SA Etiquette

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mattking2000

mattking2000

High school H addict
O.G.
Jul 7, 2008
750
1
#1
I'm hoping this is in the right forum, but if not, please feel free to move =)

I recently placed an order at a Canadian jewelry store, which involved custom ordering a pair of watches whose brand they carried from Switzerland to the magnitude of several thousand dollars. The watches have arrived, and I have been treated with nothing but curteous, professional service from the SA and I also received a 10% discount.

My question then, is a thank-you gift in order? Or will a thank-you card suffice? If a gift is in order, how much should it cost? Should it be able to be shared with all the other SAs (e.g., something from the bakery?) or should it be a personal gift? If I were to give them a card, should it be tied in with Christmas? As you can tell, I have never done this before...:blushing:

Thanks!
M.
 
#2
In my experiences, most people do not give their sales associates any type of gift. Many sales associates receive commission from the sale. If you feel the need to give something, then send a nice thank you card.
 
#3
Agreed. You just invested a bit of money there, and they'll get a "cut" of it in their commission. That's the gift you gave. Send a thank you card and be done.
 
#4
Coming from a SA, the best gift you could give is a thank you note... Sent to the owner/corporate!!! That translates into a raise during review time or might lead to a bonus... Who doesn't love that?

People are very quick to complain about service but it is rare that anyone takes the time to write about the good service they receive. Bosses take notice!

I also sometimes receive gifts from clients. Usually food items to share with my coworkers and sometimes football/baseball/hockey tickets. We help a lot of rockstars on tour and they usually give us tickets to their shows as a thank you, so if you are compelled to just send a gift it's not inappropriate or strange to do so.
 
#6
Honestly, your SA should probably follow up your order with a thank you note and/or a small token of their appreciation. This is not unusual at all. Of course letting their managers know you appreciated their expertise would be polite.
 
#7
Gimmethebag said:
Coming from a SA, the best gift you could give is a thank you note... Sent to the owner/corporate!!! That translates into a raise during review time or might lead to a bonus... Who doesn't love that?

People are very quick to complain about service but it is rare that anyone takes the time to write about the good service they receive. Bosses take notice!

I also sometimes receive gifts from clients. Usually food items to share with my coworkers and sometimes football/baseball/hockey tickets. We help a lot of rockstars on tour and they usually give us tickets to their shows as a thank you, so if you are compelled to just send a gift it's not inappropriate or strange to do so.
Click to expand...

Excellent advice.

Gimme is correct in stating that many are quick to whine and complain, but when it comes to acknowledging good CS, it becomes inconvenient or there's never time.

I'd send a letter to the Corporate Head Office and also a small note to the SA.
 
#9
Thanks everybody for their advice! The consensus seems to be that a note will suffice.

Gimmethebag: I had never thought of sending a note to corporate, that is probably much more effective than a one-time gift! Thanks!
 
#10
I usually send a thk you email and copy a manager or even do a yelp review...not exactly Emily post I know but it's what has been requested by SAs in the past!
 
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