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I make jewelry. As such, I use a lot of beads. I order most of my materials online, since there are a couple of online stores that I can get my standard supplies really cheap. However, when I was visiting my family in Wisconsin a couple weeks ago, my mom told me about a bead store that I should visit. I did so, and the store itself was pretty cool. It's fairly large (for a bead store) and has literally hundreds, maybe thousands if different kinds of beads, ranging from glass to semi-precious, and all sizes.
The thing I liked most about the store is that a lot of the beads are sold individually, meaning I could pick out just enough to make a bracelet or necklace and only spend a dollar or two, instead of having to get a whole string or bag of the same bead for $10.
The process of picking out your beads is pretty simple once it's explained to you. They have a little station near the front entrance where you can get a small tray, a bunch of small plastic bags that have blank labels on them, and a pencil. Then you walk around collecting the beads you want and labeling them as you put them in the bag. For example, if I wanted 5 amethyst chips that were marked at $.10 each, I'd put my 5 chips in a bag, and label the bag "5 @ $.10/ea"
However, because all of the individually-sold beads are laid out in open little containers around the store, they must get a lot of theft. They have no less than 12 various signs saying that the shop is monitored, they prosecute shop lifters, they reserve the right to double-check the number and price of each item you pick out, etc. I understand the risk of having so much merchandise out in the open, but it's a little intimidating to see signs like that everywhere you turn to. They also have a bag-check policy; ANY bag that you bring in, be it a backpack, or a small purse, must be checked at the front desk when you enter the store. Again, I understand this, I'm just uncomfortable giving my stuff to a complete stranger. Thankfully, the store is small enough that I could keep half an eye on the front desk from pretty much anywhere, otherwise I may have just turned around and walked out when I first entered.
The first time I went in the shop, there were two young girls (late teens) working, and an older woman who I guessed was the owner or at least a manager. The girls were very friendly; they greeted me cheerfully immediately when I came in. I didn't immediately offer them my bag (even though I saw the sign on the front door that stated their bag-checking policy). One of them asked if it was my first time in the store; I said yes, and she explained the bag policy. She was very friendly about it, which also made me feel a little better about relinquishing my bag. She also explained how to whole tray/bag/label system worked for the individual beads, since it's not exactly obvious how they want you to do it without explanation. She followed me after that for about 2 minutes, showing me a few different things and asking if I had any questions, then left me alone, telling me to let her or her friend know if I needed help.
All in all, a good first experience. I got the impression that the owner/manager who was working was a bit of a bitch; she never greeted me and didn't even smile when I made eye contact with her while she was organizing beads throughout the shop. But, whatever. The girls took care of me and were nice enough.
Second time I went in there was about the same thing. This time I did check my bag right away; there were two different people (older women) working behind the counter, as well as the owner/manager from before. Again, the owner/manager made no acknowledgment of my presence and generally seemed to have a stick up her ass. The other two ladies were very friendly, asked if I'd been to the store and if I knew how the bagging system worked, asked if I had any questions, and checked on me twice during my visit (I was there for about an hour the second time.)
Then, a friend of mine decided to check out this store. She has commissioned me to make her a set of bracelets and earrings as Christmas presents for her to give to a group of her friends, and I advised her to check out the store if she got a chance to get an idea of what kinds of beads she'd like me to use. Unfortunately, she had an absolutely disastrous experience in the store.
There were two women working behind the counter. She described them as "middle-aged old hags." I can only assume one of them is the owner/manager I saw during my visits. They did not greet or acknowledge her at all when she walked in the store. She approached the counter and said hello (to which they did not reply), then offered them her bag. Again, they made no acknowledgment whatsoever. They simply stared at her, not with a deer-in-headlights look, more like with contempt. She said, "Don't you have a bag-checking policy?" (I had forewarned her about this, and she saw the sign on the door plainly stating to take her bag to the front counter.) They said, "Well, yes, but you're supposed to put it on a hook here and take a number," rather snottily. As if my friend knew that, she'd never been in the store before.
Not that the employees would know it was her first visit, since they never asked her or offered her any help! They never explained to her how the tray/bag/label system worked; my friend half-figured it out on her own, but when she took her selections to the front counter, the woman who checked her out did not hide her displeasure that my friend had done it wrong. "THIS is how it's supposed to be done, THIS is why we use this kind of system," she said. My friend was extremely offended and told the woman that she did not know that since it was her first time in the store. The woman simply sneered.
On top of that, during checkout, the woman behind the counter made a bit of a scene counting every. single. bead. that my friend had picked out. Yes, it is clearly stated on no less than 5 or 6 signs that they reserve the right to do this. However, when I was in the store, they never bothered to count all of my stuff. They counted the first couple of bags and must have decided I labeled everything honestly. This employee not only counted the beads in each bag, but she made a big deal about doing it, going very slowly and meticulous, as if she suspected my friend was trying to scam or steal from them.
Last of all, the employee made a big deal about the returns policy to my friend before she would let my friend have her purchases. The return policy is basically, no refund, exchange or store credit only, and must be within 2 weeks of initial purchase, with receipt. Again, when I was in the store, this was a non-issue; they put a returns slip in every bag so all customers know about it (theoretically.) But, this woman was very...severe with my friend about this issue. "Absolutely NO returns after 2 weeks, and absolutely NO refunds, store credit only. Do you understand? NO exceptions."
It was like they suspected my friend of fraud for absolutely nothing. She was in the store for less than 20 minutes and complied with all their rules, and they treated her like dirt. She said she will never go in there again, and that she wouldn't be surprised if they went out of business in less than 6 months.
This really pisses me off, because I was treated so decently and she was not, and also because I really like the shop itself for all its neat merchandise, but these employees can make a visit less than enthusiastic. I have a very strong urge to call the store or send them a letter of complaint (they don't seem to have an email address.) I don't want to turn into an SC, but I really think their attitude and behavior is unacceptable. Then again, I wasn't the one who experienced the rotten employees, so maybe it isn't even my place to complain? Thing is, my friend just assumed that everyone was treated that way and doesn't see the need to complain, she just won't go in there again.
The thing I liked most about the store is that a lot of the beads are sold individually, meaning I could pick out just enough to make a bracelet or necklace and only spend a dollar or two, instead of having to get a whole string or bag of the same bead for $10.
The process of picking out your beads is pretty simple once it's explained to you. They have a little station near the front entrance where you can get a small tray, a bunch of small plastic bags that have blank labels on them, and a pencil. Then you walk around collecting the beads you want and labeling them as you put them in the bag. For example, if I wanted 5 amethyst chips that were marked at $.10 each, I'd put my 5 chips in a bag, and label the bag "5 @ $.10/ea"
However, because all of the individually-sold beads are laid out in open little containers around the store, they must get a lot of theft. They have no less than 12 various signs saying that the shop is monitored, they prosecute shop lifters, they reserve the right to double-check the number and price of each item you pick out, etc. I understand the risk of having so much merchandise out in the open, but it's a little intimidating to see signs like that everywhere you turn to. They also have a bag-check policy; ANY bag that you bring in, be it a backpack, or a small purse, must be checked at the front desk when you enter the store. Again, I understand this, I'm just uncomfortable giving my stuff to a complete stranger. Thankfully, the store is small enough that I could keep half an eye on the front desk from pretty much anywhere, otherwise I may have just turned around and walked out when I first entered.
The first time I went in the shop, there were two young girls (late teens) working, and an older woman who I guessed was the owner or at least a manager. The girls were very friendly; they greeted me cheerfully immediately when I came in. I didn't immediately offer them my bag (even though I saw the sign on the front door that stated their bag-checking policy). One of them asked if it was my first time in the store; I said yes, and she explained the bag policy. She was very friendly about it, which also made me feel a little better about relinquishing my bag. She also explained how to whole tray/bag/label system worked for the individual beads, since it's not exactly obvious how they want you to do it without explanation. She followed me after that for about 2 minutes, showing me a few different things and asking if I had any questions, then left me alone, telling me to let her or her friend know if I needed help.
All in all, a good first experience. I got the impression that the owner/manager who was working was a bit of a bitch; she never greeted me and didn't even smile when I made eye contact with her while she was organizing beads throughout the shop. But, whatever. The girls took care of me and were nice enough.
Second time I went in there was about the same thing. This time I did check my bag right away; there were two different people (older women) working behind the counter, as well as the owner/manager from before. Again, the owner/manager made no acknowledgment of my presence and generally seemed to have a stick up her ass. The other two ladies were very friendly, asked if I'd been to the store and if I knew how the bagging system worked, asked if I had any questions, and checked on me twice during my visit (I was there for about an hour the second time.)
Then, a friend of mine decided to check out this store. She has commissioned me to make her a set of bracelets and earrings as Christmas presents for her to give to a group of her friends, and I advised her to check out the store if she got a chance to get an idea of what kinds of beads she'd like me to use. Unfortunately, she had an absolutely disastrous experience in the store.
There were two women working behind the counter. She described them as "middle-aged old hags." I can only assume one of them is the owner/manager I saw during my visits. They did not greet or acknowledge her at all when she walked in the store. She approached the counter and said hello (to which they did not reply), then offered them her bag. Again, they made no acknowledgment whatsoever. They simply stared at her, not with a deer-in-headlights look, more like with contempt. She said, "Don't you have a bag-checking policy?" (I had forewarned her about this, and she saw the sign on the door plainly stating to take her bag to the front counter.) They said, "Well, yes, but you're supposed to put it on a hook here and take a number," rather snottily. As if my friend knew that, she'd never been in the store before.
Not that the employees would know it was her first visit, since they never asked her or offered her any help! They never explained to her how the tray/bag/label system worked; my friend half-figured it out on her own, but when she took her selections to the front counter, the woman who checked her out did not hide her displeasure that my friend had done it wrong. "THIS is how it's supposed to be done, THIS is why we use this kind of system," she said. My friend was extremely offended and told the woman that she did not know that since it was her first time in the store. The woman simply sneered.
On top of that, during checkout, the woman behind the counter made a bit of a scene counting every. single. bead. that my friend had picked out. Yes, it is clearly stated on no less than 5 or 6 signs that they reserve the right to do this. However, when I was in the store, they never bothered to count all of my stuff. They counted the first couple of bags and must have decided I labeled everything honestly. This employee not only counted the beads in each bag, but she made a big deal about doing it, going very slowly and meticulous, as if she suspected my friend was trying to scam or steal from them.
Last of all, the employee made a big deal about the returns policy to my friend before she would let my friend have her purchases. The return policy is basically, no refund, exchange or store credit only, and must be within 2 weeks of initial purchase, with receipt. Again, when I was in the store, this was a non-issue; they put a returns slip in every bag so all customers know about it (theoretically.) But, this woman was very...severe with my friend about this issue. "Absolutely NO returns after 2 weeks, and absolutely NO refunds, store credit only. Do you understand? NO exceptions."
It was like they suspected my friend of fraud for absolutely nothing. She was in the store for less than 20 minutes and complied with all their rules, and they treated her like dirt. She said she will never go in there again, and that she wouldn't be surprised if they went out of business in less than 6 months.
This really pisses me off, because I was treated so decently and she was not, and also because I really like the shop itself for all its neat merchandise, but these employees can make a visit less than enthusiastic. I have a very strong urge to call the store or send them a letter of complaint (they don't seem to have an email address.) I don't want to turn into an SC, but I really think their attitude and behavior is unacceptable. Then again, I wasn't the one who experienced the rotten employees, so maybe it isn't even my place to complain? Thing is, my friend just assumed that everyone was treated that way and doesn't see the need to complain, she just won't go in there again.
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