Dear Noelle McCarthy and staff of Viva,
What happened? When did “shop girls” become the cause of the moment? I guess there is something to be said for a fashion supplement standing behind purveyors of fashion, but honestly. The story in today’s Viva section about the poor, poor misunderstood shop girls completely confused me.
I’m not one to write or blog about fashion, but this has done it. Every time I visit Zambesi my resolve to never go there again hardens - an option provided so nicely by the underdogs represented in this article by one of my former journalistic heroes, Noelle McCarthy.
My favourite quote of the article is: “The secret to doing a good job isn’t that one-off $1000 sale, it’s having people come back into the store and build up a relationship with us. Why would we be rude when we want them to come back?”
Has McCarthy even visited Zambesi or any other “high end” retail store recently?
The reception is so frosty whenever I have ventured inside Zambesi in High Street (to be fair, have never visited the Ponsonby store) that each time I resolve to spend my hard-earned, well-saved (hi, I have a mortgage and a needy DIY budget) dollars elsewhere. Even the increasingly distant Ricochet with their hideous mirrors-outside-the-dressing-room situation is better than visiting Zambesi.
To be fair it isn’t just Zambesi, though they’re definitely on my hit list. I’m sick of being talked down to by shop girls. I’m sick of being ignored by people who don’t respond to a smile and greeting. I’m SURPRISED that this is actually seen as a big enough deal that it got a full spread in Viva, complete with pictures of the very people who stared right through me when I was willing to spend stupid amounts of money to look nice at my brother’s wedding (credit to Moochi who were helpful, nice, friendly and a pleasure to shop with).
I can’t be the only one. I say put a stop to this insanity - it’s self-defeating! People want to buy clothes - people want to sell clothes - everyone wants to have a pleasant experience - so how about the Zambeshe’s and their kind start by being welcoming on their territory and customers will return the favour?
Meanwhile, I’ll spend my dollars supporting local businesses who want to be supported and show that. If that doesn’t work, I’ll just join the “local blogger” camp. I hear there are going to be tshirts.
No love,
manda