Diamonds Are Forever, But Good Sales Help Is Hard to Find

Like Ron White says, "You can't go wrong with diamonds." So my early target for holiday shopping are the jewelry stores.

I am in no rush at this point. I am scouting and comparison shopping.

I started on Ulmerton Road with the well-known establishments and worked my way around town, down Beach Drive, out to Tyrone Square Mall, stopping at a couple of the free-standing jewelers, those who moved out of the mall into palaces they own.

Is it my imagination or has the quality of retail sales help sunk to a new low? Most clerks seem mildly interested at best, and the minute it becomes clear this will not be a quick close they lose interest.

I like the sales person, obviously on commission, who is constantly watching the door to see if the next customer looks like a better prospect. After showing you the third item, these clerks all but lose interest. They just want you to leave.

Then there was the young lady literally draped over the counter looking totally bored. The only thing missing was the iPod and ear buds, and I suspect they were just under the counter.

"Pearls"? I asked. She thought for a minute. "Oh, yeah, we have some of them, I think".

There were some bright spots. The nice sales person who took the time to show me literally everything in the store. It was one of those high-end free-standing jewelers. But then I was the only customer in the place, I think she was just lonely.

The highlight of the day was the young man behind a kiosk counter in the middle of the mall who leaped over the counter to high five a long lost friend he had obviously not seen for a day or so. Enthusiasm misplaced. He could have walked around the counter; it was about 5 feet long.

So how has shopping been for you? Give us a comment about your Christmas shopping experiences below or send me an e-mail.

e-mail Doc at: dr.webb@verizon.net