Suzanne O’Connor’s Bargains LA

Good Service Always Pays Off

Good service always pays off.

This last weekend had me running around searching for sheet music and a book my daughter needed for Musical Theatre camp at 9am Monday morning. I totally forgot about it until the very last minute.

Saturday night I rushed into the Americana to check Barnes and Noble. I looked all around the two-story store and couldn’t find what I needed. I finally checked with a sales clerk you informed me neither was in store but I could order it. Since I needed it immediately I declined and ask for a parking validation. They wouldn’t give it to me cause I didn’t purchase anything.  What a pisser!! I told him that was terrible customer service and that I wouldn’t be back.

A trip into Borders wasted more time with no help in site and a computer system that was difficult to use. I particularly disliked the “ Probably in store” results. How about a more precise answer? My frustration must have shown cause someone eventually came up to try and help me. More time wasted.

On the drive home my brain kept coming back to the idea of customer service. If I am gonna pay full price, couldn’t they give me some basic service? If I wanted to search on a computer I could do that at home.

Next morning I head into Pasadena to go to Vromans Book store. (695 E. Colorado Blvd Pasadena, 626.449.5320)

This place was jammed with people. Plus they had plenty of … dare I say it?  Knowledgeable help. They walked you to your area to help you find what you’re looking for. The book we needed wasn’t there, but the sharp sales clerk suggested a music store down the street in Old Towne Pasadena for the sheet music. She even told us where there was free parking. Nice.

At the Old Town Music Company (42 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena 626.793.4730.)
I found another packed store with thousands of pieces of sheet music and paraphernalia for the music lover. From Musical Theatre to the classics and pop Music to folk, they had it.  They even had a bargain basement area.

Their super informed educated help went the extra distance to help me. They didn’t have what I needed in store, but went online and downloaded the sheet music for me @$8. They also can have the music adjusted to a different key if needed without any additional charge. Cool.

What a difference shopping a small independent store can make.  The big guys are not helpful, but the little guys go the distance. Service and knowledge matter, now more than ever.

I was at least able to get the music and discover some new shopping haunts. I ended up finding the book on Amazon.com and it is being sent over-night to us.