THE LOST ART OF THE PERSONAL TOUCH

This week has been enlightening in many ways but one of the nicest things was to come across business owners that have not forgotten the value of a personal touch in running their businesses.

Let's face it, there are NUMEROUS online sites for art, scrapbooking, mixed media ... just about everything. I have come across businesses with very rude customer service which of course I don't go back to. You would think that with economy the way it is in our country, business owners would understand that we have choices and that choice may not be them if they don't know how to treat their customers.

Anyway, this weekend I ordered stamps from CHARACTERS CONSTRUCTION. These stamps are for making paper dolls and they are absolutely wonderful. I was having trouble paying through paypal and me, being me, I wanted them NOW. So I sent an email advising the company that Paypal was having a bad day and could I pay some other way so I could get them quickly. Well, not only did the owner Catherine Moore, respond immediately, she sent me her telephone number and asked that I call her. When I told her about the problem she took my info and I had my stamps in 2 days! Catherine is amazingly nice and helpful. I thought that was just great and I would recommend her and her stamps to everyone.

Then yesterday I made a big order from BLUE MOON SCRAPBOOKING. They have WONDERFUL products including the full line of Graphics 45 which is my new "favorite". Yesterday I received a wonderfully cheerful message from Scott, the owner of Blue Moon Scrapbooking thanking me for my order and advising me that a couple of the things i ordered were not in stock. He asked me to call him back and let him know if I wanted it to be treated as a back order and wanted him to credit my card. I have to tell you that I was so surprised I called him back and told him so!!! Blue Moon has a new and loyal customer in Key Largo now!

The point being that if other businesses, online and mortar, would realize how important that little personal touch is, how much people appreciate them taking the time to say - hey, you matter! - they would do a lot more business!!!