Pet Hates 101

 

This is Sharon - She's not Tat!

 
I have some real pet hates regarding shopping online and the arrival of those packages.  Now, like the next person I have no issues with people charging for handling, postage, packaging, not when its fair.  I really don't, as long as I can see that when it arrives, some of that charge is shown in what care was taken in how it was packaged and I don't feel as though I have been ripped off.


There are a number of things I pretty much hate when shopping online, especially when shopping for supplies.  You can't of course fiddle with the stuff - I mean, no touching.  You'd have to be an awfully clever bint to be able to reach into the screen and have a quick grope at the goods on offer.  So I rely on great pictures, from every angle to tell me what I can't touch or see and a good clear description of the product.


Anyway, I've spent as per, too much money on many supplies which to be truthful; I probably could have waited for or didn't really need at all.  I have been waiting for them to arrive, with anticipation, more than not because of the post and the way the delivery office around this area makes packages magically disappear, never to be seen again.  So I'm all on edge every time I order, wondering if it will ever show its face.  Well, today, some of the first lot from Hong Kong and the USA arrived, all in one piece, so I could let of a sigh of relief.



I then go through each package to see that it's all there.  I end up feeling quite evil by the end of opening most of them, consoling myself by telling myself at least it all arrived in one piece. Pointers to remember;  I'm not sure if any one else has this fierce grievance on these issues around packaging, but what the heck - I do!!  

Today, I am speaking as a buyer – sometimes compulsive, but all the time with debit card to hand, one who spends far too much money on stuff I probably don't need, but who expects a well packaged item to fall through my door, good customer service, however small you are as a business and not some tat to arrive that you'd think came free with this months ‘Crap Through Your letter Box’ journal, February issue.   This is also a list to remind myself of what not to do when I'm sending items out to customers.  Although, I'm far to precious with packaging and I deliver what I would expect to receive myself. Do unto those as you choose to have done to yourself - or whatever really.


Pet Hates:

1.  I don't expect a free gift.  No, really - I don't.  But if you're going to give a free gift, then the clue is in what I have just spent my money on in your store (specifically supplies people do this).  Most suppliers will send you a bag of nonsense that you stare at for a moment, strike puzzled pose before rummaging through to see if there is anything you can salvage and then end up binning the lot – cursing and rolling eyes.  If you’re going to send me something as a token, which is sweet to say the least – remember not all customers will see it as a kind thought.  Most will wonder why you bothered if all you’ve sent as your token of thanks a bag of odds you can't get rid of, or that's broken, or that you have stored up from the 'other free gifts from people I don't know' box.  I'm not sure why anyone would think for some reason I would want a bag full of rubbish – it doesn’t say much to how you see your customers?  Why would you even think I have the need for broken shards of resin - oh excuse me - Lucite - beads to cut my fingers on, or broken brass components. Stick to a note of thanks, it works.
2. Sweets - hmmm, a nice idea in thought.  But let’s leave it there shall we?  I'm a diabetic and would rather not be tempted with illicit crack sent though the mail.  I also am a tad odd when it comes to receiving sweeties from strangers (my Mum always told me if you're going to take anything from a stranger let it be money and then run! - no, she didn't actually – I just felt like writing it) - however nice a gesture it was. 
3. Packaging: Ahhhhhhhh yes, packaging.  Don't charge me for it, then tell me you’re saving the earth and send me my items stuffed into smelly old newspaper, or old bubble wrap which doesn't have any bubble in it any more and wouldn’t protect a crushed beetle let alone glass beads.  Now you may believe you are saving the earth in some small way, but if you're going to attempt it, then at least do it with meaning and don't then charge me for the privilege.  I am not keen on receiving packages with bubble wrap that's old and smells of smoke or paper that could be from the house of an old aging relative and used for mice bedding. 
   
   TAPE: I also, as I grow older and get more feeble and can’t seem to rip into tape with the gusto of a 17 year old.  So I would like it that you try real hard not to tape things up so as to make me go find a course as a ninja master in cutting the tape and then cutting more to get to the goods.  I love it that a package is secure and arrives in one piece and is not busted open, but - please remember that there is someone at the other end that needs to get into the package to access the goods that they bought.  Remember Gok Wan - less is more!
   
   On the other hand, don’t send my packaged with a twist tie so it’s easily riffled through, less may be more but offering up my paid for items on a plate to anyone who fancies dipping into that envelope, isn’t so wise now is it?
   
   Charging me for international shipping - Check!
   Charging me for an international package in a box - Check!
   Sending my items in a padded, recycled envelope which pops under the weight of the goods, which not only end up in a UK customs bag to say damaged before UK - but where all the goods are either bent, dented, lost or in the land of the postal Bermuda triangle, that's not such a CHECK, more of a tick off and I will never buy from you again. 
   
   Don't charge me for something then not deliver it as you’ve told me you would because you’re being cheap.  Don’ then pass it off as ‘the assistants, girl, the new workers’ job to do it and who made a mistake.  How rude, let alone stupid and unfair, because believe me, if need be - I will make sure I get a refund and that really isn't what either of us are after now is it?
   
   Don't fill the envelope with shredded paper please, because i don't relish having to pick up all the tiny bits that fall everywhere.  And plllleasssseeeeeee don't add glitter or shiny tiny little stars that drop out and stick to everything.  I'm still digging shiny things out from my belly button two years later after one package.
   
   
4. Sickness, Injury, Headache, Hand fallen off:  Read my lips...  I am not interested.  When I shop at John Lewis, or Sainsbury’s, more than not, you won't hear them give out excuses because they do actually want their customers to be happy and failing that, they will ensure they do their utmost that your shopping experience with them is good or they pay, by customers walking and spending elsewhere or by forking out in compensation.  The power of online social networking sites, let alone word of mouth can work for you as well as against you.  So why appear to be unprofessional?  Now, I am not such a cold hearted old bag lady to not appreciate that things go wrong for all of us running small businesses.  Whether that's something at work, home, kids whatever...  But I really am not interested in it as an excuse in business and for the reason to my items not been sent, or is lost, not being shipped, being damaged pre packing.  If you want to run a business, then at least appear to be professional if not make it one of your goals.
   
5. PROMO ITEMS:  Wow, 29 business cards all saying the same thing.  NICE!  I’m sure you’re very proud of your pictures of your 100 different items on mini cards from Moo, I love them too.  Just not on mass.  But it will ensure that I don’t pass them on other than to my bin and not even the recycling one.  Don't do it, two at the most, surely you want to save them to hand them out.  Sending them all off in one go is a waste of cash and waste of promotion. 
   
   I don't mind seeing your logo – in fact I love seeing that someone takes branding seriously, a tag line if you have one, lovely ribbon, paper, a note.  BUT STOP WITH THE MILLION BUSINESS CARDS. 
   
   Don't recommend to me who you think I may like, from one of your friends or 'networking peeps'.  It may seem like a good idea to you when you're sitting around having your promo meetings, but to me, it’s a pain and I choose to shop with you, not your friend.  

Part two tomorrow.