. Auden