A couple of times a week someone comes up to me at the mall Customer Service desk and asks me about a store that we don't have. The questions can be broken into three types:
- The person hasn't been to the mall before and is just looking to see what stores are available. In that case I answer specific store requests and refer them to a mall map.
- The store is one that used to be in the mall and they're past customers. (That shopping trip could have been months or even years ago.) I have to be the one to break the news that the store is gone. They're usually disappointed, but handle it well.
- The person searched on the Internet and saw the store mentioned in conjunction with our mall, so they jumped in the car and drove here. That's a problem if they've relied on an unofficial third party website, which is often out of date or completely wrong. When I break the news to them the store isn't here they get annoyed, but there's nothing I can do except suggest a store in the mall that might carry the brand they're looking for.
Five years ago today: If Life Gives You Lemons...
I guess it's a revolving door at the mall for stores. I rarely go to our regional mall, and when I do, I am amazed at what has come and gone. I was there a few weeks ago when my iPhone had a stroke and walked the entire mall before the Apple store opened. I was quite pleased with the quality of the stores now in the mall. For a long time the stores seemed to be geared only to the high school student who wanted to spend very little money on really trashy clothing and other items. There has definitely been some upgrading there.
ReplyDeleteThis is the most time I've been in a mall since I've been a teen. I, too, was amazed at how often stores changed
Deletegosh can't always trust the internet!
ReplyDeleteYes, that's a good lesson to remember
DeleteGuilty! My daughter and I drove around and around looking for a store she found online last summer. Finally popped into the mall and asked at Customer Service. They didn't recommend other options - love that you do!
ReplyDeleteUsually if someone is looking for a specific store they aren't particularly open to suggestions for others, but I always give it a try.
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