Purple Reign! I made the choices; despite the clerks

18 years ago

I drove to the Hoity-Toity paint store and once again experienced "invisibility." Everytime I've gone in they act as if I'm not there. I'm clean, I'm neat. I normally wear jeans and sneaks, or khaki's and boots. I don't know why some clerks think I'm not serious about a purchase. I'm remodeling an entire house, including a kitchen, bathroom, front entry, sunporch, heating system, A/C, and plumbing. It seems as if they'd want my business.

I've gone in a couple of times to get a primer that was highly recommended on the Paint Forum. I was discussing red paints, but when the "color consultant" saw my Brand-X sample cards, he turned off the charm and got busy elsewhere. Okay, so four gallons of paint isn't going to make his week, but it was a decent sale that went to the competition instead.

I want to try this particular brand of paint in the sewing room; Hoity-Toity's is the only outlet for it, but on principal alone I don't think I'll buy from them again. Grand Forks, ND, is not exactly a cultural and artistic Mecca; I don't know why they developed the snooty attitude.

I came in today locked and loaded. I brought along the stained glass lamp shade, the pillow sham from the bedding, my favorite "Lilac Vapor" paint sample, and the purple cushion from the love seat. I ignored everyone. I went to the paint area and set all my purples out on the large table. I proceeded to pull samples and compare them to my items.

Finally, Salesman comes over and offers to "help." I told him what I was trying to do. I also told him I needed two gallons of the expensive primer, two gallons of the main trim paint, two gallons of the room colors, and one gallon of the sewing room's trim paint.

Seven gallons must be the magic number to be considered a customer. He became very helpful and even called Lowe's to double check a formula to mix a MS color in his paints.

As for the sewing room...drum roll please...I decided on a version of "Lavender Ice" for the wall color and "Yellow Freeze" for the ceiling. The trim, closet doors, and closets will be "Cotton White." I was concerned the Lavender Ice was a tad darker than I wanted, so he mixed it at 75% and wrote down the formula so he can easily match it if I need a second gallon.

As for the loveseat, it's color is still a bit off. I have a great sewing machine; I have a serger. As soon as the sewing room is ready for action, I'm going to make "perfectly coordinating" (LOL) fitted slipcovers for it. Until that time, I'll deal with it and love, love, love my wall color.

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Comments (5)

rosepetal2
18 years ago
perhaps you need to make a phone call to management of the store and then corp heads to discuss the problem, maybe it's just "that store" that needs a customer service refresher course. If you have the $$ to spend there I see no reason for them to slight you even if you just bought a pint of paint and upper management needs to know what is going on. You didn't name the store, is it a large chain? Maybe a few others have had your experience and a wake up call needs to go out if this is the case. There are plenty of stores who would gladly take (and are probably getting) the business they are refusing.

Diane (who hates people who think they are better than me!!!)
sheilajoyce_gw
18 years ago
I have noticed the same thing, especially since reaching my mid 50s. 4 or 5 years ago, I started the complete redecorating of our 5 bedroom home--new carpet, sinks, counters, cabinets, kitchen, flooring, family room furniture and other pieces here and there in the house. I looked at a lot of carpet at various stores, and at some stores, I could not get a price per yard of their carpets. I went elsewhere. At other stores, the clerks looked right through me--did I look like I was not a serious shopper? I went elsewhere. I honestly think my senior status put them off.
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tannatonk23_fl_z9a
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Your room sounds like it will be a lovely retreat for you! Don't you just love the color names? Lilac Vapor sounds beautiful. And your purple loveseat is wonderful. Purple is such a great color. I'm surprised it's not used more than it is. It's always such an unexpected nice surprise.

And I can relate to your paint shopping stories about being snubbed. I got the same treatment from our local BM dealer. I knew what I wanted/needed but was treated like some poor dumb ditz. Little twerp didn't know who he was messing with. For many years I was the buyer and store manager of a large local chain paint manufacturing company and 14 retail locations. LOL!!! I know more about paint and related products than he ever forgot. I didn't bother to tell him that though! lol!

Can't wait to see your finished room.

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jannie
18 years ago
So which is worse, stores where they ignore you or stores where you walk in the door and someone runs over to say "Can I help you?" when all you want to do is look around?
dirt_yfingernails
18 years ago
My DS, age 22, has worked at the local hardware for about 7 years. When I want special paint, I go to "his" store and have him computer-match it for me. Love the special service. But they do special services for everyone. Besides cutting keys, screening windows, cutting glass, etc., they also do extra things. Like DS on a Sunday afternoon. A customer was passing through town on his way home a couple hundred miles away. His trailer lights were not working and it would be dark soon. DS sold the man the needed supplies and then worked an hour or two re-wiring the trailer. He didn't take any money for his service.

Another time an elderly lady locked herself out of her house, so DS drove her home, opened her window, then gave her a boost so she could unlock the door.

Or driving cusomters to the gas station when they run out of gas, or any one of numerous tales. Just love the small town service you don't get from the big box stores.

Purple Reign! I made the choices; despite the clerks

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rosepetal2

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