I went to Invitations, Etc. yesterday to order wedding invitations for my son's wedding.
I used Anne's Stationary (located under the name Girl General) for my daughter's wedding invitations about 18 months ago, based on recommendations by other Alamo Heights friends of mine who said " that was the place to go". The invitations they did were beautiful, elegant and very classic. The help I got there was amazing as well.
I decided to try Invitation's Etc. this time, however, because of its proximity to where I live. Anne's shop is at 1-10 and Huebner... so much farther away. I walked into the shop as I was wrapping up a call from my daughter. The phone was up to my ear. I was listening, but I was not speaking. The woman sitting at the front table openly glared at me, which took me aback. I walked to a second table, where two women were looking through wedding books. I put my notebook on the table and had planned to look through one of the books not being used, but was shocked when the other employee gave me a "don't even think about sitting here" look.
I picked the notebook up (thinking "yikes!") and turned back toward the first salesperson. I still had not said a word, and had not been in the store more than about thirty seconds. I covered the receiver and quietly asked the woman if she worked there. I was not sure, because I honestly did not think a manager, owner, or even an employee would treat a customer so rudely. She said, "yes, but you are on the phone." This was not said nicely.
I told my daughter I was "at my destination" and needed to hang up. I told the lady I wanted to look at wedding invitations. She then told me that it really bothered her when people came into the store on their phones. I apologized, and said that it had been my daughter, who did not live in town. I fully expected that, after my apology, she would have lightened up and said something along the lines of, "I understand", but her answer to me was, "that doesn't matter".
I realize it can be annoying for others to have to overhear phone conversations, particularly if they are long winded or loud. Her reaction stunned me, though, because I had not even been talking. I had been listening, and I had only been in the store for a matter of seconds.
After her comment sank in, I abruptly stood up and told her that I that maybe I would come back at another time when she was "not so annoyed with me". I got back in my car and drove straight to Anne's Stationary (Girl General). The response I got there was so starkly different. I was greeted immediately, and given the same fabulous customer service I had gotten for my daughter's wedding. I told her what had happened at Invitation's Etc. and she was floored. She said they would never treat customers that way. Similarly, my husband is a doctor, and if a patient of his annoyed him or his staff, they would NEVER know it. You just don't treat your customers that way.
The only positive out of this is that I can take pleasure knowing that They will have to sell a hell of a lot greeting cards and wrapping paper to make up for the very big sale they just lost out on on due to their rudeness. I won't ever give them a dime of my money, because I don't want to feel unwelcomed like that again. The drive to I-10 and Huebner was definitely worth it! read more
