LINETIME
[h4][b]A male customer is dithering on a purchase for his wife (or girlfriend). You ‘ve gotten to know each other a bit, and you know he’s not too prudish for a little off-color humor. So, when he’s holding the item in his hand, you laugh and say: [/b][/h4]
“If this doesn’t get you an evening of great sex, I’ll refund your money.”
Why? The joke makes a tense decision easier. And, while definitely not appropriate for everyone, it’s an earthy, guy-to-guy way of expressing the very real fact that a jewelry purchase is a terrific relationship- and romance-enhancer. As for the refund offer, you’re no more likely to give a refund with this pitch as you would with any other sale.
Source: Lauri and Bruce Lipsey, The Jewelry Studio; Encino, CA
This story is from the September 2004 edition of INSTORE
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Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success
After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone.
Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently.
The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.
