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So today I nearly got 'held up'

18 replies

heypoppy · 31/07/2021 23:31

I've had a bottle of wine as my nerves are bad so apologies if my grammar is bad.

I have a small business and this afternoon a man concealing his face and trying draw a concealed object froths pocket ( I think it got stuck) tried to enter my shop. I seen him and ran to the door and slammed shut in his face. He ran off. I was about to lock the door anyway as he looked so dodgy but my receptionist shouted me to lock the door as she had seen him too so I ran to it.

When I slammed the door with both hands(glass fronted) he ran off so fast. Literally only his eyes were showing as he has his hood pulled so tight around his face.

There is nothing to steal in my business, no clothes ect so he was coming for the till. My receptionist was shaking, she is only young.

She was scared that if I was with with a client she would have faced him alone and she would have. Which is bad, So we are obviously reviewing security. We were both shook up.

But what I can't get passed and I know this is silly is the clients reaction to us cancelling their appointments. Our protocol is to close every thing down immediately for the protection of employees as well as clients. then phone police ect..

I got some really shitty reponces back from the clients. Most were very very empathetic but some jumped to immediate refunds rather than reschedule and couldn't give zero fucks and seemed really pissed off and almost unbelieving.

Ah I dont know what im expecting back I think I just needed to get my thoughts out of my head!

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BeenAsFarAsMercyAndGrand · 31/07/2021 23:34

I assume you reported to the police?

YANBU for being shaken up

BeenAsFarAsMercyAndGrand · 31/07/2021 23:36

Sorry, just saw that you did. (I need to go to bed!)

I'm sorry your clients were shitty. People ca be really crap sometimes.

heypoppy · 31/07/2021 23:38

I did. I also reported it to the town security . But his face was really covered so doubt they can do anything.

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Ivy48 · 31/07/2021 23:39

Maybe have a locked door policy? Appointment only and get an intercom or bell?

Dontjudgeme101 · 31/07/2021 23:41

I am so sorry to hear this. 💐💐

heypoppy · 31/07/2021 23:46

@Ivy48

Maybe have a locked door policy? Appointment only and get an intercom or bell?
This is going to happen.
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Halloaten · 31/07/2021 23:47

Is card only/pay online an option? I used to tell my mum who owned a hairdressers to not keep more than£20 in the till. Robbers don't target post offices anymore. They go for the butty shop/salon at the end of a busy Saturday

heypoppy · 31/07/2021 23:48

@Dontjudgeme101

I am so sorry to hear this. 💐💐
Thank you.

Im ok really just getting chewed up about client responses. and I dont know why im focussing on that

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TrueRefuge · 31/07/2021 23:50

Gosh what a frightening experience OP. Take care of yourself over the next few days; I hope you're okay.

heypoppy · 31/07/2021 23:52

@Halloaten

Is card only/pay online an option? I used to tell my mum who owned a hairdressers to not keep more than£20 in the till. Robbers don't target post offices anymore. They go for the butty shop/salon at the end of a busy Saturday
We've spoken about it. Its something I didn't want to do as older clients still carry cash but I have to protect my staff so its something that may have to come. Just so I cannot a sign up up stating ' no cash is held on this premises'
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SirYawnsAlot · 31/07/2021 23:59

That must have been really terrifying for you both.
Has he tried anything with other local businesses?
I know some shops have a walkie-talkie system where they report shoplifters etc between each other, could you join something like that?
Or like some jewellers, keep the door locked and only open it for clients.
Its easy for the customer to be annoyed at being cancelled but it sounds like it could have been a lot worse without your quick thinking.

heypoppy · 01/08/2021 00:08

@SirYawnsAlot

That must have been really terrifying for you both. Has he tried anything with other local businesses? I know some shops have a walkie-talkie system where they report shoplifters etc between each other, could you join something like that? Or like some jewellers, keep the door locked and only open it for clients. Its easy for the customer to be annoyed at being cancelled but it sounds like it could have been a lot worse without your quick thinking.
We are looking in to joining the walkie talkie service - didn't know it existed.

It was scary after he ran off and realisation kicked in. I think I over invest I how the clients feel when in reality I need to draw back bit x

We were just in panic stations trying to stop clients from turning up and some where being a bit difficult despite knowing we had an incident.

I honestly dont know why that is bothering me the most.

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chorizoTapas · 01/08/2021 00:11

Sounds terrifying. I'm not surprised about your clients reactions though. They don't really care about you, they just want what they're paying you for. I couldn't get coffee today from my local shop and it's annoying. I don't care the reason why. Also with all the cancellations caused by covid people may be feeling more pissed off when things are cancelled now. I wouldn't take it personally

AimingForSerenity · 01/08/2021 00:13

Do you belong to a local FB group or similar? You could put a post on alerting other local businesses and put something "thanking our wonderful clients for their understanding when we had to close for security reasons". It might make some of the knobheads think on Grin

AdoptedBumpkin · 01/08/2021 00:18

What a scary experience. I'm glad you're safe - don't worry about the clients.

Winnona · 01/08/2021 00:19

Have you got a panic button or would you consider one? I work in pharmacy and we have them, they silently alert the police when pressed.

BlackeyedSusan · 01/08/2021 00:19

it is easier to process shiotty responses from clients than to process whatr might have happened.

well done on your quick reactions.

heypoppy · 01/08/2021 00:20

@chorizoTapas

Sounds terrifying. I'm not surprised about your clients reactions though. They don't really care about you, they just want what they're paying you for. I couldn't get coffee today from my local shop and it's annoying. I don't care the reason why. Also with all the cancellations caused by covid people may be feeling more pissed off when things are cancelled now. I wouldn't take it personally
I know. I've realised that today. However, most of my clients come in looking for an "experience' - which they get. I probably over invest in my clients because I genuinely give a shit about them all all but obviously im just a paid service to them. One of them was a returning client and they have pissed me off the most.
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