Ok, so I had a comment come through moderations, which I approved… I make it a point to only filter our spam, and once you’ve registered here and posted I don’t have to moderate anymore.  Saves the hassles of all the junk ads for Viagra.  :P  Anyway, so I got this comment from Heidi, whom I don’t know, that work’s at Emporium.  (At least I don’t think I know her.)  You can scroll down to the post from the other day and read the comment if you like.  Basically it said it wasn’t disrespectful and it comes down to that they were looking to let customers know that they were staying in business.

I so TOTALLY understand communication.  And yes, Heidi, I have worked and have owned a store, I know the competition.  (Which is why support all the local stores with links here and sale ads, regardless of if I visit them, or like what they carry.)  I support good communication wholeheartedly!  I can see how customers would want assurance that you would have your doors open before they bought holiday gifts, etc.  That being said… all of that really could have been stated in the email expressing you sympathy for the closing stores, and left it at that.  My disappointment was that a sale was named after another’s misfortune.  If due to unforeseen circumstances, or too much competition from the other store so very close to you, (which shall remain nameless), forced Emporium to close, think how upset everyone there would be.  How would you feel to see an email come through for that very close by store naming a sale after your closure?  I suspect it wouldn’t feel so great, and maybe even downright awful.  I’ve only been in Paradise a handful of times and SPST I’ve been in maybe four times, and I’ve never purchased anything.  But after getting your email my heart sank for those people.  Closing a store and loosing your “baby” is a terrible and emotional thing to go through.  You said in your comment that it wasn’t a dig or a rip on any of the stores closing.  I thank maybe that should have been worded that it wasn’t INTENDED to be a dig or a rip.  If you look at it from the other side of the fence, or a neutral party, it looks, and came across as a dig or a rip in the very least.

So, yes, an email could, and should have been sent out letting customers know Emporium was here to stay, but disrespecting the feelings on other store owners not so lucky to be in that situation wasn’t necessary, or very professional.  By all means, don’t let me put an end to all sales, I’m happy that Emporium is in a position they can offer one, but did if have to be named, especially in that way?  Seriously.  A note of sadness and condolence, store news and then a sale, period.  That may have been a better way to handle it.

When I originally posted I had had several people already make a comment to me about how inappropriate the “sale” email was.  All the forwarded emails, “Did you see this?”, “Can you believe they said that?”, “This is just awful!” And I see I’ve had some comments here agreeing.  It is what it is, and not that I’m suggesting anything, but a gesture of remorse that intentions may have been misconstrued after reading the sale email in question, might be a wise idea.  An apology goes a LONG way.  It’s something to think about.

I appreciate your comments Heidi, and that you have taken the time to
attempt to clear it up.  Hopefully the others that have had troubles
with Emporium can come to the store and address them with you. 
Customer feedback is an important thing and valuable to say the least.

~j