The commercials and movies are in full swing - have been since last month, before the turkey had even been purchased, much less digested.
We are in a deep recession - one of the gravest in many years. One would not know this were one to judge from the commercials for new Lexus SUV's, diamonds, toys, toys, toys, clothes and more, more, more. Buy now and pay later. I say buy Local First - keep the tax dollars in the community and support a locally owned business - they do give back more than the average big box retailer and if you buy a gift certificate this year from a local merchant, they will be around next year for it to be redeemed, unlike many big box stores - please bear that in mind as you shop this season.
This is a time of year where there should be perpetual hope. A love of God and all mankind. A belief again in angels and the miracle of the Christ child.
I am a believer in angels, the Christ child, miracles, Christmas movies, choirs, the Tree at Rockefeller Center, storefronts decorated with dazzling displays. This year is no different for me. I am maintaining my perspective. I am downsizing my giving for my immediate family - that means holiday cards with memories for my sons, instead of the usual money, gift certificate or clothes.
It is a miracle that I am going to spend Christmas with two of my four sons at all - a dear friend has given me a buddy pass to fly standby so I will have a glorious week spending time with my 11 year old whom I have not seen for over 2 years with all the changes in my life.
It will be wonderful to remind him of the family traditions - baking cookies for neighbors and friends, going to midnight mass, atttending worship services at the local Mormon church (he is Mormon and I am not) - remembering to be thankful, perhaps finding a group where we can volunteer time and deliver meals or serve meals to homeless and/or shut-ins as his brothers have done in years past.
I am cultivating an attitude of gratitude. Less is certainly more.
Showing posts with label Support your local stores. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Support your local stores. Show all posts
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
"Cheers" - where everybody knows your name
I miss my old grocery store. Smith's in the Avenues in Salt Lake City, Utah. It comprised a deli, a pharmacy, flower shop and much more. The prices were always matched with competitors and coupons did not need to be clipped. Truth be known, I miss Kelli the pharmacist and my favorite cashier the most.
Today, As I accompanied my mother on an errand for groceries in search of lowest prices , I was reminded again why it is that I patronize locally-owned stores.
For the 3rd time in as many trips, my mother had been overcharged for items that should have scanned "on sale" or at a lower price. Determined not to be a victim again, she stood at the head of the cash register, carefully scrutinizing the prices as they were scanned in. She mentioned to the cashier that she had been overcharged on recent visits and was not about to let it happen again. The cashier took serious offense and commenced to scowl even more than she had been previous to the comments made by my mother.
Contrast that with a trip to Trader Joe's - locally grown produce, (when not local, at least it is American), happy music, Hawaiian print uniforms, free organic lemonade and happy staff - yes - happy - I said it. What does it cost to provide good customer service? Not too much. I am pretty sure that the hourly wage between our local supermarket and those at Trader Joe's is not terribly different, but I can tell you that there is a vast difference in how the staff at Trader Joe's treats their customers. It is not just that they have an information desk where one can purchase beautiful cards for $1 each. There is also an information center where there community involvement is clearly spelled out. Do you need $50 worth of coffee and pastries for a church event or other local event? You can get that at Trader Joe's. Yes, Starbucks claims to offer this as well, but based on several conversations with their manager at my local store, one wouldn't know it - it is practically impossible to navigate the black hole leading to free coffee - then again - isn't this the place that is going to close some 600 stores????
How can I speak of such things? I worked at a sprawl store a la Wal Mart years ago, while my former husband and I had small kids in elementary school. I wanted to be a full time mother and volunteer at their school, so I chose to work the overnight shift stocking shelves. I considered myself blessed to have a job that allowed for me to balance the motherhood thing.
I am NEVER going into that supermarket again - local and lower prices be damned - I am choosing the higher ground. I am shopping at Trader Joe's where I don't have to clip coupons, or wait for a sale - where I am treated with respect and dignity and where I know the names of my favorite cashiers, because they wear nametags.
Today, As I accompanied my mother on an errand for groceries in search of lowest prices , I was reminded again why it is that I patronize locally-owned stores.
For the 3rd time in as many trips, my mother had been overcharged for items that should have scanned "on sale" or at a lower price. Determined not to be a victim again, she stood at the head of the cash register, carefully scrutinizing the prices as they were scanned in. She mentioned to the cashier that she had been overcharged on recent visits and was not about to let it happen again. The cashier took serious offense and commenced to scowl even more than she had been previous to the comments made by my mother.
Contrast that with a trip to Trader Joe's - locally grown produce, (when not local, at least it is American), happy music, Hawaiian print uniforms, free organic lemonade and happy staff - yes - happy - I said it. What does it cost to provide good customer service? Not too much. I am pretty sure that the hourly wage between our local supermarket and those at Trader Joe's is not terribly different, but I can tell you that there is a vast difference in how the staff at Trader Joe's treats their customers. It is not just that they have an information desk where one can purchase beautiful cards for $1 each. There is also an information center where there community involvement is clearly spelled out. Do you need $50 worth of coffee and pastries for a church event or other local event? You can get that at Trader Joe's. Yes, Starbucks claims to offer this as well, but based on several conversations with their manager at my local store, one wouldn't know it - it is practically impossible to navigate the black hole leading to free coffee - then again - isn't this the place that is going to close some 600 stores????
How can I speak of such things? I worked at a sprawl store a la Wal Mart years ago, while my former husband and I had small kids in elementary school. I wanted to be a full time mother and volunteer at their school, so I chose to work the overnight shift stocking shelves. I considered myself blessed to have a job that allowed for me to balance the motherhood thing.
I am NEVER going into that supermarket again - local and lower prices be damned - I am choosing the higher ground. I am shopping at Trader Joe's where I don't have to clip coupons, or wait for a sale - where I am treated with respect and dignity and where I know the names of my favorite cashiers, because they wear nametags.
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