If you've never even tried on a US made air of New Balance you are missing out,the superb build quality is noticable as soon as you put a pair on your feet.
Wednesday 19 March 2014
New Balance 996 , Black/Brown
The 996 has had a good run in the past few months,with there being a decent selection making their way over to our side of "the pond" as well as many (some say too many) revlite versions easily in reach. This model shows no sign of stopping in terms of quality, it being a US made silhouette that is something never in doubt and in terms of colour application. A choice of a black and white colourway is supplemented with leather detailing,speckling on the midsole and laces in a similar fashion to the recent national parks offerings.
If you've never even tried on a US made air of New Balance you are missing out,the superb build quality is noticable as soon as you put a pair on your feet.
Read more over at Sneaker Freaker .
If you've never even tried on a US made air of New Balance you are missing out,the superb build quality is noticable as soon as you put a pair on your feet.
Tuesday 4 March 2014
A handy guide to shopping in small,independent shops.
I have decided to write up a handy guide to shopping in small,independent and boutique style shops as in my many years of retail experience I am still constantly surprised by such twatty behaviour from customers that boils my piss no end. Many of these situations can also apply to major retailers too and yes I am aware that sometimes, as a customer you can get surly and snotty staff so it's not all one sided.Anyway,let me begin...
1. The door.
If the door is closed when you walk in then close it behind you,do not leave it open or leave it slightly open in some failed attempt to look considerate.Just close it,this applies just as much when leaving the shop.
2.The door sensor.
If it beeps as you enter do not mimic it, unless you are of an age that requires you to be accompanied by adults, this will instantly make any staff regard you as a twat and rightly so.
3.Phones,ipods and walkmen.
Do not enter a store whilst having conversation on a phone or at least end any conversation as you enter.
Take off your Beats By Dre headphones or yank out your earphones and turn the music down or off,do not have them blaring out music if you wish to engage any member of staff in conversation. Why should the staff engage with you if you can't be bothered to make an effort?
4.Kids.
Yes they're adorable I am sure but unless you're in a toy shop they do not care and are probably bored stupid,so will try and entertain themselves by playing with a sibling if present or just annoying the fuck out of the staff. Do not browse, amble or dither. Do not forget you are in a work enviroment do please don't let them play hide and seek or run around like they've had 2 litres of undiluted Kia Ora or there will be tears.
5.Trying on/Handling goods.
Treat it as your own,i.e don't force the shoes on or kick them off, do not roughly manhandle a jacket to "check" how strong it is. More than likely if you are in an independent shop that item has to be sold too,so take care when trying things on
please. Try and limit the number of items you are trying on to as few as possible,especially if busy and the shop does not have many staff.
6.Listen to the staff.
Simple and obvious but when a member of staff makes a suggestion it is usually for your benefit,for example "do you want to try these on?" is a question you may be asked,now just because you bought something in the same size it is advisable to always try something on. Even products from the same brand can vary in size and it will save a return journey if you need to exchange anything.
7.Food & drink.
Eating and drinking on the go,quite simply don't do it in any shop. If you are in such a rush that you have to eat on the move then you certainly haven't got time for shopping.
8.Farting,snotting and littering.
Sadly quite common. Snotting refers to those situations when someone draws the snot back up their nose to avoid blowing said nose, again this is only acceptable from small children, farting is akin to expelling millions of tiny poo particles. Littering is obvious.
8a. Fully grown men who wear tracksuit bottoms and put their hands down the front of said clothing, please don't.
9.socks.
If you are shopping for footwear then for the love of god wear socks or tights (as appropriate).
10.Inane and stupid questions.
"Have you got these in my size?" - Shop staff are not clairvoyant.
"Have you got these in X colour?" - Yes of course ,we just don't bother putting a lot of stock out......
If you can't see it the chances are it isn't in stock.
"You didn't tell me I couldn't get a refund" - Not legally obliged to verbally but there is a big sign at the till and it states the terms and conditions on your receipt,you did read that yes?
"I saw this blue hat a year ago ..." or "I saw a picture on the internet..."- Well do you have a picture or a brand name we can work from?
Most shops are highly unlikely to carry stock for over a year so a bit of common sense and research beforehand is a wonderful thing.
11.Being greeted by staff.
I hate being jumped on by staff as soon as you enter a shop but in smaller independent shops the shopfloor isn't that big so most of the time staff ARE just being polite when saying hello or some variant. A response along the lines of "just looking" or "yes,just having a look if that's alright" whilst having an expression like you've been caught in the underwear section of M&S isn't required. A hello will do.
12.Discounts.
Don't ask for a discount, end of. It is not uncommon to be told at the till "i'll knock some off for you" or something similar,this is usually because the preamble leading up to the purchase was humorous,well mannered on both sides and the member of staff enjoyed serving you as a customer. Asking for money off because you're buying two items is not reason enough for a discount,I doubt you ask for a multiple item discount in Tesco do you? No and they can afford it.
Another classic line is "I know the owner",while this makes us happy for you in millions of ways it doesn't mean you will get a discount. Besides, if you know the owner so well maybe you should have asked them for the discount eh?
13.Chip & pin machines.
When a chip & pin machine says,do not remove card (you're ahead of me here) DO NOT REMOVE THE BLOODY CARD! Onscreen instructions are there for a reason unsurprisingly.
Please do not assume all staff are on commission,believe it or not retail staff do get satisfaction from providing decent customer service and helping people when possible to the best standard they can.
I am sure I have missed some bits that I will think of in the future but this covers a lot of areas,so please bear these points in mind next time and thanks for reading.
1. The door.
If the door is closed when you walk in then close it behind you,do not leave it open or leave it slightly open in some failed attempt to look considerate.Just close it,this applies just as much when leaving the shop.
2.The door sensor.
If it beeps as you enter do not mimic it, unless you are of an age that requires you to be accompanied by adults, this will instantly make any staff regard you as a twat and rightly so.
3.Phones,ipods and walkmen.
Do not enter a store whilst having conversation on a phone or at least end any conversation as you enter.
Take off your Beats By Dre headphones or yank out your earphones and turn the music down or off,do not have them blaring out music if you wish to engage any member of staff in conversation. Why should the staff engage with you if you can't be bothered to make an effort?
4.Kids.
Yes they're adorable I am sure but unless you're in a toy shop they do not care and are probably bored stupid,so will try and entertain themselves by playing with a sibling if present or just annoying the fuck out of the staff. Do not browse, amble or dither. Do not forget you are in a work enviroment do please don't let them play hide and seek or run around like they've had 2 litres of undiluted Kia Ora or there will be tears.
5.Trying on/Handling goods.
Treat it as your own,i.e don't force the shoes on or kick them off, do not roughly manhandle a jacket to "check" how strong it is. More than likely if you are in an independent shop that item has to be sold too,so take care when trying things on
please. Try and limit the number of items you are trying on to as few as possible,especially if busy and the shop does not have many staff.
6.Listen to the staff.
Simple and obvious but when a member of staff makes a suggestion it is usually for your benefit,for example "do you want to try these on?" is a question you may be asked,now just because you bought something in the same size it is advisable to always try something on. Even products from the same brand can vary in size and it will save a return journey if you need to exchange anything.
7.Food & drink.
Eating and drinking on the go,quite simply don't do it in any shop. If you are in such a rush that you have to eat on the move then you certainly haven't got time for shopping.
8.Farting,snotting and littering.
Sadly quite common. Snotting refers to those situations when someone draws the snot back up their nose to avoid blowing said nose, again this is only acceptable from small children, farting is akin to expelling millions of tiny poo particles. Littering is obvious.
8a. Fully grown men who wear tracksuit bottoms and put their hands down the front of said clothing, please don't.
9.socks.
If you are shopping for footwear then for the love of god wear socks or tights (as appropriate).
10.Inane and stupid questions.
"Have you got these in my size?" - Shop staff are not clairvoyant.
"Have you got these in X colour?" - Yes of course ,we just don't bother putting a lot of stock out......
If you can't see it the chances are it isn't in stock.
"You didn't tell me I couldn't get a refund" - Not legally obliged to verbally but there is a big sign at the till and it states the terms and conditions on your receipt,you did read that yes?
"I saw this blue hat a year ago ..." or "I saw a picture on the internet..."- Well do you have a picture or a brand name we can work from?
Most shops are highly unlikely to carry stock for over a year so a bit of common sense and research beforehand is a wonderful thing.
11.Being greeted by staff.
I hate being jumped on by staff as soon as you enter a shop but in smaller independent shops the shopfloor isn't that big so most of the time staff ARE just being polite when saying hello or some variant. A response along the lines of "just looking" or "yes,just having a look if that's alright" whilst having an expression like you've been caught in the underwear section of M&S isn't required. A hello will do.
12.Discounts.
Don't ask for a discount, end of. It is not uncommon to be told at the till "i'll knock some off for you" or something similar,this is usually because the preamble leading up to the purchase was humorous,well mannered on both sides and the member of staff enjoyed serving you as a customer. Asking for money off because you're buying two items is not reason enough for a discount,I doubt you ask for a multiple item discount in Tesco do you? No and they can afford it.
Another classic line is "I know the owner",while this makes us happy for you in millions of ways it doesn't mean you will get a discount. Besides, if you know the owner so well maybe you should have asked them for the discount eh?
13.Chip & pin machines.
When a chip & pin machine says,do not remove card (you're ahead of me here) DO NOT REMOVE THE BLOODY CARD! Onscreen instructions are there for a reason unsurprisingly.
Please do not assume all staff are on commission,believe it or not retail staff do get satisfaction from providing decent customer service and helping people when possible to the best standard they can.
I am sure I have missed some bits that I will think of in the future but this covers a lot of areas,so please bear these points in mind next time and thanks for reading.
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