MajorsMay 20, 2025
Annie Doresca to Lead DCA as New CEO, PresidentCurrent Diamond Council of America President and CEO Terry Chandler is set to retire in January 2026.
IndependentsApr 05, 2017
Squirrel Spotting: ‘It’s Above My Pay Grade’
Peter Smith recounts two bad customer service experiences to get jewelers asking the question: Are my store’s policies customer-friendly?
Peter Smith has more than 30 years of experience building wholesale and retail sales teams. He currently is president of Vibhor Gems.
I checked into a Crowne Plaza hotel recently and what should have been an ordinary experience turned sour in no time at all.
Just as the check-in process appeared to be leading to an uneventful conclusion, the guy checking me in asked if I was a Hilton Honors member. When I replied that I was, he informed me of the benefits that I would have received if only I had not booked through a third party (booking website Expedia, as it happens).
His question and subtle admonition struck me as unhelpful and unnecessary. Without intending to do so, he had basically informed me that despite being a long-time Hilton Honors member, I was being penalized for having the audacity to book through a third party instead of through the hotel directly. Benefits that I might have received would, therefore, be denied me.
Expedia is, of course, an authorized business partner of Hilton and, presumably, the hotel chain would prefer that Expedia customers book their stays at Hilton properties and not Marriott, Starwood or some other hotel. Nonetheless, they see no contradiction in working with third-party sites, even as they treat their customers like they scalped their reservations from forgers and thieves.
A couple of days after my Hilton Honors experience, I returned a book to Barnes & Noble for a credit.
The book was a nice birthday present but it also was one that I had already bought and read. The gift-giver had thoughtfully put a gift receipt in with the book, so I didn’t expect any issues in returning it to the store. Alas, ‘twas not to be.
The gentleman behind the counter disappeared for a few minutes and returned to tell me that the manager said that I couldn’t return the book because the Barnes & Noble where the book had been purchased was owned by “different management.” I didn’t accept that response and asked to speak to the manager. As we waited, I mentioned that the policy was asinine and said that I couldn’t imagine why they would risk losing a customer over something so trivial. He agreed and added, “It’s above my pay grade.”
A few minutes later, the manager emerged, clearly agitated, and again told me that the Barnes & Noble store where the book was bought was under different ownership, but that she would give me a credit for the lowest
price that the book had sold for at that store. She couldn’t have been any more unpleasant. I left the store with the credit and a $50 gift certificate that I had intended to spend at Barnes & Noble that day after returning my book but didn’t.
At a time when it has never been more important to satisfy customers, the two experiences got me thinking about how many stores and businesses have policies, procedures and practices that not only fail to serve the customer well but that may, in fact, alienate them.
Lest we become too obsessed with the changing dynamics in retail and the ever-present specter of online shopping, we would do well to take a hard look at what we are doing in our own places of business.
However well-intentioned they might be, what practices do we have that might not be serving our customers or our employees? I received a credit of $17 for that book. For an employee to have to tell me that making a decision on something like that was “above my pay grade” is a sad indictment of that business.
Joe Pine and Jim Gilmore wrote in their book “The Experience Economy” that, “To truly differentiate themselves, business must focus first on increasing customer satisfaction, then on eliminating customer sacrifice, and finally on creating customer surprise.”
We have an opportunity every day to deliver customer satisfaction. There ought to be precious few occasions where a customer should ever feel like he or she is having to make a sacrifice to patronize a business, and as for creating customer surprise … well, if you can figure that one out, that’s where the rubber really meets the road.
Ask yourself what arcane polices you might have in place at your store that are clearly not customer-friendly.
And then honestly ask yourself: Are your people empowered to make a decision and do the right thing for your customers?
Peter Smith is president of Vibhor, a public speaker and author of “Sell Something” and “Hiring Squirrels.” He spent 30 years building sales teams in retail and wholesale and he can be contacted at dublinsmith@yahoo.com, peter@vibhorgems.com, or on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.
At a time when it has never been more important to satisfy customers, the two experiences got me thinking about how many stores and businesses have policies, procedures and practices that not only fail to serve the customer well but that may, in fact, alienate them.
Lest we become too obsessed with the changing dynamics in retail and the ever-present specter of online shopping, we would do well to take a hard look at what we are doing in our own places of business.
However well-intentioned they might be, what practices do we have that might not be serving our customers or our employees? I received a credit of $17 for that book. For an employee to have to tell me that making a decision on something like that was “above my pay grade” is a sad indictment of that business.
Joe Pine and Jim Gilmore wrote in their book “The Experience Economy” that, “To truly differentiate themselves, business must focus first on increasing customer satisfaction, then on eliminating customer sacrifice, and finally on creating customer surprise.”
We have an opportunity every day to deliver customer satisfaction. There ought to be precious few occasions where a customer should ever feel like he or she is having to make a sacrifice to patronize a business, and as for creating customer surprise … well, if you can figure that one out, that’s where the rubber really meets the road.
Ask yourself what arcane polices you might have in place at your store that are clearly not customer-friendly.
And then honestly ask yourself: Are your people empowered to make a decision and do the right thing for your customers?
Peter Smith is president of Vibhor, a public speaker and author of “Sell Something” and “Hiring Squirrels.” He spent 30 years building sales teams in retail and wholesale and he can be contacted at dublinsmith@yahoo.com, peter@vibhorgems.com, or on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.
More on Independents
The Latest
FinancialsMay 20, 2025
QVC Group to Voluntarily Delist from NasdaqThe company's Series A shares will continue to trade following a reverse stock split while its Series B shares will be delisted.
ColumnistsMay 20, 2025
Peter Smith: Leading Through ChangeCommunicating clearly with your staff is key to navigating turbulent times, writes columnist Peter Smith.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
MajorsMay 20, 2025
Tanishq Opens Seventh U.S. StoreTanishq is expanding its presence in the United States with a new store in Santa Clara, California, which is its largest in the country.
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsMay 19, 2025
Jewelry Sales a Standout for Richemont in 2024Sales for Richemont’s four jewelry brands increased 8 percent, while watch sales picked up toward the end of the year.
Events & AwardsMay 19, 2025
NAJA Opens Scholarship Applications for 2025Two scholarships are available, one for new and non-members and another for NAJA certified members.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingMay 19, 2025
State of Colored Stones: The Big Three in the Modern WorldSapphires, emeralds, and rubies are finding their place in a U.S. market captivated by the gemstones once referred to as “semi-precious.”
MajorsMay 16, 2025
Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon Partner on Luxury Online StorefrontPlus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.
Recorded WebinarsMay 16, 2025
Watch: Physical Retail Is Not DeadPeter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.
CollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque NecklaceThe necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’sA private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at ConvergeThe event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
