Had a gal in the store the other day....she was having an issue with her stove. She didn't have the money for a service call and decided to pick brains to see if she could fix it herself....so, we were helping her with her questions. She happened to be wearing a shirt which had a political statement on it. I wont say which viewpoint it was, as I don't want to taint the opinions here by giving her political viewpoint. Anyhow, she's wearing this shirt, and one of the salespeople are helping her. This was on a Sunday. On Monday we get a email from a different customer who, apparently, happened to be in the store at the same time. She mentioned how she wasn't from the area, but happened to be in the store with a friend of hers that day and saw the shirt on the other customer. She then went on to say that she would never come in the store again because she was so offended by what the other customer wore. Is this what we have come to? In a country where we enjoy Freedom of Speech and expression, one little snowflake gets offended by what someone else wears and decides to take it out on the vendor? Kind of chapped my azz a bit. We sent her back an email thanking her for coming in, and explained that while she certainly has a right to her opinion, her opinions don't overshadow someone else's freedoms. How would you folks handle this?
HA! Yeah, I'm with ya, people seem to be LOOKING for reasons to be offended these days. Drives me nuts (er) That's a tough one as a business. Sounds like you handled it about right to me. If the offendee wasn't from the area, probably no skin off your hide, likely never see 'em again anyways
well, I dunno...cant really value one person's opinion over another, but hmmm, lets see, a frequent paying customer versus one who has never been in, and never will come in again?....well, ok, I value my frequent customer more........
People are gettin more and more fickle about stuff most of us on this forum at large can simply laugh off. Sure, we might shake our head, mutter something of some sort, but basically move on. I'm one of those folks. I know what I believe, and I stand for the beliefs this country was founded upon. But if my house is warm, my wife is happy, and I'm moving everyday towards a better relationship with my Lord and Saviour, the ninnies and naysayers will have to just get over it. I'm glad y'all responded in a fair and grounded way- your real customers will only benefit from such forthrightness Go team FHC!
Somehow it doesn't surprise me. IMHO, you handled it fine. You can't control what your clientele wears into your shop. What's next, someone doesn't like seeing another customer wearing a Yankees ball cap? It doesn't sound like the other person was wearing something completely profane. It's sad that some people are that petty. Some people could win $2 million in the lottery and they'd be all pizzed off because they didn't win $3 million.
I would just mark it as spam or junk mail. Never give them the pleasure of knowing you have paid attention.
Just so you know...I've been there, and Schuler's has REALLY great donuts! (now that you know, doesn't that feel better?! )
I believe wear whichever politcal side tshirt that you favor, but please do not force your opinion on others be it politics or other opinions.
I think you did the right thing. I may have been a touch more inclined to remind her that your shop doesn't have a dress code and you can't control what people wear. But yeah, you did the right thing.
