The Ladies in waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting...

Feedback  

We all know what it is. We ignore it. Few people want to leave it. Everyone assumes it only exists to make a business look good.  No one reads it anyway, right? It's just there to make the customer feel better, like their opinion matters. 

Guess what…

We have learned better.  You see, we are new to this sort of business. This is a customer service business. No, we don’t provide a specific service BUT if we don’t provide adequate service to our customers, they wont buy from us, and we will fail.

We really don’t want to fail
The Major would never let us live it down

You are discussed daily. What will the customer buy?  Will a bride purchase this gorgeous handkerchief for her special day?  The Middle One will say "Cant you just see someone's table set with these plates and this tablecloth for Sunday lunch?" I say, "I think this will sell, trust me." Come to think of it, we say "trust me" a lot.  We also say "OK, if you think so, this one's on you."  We discuss prices. And, why did they "like" it but not buy it? Can our clients see our vision of these treasures?  Did we pack that last shipment adequately? And most important…

Do you think (insert customer name) was happy with their purchase?

We depend on your feedback.  Oh good heavens, we anxiously await it.  Recently we were blessed to sell a couple of items that were not only beautiful but delicate.  Long, long conversations were had over how to package them.  Long conversations. You have no idea. More than one box has been packed, unpacked and repacked.  

Then we ship
and we wait 

And wait

  And wait  

There is no way for us to know how it arrived. It can be tracked, and believe me we do. (we're not stalking packages, but you have no idea how stressful this is!)   We check everyday for feedback. Text messages fly between the Middle One and I.  We rehash how we packaged.  We discuss the possibility of emailing the customer.  If we do will we only annoy them? Is no news good news? 

And finally

 usually

 well… sometimes

 the email comes

There have been some 'high 5's', maybe a victory dance or two, and definitely grateful prayers issued. One of us will say "whew, I feel so much better, I was really worried".  

Y'all don't need to know all that  

So, we're asking ... for all the small businesses out there. For the love of all things, please leave feedback. You don't have to be eloquent. We're not really begging but we just want to know these things:

Was our description spot on?

Was the price reasonable?

Was the packing was appropriate?

How was the shipping time?

Are you are happy with your new treasure?

Where did the time go?

Finally, we’re back to business. 

We actually never left business, life just pushed us aside a bit.  The shop stayed up, sales were made, exciting treasures were shipped, inventory was organized and new items were prepared for listing.  The blog did take a break. 

 That's all on Mimi ~

You see, there’s only so much one Mimi can do, and I did warn everyone that I’m not necessarily cut out to be a business mogul.  On the other hand, holidays were celebrated, illnesses survived, complications resolved, a new baby was welcomed to the family, a new year was begun, two families moved, a job was found, a job is sought, at least one family member (possibly two) returned to college, trips were completed and finally all is returning to “normal”.  As much as this family is ever “normal” that is.

Obligatory new grand baby picture!!

Thanks to the Major, we have fantastic inventory to list. That man is a wonder when it comes to finding hidden treasures! Seriously, we never know what he will find…or where he will find it!

Now, its time for us to resume the focus on Estately Ladies and the business at hand. Thank you for your patience and for returning. Already we’ve got blog ideas churning and writing in progress. We have a refined direction for the shop that we know will please.  Keep an eye on us as we add stock, share our adventures and generally enjoy life.