fig® - Downtown Lancaster

Today small boutiques need to separate themselves from the competition to remain unique.  As a buyer of two independently owned boutiques in downtown Lancaster at times I am surrounded by the whole obsession with the economic downfall. I started my career with Pappagallo and Details 4 years ago.  Shortly after I started the market crashed and things started changing.  Spending habits, price points and shopping frequencies definitely shifted, but what that did for me was changed my way of strategical planning.  It challenged me to “step out of the box.”   I always try to do that anyway, but the way I was used to buying would need to be “tweaked.”  Things evolve with time.  I need to adapt my style and really take the time to listen to the customer and HEAR what they are asking for.    In a time when people are evaluating their spending habits we try to focus on our strengths.  Customer service is definitely something we strive to perfect at Pappagallo and Details.  We will bend over backwards to make a customer’s shopping experience pleasant and stand out, so they return.  We want them to remember their experience when they are in our stores.  That is the one thing people don’t think about when they are hunting for that “huge deal”, “great bargain,” “massive savings!”  Discount stores can not provide specialized customer service boutiques can offer you.  Sure you can save a dollar, but in the end you are putting forth a large amount of effort to find the product you are looking for.  Is it worth it to you as a consumer?   The employees don’t even know what they are carrying.  Go ahead, try it!  I dare you!  Walk up to an employee at a discounter and ask them where that dress is on the mannequin or where a second one of the vase you like on display is.  I bet you 9 times out of 10 they won’t be able to answer your question.  They won’t offer to pin the bottom of your dress and provide free alterations either.  They won’t run your bags out to you on the curb as you pull up because you are in a hurry.  They won’t gift wrap your gift for your best friend with beautiful silk ribbon and a package topper.  They don’t know your size and they won’t be able to pull a dress for you last minute for that evening event that popped up on your calendar.  They won’t offer you bottled water to drink and a comfy leather chair for your husband to sit on while you shop.  They won’t stay past closing time to accommodate your schedule.  I could go on forever! Bottom line is…………………………..we have the ADVANTAGE.   Take it!