It feels like Fall here today. The trees are turning red, orange and yellow, and the air is definitely nippy. I like nippy. In fact, I love this season. It’s my favorite of all. I have a kitchen window above my sink – one of those garden windows. We added a screen porch onto the back of our house several years ago, so the window isn’t the greatest for growing things. (Or maybe I’M not the greatest for growing things.) So I use it for seasonal stuff. That way, I can get into some fun things for that season, without doing up the whole house. I only do up the whole house for Christmas. So, these are some of the nice and then downright goofy things that are representing Fall in our house right now. Do you decorate for different seasons?
I went to Starbucks today (I’m a little sad that this new Starbucks is only 2 blocks from our house. It’s a bit too convenient.). One thing that I’m a fanatic about is good customer service. I LOVE shopping at places that make me feel appreciated and constantly “do the right thing”. I ordered my regular: Grande Sugar Free Vanilla Latte with 1 Sweet and Low. The gal taking my order said, “Oh, I’m so sorry. We’re out of Sugar Free Vanilla.” I replied, “Oh – bummer! I like sugar free vanilla.” She said, “We have sugar free hazelnut …. ?” So I said, “Sure – that works!” When I went to pay, it was free. FREE. She said, “I’m buying it for you because we’re out of what you really wanted.” I replied, “Oh my goodness – you don’t have to do that. Hazelnut is fine – no big deal!” But she wouldn’t let me pay. Now is that not amazing customer service? And here I am blogging about it, spreading the news. Word of great customer service always gets around.
On the knitting front, I am working on a sock from the new Posh Yarn cashmere line that we’re getting in soon. Cashmere (blend) socks – doesn’t that sound decadent? I’m making them for a Christmas gift. I’ll have the first one done by the time the yarn is in the shop, so I’ll post it then. (I know I know I know I know – I wasn’t supposed to start something NEW until I finished some of the twinless socks. I don’t want to hear about it.)
College Boy went back to college yesterday. OHHHH how we loved having him home! His visits always seem too short for me. Here he is, helping me pack a few orders up on Saturday afternoon. He’s a great help. Mostly, he just does “Web Guy” duty, fixing everything on the website. It’s an ongoing process – we’re always updating and tweaking things on there. This time, it wasn’t quite so painful to say goodbye, as we’re heading up there for Parents Weekend on Friday afternoon! I love everything about that: knitting time in the car up and back, and being with him on campus for the weekend. (Wonder if I can convince Hubby and Daughter to stop at a yarn shop on the way? I have been wanting to check out the Mass Avenue Knit Shop in Indianapolis ever since Danny started attending Taylor. Because of course when you’re going to be heading one direction quite often, as we have done for two years now, you want to know the knitting shop options on the way.) I’ll let you know if I was successful in getting the car to detour! And by the way – all orders in to The Loopy Ewe by Friday morning will go out on Friday, but the afternoon and Saturday orders will go out on Monday. I know I have you all used to same day or early the next day shipping, and wanted to give you this heads up. Because, you know, GREAT customer service is important to us! 🙂
Sheri anothertoptenlistcomingyourwayonWednesday:makinguseofyourstash
College Boy is a cutie. Must take after his mom. 🙂
Speaking of great customer service…the Loopy Ewe has the best !!! Thanks Sheri for bringing us such great yarn!!!
If anyone knows a thing or two about customer service, it’s you, Sheri. The Loopy Ewe is the best!
Can’t wait to try out the Posh yarn! Cuz, you know, can’t have too much sock yarn! My husband, dear man, said to me on Saturday when I was opening a Loopy order, “Do you use the yarn up as fast as it comes it?” in all seriousness. Now, Sheri, you know how much sock yarn I order from you, and I certainly don’t knit as fast as Wendy, plus I’m working on a denim yarn sweater for him, knitting socks when I get bored with acres of ecru denim yarn. So I said, “What do you think?” (in a non-sarcastic tone, mind you). He thinks about it for a moment and says, “I guess not.” “Is that a problem?” “No, it’s all nice yarn. I can see why you like it.” Smart man.
Your window display is charming, and Wendy is right.
i just made my first loopy ewe order and it has already shipped! now that is great customer service. i can’t wait to get my sweet georgia speed demon in the mail and i will be making many more orders in the future! thank you!
Starbucks is great!! I have actually become friends with the store manager of the one closest to my house. And did you know that the gingerbread latte is back? I had a free one yesterday courtsey of the store manager.
I LOVE good customer service, I got it a couple of weeks ago at a local craftstore, not one of the big box stores. I told them outright how much I really appreciated all of the extra effort they go to in the quilting and knitting departments.
Your yarn shop looks wonderful!!
And I have a question for you, does it get easier or have you not experienced it yet, about College Guy heading back to school after a weekend at home. I have a friend who just went through this and is having the hardest time with it. I probably won’t have to experience it for a couple more years.
I like Starbucks too, but was disturbed when the owner of the franchise refused to send coffee to our troops because he disagrees with the war. I certainly respect his right to disagree, but I take offense with his stance on supplying comfort to our service men and women, of whom my two sons will soon be a part. I haven’t patronized a Starbucks since I heard this and won’t until I find out that this story is just hearsay. Does anyone have any definitive info on this?
I used to work for Starbucks, and I can tell you that providing excellent customer service is drilled into you if you are an employee there. I loved it. I think that is what makes me notice great customer service now. The most awesome experience I have had recently when it comes to customer service is the order I just placed with The Loopy Ewe. I cannot even begin to tell you how impressed I am with the speed of service, the product, and all the extra touches you added. WOW. Thank you so much for all you do to create a five star yarn buying experience!
Your service is THE best. I really appreciate how you wrap items in tissue paper and close them with the cute sticker before boxing the order. I am always amazed how quickly I receive my orders in PA. Cashmere socks…oh good grief! What won’t they think of next…will I buy some … OF COURSE I will… I deserve a pair!! Shopping from you is such a pleasure.
Starbucks at Barnes & Noble has maple flavored frappachinos and I am hooked on them. Guess it is good that they are seasonal…however the cafe manager and I are lobbying to have them year-around. We won’t get our wish but it is worth asking. Yummy!
No one knits as quickly as Wendy.
Sheri, I sing your praises to all people who ask and reccomend The Loopy Ewe to all knitters I know! Of all the places to live that get horrid shipping, Alaska is the worst but I recieve my orders from you in record time. I dont look forward only for the yarn but the awesome service I always get.
I had to buy more of the SG yarns (and infected my sister with my passion and she chose some Viola for her soon to come socks) and I so totally cant wait to get it! I’m not so fussed with the idea of cashmere but if it feels half the softness of the SG, I will HAVE to get some!
I look forward to draining my bank account further with you 🙂
I agree! Good customer service is so very important. I always return to somewhere if I’ve been treated well. And really, it’s not that hard, is it? Just treating someone the way (or even better than) you want to be treated!
BTW, your service was excellent, and I’ve already recommended you to others! SAME DAY shipping? Unheard of, but so very exciting! :0)
i think you have fabulous customer service at your website. i know i don’t need more yarn right now, but at least i can visit in the blogs. your college boy is a cutie. glad to hear you have extra time with him this coming weekend and happy knitting in the car too. (-;
I wandered over here because my friend Sarah just bought some yarn and recommended you. Lo and Behole, you mentioned Starbucks. I’ve worked for them for 8 years. Love them. Great company and I’m glad to hear you received great service from them. (I saw the mention of this incident in a later post and had to go back and find it in fear of it being a bad experience. I hate hearing those.) And as for the manager who wouldn’t donate coffee…shame on him/her. It’s not about agreeing with the war, it’s about supporting the people over there.
I’m sure I will buy yarn from you soon!