in the bag: Anthropologie, Shops @ West End

Business:  Anthropologie
Location:  St. Louis Park (The Shops @ West End)

Wink Criteria:  Welcoming, friendliness, helpfulness, timeliness, courtesy (italicized indicates missing criteria)
Winks Awarded:  2.5 out of 5 winks

Christmas shopping.  The word/expression 'ugh' comes to my mind when I think of this daunting task.  This year though, I had a plan.  Earlier in the summer, I spotted Anthropologie's initial mugs and knew they would make perfect presents for co-workers, friends and family.

Where's your nearest Anthropologie?

 A week before Christmas however, their usually helpful nature wasn't so helpful the morning I came in with a mission to purchase my 10+ mugs.  Since Anthro didn't provide shopping baskets, I wanted to make sure I didn't break any of the mugs by setting them down on a cleared spot at the cash-wrap.  I made sure I asked permission of the sales associate and she responded in a very short manner, giving me the feeling that perhaps I shouldn't be asking such a huge favor.

Anthropologie "Mr." mug
Bought quite a few of these for the men in my life...

I finished my shopping and hopped in line behind 2 other shoppers.  There were 3 different sales associates standing behind the cash wrap, but only 1 was assisting in checking out the customers.  The other 2 associates (including the snooty associate) appeared to be "busy" with organizing or retrieving go-backs.  As the line continued to grow (9 people in line total), it was apparent that the lone sales associate who was actually checking out the customers was beginning to feel stressed.  After a few minutes, you could begin to hear the other customers in line vocalizing their frustration.  She asked for help both on her walkie and of the other sales associates who then disappeared from the cash-wrap.

Anthropologie "Mrs." mug
...and a few of these for the ladies in my life...

I felt the attitudes and the lack of help from the other 2 associates was completely unprofessional and rude, not only to the customers in line, but also to the sales associate who clearly needed their assistance.  Their disregard for those who were waiting in line almost made me want to leave the store and go to the nearby Edina Anthropologie location to receive better service.  The only bright point to this particular shopping experience was that the lone associate was was helping check us out was absolutely friendly and adorable and even apologized for having had to keep me waiting.  I told her she didn't need to apologize and that she was doing a great job.

Anthropologie 'Oversized zinc letters'
...and a little something extra for myself, in my own initial.

Despite this disappointing visit, I continue to shop at one of my favorite shops in their newest and convenient location.  Let's just hope that poor sales girl isn't a lone-ranger any longer!

{happy the holidays are over}

winkMSP

at your service: Kelley of The Paper Doll

Business:  Kelley of The Paper Doll
Winks:  5 out of 5 winks!

Wink voting criteria:  professionalism, timeliness, courtesy, expertise and personability

As an admitted “blog stalker,” I knew that if I wanted to venture into the blogging community, I was going to need a memorable header.  Enter The Paper Doll.  I first learned of Kelley through a couple girlfriends of mine who collaborated with her on their wedding programs, day-of paper goods, etc.  She created designs that complimented each bride perfectly, showcasing their individual style.  Perfect for someone like me who was looking for  designs that were a reflection of my personality.

A sample of work from The Paper Doll
*invitation via Paper Source

When I first contacted Kelley, I was indecisive about everything from my blog title to my color palate.  If it had been me, I would have been leery to agree to take on this task but Kelley quickly jumped on board and encouraged me to generate ideas and focus on my vision.  In the meantime, she designed some headers (17 different revisions) using bits and pieces of our conversation which eventually led to the winkMSP header you see today.

winkMSP Rev. 1

Throughout our partnership, Kelley maintained a courteous level of professionalism, carefully listened to my design ideas and turned them into reality.  I am so grateful that I was able to work with such a professional, artistic and friendly woman on a project that was so important to me.  Check out The Paper Doll and see what she can do for you.

The Paper Doll

{lovesit}

winkMSP

nom nom: Sen Yai Sen Lek

Business:  Sen Yai Sen Lek, (Big Noodle, Little Noodle), a Thai restaurant
Location:  Northeast Minneapolis
Address:  2422 Central Ave NE; Phone:  612-781-3046
Hours of Operation:  11am-9pm Mon-Thurs; 11am-10pm Fri/Sat; Closed-Sun

Winks:   5 out of 5 winks!

If I could use one word to describe Sen Yai Sen Lek ("Sen Yai" for short) it would be friendly.  The next word would have to be awesome.

Mike-the-host may have been the friendliest man who ever lived.  He greeted us at the host stand right as we walked in and luckily we were seated immediately, without a reservation.  Things were off to a great start.

http://www.senyai-senlek.com/

You know the Cheers theme song, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name?"  I'm pretty sure that song was written for our delightful server, Nicole.  Almost everyone dining in the restaurant knew her name and she definitely knew all of theirs.  Her positive, friendly and honest attitude is one of the reasons why I would dine at Sen Yai again.  Since some of us were first time diners, she made sure she knew of any of our diet limitations and explained all of the daily specials as well as what was in the most popular dishes.  She let us in on her menu favorites and also advised us on what we might want to avoid based on our likes/dislikes.  How can you not love that?

Laab Gai

On top of the great service we received from our host and server, the owner of the restaurant (Joe) came to greet us at our table and personally thanked us for dining in his restaurant.  Not only did we feel we were welcomed, and that we received great service, but the food was pretty great too. 


Support your local businesses!

{sa-thai-fied}
winkMSP

an introduction

Alright, I'll admit it.  I am a blog stalker.  I follow numerous blogs almost daily and even have them bookmarked into separate categories such as:  "Style Blogs," "Wedding Blogs," "Photography Blogs," among others.  My first memories of blogging include websites like Xanga or Perezhilton.com and the blogging community has exploded since. 

My biggest attraction to blogging is that it helps its readers become connected to a plethora of information from style notes to political issues.  Blogging opens the eyes of its readers to a different insight on topics that are important to its readers and also helps us become aware of ideas or issues that may be of interest. 

Economically, times are tough for a lot of us.  Even though it seems as though there is less money flowing from customers, people are still shopping, purchasing services and spending money.  Now is a time when keeping business good is a matter of survival.  One of the things that I believe any successful company needs is not only good, but exceptional customer service....

....so, welcome to my blog.  This is a place where I talk about my customer service experiences with (mainly) local businesses and other institutions around Minneapolis & St. Paul.

{heart}

winkMSP

product purchase: Tres Jolie Salon

Business:  Tres Jolie Salon
Location:  Uptown
Address:  2214 Hennepin Ave. S

Winks:  4 out of 5 winks

As a female with long coarse hair, I am always looking for the next best product to nurture my sometimes hard to manage locks.  I walked into Tres Jolie Salon with an extremely important mission, purchase new shampoo and conditioner specific for my hairs needs.

Mark Debolt, color specialist at Tres Jolie salon, was immediately available to answer any questions I had on any of the products in the store.  The first thing he asked me was if he could touch my hair.  Though I originally found this unusual, it made sense that it would be a necessary request in order to sell me the right products.

After briefly playing with my hair, he immediately walked me over to the Bumble and Bumble section and recommended a couple products that would work for me depending on my desires for my hair.  It wasn’t the most expensive brand in the store and there were plenty of other more expensive options, but he was excellent at explaining why I didn’t necessarily need a more expensive product and that what I did need could come from less expensive brands.  I truly appreciated that.

Bumble and Bumble

The kicker came when I asked a random question on dry shampoo’s.  The salon carried some pricey ones in store but he immediately said the best dry shampoo was a brand called “Pssst!” which I could get for less than $6 at the local Walgreens.  You know you are getting an honest opinion when someone doesn’t try to sell you a product they even carry in store!

Pssssst! Dry Shampoo

 I was so impressed with the friendly and honest help I received at Tres Jolie Salon.  I bought lots of shampoo and conditioner and will be recommending it to friends looking for a change in salons.  Every girl could use a stylist they can trust, and I believe Tres Jolie Salon can be the haven your hair was looking for.

{perfectly coiffed}

winkMSP