Since I was accepted to Ravelry, I've been finding out about some new (to me) LYSs in the area and have been checking out about one new one a week. I'm seeing a definite trend that would hinder me coming back to some of these shops: too much merchandise in too little of a space and no price tags.
I know there is all sorts of reasons for this. Marking merchandise takes time that a shop owner would probably rather spend doing something else (like knitting samples or something). Honestly, though, if I come into your shop to browse and nothing is priced, I'm not buying. I don't have time to seek out the owner or an employee every time something I see strikes my fancy. I'm also on a pretty tight budget, so I need to know right away if the shop is too pricey for me.
As far as the tight, cramped conditions, I realize that retail space is expensive and that they're trying to offer as much as possible to their customers. I am, however, a big woman and if I'm browsing an "aisle" and I'm knocking down yarn behind me as I'm two inches from the stuff in front of me, it's too cramped. I'm also claustrophobic, so I probably won't take time to browse the store when that desire to escape overcomes me. Some of these shops also want people to come hang out and knit, but where?
Oh, and one final thing. Being ignored. I battled a snowstorm to go into one shop on my way home from work only to be ignored the whole half hour I was in there. Even if you're busy with another customer, take a moment to greet me and let me know you'll be available to help me as soon as you are able. If you can't do at least that, I guess you don't want my business after all.
All that being said, I've gone into some shops where I have nothing but good things to say. I'll share some of these good experiences later because I want to highlight some of these shops so that my few readers can check them out, too. I was warmly welcomed, merchandise is marked, well-defined areas for knitters to gather and work, etc. One shop owner even took the time to write out a quick scarf pattern for me to use with her yarn. See, that's the kind of stuff that will keep me coming back.
I know there is all sorts of reasons for this. Marking merchandise takes time that a shop owner would probably rather spend doing something else (like knitting samples or something). Honestly, though, if I come into your shop to browse and nothing is priced, I'm not buying. I don't have time to seek out the owner or an employee every time something I see strikes my fancy. I'm also on a pretty tight budget, so I need to know right away if the shop is too pricey for me.
As far as the tight, cramped conditions, I realize that retail space is expensive and that they're trying to offer as much as possible to their customers. I am, however, a big woman and if I'm browsing an "aisle" and I'm knocking down yarn behind me as I'm two inches from the stuff in front of me, it's too cramped. I'm also claustrophobic, so I probably won't take time to browse the store when that desire to escape overcomes me. Some of these shops also want people to come hang out and knit, but where?
Oh, and one final thing. Being ignored. I battled a snowstorm to go into one shop on my way home from work only to be ignored the whole half hour I was in there. Even if you're busy with another customer, take a moment to greet me and let me know you'll be available to help me as soon as you are able. If you can't do at least that, I guess you don't want my business after all.
All that being said, I've gone into some shops where I have nothing but good things to say. I'll share some of these good experiences later because I want to highlight some of these shops so that my few readers can check them out, too. I was warmly welcomed, merchandise is marked, well-defined areas for knitters to gather and work, etc. One shop owner even took the time to write out a quick scarf pattern for me to use with her yarn. See, that's the kind of stuff that will keep me coming back.
Name: LaDonna
