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Original poster

to shop in a shop which has this notice on the door?

37 replies

Bluebell99 · 21/09/2010 13:20

Okay, so we have a shop in our high st, which has a notice on the door which says,
"If you wish to make a genuine purchase,please come in, but if you only intend to waste our time and yours, do not bother."
I have paraphrased, but this notice first appeared a few weeks ago hand writed, and then was replaced with a typed version.

It is a funny sort of shop, very old fashioned and sells haberdashery items and wool.
There is a sewing shop in the town too, which now has a sign saying "Browsers welcome, and their dogs!!!"
So I need to buy some ribbons, but am a bit scared of shopping in such an unfriendly shop!

OP posts:
rubyrubyruby · 21/09/2010 13:21

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flowerybeanbag · 21/09/2010 13:21

I wouldn't shop there.

catsmother · 21/09/2010 13:23

How bloody arrogant !

How is a prospective customer to know if said shop has the item they want/need unless they step foot over the threshold .... and, if they don't, tough if you then leave without making a purchase.

Why would that kind of scenario be a waste of time anyway ? It alerts the shopkeeper to local demand. There's going to be a lot of people who'd deliberately avoid that shop now with such an unwelcoming message.

Original poster
Bluebell99 · 21/09/2010 13:26

I would go to the sewing shop but I don't think it sells ribbons, it is more an embroidery shop.

It is a very strange old fashioned shop, and it is like stepping back in time when you go in, like going back to the sixties or seventies. It is run by an eldery couple, but I wonder what has possessed them to write such an unfriendly sign? I sort of wonder if they have lost the plot a bit?!

OP posts:
kreecherlivesupstairs · 21/09/2010 13:27

Is it a local shop for local people located in Royston Vesey?

BeerTricksPotter · 21/09/2010 13:29

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

diddl · 21/09/2010 13:29

In our town there´s a jewellry shop & you have to ring the bell to get in & they lock the door whilst you are in.

Chil1234 · 21/09/2010 13:30

It's Basil Fawlty Syndrome. That notice is the polite version. What they really want to write is 'No Riff-Raff'

BeerTricksPotter · 21/09/2010 13:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AdasMum · 21/09/2010 13:35

Very intriguing! I'd love to go and have a look (and of course buy something as I would not want to waste anyone's time!)

catherinewho · 21/09/2010 13:36

There is a toy shop in my town which kids avoid as the owners are notorious for following children around the shop until they leave in case they touch something (even if they are accompanied by an adult) and making Hmm faces if anyone leaves without buying anything.

GetOrfMoiLand · 21/09/2010 13:36

Crikey wool shops take me back to my childhood. There were about 5 wool shops in Ilfracombe when I was growing up. Didn't think they existed any more, haven't seen one for years.

I remember a nasty old lady shouting at me when I was about 3 as i knocked over a display of wool balls in the shop. HOW can you pile up a load of glittery pink balls of wool and not expect a child to poke them?

My conclusion is that wool shops are owned by harridans.

appledumpling · 21/09/2010 13:36

And they no doubt wonder why internet shopping is so popular....

There is a lovely sewing shop near us. It is run by 2 elderly ladies and they couldn't be more helpful.

Go to the other shop - they will no doubt order in and if they can't then go on the internet.

veritythebrave · 21/09/2010 13:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LittlePickleHead · 21/09/2010 13:38

kreecher royston vasey crossed my mind as well!

I would still go in and see what happens. I wonder if something has happened to make them put the message up? It's a shame as it's probably going to really damage their business and they obviously don't realise...

I always wonder how those kind of shops keep going anyway, there is one in the town I grew up in and it's still exactly the same after 30 years.

nickelbabe · 21/09/2010 13:41

i should imagien that the sewing shop has put that notice on because the other shop is bloody rude!
Shock

I'm sure if you asked the sewing shop, they will be a ble to get your ribbons - and maybe even start stocking ribbon normally.
shops normally have suppliers that sell a large range of the same type of thing, and generally pick and choose what they think will suit their market.
If your other shop is going to be arsey, it's worth the sewing shop's while to get more range in. :)

wannabesybil · 21/09/2010 13:41

Ebay is your friend - there are whole sections on ribbons.

crafts.shop.ebay.co.uk/Ribbon-Ribboncraft-/71224/i.html?_catref=1

is the section for ribbons and ribbon craft, but I bet you can find all sorts.

When things like ebay, Terry's Fabrics, Abakhan etc are so easy to get to online, and so inexpensive, you would think that a shop keeper would be keen to get anyone in that they could. Besides, it has been proven that the more time a person spends in a shop the more they spend, so even if they are just browsing they may actually end up spending or coming back for stuff.

diddl · 21/09/2010 13:44

Well tbh I would go if I thought they would have what I need.

The notice isn´t nice, but I´d rather go than not go & be cutting off my nose so to speak.

sethstarkaddersmum · 21/09/2010 13:48

I think you should go in if you want something and while you're paying, say in a perfectly nice way 'By the way, I just wanted to mention that your sign is a very bad idea; it is very offputting and unfriendly.' And then smile sweetly.

Kaloki · 21/09/2010 13:49

I wouldn't go, hate places that treat customers like an inconvenience!

SloanyPony · 21/09/2010 13:50

We have a shop in our town centre that says "Please, we are a small shop, so no pushchairs".

Fair enough a bit I suppose - but they are not that small - large enough that you could easily push a pushchair round the basic circuit that is their shop - perhaps not so large that you could park it and still have room for people to pass but not so close to the shelves that grabbing little handy pandy's wouldn't grab stock - but even so.

I've been in more crowded Marks'

So I dont shop there and probably wont when I've no longer got pushchairs.

There is a fish and chip shop (unlicenced) in Aldeburgh, which does not allow children under the age of 7. No explanation.

GetOrfMoiLand · 21/09/2010 13:52

I hate notices like that.

For similar reasons DD refuses to shop in a local shop which has a sign on the door 'only 1 school child at a time'.

She says why should she give my her money to people who automatically assume she is a thief because she is a teenager.

sethstarkaddersmum · 21/09/2010 13:53

We have a very crowded hardware shop near us that says no pushchairs, but the man will happily come out and serve you in the street Grin

dilemma456 · 21/09/2010 13:55

I wouldn't go, that's very unfriendly.

My dp's dad used to run a lighting shop. There was a woman who came in every weekend for months and browsed and asked questions which he always answered but she never took out her purse. He was understandably getting annoyed but was always polite and patient with her until one day after about 8 months she ordered lighting for her entire house, the 3 floor office building she owned and was doing up and for her sisters house. She didn't go for cheap options either and she proceeded to recommend him to 3 of her major clients who became regular customers for the next 10 years or so.

I think there's a lesson in that little story somewhere.

Blu · 21/09/2010 13:56

Oooh, I'd love to know the back story behind that notice. And I'd definitley go in to see what it's like inside - which probably counts a time wasting!