More on the Gaspereau Valley Fibres Fiasco

But first I want to welcome anyone coming over from the Harlot's blog, I'm probably a bit late on this, but Hi! And you can get your own Metallica baby shirt here.

So...picking up where Alison left off (if you don't know the story so far, then get over there and catch up. I'll wait.

(hums to herself quietly)

Ah, you're back. All up to speed then? Good. Let's continue...

Prior to anything happening to us I had observed two older ladies trying to make a decision on yarn for a scarf. They had looked through patterns and were debating sea wool over sea silk (very tough choices, I can totally attest to that), when the owner (in the red shirt) came over and told them quite tersely "You won't get a very long scarf with that." referring to the smaller skein in the woman's hand. Look, there are so many other ways to assist someone and when you think they are about to make a choice that won't yield the results you are aware they are after, there are much nicer ways of saying it.

Anyhoo, after Alison was rushed to the cash, and Cate left with her purchases, Gabriel and I were the only ones left from our group in the store, and the staff were at the cash ringing through a couple and they were chatting. Because of the layout of the shop, I was hidden from view as I looked at yarn. I then heard the following conversation:

First they chatted about a neighbouring farmer who was not all that good and had his sheep all drop dead, then moved onto someone who had owned the property prior to them and had monkeys there. Then I hear the man say something to the effect of "This is a really nice place"

And the woman in the red shirt, who we assume is the owner, says very clearly:

"Yes, but unfortunately it makes people think they can come and stay for hours. With their children."

The man, who I suspect could see me from where he was standing says "Oh...but the animals, you know, the kids like them."

WITRS: "Yeah, but it's annoying."

I had about $40 worth of yarn in my hand. And I really wish I could say that I went up to this woman and handed it to her and told her not to worry, we'd never trouble her again and left. But...this was quite a lot of Fleece Artist merino in the most delicious colours, and a skein of incredibly soft Alpaca/Silk. I justified in my head as "Why should my stash suffer because of this woman?" Weak, I know. If I was completely honest I'd tell you that it's only because it's yarn that I went through with the purchase. I've left entire carts full of stuff I needed behind because of rude salespeople. I've walked away from coffee orders because of a cranky barista. I recently had it out completely with an employee of Payless over a hold mix-up and spoke to the proper person (who then bent over backwards to accommodate me). But....this time I could not do it. I could not leave the yarn behind.

However...we will not ever be returning.

And I will be sending them an e-mail expressing that.

And I am toying with the idea of e-mailing the Fleece Artist and letting her know exactly who she's providing yarn for. Since Alison's commments have been filled with notes from others who have had or heard similar stories out of the place, this was not a rare occurrence.

Look, I've done customer service. I was a Tim-bit for nearly two years and had all sorts of customers. Nice ones who tip well, cranky arsed ones who you could not get out of the store fast enough, regulars who I got to know quite well, a local news reporter who is a total dick before he gets his coffee, incredibly smelly homeless people who got up enough change for a small cup of warmth, university students who used the place as a place to sit for hours to work on assignments...and I know that there are times when you see a customer come in and you think to yourself "Crap. I'm tired. I so do not want to do this right now. Why can't people leave me alone?" But you stepped up to that counter and you smiled and you made the coffee. And you recommended a snack if they were indecisive. You told them what the soups were, even though there was a big sign above your head saying the same thing. You made sandwiches even though you just cleaned the station. And then you tidied, again, the tables after they left. And I know retail is a similar teeth-grinding experience, but with fewer food items. It can be a pain in the arse.

BUT, that does not excuse this woman's rudeness. I'm sure there are days down at Tangled Skeins or the Loop when the last thing the lovely ladies who work there want to see a customer...but they are always gracious and helpful. When I was ready to take the plunge for my first lace, Sheryl could not have been more helpful. And I love going into the shop when Steph is there, she's fantastic with the customers.

These ladies have figured out the trick: If you are good to your customers, they will spend more money, and they will come back and they will bring their friends.

Meanwhile...it's now all over the internets about how poorly we were treated at Gaspereau Valley Fibre.

First rule of customer service: No one is an island. No person is so isolated that you can get away with being rude and not have everyone and their dog know by day's end. Especially now that Knitting and Blogging go so well together.