True Tales

Jeweler Shocks Client With Glib Remark, Then Gets a Surprise

He couldn’t believe the way it worked out.

Published

6 years ago

December 21, 2017

INSTORE Staff Instore December 2017 Issue

Jeweler Shocks Client With Glib Remark, Then Gets a Surprise

Have you ever made a comment that you immediately regretted?

Jimmy Butts of Lagniappe Jeweler recently did just that. And given that he was speaking to a potential customer at the time, the sinking feeling that he got was severe.

Amazingly, the whole thing worked out — thanks to some help from a customer unafraid to speak her mind.

Butts recently shared the story on the closed Facebook group Jewelers Helping Jewelers, and gave us permission to republish it.

Decent day. Pretty productive. And then it happened! Lady walks in on her phone complaining about how crappy her day was and how salespeople are so stupid and no wonder they make minimum wage and lines are ridiculous and parking is a nightmare, but THANK GOD she got to leave her kids at daycare.

She then tells the person on the phone to hold on, slides her ring across the counter and flips her hand, saying, “I need to know how much to fix that ring.” She turns her back to me and continues to bash the day.

I wait no less than 10 minutes to give her a quote. She turns around and asks with disdain, “Yes?” I reply, “It will cost X amount and you can have it in two days.” She gasps and replies, “I’m not leaving my jewlery with you.”

Without skipping a beat I retort, “But you left your kids at daycare.” Oops! I immediately knew that was bad. She turns to the elderly lady behind her and says, “ I don’t have to tolerate this kind of treatment.” Without hesitation the elderly woman says, “Young lady, it’s rocks and metal. You need to cool your heels.”

Would you believe I still got that repair? Phew! Close one!

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”