What is happening????

[judy]

There are so many stores in Brooklyn, and just about everything is available in one store or another. We haven't got the big mega stores. The big problem here is the traffic and parking.

I do most of my shopping online. Even though I pay for S&H, I'm probably saving money on the gas I would need to find a parking spot.

[Shada]

I sold my spare bedroom furniture recently but kept my 3 quarter mattress with box springs.

So I needed a simple bed frame to put it on. Adjustable. Went into local family owned business, where I bought mattress originally, and explained I needed a adjustable bed frame. They sold me one. Got it home. Destroyed box it came in to get it out.. didn't take long to discover it was not adjustable. No use to me. Next day I made a few calls and found the store across from them had the adjustable frame. Went there the next day, bought it, set it up. Works great.

Next day I took the first frame back for return. Explained it was not adjustable. The owners daughter argued with me about it! Told me it was adjustable. (without looking at it) I told her it was not adjustable and that I had bought exactly what I needed elsewhere since they did not have what I needed. She responded by saying 'sorry we do not have returns'. I was not happy. Bottom line, they did finally take it back. When the owner looked at the frame he did apologize, said they must have changed design. Agreed with me that it did not adjust. Duh! I'm not stupid!

I have little patience in stores. I destest lines, more times than I can count, when I am ready to check out there is a clerk talking to another clerk and doesn't want to do her/his job.

Years ago I was a clerk a at grocery store. We used to have people who were called 'spotters' who came thru your line to check your work. We never knew who they were or when they would show up. If you messed up, wasn't friendly, just wasn't doing the job you were supposed to be doing, you heard about it.

[judy]

The sad truth is that I find that I have to get nasty with these clerks sometimes,
although they're pretty nice here. They are very overworked in Brooklyn, and I feel sorry for them.

The clerks who are talking or who are on the phone - oh no! I turn back into a high school teacher with that "tone." I also find that most people will do what you tell them to if you're very direct and clear about it. "Put the phone down and ring me up" works for me.

[Marilyn]

I just had to mention. The store I bought the embroidery thread in is a small quilting store. The lady was very helpful finding just the colors that I wanted. She was friendly, greeted me as soon as I walked in the door. I only needed one bundle of each of three colors. My purchase was less than a dollar, yet she packaged my thread in a cello bag and tied it with a ribbon. Much different experience than at Walmart, however, I had to go during the day. Her store closes at the same time I get off work. Limits our ability to be able to enjoy these experiences. It would be much appreciated if one night a week was designated as late closing night. When I was growing up, for some reason the petrochemical plant workers were paid on Thursday, so Thursday night many of the businesses were open later. I remember us going to town on Thursday nights sometimes. It would be great if the stores would do that. I can see why mom and pop stores would not want to be open until 9 each night, but one night a week would be nice, and if all of them did it, people would know and I'm sure they would have lots of business from us day working folks.

That's probably more than 2 cents worth, but oh well!!

[DianaB]

Years ago I remember our stores staying open later on Thursday too. Mainly it was so the people who worked could come and shop. I bet if you needed something from her quilt shop you could call and see if she would stay open a little later for you.