Shoplifters

I am fairly lucky when it comes to shoplifters. Because I know most of my customers by name it does reduce the theft remarkably. But I do get a few that I really need to watch. Like the two girls in today. They do buy the odd thing but generally they find a little corner up the back where they think they can't be seen and try to pop the odd hand lotion in their bag. I literally stand next to them and watch them when they arrive and they don't seem to care. It must be so obvious to them that I know what they're up to. They just keep coming back . It is so time consuming for me, especially if I get other customers at the same time as I need to look after them. When I notice something has been stolen, I take it so personally, which I shouldn't, but really they should just come and take it straight out of my purse, it's no different! It's funny how most of them would never bail me up on the street and steal my wallet but they're happy to steal from my store. Maybe they justify it by telling themselves that it's all factored into the price (which it's not). There's one thing I have learnt though is that the picture I have always had of what a shoplifter looks like is not that at all! Sometimes they can be very well presented, you just learn the body language.

Sale time

Stocktake time again and I hate it. Because we have hundreds and hundreds of different items. Counting it all when you are not computer based is a nightmare! So it's 20% off to get rid of as much as I can.
I had a new customer in this morning who said "you must love going to France"?" You obviously have a real love of anything french". She was shocked when I said I have never been. I am such a bad flyer - I hate flying. I must look so bad when I am flying because flight attendants seem to just come up and touch my hand and ask me if I am okay. I will get to Paris one day though, I just need to somehow get over my flying fear.

Movie Club

Some of my friends and I have a movie club, it's been going for a year now and we have seen lots of movies. On Wed we saw "The girl with the Dragon tattoo". What I love about having the movie club is that I would never have picked that movie to go and see. It was a great movie but some very graphic violent scenes. So apart from the times I had my head buried in my hands I really enjoyed it. Some of the other movies we have seen over the year have been - "My year without sex", Coco, Blessed, Precious, Julia and Julia and many more. We have such a great time. Its coffee first to catch up then the movie. When I started the group I decided to get a few people who I didn't really know, instead of picking the same click of friends. A couple were friends of a friend, a couple of mum's I knew from school - but not that well, and a customer that I had become friends with. It's nice to come together from different circles. We always seemed to be saying, "oh we must go and see that movie", but we'd never get there. We have a year long roster, so every month is someone differents pick. They choose the movie and the venue. The last one for the year we have a xmas one and go out for dinner first.
Been a busy morning in the shop, just sold one of my favourite chairs, it's a reproduction french provincial style. I am so happy it went to a gorgeous lady with great taste and a beautiful home. xxxG

Swap handbags easily

Lots of my customers and friends have handbag addictions so I was so excited to find this great invention. The amount of times that I have swapped bags only to find my lippy or phone is in the last one still hanging on the hook at home.
The ultimate must-have for every woman. Swap your belongings from one handbag to the next in less than 10 seconds! Buy online at www.vanillaroomgifts.com.au

Time to move into the 21st century.

For the last four years I have had the pleasure of owning a gorgeous little Gift and Homewares store, which has enabled me to meet some amazing people, hear fabulous stories and make some great friends.
Sometimes I get chatting (as I do love a good chat) and it's so interesting hearing about peoples everyday lives.
No one is ever boring to me. I have gotten to know so many amazing people in my local community that I never would have otherwise met.
I love sharing with people some of the interesting things I have just received in store, and finding things that are a little different.
In the few years I have been had the store I can honestly say I have never had any "horrible customers", and I have found that the majority of people, like myself, Love a Chat! xxG