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March 4, 2005

It's Not Just The Yarn Stores

I'm feeling a little under the weather today.  My stomach is kind of upset - not really sick, but not quite right either.  I'm drinking some red tea and hoping that things will get better as the day progresses.  I stayed home from karate last night and took it easy, but don't feel much better for my laziness.  Oh well, today is Friday and I have a weekend of curtain making and knitting in store for me.  I should be back to normal by Monday.

I have 16 inches done on the first legwarmer - 12 more to go.  The last part is going much faster than the first because I'm dealing with significantly fewer stitches.  I think I'll be able to get it done this weekend.  My yarn for the knitalong cardigan should be here any time now.  I'm so excited to get it and at least swatch so I know if I need to get different needles.   Lots of people have had to go up one or two needles sizes because they are American-style knitters and the pattern is German, which was tested using the continental style, which is looser I guess than the American style.  I'm a continental knitter so I'm hoping I can get gauge with the recommended needle size.  But, in case I can't, I still have time to order another needle before the trip to Phoenix.

As we've discussed many times on KR, the biggest pet peeve many of us have with yarn stores is the lack of customer service.  Well, you can all rest assured that it isn't just yarn stores.  I went to the western home store yesterday over lunch to look at coffee tables (remember, I was going to take pictures) and let me just say that these pieces tend to be unique and expensive.  The owner and store manager were in a meeting so I talked to two ladies who work there.  They could not have been less helpful or any ruder if they had tried.  This store is in a temporary location because their store was destroyed in a fire and much of their new stock is going to a warehouse because they don't have room for it in their temporary location.  The owner, who is quite nice, explained this to me on Monday and said that someone could take me to the warehouse to look at the new stock.  When I mentioned this to the women helping me (and I use the word "helping" very loosely)  my statement was met with utter disbelief and no offer to take me to this secret warehouse.  In fact, when I specifically asked, they said no.  Now, I expect good service, it comes from my retail days and quite frankly just my personality.  I was pissed that they treated me so poorly and you'd think that even if they're just rude, horrible women that when someone comes in specifically for an expensive piece they could try to be nice.  So not the case.  So I e-mailed the owner and told her about the crappy service I received and that I had expected better from her store based on what others have told me.  I haven't heard back yet, and who knows if I will.  However, if she doesn't acknowledge my complaint, I will not shop there again.

I got an e-mail from my Secret Pal and she sounds like a delightful lady.  She gave me some good ideas for goodies to add to my package.  I'm going to get that put together tomorrow and hopefully mailed to her the first on the week (I'll have to wait for the stuff I ordered to arrive first though).  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and happy knitting.