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Topic: Wish Book Protocol

 (6 posts)
  • Started 2 years ago by Blossom
  • Latest reply from AnnOfGreenoak
  1. Blossom

    Blossom
    Member

    I have been wondering how a Wish Book (of items customers are looking for) is used in an antiques mall.

    I have seen individual booths with Wish Books, but our store has only one general book that is kept at the front desk.

    It would be nice to have a classy Wish Book on a stand for visitor info., store comments, questions, and "wanted" items.

    I know some of you junkers are store owners as well!

    Am I missing something when I deduce that there is no fair way to do such a thing? In my mind, I see five vendors hunting down the same antique. All five would be contacting (and ultimately overwhelming) one solitary customer. Not good for store business or vendor morale.

    Any thoughts on this possible dilemma?

    Greta

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    Posted 2 years ago #
  2. junxtaposition

    junxtaposition
    Member

    i think it's just meant to be 'if' you happen to find something that you know someone is looking for..then you know where to turn...i dont think that many vendors go on the 'hunt' for specific items..........(but i could be wrong)...we just used it for a reference, not a do or die.

    Posted 2 years ago #
  3. Meadowview Farm

    Meadowview Farm
    Member

    We have people that leave their "wish" at our mall....however, I don't tend to do anything with them because they make no commitment to buy the item. My fear would be to invest money in an item on someone's wishlist and then be stuck with that investment/item because it wasn't exactly what they were looking for.

    Now, that being said, I do shop with certain buyers/customers in mind. I have my gals that like primitives, that like vintage toys....and as long as I would "keep the item if it didn't sell" (#1 on my criteria)--- I might just buy with that individual in mind.

    Kari

    Posted 2 years ago #
  4. AnnOfGreenoak

    AnnOfGreenoak
    Member

    i would like the info...but i wouldnt do it...BECASUE it would be hard to follow up.... if you did record their wishes and the next time they came in and saw something on their list and you hadnt called them , you might have an unhappy customer....
    i wouldnt want to offer something i coulndnt do well or fairly easily....and that sounds like a very pretty hard job...... some would totally expect it meant you were going to call them then what? hold it etc etc....
    i keep customers needs in mind all the time....but i do not buy for just one person...i learned that one a long time ago...say they ask for a roundoak table, very specific...a month later yu find it and go out on a limb becasue they really want one...then so many things go wrong...they already found it, you didnt ask what kind of pedestal they wanted, they wanted leaves , etc etc....its embarrassing when you call them and they dont want it...
    ann
    www.greenoakantiques.com

    Posted 2 years ago #
  5. Blossom

    Blossom
    Member

    Thanks Junx, Kari, and Ann--

    I was hoping that you would respond. I wondered if Wish Lists are standard store procedure. My wonder led to confusion.

    I could not see many pro's behind the Wish List...with the exception of finding a piece for almost nothing and selling the same piece for just about anything. It just didn't seem to make good business sense...for customers and especially for vendors.

    We do have vendors who are "pickers" for folks, but they tend to have greater financial resources to be able to "sit" on things that don't sell.

    We also have people "off the street" randomly try to sell their wares to whoever is working at the store. I have never bought anything. I wouldn't want to be selling someone's stolen heirlooms in my booth.

    So, perhaps the book at the desk is to appease customers who insist that we are connected with the antiques underworld and can produce any request down to its tiniest detail. And, perhaps that is why it is stored behind about five manila folders. ; )

    Greta

    Posted 2 years ago #
  6. AnnOfGreenoak

    AnnOfGreenoak
    Member

    you know finding the right thing for a customer , producing their request, is about the best thing you can do as a seller.......i have several guys who do that for me...or try to, and its wonderful.. next would be remembering what they like and being able to direct them to it when they come in...
    we, in the antique underground , [ is that how it looks?sounds so bad!!!} are out in the field and buying and they naturally hope we can find what they want..... thats a good thing when it can happen.....
    buying off the street is scary and takes real skill...my rule is so unfair...but i wont buy if bad vibes or if they are under 40....
    i buy for my customers but not if i would be stuck with it if that one person said no...which they often do...lol...
    ann
    www.greenoakantiques.com

    Posted 2 years ago #

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