zenn bites...

i'm a sucker for good service.

i know that pm lee's "gst" and how the service industry in singapore needs to buck up is old talk, but i can't help but go back to it after my inpromptu retail therapy session on friday.

gracie and i were walking about in raffles city, and we went into a cheery new store named "patterns". some of the stuffs there're absolutely gorgeous and i think they're all imported from the states or something.

the smartly-suited-up salesguy (maybe he's the boss, i don't know) came up to us immediately and he kept a respectful, non-pushy distance as we walked round the shop. he gave us info on some of the things we were interested in, and helpfully suggested other similarly-styled items that we might enjoy.

when i spotted a pair of heels that i liked, he found me the right size, went down on his knees and held each side steady while i slipped them on. he didn't flinch at my havaianas.

i saw a pretty cream skirt - he took it and laid it out nicely in the spacious dressing room, then suggested another style when it turned out to be too big for me, at the same time telling me that he will give me a call if a smaller size ever comes in.

i loved the heels, but they're pricey so i had my doubts about buying them. i would still be contemplating if it wasn't for his patience and attentiveness.

he personalized the experience - he called us by our names once he found them out, carried my purchase to the front of the store (instead of the usual hand-over at the counter), and picked up all our other shopping and my million-kilos laptop and handed them to us etc.

he bowed us out of the shop. a full 90-degree bow.

everybody likes to be treated like a princess/valued customer once in a while, and i think it's the service that makes or breaks a place. for me at least, good service makes the whole shopping experience so much more fulfilling and enjoyable and that usually means that i will be more willing to part with my money.

hmmm good service might not be such a good idea, now that the money issue's out. haha

i love my new pair of heels, by the way. wore them yesterday for a 2nd cousin's wedding, and oh, it's quite ridiculous how a pair of shoes can lift my spirits so!

i'm a sucker for good service. and pretty shoes. =)