"Slinging Stones..." Blog by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Holiday Tips for Retailers – Returns, Refunds and Exchanges Pt. 2. By Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Holiday Tips for Retailers – Returns, Refunds and Exchanges Pt. 2. By Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Last week, tips were offered to Retailers to enable them to consider utilizing business products and employees to their best advantage in Holiday Tips for Retailers PT.1. The holiday has come and departed and now you face returns, refunds and exchanges of merchandise.

Hopefully, store merchandise is now better coded in an effort to make returns an easier process. On today in Holiday Tips for Retailers Pt. 2 - Returns, Refunds and Exchanges, eight (8) strategies are being offered for your consideration during holiday return of merchandise by customers.

• Have after Christmas sales merchandise items marked down and visible; the closer to the return departments or cashiers’ counters, the better. Many will be spending some if not all of their refund monies.
• Have your best and most knowledgeable customer service representatives or sales associates on the job.
• A pleasant return of merchandise experience can determine whether the customer will exchange merchandise and/ or make additional purchases in the store.
• Long waits are not good; they reduce the time people will want to remain or spend monies in your store once refunds are received.
• If there is not an effective, efficient and speedy automated process for the return of untagged merchandise, have runners on hand to track merchandise, look up prices and assist customers. Be just as accommodating after the holiday as before!
• Most have incorporated this strategy, but I will repeat it, again. Separate those returning merchandise with receipts from those who do not- the worst practice is to keep customers with receipts in line and waiting behind those who do not have receipts.
• Sales Associates, “copping an attitude” or becoming frustrated because you cannot locate comparable merchandise for codes and/or price the merchandise is not conducive. You should know your merchandise and prices. If you do not and the merchandise belongs to the company, the company would be wise to accept the return at a fair exchange or refund rate until it provides a better system for these type returns.
• Finally, should customers return merchandise, desire exchanges and the merchandise cannot be found within your store, offer and attempt to locate it at one of your other stores. I would like to think that stores now have a more updated merchandising process for determining product or merchandise availability at all locations. In many instances and from customers’ standpoint, such actions place you and your store a cut above other retail merchants. It sends a message to the customer(s) that he/she is valued.

In conclusion; I have found that most customers simply wanted to be treated fairly. Consider – how would you wish to be treated if you were the customer?

Happy New Year!

From me, to you

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Author

Note: During Mrs. D. Barron employment in the Retail Clothing Industry – she was instrumental in assisting customers and making money for the company; a special customer management position for Mrs. D. Barron was created by the company.

“Slinging Stones… Blog” by Mrs. Dorothy Barron:

http://www.dorothybarron.com  or

http://mrsdbarron.typepad.com/slingingstones

Twitter: Follow Mrs. Barron (Slinging Stones Blog) at http://twitter.com/mrsdbarron

Parents Taking Charge in Education Blog: http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Twitter: Follow Mrs. Barron (Parents Taking Charge in Education) http://twitter.com/PTCnEducation

Holiday Tips for Retailers - Pt. 1. By Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Holiday Tips for Retailers - Pt. 1. By Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Retailers, are you utilizing your products and your people to their best advantage?

Many people will shop online, but many will continue to visit your stores during the holiday. How do your store’s physical appearance and your sales associates look?

Some holiday tips for Retailers to consider:

• Appearance and appeal are important
• Your store should be clean, festive and filled with goods
• Music can put shoppers in a holiday or more relaxing mood – whether the music is upbeat, traditional Christmas favorites or a combination of both, the music should serve as background accompaniment (complement the shopping experience) and not so loud that it competes with the voices of shoppers or jingle and jangle their nerves.
• Your employees should look neat, clean and have pleasant dispositions and attitudes – a smile is always a winner
• Make sure your customer service reps know how to assist customers
• Designate and give during this period of time certain employees – certain decision making powers as it relates to Customer Service

Holiday Fashion Merchandise:

Many at some point during the Holiday Season will dress for a special event, gathering or occasion. If you sell clothing for the holidays, customers will be stopping by to view your offerings.

A nice pair of slacks and a sweater worn over a nice color shirt and a man is a winner in almost any fashion circle; however, and for most women; we know it takes much, much more to look our best.

Retailers, if you have a physical store and sell holiday clothing:

• You will need fashion conscience sales associates – they can be instrumental in whether the customer makes a purchase or walks out empty-handed. They should be available to offer assistance. Sometimes, a sincere complementary statement or thumbs-up from the sales associate is all a customer needs to purchase that certain fashion merchandise.
• Set your holiday apparel in a special place (feature and showcase it) – customers should not have to search for it.
• Don’t have a lot of clothing merchandise- showcase that which you do have with accessories. The customer may or may not purchase the clothing, but may elect to purchase the accessory.
• Showcase some of your store’s accessories; sometimes customers forget to purchase and/or may not be aware of your selections. Therefore, you want to remind customers not to forget their accessories. 

Retailers in the Food Business- many of the tips above are applicable to you as well.

• You also want to showcase – beautiful food dishes and products
• Create a Daily Theme leading up to the holiday – present appetizers to the shoppers as well as recipe cards featuring the appetizer or some ingredient(s) within
• Stock and have on hand enough products

Retailers, when the holiday is over and you have met and/or exceeded your sales goal (s), do not forget to thank your employees in a tangible way; they greatly assisted in making it happen.

Finally, have you and are you critiquing your store; customers- their needs, and listening?

Happy Holidays!

From me, to you

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Author

Note: During Mrs. D. Barron employment in the Retail Clothing Industry – she was instrumental in assisting customers and making money for the company; a special customer management position for Mrs. D. Barron was created by the company.

“Slinging Stones… Blog” by Mrs. Dorothy Barron:

http://www.dorothybarron.com  or

http://mrsdbarron.typepad.com/slingingstones

Twitter: Follow Mrs. Barron (Slinging Stones Blog) at http://twitter.com/mrsdbarron

Parents Taking Charge in Education Blog: http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Twitter: Follow Mrs. Barron (Parents Taking Charge in Education) http://twitter.com/PTCnEducation

Inspiration from a Least Likely Place – Bing by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Inspiration from a Least Likely Place – Bing by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Those who follow my blog at Slinging Stones are aware of the Four (4 Pt.) Part Tribute I compiled and wrote to Native Americans during the month of November. What you are not aware of are the conditions that existed for me and my surroundings, especially during this period. I will not share the entire situation here, but just enough to show how, Inspiration from a least likely Place – Bing - the Search Engine, was instrumental in assisting me with having completed the Native American Tribute.

I set a one to one and one-half page limitation for the written tribute each week; you can see for yourself how well that went. I was even foolish enough to tell Professor Brent Cox, who is considered an Expert on Native American Culture and spirituality, and whom I consulted with on the project of my set page limitation. I can just imagine with his knowledge of Native and Indian Americans having wondered what kind of tribute I had planned that consisted of one to one and one-half pages; he was kind enough to refrain from asking.

What is really sad about such a country as great as ours is the mean spiritedness, cruelty, hate and bigotry that continue to exist. Evidently some were not pleased with my having written on this topic. In addition and due to continual retaliation, I was forced to go for days without meals and any assistance in the home. After each post was published, some turned electromagnetic force fields full-force into my residence; the electromagnetic energy can serve as a form of punishment and as a mode of conditioning similar to electrical and shock experiments used on animals during the 19^th and 20 Centuries in an effort to modify or change behavior, primarily, that which was perceived as “unacceptable.”

In spite of the obstacles and physical pain, I was determined to complete my Tribute to Native Americans. I continued to labor even working sometimes in slow motion; at times all night and more than often into the wee hours of the morning.  At some point, I switched and selected Bing as my Homepage. When I worked into the hours of the morning and returned to my home page to shut down or turned the computer on and began working in the wee hours of the morning, each morning Bing would have a wonderful, colorful and delightful picture that dominated the Homepage. Believe it or not, looking forward and being surprised with a new image each morning gave me inspiration to keep going. Another advantage of the featured image - each consisted of four small boxes when moused over offered snippets about the featured image and thus enabled me to learn something new each day. If interested in learning more, I simply clicked one or more snippet links. The homepage is uncluttered, minimalistic and non-intrusive; it is very professional and bespeaks of professionalism while educating and offering some form of artistic entertainment each day.

Within the last two months, I have been all over the world with Bing. One day, I was taken inside Australia’s famed Sydney Opera House; its interior concert theatre is as spectacular and impressive as the exterior design. Another day, I was taken back in history to Russian Empress, Catherine the Great’s Era – she reigned 34 years and accomplished much on behalf of her country and its people. I visited the South Pole Antarctica; watched Orca or killer whales frolic and learned some interesting facts about both. Yet another day, the image of a chestnut from France was featured; with one click of a link, a number of different ways to use chestnuts were revealed.  I ended this topic on a musical note with legendary, Nat King Cole singing The Christmas Song,  “chestnuts roasting over an open fire…,” and wishing us a Merry Christmas.

Have a problem or suggestion? On Bing’s Homepage is a discreet tab which allows one to leave a message without having to thumb through pages of Question and Answer Topics. Busy people do not have the time to search Q&A pages for solutions and answers and it appears with Bing, such is becoming a thing of the past – passé!

When all is said and done and at the close of the business day, companies and entities that will dominate the market place will be those that can meet consumers and entrepreneurs’ needs. We often hear the phrase, “Content is King.” Take it from someone that has been considered the best in the field of Customer Service, “Content may be King,” but I say, “Customer Service will Rule.”

Bing, thank you for having given me the inspiration to complete my project; I felt as if you were up all night with me. Also, thank you for the daily featured images – they are interesting, entertaining and educational and enable us to discover new people, places and things.

From me to you,

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Author

“Slinging Stones… Blog” by Mrs. Dorothy Barron:

http://www.dorothybarron.com  or

http://mrsdbarron.typepad.com/slingingstones

Parents Taking Charge in Education Blog: http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Twitter: Follow Mrs. Barron at http://twitter.com/mrsdbarron

Affirmations Reinforced from my Tribute to Native Americans by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Affirmations Reinforced from my Tribute to Native Americans by Mrs. Dorothy Barron                  

Lessons I learned many years ago were reaffirmed during the research, compilation and writing of my 4 Part Tribute to Native Americans. I have listed 15 here:

• Whether individually, a group or nationality, the indomitable spirit of mankind will persevere.
• Knowledge of the Supreme CREATOR- even though called or addressed by a different name, each nationality has been made aware of the Supreme Creator’s existence.
• Good and evil exist in and throughout society and among each nationality.
• There is the need and desire of some to exert control over others.
• Regardless of how progressive a society, History repeats itself and man does not seem to be able to break the cycle.
• Regardless of how primitive a society may seem; it has had or consists of a system of order.
• Lack of communication; lack of understanding and an unwilling predilection to entertain and incorporate each other’s views are our society’s greatest disadvantages.
• In spite of our being the United States of America, our society is more divided than united.
• Regardless of the culture, there will always be some within who are convinced they are superior to all others.
• It does not matter how far advanced; where one goes and/or who one becomes, at some point one must come face to face with the man or woman in the mirror - “self.”
• There will always be some within society who will rise to the occasion and stand for that which is right!
• When we take time to get to know others, especially from different cultures; the differences diminish and those things we have in common increase.
• Life and Experience are the greatest teachers.
• We do reap what we sow; also understand that if one lives upright morally and spiritually, he or she will suffer persecution in some form or the other.
• Finally, one should not wait until he/she is hanging from a cliff to remember that it is good to give someone else a helping hand.

 From me to you,

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Author

“Slinging Stones… Blog” by Mrs. Dorothy Barron:

http://www.dorothybarron.com  or

http://mrsdbarron.typepad.com/slingingstones

Parents Taking Charge in Education Blog: http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

      Twitter: Follow Mrs. Barron at http://twitter.com/mrsdbarron

Military Suicides - Do we Really Understand their Cry for Help? By Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Military Suicides – Do we Really Understand their Cry for Help? By Mrs. Dorothy Barron

First, I would like to thank First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama for bringing to America’s attention the plight of men and women of the United States Military and their families. After having listened to a few of her “persistent and passionate” appeals, I felt there was a deeper message that I was somehow not getting.

As her appeal gained a wider audience, people begin to stop, listen and get involved. Last weekend, one of the major newspapers, the New York Times featured several stories of the serious number of deaths as a result of former and present servicemen (majority) and servicewomen having committed suicide and the rate in which it continues.

It took a while, but I realized what was wrong; the general public does not understand their cry for help and even worse, do not really know how to assist. I believe most servicemen and women from earlier wars up through the Viet Nam War did not ask for help for a number of reasons, which are forthcoming.

My Dad fought in World War II; when I attempted to engage him in discussions about the war and his experiences, job performed and places he visited during his military tour, he would limit his responses to the places and the fact that he drove military vehicles. Once he stated, “it was terrible;” another time, he sadly looked at me and said, “girl, you really don’t want to know.” Regardless of how persistent I was, he would never watch a war movie; he always gently, but firmly declined. Sadly, I believe most kept the horrors of war bottled up inside and survived the best way they could. I do however recall Mom saying the war changed him and he was not the same afterward. He was Dad and “seemed” okay, but what does a child or any of us really know if we have not experienced war first hand?

As I sat and pondered the issue, I could not help but ask, why would one choose suicide after having gone to war, survived and returned home? Actually, two things happened that made me look at this issue through the eyes of an adult. I read a book unrelated to this subject, but one chapter spoke directly to this issue and the manner in which some Cultures deal with the guilt as a result of having gone to war and taken lives. I also received a call from a former serviceman whose desperate appeal for help was publicly and blatantly ridiculed.

I will list 10 reasons why I feel some servicemen and women attempt or commit suicide:

1. Guilt - killing or having been a party to the horrors of war
2. Guilt of having killed innocent people
3. Not being the hero acclaimed by the folks back home
4. Feeling as if he/she performed more like a coward than a hero
5. Nightmares of or inability to relinquish the horrors of the war;  ashamed to ask  or view the act of seeking assistance as a mark of weakness
6. Feeling abnormal in a normal world – not being able to return (physically and/or mentally) to the person he/she was prior to war
7. Some Drugs and the effects of those drugs given while in the military and afterward
8. Unable to resolve the question of “why me; why was I spared and others are dead?”
9. Inability to forgive self or find and accept forgiveness for actions and deeds performed during war
10. Return from war to a society that is not aware of and/or not conducive to the needs of servicemen and women’s sacrifices, both collectively and individually. Some are broken in spirit and upon return, bankrupted in many ways by a country who exhibits by its actions that when one has been determined to be of no further use, one ceases to matter. Such would give some servicemen and servicewomen little to nothing to hope or live for.

Servicemen and Servicewomen, with the exception of saying “Thank You,” anything other than actions to meet your needs would be an expression of empty platitudes.

From me to you,

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Author

“Slinging Stones… Blog” by Mrs. Dorothy Barron:

http://www.dorothybarron.com  or

http://mrsdbarron.typepad.com/slingingstones

Parents Taking Charge in Education Blog: http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Twitter: Follow Mrs. Barron at http://twitter.com/mrsdbarron