View Full Version : Unpleasant Tarot Shopping Experience
I am not sure if this is the right board for this but here goes.....
I was shopping at my local Borders Book Store last nite with my sister-in-law. She wanted me to help her pick out her first Tarot Deck.
Of course they are locked in a case, which I completely understand, but they do not display them so that you can see the fronts of the boxes ( they line them up like books).
Any way... I went to find a clerk to unlock the case so she could look at the cards, and I find this male clerk, who was very pleasant to start with but as we were browsing the cards, he kept making comments like.." let me know if you find a deck that tells the lottery numbers.." and so on. This clerk made several remarks that were slightly sarcastic and appeared as tho he were mocking us. It was extremely annoying, I finally had had enough of his comments and turned around and told him that he obsivouly did not have a clue, and that were finished looking.
He did have the grace to look a little sheepish after that... but it makes me wonder... would he have made such comments I were browsing in the Cook Book section????
Well I needed to get that off my chest, I was a little annoyed last nite.
Anyone else have similar experiences when shopping???
IrishRiotGrrrl
04-11-2003, 14:40
I get weird looks. I have been trying to buy a new cauldron recently and I'm going around to the antique stores. I have several times instead of referring to them as cast iron pots, have called them cauldrons...You should have saw the looks I got. Pretty scary.
When shopping with my mother in law we would buy tons of witchy stuff in the $1 and what not. Anyways, during Yule we bought tons of brooms and Santa Clauses, she was going to make some flying Santa Clauses on brooms...the girl at the counter was giving us dirty looks...
Finally we asked the girl if she owned the new model of the nimbus 2000. I told her that she looked as though she could use one. I know it was bad of me, but I couldn't help myself. The really bad part is, I dont think she got it...
Sorry it's not purely on tarot cards. I apologize for this...but it's realted!
galadrielsphial
04-11-2003, 14:43
My local Borders has the tarot decks locked up too, but they have at least one box for each type facing outward so that you can see what it looks like. I just look at them when they're locked up, though...then I go someplace where they're just on the shelf in the open and get them there. :)
I don't blame you for being annoyed with that clerk (I sure would've been), and I think it was a stupid thing for him to do for two reasons: one, it makes him look like a jerk; and two, you and your sister-in-law had the definite potential of making a significant purchase (seeing as most tarot decks run about twenty bucks at least, thirty on average). You think he'd know how bad it is, customer service wise, to antagonize people who are highly likely to be SPENDING MONEY IN THE STORE, regardless of the subject area they are interested in.
Being snotty to customers is the best way to send them heading out the door, possibly for good, and maybe losing even more business if the customers tell other people about the negative experience they had in the store. Not to mention that he didn't seem to realize you could have complained to his supervisor about his attitude, which probably would've gotten him into a nice little bit of trouble.
lunalafey
04-11-2003, 14:51
I wonder if the guy is just a lousy flirt?
some people grow up in a critical & sarcastic enviroment- it's the only behavior they know.
He may have ment not harm & you where not wrong with your actions for they probably gave him something to refelect upon & learn from.
I wonder what your next visit to the store will be like if he is there and how he will react?
Cerulean
04-11-2003, 14:52
yes, I've heard people trying to start conversations in wierd ways.
Unfortunately for the Borders people, they cannot leave the cabinet unlocked and so they are in an awkward bind of just 'hanging around' while someone makes a selection. I've learned to make a noncommittal response, "Well, the lottery winning numbers? How about that latest winner..."
Once in awhile one or two friendly assistants just like to talk about their choices, it's just one of those things, like an interesting art book. Or someone observing your sketchbook or painting...sigh...
Sorry about your experience.
Mari H.
Hi Majecot, I agree with galadrielsphial. However, to be perfectly fair, I think it's possible he didn't realize what a jerk he was being, perhaps he was just trying to be friendly (in a stupid sort of way). At the same time, I think it would have been a good idea for you to have gone to the management and complained, because, whether intentional or not, his behavior was totally unprofessional and I'm sure not what the management of the store would want from their employees.
-- Lee
Tarot Sparrow
04-11-2003, 15:06
Some people in this world just get on my nerves.
:)
dolphinprincess
04-11-2003, 16:17
i must look innocent (hehe!) bc the sales people at my Borders just unlock the cabinet for me and leave me to browse on my own....
however, i am prepared for what response i 'might' get when i ask them initially to open it...
its funny, but a few years ago, i was afraid to let people see me browsing that area of the bookstore.. or check me out and 'see' what books i was buying.. now i couldn't care less.. in fact, one time the cashier was very intrigued and asked me all about it...
guess, like most stuff, it boils down to the individual person...
(edited to add... I rarely buy my decks in Borders, so my experiences are few and far between...)
Originally posted by dolphinprincess
[B]i must look innocent (hehe!) bc the sales people at my Borders just unlock the cabinet for me and leave me to browse on my own....
I have tha same experiance at the Borders here. Once a young girl opened the cabinet for me. She said she had just bought her first deck and showed me which one it was. Before you know it we've got every deck in the cabinet spread all over the floor and were talking tarot collecting as fast as we can. That was a great experiance. But I've had a few bad ones too.
I think you handled the situation very well. You let him know he was being a jerk and I bet he'll think twice before he says something inappropriate to a customer again.
The thought also crossed my mind that maybe he was very curious about taort, but felt embarassed of his interest because somewhere along the line he got the impression that it was all a hoax or a con. The sarcasm might have been a cover for his interest.
miss_apples
04-11-2003, 17:09
every one has different opinions and ideas on things and some people are more open about expressing their opinions at will no matter how one sided their opinions may be. I think that clerk chose the wrong way to express his opinion...but then again...there are gonna be a lot of people in one lifetime that are gonna express their opinions to you like that. I personally just roll my eyes and walk away.
Mystic Zyl
04-11-2003, 17:15
That same experience you had at Borders was the same one my girlfriend and I had. The clerk saw us and did not want to wait on us and did everything to ignore us. Finally in a loud voice I said, I am going to speak to the manager, and the clerk came over real sheepish and asked if we needed help. The only bad thing was that this clerk was the store manager. She also made comments that were inappropiate. This incident was at Barnes and Noble. I will never buy books or tarot from that store again.
HudsonGray
04-11-2003, 17:34
At Borders the clerk who opened the cabinet for me was also getting into tarot & wanted to know which deck was easiest to start with & why. I pointed out a few, told her the difference between the RW, Thoth & the older decks, and gave her the address to this site! Maybe she's even on this board now, you never know.
I have had similar experiences at Barnes and Noble, they keep theirs behind the counter and it is a chore to get someone to wait on you. I used to be a retail manager and some people are just ignorant and do not belong in the business. I just wish we had other shops to choose from around here, then they might think twice about insulting a customer.
My sister-in-law made our purchases anyway, but I was pretty annoyed, and it was her first experience buying Tarot cards and I wish it could have been a little nicer for her.
Poor customer service is one of the main reasons I shop on the internet.
Thanks for all your responses, (I do feel a little better for having shared that )
:)
miss_apples
04-11-2003, 20:34
I usually get my tarot cards from a little metaphysical shop that specializes in tarot cards and divination books, and other things of that sort. Which saves me from having those kind of experiences. I have also ordered tarot cards from offline which was nice too.
I wish we had little metaphysical shops here:(
Requiella
04-11-2003, 21:24
Hmmm, I have to wonder where you are, as I'm in IL too and have shopped at my local Border's for tarot decks. The male clerk that helped me was very pleasant though.
The way I usually deal with people like that is to counter their stupid comments with a full-blown verbal essay.
This serves two purposes:
1) Makes them realise why they're being stupid
2) Makes them wish they'd never said anything in the first place.
})
If, however, they are just saying stupid things out of genuine misconception (instead of with the intention to take the mickey or be nasty) I'll just explain quickly where they've misconceived Tarot. (Usually it's on superstitions like 'you're not supposed to buy your own deck!')
I don't usually have problems shopping for decks, though I very rarely shop for decks offline anymore (cheaper to shop online at Amazon!) When I used to shop offline though, mostly people were friendly, and many knew me from previous deck purchases anyway.
I have had problems in pubs however... One man who I did a reading for a while back decided it would be fun to take the mickey out of me with his friend, simply because I read Tarot. (Although why that should qualify me for mickey-taking I don't understand...) He soon shut up however when I reminded him exactly what his reading said, and when I explained that whilst querent confidentiality is my code-of-conduct, I would be more than willing to break it in this very special case. }) (This was, by the way, a free fun reading done off-the-cuff, not a professional one!)
Kiama
I usually get most of my decks in my fav book store in which I've been shopping for 12 years so most of the staff there knows me well and lets me open the new decks to have a closer look or even aks me which deck/s I can recommend.
I usually can take them to the small cafe which is in the book store, can have a nice cafe latte and look at the cards or do a thorough book browsing. All very nice and pleasant.
SongDeva
05-11-2003, 09:42
Originally posted by lunalafey
I wonder if the guy is just a lousy flirt?
Exactly what I thought as I read it! I thought, he's flirting, and he's just an idiot. LOL
Also, Majecot, it's good in these situations to ask yourself why you reacted as you did. People come to us to give us lessons sometimes, I find.
Anyway, for example, I might have turned around and said "Look, do you have questions about Tarot that I can answer? It seems to be of interest to you." And don't get me wrong; I'd have said it with an attitude. LOL Point being, it would have sent him a message. Point also being, it would have got him to shut up, so I could look at the Tarot cards.
Do you feel vulnerable around your use/enjoyment of tarot? Why was he enough of a threat to make you leave? After all, he is not "Borders," he's just an employee. Why did you give him that much power over you? This is NOT criticism...just points to ponder, so to speak.
I once had a border's clerk open the case for me, and she was obviously impatient to get back to "work".
Then the other night at a new Borders near me, I asked a clerk where the case was. She not only apologized for not being able to leave the front to lead me to it, but pointed out the info desk employee who could show me where it was and unlock it for me.
A friend I was with showed me where it was, as she'd seen it and I didn't need it opened, but I digress.
All different Borders experiences!
SongDeva
05-11-2003, 09:45
Originally posted by dolphinprincess
its funny, but a few years ago, i was afraid to let people see me browsing that area of the bookstore.. or check me out and 'see' what books i was buying.. now i couldn't care less.. in fact, one time the cashier was very intrigued and asked me all about it...
I get more antsy when I'm buying erotic books. Interesting what we feel guilty about. LOL
I never wanna put them on the bottom of the pile, cause I don't wanna look like I'm hiding them! LOLOL
TygrEyes
05-11-2003, 10:35
If you feel uncomfortable in that store you can reserve things online & then pick them up later. You reserve it & then you'll get a confirmation that it's there and waiting for you. You just go to the check out counter & it'll be on a shelf where the cashier just grabs it & checks you out. Not that I don't think you shouldn't go back b/c of that one experience. It's just an option if that's the only place you can buy decks & you don't want to chance running into doofus again. :o) I didn't realize how lucky I am that my Borders and B&N tarot browsing/buying experiences were so stress free/friendly. I am suspicious as well that he was flirting, especially if he's young. You know how the boys pick on you when your younger b/c they like you. Maybe he just hasn't advanced much.
It's been my experience that the younger employees are very open minded & interested. As far as shopping in the metaphysical section I used to be a little "nervous" as well, like someone would attack me in the store or tie me to a stake & burn me on the spot. lol One time I nearly jumped out of my skin & did literally jump a little when I looked to my right & saw a priest there. On one side of the bookcase the metaphysical & Christian religious materials meet.
Shop via the net!
Lots of great decks available.
No people to give you a funny look and make an issue of getting the key to the glass cabinet.
Tarot Garden comes highly recommended. Or, you can use the link Solandia provides to order decks, and help support this webiste as well. :)
Angel Star
05-11-2003, 12:21
I think some people just do not really know anything about the tarot and its all this superstitious nonsense that comes out of their mouth such as "let me know if you fine the lottery numbers etc." Its just ignorance alot of times. I think I would have just got my deck and then complained to the manager. People should be free to look at whatever they like no matter what the subject without smart remarks.
Well I tell you what, If that guy was flirting, then I am sure he doesn't get many dates!! He was probably in his 30"s, and if that was a pick up line it was pretty bad ...lol
I guess he could have been, but I bet if we had been looking at Betty Crocker he would have acted differently.
I don't like to complain to a manger unless it is really bad. (I save that for the special moments) I have certianly had better experiences in that strore. And I will shop there again because I love to browse books ( I can get pretty lost in there) but I will keep my Tarot shopping on the net, I guess I will have to learn to be patient.
My friend tells me that I have a look that can freeze a person when I am ticked, I am pretty sure that was the look I gave that clerk :laugh::laugh: at least I hope I did ;)
So I feel somewhat vindicated.
TygrEyes-that is pretty funny, the priest was probably trying to buy a deck too and didn't want you to know it. lol
lunalafey
06-11-2003, 00:22
[QUOTE]Originally posted by SongDeva
[B]Majecot, it's good in these situations to ask yourself why you reacted as you did. People come to us to give us lessons sometimes, I find.
Do you feel vulnerable around your use/enjoyment of tarot? Why was he enough of a threat to make you leave? After all, he is not "Borders," he's just an employee. Why did you give him that much power over you? This is NOT criticism...just points to ponder, so to speak.
QUOTE]
YES! to the people and lessons thing!
and to continue the message to any who can use it- there is a certain unexpected satisfaction to stepping outside on ones comfort zone, even if just a little bit. It is truely empowering!
Originally posted by SongDeva
Anyway, for example, I might have turned around and said "Look, do you have questions about Tarot that I can answer? It seems to be of interest to you." And don't get me wrong; I'd have said it with an attitude. LOL Point being, it would have sent him a message. Point also being, it would have got him to shut up, so I could look at the Tarot cards.
Do you feel vulnerable around your use/enjoyment of tarot? Why was he enough of a threat to make you leave? After all, he is not "Borders," he's just an employee. Why did you give him that much power over you? This is NOT criticism...just points to ponder, so to speak.
You know, I really did not think of it that way. I did not think that I was uncomfortable, but more annoyed ( which, make no mistake I was annoyed, sales clerks are not my favorite breed, regardless of what I am shopping for. ) However, I as I have been reading all of your posts, I begin to realize, in retrospect, that perhaps I WAS unfomfortable.
And even tho we finished our shopping, I did give that man more power over me than he deserved. And I allowed it to affect my shopping pleasure.
I guess I will work on changing my own perspective first. I will try your line next time Song Deva, sounds more fun than my freeze stare.
Perhaps, Lunalafey I will try to step outside my comfort zone more, I think I DO spend too much time within my own 32 inches, thanks.
Thank you every one for sharing your comments and experiences, It is nice to know your understanding.
anjocoxo
06-11-2003, 04:15
If I had a cent for every person who ask me that damn "lottery numbers" question, I would have Bill Gates' fortune by now.
I've never had problems with buying decks; once, I went to a store to change one (it was a birthday present) and the woman at the store just looked at me like "well, they're all the same, I don't see the point of changing decks...", but she didn't tell me anything.
The thing is, I usually dress in a classic style, and people still think that all tarot reader must look like a gipsy, so sometimes clerks look at me with that look "hey, this one looks normal... probably she's buying a deck for a friend or something" :D
Anjo
Tarot Sparrow
06-11-2003, 16:02
Originally posted by anjocoxo
If I had a cent for every person who ask me that damn "lottery numbers" question, I would have Bill Gates' fortune by now.
I've never had problems with buying decks; once, I went to a store to change one (it was a birthday present) and the woman at the store just looked at me like "well, they're all the same, I don't see the point of changing decks...", but she didn't tell me anything.
The thing is, I usually dress in a classic style, and people still think that all tarot reader must look like a gipsy, so sometimes clerks look at me with that look "hey, this one looks normal... probably she's buying a deck for a friend or something" :D
Anjo
Haha....the ignorance of some people just amuses me.
Indigo Rose
27-11-2003, 06:45
Sadly I have encountered some ridicule too concerning Tarot, however not by a store clerk. When my ex-husband and I were divorcing, he came over to get some paper work. He basically forced his way through the house and into my room (BEING NOSEY), where I had a Tarot reading in progress on my table. He just laughed and said "what's this Call 1 800- Miss Tammy" referencing the MISS CLEO thing as she was big on TV at that time.
TRULY rude and ignorant. As for the comment about the winning lottery numbers by the clerk, clearly someone who has NO CLUE about Tarot.
Originally posted by Indigo Rose
Sadly I have encountered some ridicule too concerning Tarot, however not by a store clerk. When my ex-husband and I were divorcing, he came over to get some paper work. He basically forced his way through the house and into my room (BEING NOSEY), where I had a Tarot reading in progress on my table. He just laughed and said "what's this Call 1 800- Miss Tammy" referencing the MISS CLEO thing as she was big on TV at that time.
TRULY rude and ignorant. As for the comment about the winning lottery numbers by the clerk, clearly someone who has NO CLUE about Tarot.
And THAT would be why he is an EX!?!?!? :D
Moonbow*
27-11-2003, 12:42
I dont worry about what people think anymore. (thats not to say their ignorance doesn't grate on me at times). Now I just think, you live your life and I'll live mine. Why pretend to like what we dont like or not like what we do? Life's too short. I'm quite brazen when I look in bookshops now. I just try to remember that most sarcastic comments come from ignorant people. One answer is to order off the net (and probably cheapest) but why should you have to? I would go into that shop regularly, ask them to open the cabinet each time, until they get sick of me. I'm the customer,after all!!
Moonbow* }) })
Red Emma
27-11-2003, 20:01
I've had similar experiences when buying entirely different products.
Several years ago I raised orchids, which at that time were extremely expensive. As a rule I'd buy "starts" from people in the local orchid society, and if none were available of a plant I really LUSTED for, I'd save from the grocery money until I could buy it. One day in the local grocery store I found a plant I'd been saving for (regularly about $50.00) for $30.00.
I congratulated myself all the way to the check out stand, only to have a teen aged clerk start saying loudly, "This woman's paying $30.00 for a HOUSEPLANT! She must be really rich," and other less complimentary things. I unwisely tried to be lady-like about it, and not let the little jerk get to me. However, by the time I got home I was so furious I called the manager and reported the whole episode. Oddly enough I never saw the kid again. If he did lose his job, I hope he learned a lesson from it.
In another episode, an elderly friend had bought a new house and had to be out of hers in three days. (I forget the details of why.) I got several friends to come to her house and help her pack up, rented and loaded up a truck, and moved her.
Late that evening, everyone was starving so I went to the deli of a local supermarket and had them make up about 30 sandwiches of various kinds. It wasn't cheap -- cost about $50 -- but that lady had done so much for me over the years that I counted it as an inexpensive thank you.
Until I got to the check stand. The mid-thirties female clerk let me know in very sarcastic, unpleasant terms that I was a wasteful, spendthrift, and probably a thoroughly evil person. I felt extremely humiliated as the check out line was long and the store was crowded. Everyone around heard her.
At the time I was much more shy than I am now. Today, some 20 years later, I'd tell her off in a hurry. To this day I regret not having reported her to the store's management.
The young boy, I think was ignorant, not only of "houseplants," and their value, but his role in the grocery store. Also probably came from a highly judgemental family.
The mid-thirties woman? Unable to handle envy and jealousy in any manner.
I still wish I had reported her.
I just love it when I have stupid salespeople, or get stupid remarks from people in shops or on buses or whatever. It gives me the opportunity to use all the smart-ass remarks that I have in the archives of my mind. If I never have an opportunity to use them, they get cobwebs.
Or else I pretend to take them very seriously and discuss with them the pros and cons of, for instance, in Red Emma's examples, the laws of economy, supply and demand, the merits of capitalism and communism respectively, the importance of money being circulated, etc. etc. They get very bored after a while.
But I do prefer my former method - it's kind of evil and it's really a lot of fun.
AS to the woman who sold you those sandwiches, Red Emma. I would have just LOVED to accidentally overturned something in her shop - letting all the goods spill onto the floor - hopefully they would have been coke bottles or something like that. Glass mixed with sticky Coke is hell to clean up.
Originally posted by Majecot
Anyone else have similar experiences when shopping??? Yes! and just last week, and in the local metaphysical book store!! I couldn't believe it, if there is any place where you would not expect to get sarcastic comments, it would be there. What a jerk. :(
I once asked a clerk at a big major electronics store to help me find a CD and he told me to find it myself because it would be a good learning experiance for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yuppers I went to the management after that one. :mad:
Red Emma
28-11-2003, 15:32
i.e. Diane's suggestion of accidentally spilling coke: What a great idea, Diane. Still, had I been smart enough to think of it, because the incident was in a major, nation-wide grocery chain, some poor box boy would have been wielding the mop. Probably have had to stay late to finish it and miss his date with a gorgeous lady.
In the case of that "sandwich" clerk, I think only direct management intervention would have cracked her jealous, self righteous shell. I suspect she thought of herself as a Christian and she was saving me from the sins of --- whatever she thought it was.
I think your idea of "enlightening" the boy who thought I shouldn't pay so much for a "house plant" would have been an excellent move. However, in those days I was so shy that such incidents pretty much froze my brain with humiliation. I wouldn't have thought of it.
Red Emma
28-11-2003, 16:06
Diane's idea of turning the situation on the clerk has started me thinking along some ways of turning the tables on Barnes and Noble, metaphysical store clerks, and the like.
For instance, many people (including the no-longer-shy Red Emma) believe that the key to the efficacy of Tarot lies in the realm of quantum physics.
Here's why. (Okay, tell your eyes to hold their glaze for just three paragraphs.)
When physicists finally had microscopes powerful enough to exam the nucleus of atoms, they were in for a huge surprise. They didn't find what they expected -- more matter. They found the core of atoms to be pure energy.
Further, this energy (somehow) connects all atoms --- ALL ATOMS. This provides a web of energy which connects ALL LIFE, EACH TO THE OTHER. Us, stones, trees, kittens, the fog...we're all connected as the ancient Ayurvedians said several millenia ago.
It's the belief of many that when we ask a Tarot deck for insights, the question from our brain travels this web of life, backwards and forward into time, and presents its answer to us in
symbols....which we then have to labor mightily to understand.
Okay, back to the cheeky clerks. What we have to do is to find some way to say, "Ah, then. You don't understand the findings of the Quantum Physicists. Let me tell you about it."
Then start your spiel. I'll bet they find they have to shelve some books across the store. Right away.
Chronata
28-11-2003, 16:10
The last time I bought a tarot deck at a Border's I expected to run into the same problem, with salespeople who are sarcastic.It seems to happen a lot to me. It probably has something to do with the way I dress...
Anyway, when the manager opened the case, I was half expecting the usual confrontation, and in the end it went a totally different direction.
I actually felt sort of bad for the guy, since it takes me forever to make up my mind, and I knew he was not really into tarot, and propably had other things to do in his store, besides stand there while I mulled over choices.
he tried to be helpful by pointing out the decks that have been the biggest sellers, and I tried to be nice by telling him that I already had all those decks.
It was clear that he was not into tarot, or new age stuff of any kind, but it was also very clear that he wanted to know some things...if only to be better equiped in the future for questions from other customers.
He was really trying to be a good manager...and I had to really respect that.
In the end I gave him a quick overview lesson on tarot, and other divination sets, and helped him by removing all the pages in the order book that featured decks that were now out of print.
It was nice.
Jeanette
28-11-2003, 19:27
When you wait on the public, it is just so hard to be nice all the time. Who knows, maybe the clerk who was so ignorant had received an unhappy message from home, or something unpleasant happened to someone he cared about. It's hard to say what makes other people tick. Maybe he was just plain rude. I try hard not to take the bait anymore; unlike Red Emma, when I was a younger woman I would just go off on the spot and carry on until swift justice was served on whoever ticked me off. As I've gotten older, I've mellowed A LOT. And I know how hard it is to please the public and put on a nice face all the time, especially when you aren't making a grand salary as incentive to be that way. And remember, too, that you will get further with honey than with vinegar; sarcastic people seldom know how to react to genuine kind actions and words, it really unbalances them! Maybe you could have smiled sweetly at that clerk, and asked him very seriously, "Oh, my GOSH! You mean you sell that deck that predicts lottery numbers!?!? I've been looking for that one FOREVER!!!" Or something goofy like that.
Red Emma
28-11-2003, 20:38
Originally posted by Jeanette
sarcastic people seldom know how to react to genuine kind actions and words, it really unbalances them! Maybe you could have smiled sweetly at that clerk, and asked him very seriously, "Oh, my GOSH! You mean you sell that deck that predicts lottery numbers!?!? I've been looking for that one FOREVER!!!" Or something goofy like that.
A bit of a twist on Diane's approach.... very good and less heavy handed than mine.
Probably the clerks would still learn a lesson.
Maybe it's Mars in my birth chart, I'd still like to smack the sandwich woman.
Ah well.
firestorm
28-11-2003, 21:39
Oh yeah! I get lots of side glances and it's always difficult to get the Borders people to open the cabinet but the only time I really had a problem was when I was alternating between the tarot cabinet and the metaphysical books and a middle aged man with his pre-teen son were there. The dad thought he was a real riot and a stud muffin to boot, and was practically puffing his chest out trying to impress his son with his snide comments about tarot and astrology and the like. In between comments he would look over at me to get my attention and after about five minutes I looked at him and said, "Oh, I'm sorry! Were you under the impression that I give a damn about what you think?" }) ....real sickeningly sweet. He was 10 shades of red, his son stood there with his mouth open, and I can guarantee they'll never forget me.
Originally posted by Red Emma
Maybe it's Mars in my birth chart, I'd still like to smack the sandwich woman.
Make a picture of her and throw darts at it whenever you're mad at anyone. Maybe this was the gods' gift to you - a means to get your tension out whenever the world is bugging you.
firestorm: nice smart-ass reply. Can I put it in my archives for some future use? Must I pay royalties to you?
firestorm, could you give Diana and I a group rate? I also want to hold onto that one for future use. :D :D
firestorm
29-11-2003, 10:13
Please, use as you wish. No royalties needed! Plenty more where THAT came from. })
:joke: I love that!!! I usually try to contain my smart ass remarks ( it is what I tried to teach my kids) but sometimes I wonder why bother.... you get such satisfaction over the results!
I shall put that in my memory banks for the next time I am shopping anywhere and a clerk acts ignorantly..
(edited for spell check ..lol )
Red Emma
04-12-2003, 16:09
I've been thinking of starting a new thread: "Buffy (the vampire slayer) where are you when you're really needed?"
As I read these postings I realized that they fit a very unpleasant pattern.
1) A well intentioned innocent goes into a store to buy some of that store's product.
2) A clerk (sometimes a by-stander) whose self image is not as strong as it should be, decides to bolster his own confidence by taking strips off the innocent. This "stripping" consists of offensive and thoroughly unearned put-downs of the customer, her taste, her ideas, her demeanor...anything the clerk thinks he can get away with.
Unfortunately he (or they in the case of the stud-muffin father) can get away with a certain amount of this destructive behaviour because of the way our (Western) culture has repressed any traffic in or experimenting with the occult.
3) It was suggested that the public is hard to please, and a certain amount of this is true. I've spent a lot of years in low-person-on-the-totem-pole jobs.
However, such people seldom stop with stripping just one person of her soul. They want all they can get.
At the moment, I'm not sure what to suggest. If possible some comment which would keep them out of your boundaries, while building up their own. The comment, "I didn't know they made cards to predict lottery winners," is classically wonderful.
The trouble is, when I'm attacked I have trouble thinking of compassionate comments. I just want the jerk to stop. And as a rule I really didn't deserve the original attack.
As a former store owner, I'd really want to know if my employees were insulting customers or otherwise making their shopping an unpleasant experience. After all, my livlihood (livliehood?) is at stake.
Goddess Bless.
Jeanette
06-12-2003, 11:37
And keep in mind that sometimes the best defense is a good offense; so don't give an unpleasant clerk the opportunity to put you on the defensive. If the clerk looks hostile, maybe you could search out an employee who looks more approachable. If you have to deal with someone who may be surly and ignorant, before you interact with them turn on your "intuition" and try to sense how this is going to go. If you get a bad feeling ~ up go the shields! It's true people like that can drain you, but only if you let them!
Mystic Zyl
06-12-2003, 11:45
Firestorm you want to go shopping with me! Holy Toledo we could shake up the city. There is a snobby Barnes and Noble and Thackerys.
Red Emma
06-12-2003, 17:03
Good advice, Jeanette. Trouble is, I seem not to think of it until I'm all ready in trouble. I'm getting a little better at it though.
Goddess Bless
(Even cheeky clerks)
Originally posted by Mystic Zyl
Firestorm you want to go shopping with me! Holy Toledo we could shake up the city. There is a snobby Barnes and Noble and Thackerys.
Can I come too? I'd love to go to a snobby Barnes and Noble and Thackerys (whatever Thackerys is). Sounds like a nice day out! :D
Here's my Barnes and Noble Story
So my B&N keeps its decks behind the counter very far away and you can't really make them out. I'm standing there trying to see what they have and a very nice young lady says "Oh you don't have to do that come on over." Well how great, so I go across and stand in front of the shelf to browse.
The manager comes over and freaks out. "You can't be back here if you want a deck then you have to ask." I decided I don't want to get the girl in trouble so I say "Oh I'm sorry, my mistake." And stand on the other side. The manager, looking gruff asks which one I can get. I tell him "The Mythic Tarot" he looks at the shelf (a jumble of about 50 decks) and says "Which is that?" I say "The one that has Mythic Tarot written on it" (that felt very good I have to tell you). Then, because I can, I have him bring over a whole bunch of decks one at a time. I kept a pleasant smile and calm tone the entire time which made him kinda grumbly.
I work in retail so I know it's not always easy but you always have to put your best face forward because if you are a Borders sales clerk you ARE Borders and have to represent the company well.
I hate the borders glass case displays, and I have no idea why they put taht US Games demo binder on the top when fewer than half of the decks they carry are from US Games and they stock very few of them at any rate.
BRAVO SHADE!
I too worked in retail for many years, as a manager, and the thing that frustrates me most is first and foremost the LACK of Customer Service and Product inacessablilty, and the lack of product knowledge buy the sales associates.
I certainly understand the need for securing high theft items, but there are much better ways of displaying them than what I have seen used in chain book stores.
If people like use weren't "looking" for a Tarot deck they would never sell one!
It seems to me that Big Box companies have put customer service at the bottom of their list. Every one has become so task orientated that they forget who put them in the big box in the first place.
I'm very fortunate, at the various Borders that I've frequented in Washington, D.C., Rockville, MD, and Phoenix, AZ, the clerks have always been pleasant and I've never had any problems. (This may be in part because I'm a man, and unfortunately in our society, people in some situations are more likely to give women a hard time than men.) In the last year or so, the one in Phoenix even took the locked glass off their case, I guess they just didn't want to be bothered with it.
As far as the demo binders, it's my speculation that this was something Borders instituted at the time they first started with the locked cases, as a way for the customer to look through decks before asking for the case to be opened. The problem is, this was some years ago, and I don't think it has occurred to anyone at Borders since then that the binders need to be updated. So they're basically useless, as Shade says, because most of the decks in the binders aren't in the case, and many of them aren't even in print anymore.
-- Lee
firestorm
07-12-2003, 18:58
I used to work in retail 20 years ago and there was no way we were EVER allowed to treat customers the way they are treated today. I'll never treat a retail employee like dirt, but if they start it, you'd better believe that I'll finish it!!
Mystic Zyl: The Ohio-Michigan region wouldn't know what hit them. :D
Red Emma
07-12-2003, 19:28
Right on, Firestorm!
It makes you wonder what kind of a culture we've created when probably basically nice people have such a low opinion of themselves they have to dis others to make themselves feel better.
Time to make spells for everyone's well being.
Yesterday I was Christmas shopping... I dread going this close to the holidays.. I get very stressed about it... all those unpleasant people in the stores... clerks and consumers alike.. and the very last place I want to be is in a mall!!
So there I was after a quick stop at Carsons', which to my surprise was a very fast and pleasant encounter, I went next door to the very large Barnes and Noble.. stood for sometime looking tarot titles, made my selections and off to stand in line at the check out counter.
Much to my surprise, the two gentleman at the counter were just that. Gentleman! It was very refreshing to be waited on. Very polite, helpful, offered to hold my purchases if it was too much to carry at once.
I was stunned.. wow, I actually received outstanding customer service in both stores... then I am off to Borders. Well we know that Mr. personality works there.. great!
I get there ( I did see the little troll but he did not wait on me) can only find two of the books I was looking for, so I asked... and ok here it comes.. Outstanding Customer Service again.... Called another sotre for me and tried to locate the books I wanted.. and was very nice.Unbelievable.. at 3 stores in a row, peak shopping hours at Christmas!
Can I count the nice check out girl a the grocery store? ( ok they are always nice there)
But still... I have a renewed hope. There are still people out there that believe in providing good service and making it a pleasant shopping ecperience.
Ok wish me luck.. I have to go out there again because I am not done shopping. But this time I go with a better outlook.
Red Emma
12-12-2003, 17:12
Majecot,
Mega encouraging!
In "Nature of Personal Reality," the philosophies of Seth as channeled by Jane Roberts, Seth says again and again that thoughts are the most powerful things there are. Further that positive expectations engender positive results and vice versa re the negative.
There's a strong possibility that your expectations resulted in positive results. Sometimes, though, I wonder about Seth. Why would an innocent wandering into the occult section of a store bring such unpleasant results? I would assume that the innocent had either neutral expectations or positive.
Was it the store clerks whose negative vibes overwhelmed the neutrals of the customers?
HMMmmm, this is getting complicated.
In a Witchcraft store the clerk tried to charge me 50 bucks for a Thoth deck.
Walking home I came across a place that said "Tarot readings." It was big so I figured they must also sell decks. I went in and they had candles, statues, incense & ect. I asked the man behind the counter if he sold tarot decks. He said yes and came back with one deck. I asked if he had any others. He said no, this is the deck everyone asks for(with attitude.) The counter is taller than me but I can tell there were alot of things back there. I then said "You don't have other decks I can choose from?" He asked for a tittle I was looking for. I said I didn't have one and then he said he couldn't help me because I didn't know what I wanted.
rebecca-smiles
15-01-2007, 11:14
I tried to buy a RWS in a hurry once, no one sold it without the LWB which makes it about a tenner more.
I needed it to do readings in a meet up SOON and my current deck had got sticky from reading without a cloth on a pub table. it wouldn't shuffle.
I had to order it and the guy serving asked me if it was urgent, because it was just before christmas and would take three weeks. I told him i definately needed to order it "i have it already but my deck is sticky" i told him.
"I shan't ask why your deck is sticky" he said.
"bit of an accident" i said
"i'm sure it was" he said, looking ever more concerned and unconvinced.
Then it dawned on me what he was getting at...
"beer!" i insisted, shocked "it was beer!"
"I'm sure that had a lot to do with it" he replied.
Some people's imaginations.....still it was all in good humour :)
I worked in a large department store for three years and have a lot of sympathy for anyone who works in a shop but no paitence with those who are rude to customers. The only time I was anything less than perfectly polite was when a customer stood shouting at me for 10 minutes over store policy on adults using the childrens fitting rooms. At the end of it after throwing in a few personal insults she asked where she could go to make a complaint about me and I will admit I was a bit abrupt with her then :(
In bookstores I've never had any problems personally, no matter what I was buying. My local bookstore doesn't lock anything away and the little independent shop that sells tarot decks know we well by now & are more than happy to open their cabinet & leave me browsing.
Tansey Ella
15-01-2007, 16:15
edited
WildSong
15-01-2007, 19:01
The only weird thing that I have gotten so far are weird looks from people who are buying things about angles. And an "oh god" from my dad when he realised what I was buying.
It is my dime and I deserve good service. They want to work for the public, well they had better lern how to behave.
They might not actually want to. I certainly didn't want to work in a shop- though I was overly helpful in the eyes of my supervisor I think- but we had stupid, unworkable rules.
Many customers could learn how to behave better as well- unfortunately bad behaviour from customers is more likely to be rewarded than good.
Tansey Ella
16-01-2007, 10:58
edited
I am sorry if this sounds harsh, but it is reality. all of us who work for the public know that yes the public can be bad, but most time they are right (who has the money, anyway?)and if you are rude to them, expect to lose your job .
I don't think the customer is right most of the time and there is no excuse for shouting at a staff member for 10 minutes or throwing stock at them- both of which happened to me when customers disagreed with store policy- or for a male customer to put his arm round me and smarmily try to get a discount. As a childrenswear dept we also had parents leaving their children unattended and then getting stroppy with us when on their return we explained that they couldn't do that.
SarahRose
16-01-2007, 14:41
I have been lucky enough to have friends who are into tarot as well, and we venture to our local metaphysical shops. I'm in Illinois as well! I go to Quest in Wheaton (lots of decks - LOTS) and Quintessential in Crystal Lake. Love Quest. Love love love.
Next week I shall, however, venture out to Borders since I have never even seen their display, etc. I'll beware!
I'm sure I'll be thinking about the boards and this thread whilst I'm there. I'll do you proud! lol!
SarahRose
16-01-2007, 14:45
... he said he couldn't help me because I didn't know what I wanted.
That irritates me to no end.
MysticTree
16-01-2007, 14:54
I hope you told Border's as well as us about your negative encounter. On the whole the chain makes a good effort to draw us in. Each store's manager sets a tone for that store, but the employee may have been a single unforturate event. Talk to the manager and assume he will be on your side. If that is not the case then let the corporate office know.
We had an ongoing issue with a local branch of a different large national store and when the manager proved hostile the corporate office stepped in. He and his staff are quietly respectful now, but he has moved the "New Age" books next to the Christian books. All other religion material is on the other side of the store. The corporate office says it is his right to lay out the store as he chooses, so most of the local's shop elsewhere if we can.
It is our right to expect to be treated with respect when in his store
It is his right to lay out his store in the way he chooses
It is our right to shop elsewhere
Stailmate.
Good luck to you.
MysticTree
SarahRose
16-01-2007, 14:56
He and his staff are quietly respectful now, but he has moved the "New Age" books next to the Christian books. All other religion material is on the other side of the store. The corporate office says it is his right to lay out the store as he chooses, so most of the local's shop elsewhere if we can.
A few of our bookstores do that too, and I greatly appreciate it because I faithfully go to both sections! :-p
I had a surprise yesterday at a Barnes & Noble in Kansas City, MO.
I've never been to that city and was in town for only a few days; we stopped by the store to browse. I don't need or want any more tarot decks but I wanted to look at their stock. So I asked a clerk if there was a map of the store...well, no, she said, what was I looking for? I told her I was interested in metaphysical/new age and she pointed me in the right direction (on the other side of the gigantic section on Christianity). Then she asked if there was anything in particular I was looking for.
And damned if I didn't open my mouth and say, "If I'd wanted to say, I would have." Yikes! How rude! I just did not, did NOT want to tell her that I was looking for tarot cards. She blinked and said that I could ask if I needed any more help, and then hesitated and said, by the way, you needn't be concerned about any type of book you're looking for, we're here to help you. I said Oh yes, of course, I'm sure that's true, this is a bookstore....and wandered off.
And so there I was, feeling foolish because I'd acted foolishly....the woman basically had a giant neon sign over her head saying"helpful nonjudgmental librarian-type bookstore clerk" and STILL I did not tell her I was looking for tarot cards.
And indeed, there were none on the shelf and I didn't see a case nearby. When I went back to find her, and she was helping other customers.....so I think it's a hoot to have found this thread and to be able to put in a good word for the good woman working at Barnes and Noble in the downtown plaza area of KC. You'll find her easily--she's got that "helpful nonjudgmental librarian-type" sign, which makes her glow.
rebecca-smiles
16-01-2007, 16:38
I am sorry if this sounds harsh, but it is reality. all of us who work for the public know that yes the public can be bad, but most time they are right (who has the money, anyway?)and if you are rude to them, expect to lose your job .
Ah, the *PUBLIC.* You see, People are lovely and good natured and well meaning. But many become a different animal while shopping. Maybe its the hunter-gatherer instinct, And although i squirm to say it, the above quote Sounds like that very animal.
When one is aquiring something, one must remember that one's need to buy never preceeds the need to have good manners. Which are a must on both sides. Unfortunately the customer does often forget this because they have money in their hand.
Money is NOT a substitute for kindness and good manners.
And unfortunately although the public are right most of the time, the one you are looking at (whichever one you are looking at) has NEVER been wrong! :)
Tansey Ella
16-01-2007, 19:20
edited
Try and keep posts on the topic of tarot please. In this case difficulties in acquiring cards.
Thanks,
Marion
co_moderator, Talking Tarot
In the Borders by my parents house, they actually don't have their Tarot locked up yet, which rather surprises me. They do at the B&N, as well as at the Borders and B&N near my school. Unfortunately, the one near my school is the one with the good decks like Druidcraft/Llewellyn/etc. The one near my parents house has some of the classics (RWS, Universal Waite, etc), but it doesn't really have the better ones. :(
So I buy most of mine online. Because I really dislike confrontation and I don't want to bother a salesperson. If I did buy a deck at the store, then I'd probably figure out which one I wanted first by browsing online and go to the store, see if it's in the case, then get the employee. Or I'd browse at the metaphysical store, but the ones near home and school both have very limited selections.
As someone who works in the library, I would say that I see fewer rude and more stupid patrons. And it's hard to put up with stupidity for hours and hours on end. I think I've almost always been courteous, however. Except last Sunday, which I rather regret.
Our metaphysical sections at the library are rather small, and I do wonder sometime if people don't feel more dwarfed by the gigantic Christian section. I don't think it circulates as much, honestly, because people are really interested in other religions. Oh well. I could say something about the Dewey decimal system being unfair to other religions at this time...but I won't go into that.
All that to say that I've had a good experience overall. But probably because I did it online....
RaeBelle
16-01-2007, 21:05
I get a few strange looks when I browsing Tarot at a bookstore. I think it's funny because the Tarot stuff is right by the Bibles. Which has caused quite a few stares.
Two of the Borders near me lock up their decks, but only 1 of them has a nice selection. The other Borders nearby doesn't lock up the decks, which is nice. Of course none of the Borders have any organization to the section. The Barnes & Noble is just bleh....no selection at all.
I don't mind asking the people at all to open the case for the decks. Sometimes they will actually just leave it open for me, and I can let them know when I'm done. That said, I do most of my shopping online. I don't know of a local metaphysical store and I like the expanded selection.
SarahRose
16-01-2007, 22:25
So I just called two local Barnes and Noble stores and one local Borders to get an estimate of their selection.
The two B&N said they had about 15 decks each. I was thinking about this thread as I called. I've never called for this sort of thing before, and I asked them really nicely if they had any tarot decks, if they could give me an estimate for how many they have. The first was a young-sounding guy. He was like, "Oh, we have about 12, 15" right off the top of his head. He sounded pleasant. I said thanks and we hung up.
The second B&N was a young-sounding girl and she said "Oh yeah, definitely" right away and when I asked her for a rough count, she said, "Oh, about 10, 12." I thanked her as well and we hung up.
The third was Borders, who I've read around here usually has a fair amount. The young-sounding girl was really nice, and said she'd look in the computer. She said she couldn't find any kind of selection/number information, so she put me on hold and walked over there to look. She came back and laughed, then said "We have so many I can't even estimate the count!" I laughed, we laughed, I said tahnks and we hung up.
So I am really inspired. I think I'll be going to that Borders - they sound nice (well at least she did) and they have a big selection. I'm in the market for either the Whimsical (which I am leaning towards because I'm in love, lol), the Illuminated RW or the Llewellyn which I also love. Right now I'm leaning in that order - Whims, Illum, Llew.
Anyone ever had a bad experience on the phone?
Tansey Ella
17-01-2007, 05:28
edited
Breezes, I'm right in your neighborhood. I believe there's a shop somewhere in Richardson, my friend's told me about it. And I think there's a few others. As soon as I milk the information out of my friend I'll pass it onto you.
Breezes,
I found this link... you'd have to check with the shops to see if they are still in operation;
http://www.witchvox.com/vn/sh/ustx_sh.html
Some say that they stock Tarot cards!
Elnor
Tansey Ella
17-01-2007, 09:42
edited
bullfrog
17-01-2007, 12:40
I had a surprise yesterday at a Barnes & Noble in Kansas City, MO.
I've never been to that city and was in town for only a few days; we stopped by the store to browse. I don't need or want any more tarot decks but I wanted to look at their stock. So I asked a clerk if there was a map of the store...well, no, she said, what was I looking for? I told her I was interested in metaphysical/new age and she pointed me in the right direction (on the other side of the gigantic section on Christianity). Then she asked if there was anything in particular I was looking for.
And damned if I didn't open my mouth and say, "If I'd wanted to say, I would have." Yikes! How rude! I just did not, did NOT want to tell her that I was looking for tarot cards. She blinked and said that I could ask if I needed any more help, and then hesitated and said, by the way, you needn't be concerned about any type of book you're looking for, we're here to help you. I said Oh yes, of course, I'm sure that's true, this is a bookstore....and wandered off.
And so there I was, feeling foolish because I'd acted foolishly....the woman basically had a giant neon sign over her head saying"helpful nonjudgmental librarian-type bookstore clerk" and STILL I did not tell her I was looking for tarot cards.
And indeed, there were none on the shelf and I didn't see a case nearby. When I went back to find her, and she was helping other customers.....so I think it's a hoot to have found this thread and to be able to put in a good word for the good woman working at Barnes and Noble in the downtown plaza area of KC. You'll find her easily--she's got that "helpful nonjudgmental librarian-type" sign, which makes her glow.
I'm curious what the womyn looked like? Your description sounds like B. She is usually working that section. She is truly nice. there actually are several really nice very open minded people working there. I've spent plenty of time in L.A.. My parents live there. But I live in KC. So I can certainly understand your fear of ' bible-belt' mentality. I didn't go there for almost a year (tho I live near by) due to ( somewhat) their support of Laura Sleshinger . More the behavior of management during her book signing. Several of my friends and I were there , a couple of us are maybe clearly Gay looking and some just alternative looking.They sent police to stand near us where ever we were on that floor and inhibited our movement and did not allow us to take pictures when everyone else was. We protested and had it out w/ management and Police and sent letters and wrote articles in small local rags around town. Barnes and Noble 'ain't' so noble. But some of their employees are! B in particular has stood up to management on some of these very issues and caused the buying of alternative books at that store to increase.
BACK TO TAROT BUYING! ( sorry Moderator I just had to answer this!) Really its this Barnes and Noble that won't carry them which makes no sense in this area, except that maybe with Aquarius and White light down the street its too much competition? Or management being 'well what they are' at that store ?....
The good news is that tarot shopping is good in KC> Borders Books all carry some, often w/ a book to display the cards in the deck. But also I hope you found the stores in the direct area of the plaza that do carry lots of cool tarot and fun stuff. Like Aquarius, White light books. Even the 1/2 price book store has a varied selection regularly of tarot decks, books , and other alternatively spiritual materials, especially the one in Westport, a mile from plaza.
In Olathe ( not so open minded as mid town) they have Enchanted gifts. They carry Tarot and lots of cool pagan stuff, ritual supplies etc.. Anyway while the voting may not reflect it, KC., is fairly comfortable for many types of 'alternative' humans. Clearly not as much as some other places like oh California! Oh yea and The idea of the " Metaphysical/new age stuff usually being next to the huge Christianity section, well I look at it as a positive that were right there w/ them and their Icons!
Although I don't actually advocate buying from Big Box stores over smaller metaphysical or book stores, for some, these are the only resources nearby. This might help if you don't want to have to call or drive around: If you go to the Borders website, they have a way to select a few stores near your zipcode. Once you do that, they let you search the inventory of those stores to see which store has what you're looking for in stock. That way, when you go in, you have a pretty good idea beforehand whether it's in the store.
Regarding tarot shopping experiences, I recently went into a large used bookstore and asked the woman at the counter if they had any tarot decks. She looked at me "askance" and backed away, saying, "We don't have that kind of thing HERE." I just said okay and asked if they had a spiritual section. She pointed it out and turned her back on me. So I went over and you guessed it, it was jammed with all kinds of metaphysical and alternative spiritual subjects! No decks though, darn it. Would have loved to bring one up to the counter to purchase! Mostly though, I've never had a problem...but then, for better or worse, I live in L.A. :D
Once again I gotta stand up and remind folks, Barnes & Nobles, Borders, Amazon…all them huge chain stores – have employees. You get what you pay for. They don’t have to care about customers; they get paid by the hour.
The stores themselves make billions in sales. One little complaint will not change a thing. They don’t have to care.
Their business model is akin to WalMart – drive out the Mom & Pops.
When you do business with a Mom & Pop store – they have to care. And they usually do, or else their business fails.
Usually they love what they do. It’s not just a job – it’s a passion. That’s who you support – even if you have to drive further or pay a little more.
Deep down – if you are always trying to save a buck and end up supporting the WalMart/Amazon/Barnes & Nobel…
Never mind.
AprilFool
17-01-2007, 20:49
I live in a mid-size town in east Tennessee (roughly 50,000 people). We have a "Books a Million" store, a "Barnes & Noble" store and a metaphysical store (mom & pop) known as Atlantis. Fortunately for me NONE of these has their Tarot cards behind lock and key. All are out on a regular book shelf. I am able to open and LOOK at the cards at Atlantis, and get very helpful customer service from them. I get ignored at the two big box stores, but I have never gotten any "flack" when purchasing the cards. I must say that for living in the BUCKLE of the Bible Belt in the southern United States, I feel very fortunate to have three places to purchase the cards locally.
On line, I've had wonderful experiences w/ B&N.com, Amazon.com, House of Tarot and our own baba studio. It's easy to buy online nowadays, particularly w/ the exceptional reviews of this site, Tarot Passages and Amazon.com.
Tarot Sparrow
18-01-2007, 00:08
This clerk made several remarks that were slightly sarcastic and appeared as tho he were mocking us. It was extremely annoying, I finally had had enough of his comments and turned around and told him that he obsivouly did not have a clue, and that were finished looking.
He did have the grace to look a little sheepish after that... but it makes me wonder... would he have made such comments I were browsing in the Cook Book section????
I'm sorry to hear this Majecot. It happens, though. Luckily, it hasn't to me. But this is why I hate bookstores with locked tarot cases--I don't want to HAVE to ask someone, for fear of this happening. Now I guess I shouldn't care so much what people think, and in most cases, I don't--but when you're dealing with complete strangers, especially those you may not actually plan on DISCUSSING tarot with, such as store clerks, it feels a little awkward at times. I always find myself wondering at the checkout counter just what is going through their heads when they scan in my deck.
In my opinion--anyone who works in a bookstore or mixed-media store containing books should be non-judgemental in all areas of their work. Otherwise, they're bothered, and consequently, why bother?
Tansey Ella
18-01-2007, 02:23
edited
Deep down – if you are always trying to save a buck
There can be quite a price difference. A boxed set in my nearset independent store can be approaching £40, on Amazon it would be less than £20. For decks on their own the standard price around £18, on Amazon I would pay £10-13. I will buy decks on their own from the shop, but I would never buy the boxed sets- I always get them from Amazon or Amazon Marketplace.
I rarely buy tarot from the big-name bookshops because there is no advantage at all in doing so- the prices aren't cheap and they don't need my support to stay open.
MysticTree
18-01-2007, 11:51
Since we are talking about the chain stores and how they treat tarot, I thought I'd point out that the largest Tarot Meetup in the USA (Living Tarot) meets twice a month in a Dallas Borders. Not only is the staff and management helpful and welcoming but they have the event posted on their national website. Just go to the Events link and search for Tarot events 30 days out. There is Living Tarot's next meeting.
We have talked alot about the negitive, I just wanted to point out a positive.
MysticTree
I got my RWS at Borders, at one time they did have a locked case for tarot decks, but at some point before I actually went to make my purchase they took the doors off. I suppose they realized that decks were no easier to steal than small books, so there's no sense in making them impossible to browse.
femalegamer
18-01-2007, 16:16
At the Borders I go to, Tarot decks and smaller boxes are in a case with a lock. It just is never locked. :)
Not quite a shopping experience, but related: my husband was searching for someone to work on his company website and one potential person/team declined when they saw he had Tarot stuff on his site. (And no doubt because of the rpg stuff, too, but they didn't mention that.)
rebecca-smiles
18-01-2007, 18:37
I am all for supporting mom and pop shops,
all i need to do is locate one.. It is not that easy outside of dalls, bible belt community and this sort of thing deely opposed here. so with all our vast resources , perhps some on site can point me in general area of a shop. and i want to say thaks to whomever gave me the site with some tesas listings..
breezes
If theres no actual independant shops in your area, how about some small online outfits? i have passed through a few on my net travels, but couldn't remember any to recommend them. But they are there, often a nice couple wanting to start their own business. :)
connegrl
18-01-2007, 19:07
The public sometimes has odd ideas about Tarot. Fundamentalists can be franchise owners or managers, just as easily as someone else.
For those of you who live in areas where Tarot shopping is unpleasant...try going to the Tarot Garden site. If you want to know more about a deck and if you'll like it, drop Jeannette an email. Tell her what you like...she'll tell you if you'll like the deck. Or heck, post on the decks forum. You'll get more info than you can use. Or post to the Umbrae thread about what you *should* be working with. Umbrae will tell you what you should be studying, although I think he's overwhelmed with his new kilt.
You won't get better service from any other site or big box bookstore. There are no Mom & Pop bookstores that can compete with Tarot Garden. If you find a Mom & Pop bookstore and you really like the place, buy books there. They deserve your money if they're doing a good job. When I want the *feel* of a bookstore I go browse around and buy a cheap paperback. There is actually more to my life than Tarot. If I want Tarot books or decks, I research carefully and then buy where I want my money to go. Or trade on the trading forum. That's loads of fun!
Life is too short for uphill battles. Choose the battles you can win or learn the most from.
Jen
Once again I gotta stand up and remind folks, Barnes & Nobles, Borders, Amazon…all them huge chain stores – have employees. You get what you pay for. They don’t have to care about customers; they get paid by the hour.
The stores themselves make billions in sales. One little complaint will not change a thing. They don’t have to care.
Their business model is akin to WalMart – drive out the Mom & Pops.
When you do business with a Mom & Pop store – they have to care. And they usually do, or else their business fails.
Usually they love what they do. It’s not just a job – it’s a passion. That’s who you support – even if you have to drive further or pay a little more.
I think it is what you are buying and why you are buying it. For me, I will use Amazon if I really don't care one way or the other where I get the deck. That being said, I usually care a great deal about the decks I buy. Money is not really an issue; I have been known to run my credit card up and pay it off gradually. The point is, I like the personal service I receive from the Mom and Pops. I don't get mistakes, and if I do, they are quickly corrected. I do have to agree with Umbrae, with the superstores. The clerks have not a clue about which you are buying, and are paid by the hour.
The superstore is worried about their bottomline, not about giving you satisfaction of a job that they did well.
Ok, I am done and need to go back to my cave.
Baroli
Tansey Ella
18-01-2007, 22:39
edited
souljourney
19-01-2007, 02:52
Really posted by bullfrog... Forgot to change the user at home...
I posted earlier and described in general the stores in the area ( Kansas City) to someone who had been vacationing here . To include "the big box" stores.
I have to say I agree that they are walmart-ish etc.. I described a not so lovely experience I had w/ Barnes and not so Noble! Stating that the experience kept me from the store for most of the following year, And that It was the prospect of the really great employees I'd experienced that brought me back.
I agree that its the higher ground to support "Mom & Pop" businesses etc.., And generally I try to do that. But as some others have expressed I also have to honor my budget, time table, availability, & convenience, at times. If I could I would totally choose to eat all organic foods, no Genetically modified food, drive THE MOST ecologically sound vehicle available,etc.. Ya in a perfect world Bla Bla Bla... But I will settle for doing the best I can.
We too have one Borders which has the tarot decks behind the counter. The employees are mostly apologetic about it, and don't hesitate to voice their own ill feelings about the situation. We have had two occasions when an older male ' helped' us and he was some what rude and did so obviously begrudgingly. SO we just had a good old time making him pick out deck after deck , and wait while we looked them over and discussed them etc. Finally a womyn who had waited on us several times before came over and apologized for the inconvenience of it all and told him go find something else to do she wanted to help us. we were quite pleased!
But... for the record One of our Mom & Pop stores is so much less then friendly or helpful, and charges higher prices then even Barnes and Noble! Their cust. service is rude mostly, and they promise to order you Decks and other things all the time and call you when its in etc. Taking all your info. filling out an order card. You never , ever hear from them. You go in and ask later, they say oh ya we got it in but they're sold out now! We can order it for you if you like!!!!! Apparently they didn't get the memo about mom & pop stores needing to be nicer cause they need your business! I will say they generally have a good selection of decks. Its all about how much you wanna pay for it. And in this case if you want to support what we call the ' The snobby community in crowd'.
I love ' Tarot Garden ' , always helpful, have tons of decks,easiest shopping for sure! We're hoping they will come to next big psychic fair here. We sent a letter to the committee asking them to invite them. Now that would be some serious good time shopping for Tarot! Keep your fingers crossed!
Just to be fair to my local big-name bookstore, they are usually extremely helpful even when I'm asking for harder to get things.
A very helpful assistant there managed to get me a book of Tennessee Williams poetry which seems completely unavailable in this country and another time he got me Clive Barrett's Norse Tarot- deck only unfortunately- after the box set was oop & I couldn't find it anywhere.
SarahRose
20-01-2007, 18:41
Hello again.
Today I took my first trip to Borders with the intent of buying tarot. I have to say, I was nervous, not only because of this thread (lol) but because Im the nervous sort with this kind of thing in public.
So I head to the religion section, fully prepared to search for minutes for a tucked-away tarot case. Well it was right in the aisle and I found it immediately. I looked at the binder of decks they have for a couple minutes. I was SHOCKED at how many decks they had. All sizes, shapes and colors. I saw a copy of my lovely medium Thoth as well as a copy of the large one (and that green one!). I saw the Universal Waite, my favorite right now. I saw the Llewellyn, which knocked me off my feet at being there.
Anyway, I hear someone thanking an employee and I turn the corner. The girl is about my age (20ish) and I ask her if she could open up the tarot case. She looked open-minded (do you know what I mean? I hate to judge books by covers, but I did, lol) and she came back quickly. She went to say something and in the split second between my knowing she was going to say something and her actually saying it, I was thinking "Oh dear. I wonder what she'll say..."
And she goes, "This is my favorite part of the store! I have 9 decks myself now!" and we go on to talk about this deck and that deck, her decks, my decks, her readings, my readings, etc. etc. I was browsing the decks for about 12 minutes total, and we were talking non-stop the whole time! It was such a pleasant experience.
I regret more and more now, as I think about it, not giving her my information or something. Maybe I'll go back to try to talk to her this week...
PS - I got the Llewellyn. It refused to let me put it back on the shelf, lol.