I stopped in at my local Mervyn's store this morning. I was looking for a beige sweater and I knew that they would have what I wanted without me having to spend too much time looking. I took one off the rack, picked up a pair of girl's jeans and a pink shirt, and got in line to pay. Everything was on sale in the store. Not just some things, everything. Twenty minutes later when it was finally my turn to pay, the girl rings up everything at regular price. Another fifteen minutes passes while I point to all of the sale signs and she rings up everything again. I finally have my purchases in a bag and I'm ready to leave. The difference in price after the markdown? Forty-six dollars and change!
Mervyn's was sold by Target in 2004, after having purchased the chain of low end department stores for $300 million back in 1978. They cited low sales and a changing marketplace for the failure of the company to be financially successful.
How about some good old-fashioned customer service? What if every Mervyn's employee knew what was on sale and where to find it in the store? What if each employee smiled and thanked you for shopping at Mervyn's?
The next time I shop at Mervyn's is when they are finally closing their doors for good and I won't be able to resist the 75% off everything clearance sale that will ensue. I won't care if the service is poor. I won't care if the cashier doesn't smile or even make eye contact with me. I won't care because they don't care. So long, Mervyn's, you should have tried a little harder.
Connie,
I read this entry and remembered that I saw a Mervyn's related story.... here's the link:
http://www.hfnmag.com/news.cfm#9684
- John
Posted by: John Trosko | January 19, 2007 at 19:38