Sunday, August 8, 2010

Why you should be Nice to your Suppliers

image Source

The clerk in the consignment store gave me the hairy eyeball after I asked if I could take this chair (below) home for approval. “No. she said. “No returns, no approvals, no holds, we are a consignment store, we don’t own the furniture, that’s our rule, we work with a lot of designers and there are no exceptions”. “Not even for 1/2 an hour?” I said in my last ditch effort to be 100% sure (I am decorating for me after all). ‘NO’ she said.

Colour me Happy Blog 620 My new pink chair (to be re-covered and painted) at home from Consignment Canada.

After I decided that I did want to purchase the dining chairs I proceeded to the cash and asked to speak to the owner/manager because now I was looking for a discount. After all it is my job to get the best price for my client and right now that client is me :) The cashier disappeared for a moment and out came the same woman (who is the owner) I had spoken to earlier who misunderstood the reason I asked for her and immediately launched into her spiel again but with an even firmer tone than before. “NO RETURNS, NO APPROVALS, NO HOLDS. . . “ until I stopped her midsentence and said that I was asking for a discount NOT for another opportunity to take the furniture out of the store. At this point both of our voices were raised so she asked me to come into her office.

image The living room before we moved in.

Inside her office she said “We are very busy here and we like to keep the environment friendly, can we start over again? Hi, my name is Tina”. I apologized as well acknowledging that she must say the same thing 50 times a day to others asking the same questions and it is my job to make it as easy as possible for my client to approve all furniture purchases so I always make sure I can return something I am buying for a client (except custom furniture and drapery of course). I usually do not shop in stores that don’t have a return policy, however in this case being that it’s consignment, of course I understood. Anyway, she was really great, I highly recommend Consignment Canada, it could become a weekly haunt (they are open Thur – Sun to the public and the furniture is on-line too) for you if you are looking for a bargain and or something to paint or re-finish to make your own.

Colour me Happy Blog 607Before – We just plunked the TV on an old gateleg table we have

So back to the point of this post. Obviously it goes without saying that being likable and having a great relationship with your suppliers goes a long way towards getting what you need complete, and in a timely fashion for your client. Your ability to attract the right people to work for you is very important to the results you produce in your business. My drapery installer has been in the business for over 30 years and has worked with me for 7. He consistently saves the day and makes me look good. Installing drapery is not as easy as it looks! I consider him to be an invaluable part of my team.

Colour me Happy Blog 609 After – with our new entertainment console (IKEA)

I recently heard a story about a designer who ruined a vacation with her constant phone calls to pressure her supplier to get a product in sooner. And it was out of his (the suppliers) control as a part was backordered, so there was nothing he could do to get it any faster. A rookie mistake (she is new in the business) but she needs to learn this lesson fast or she won’t be left with anyone willing to work with her on her projects.

Colour me Happy Blog 610 The outlet was still showing because my console was so low so I decided to put an urn in front of it.

When you are self-employed you don’t have one boss that you need to impress but many. Your suppliers and your clients so the less you raise your voice (like I did) the better off you’ll be.

Colour me Happy Blog 612

After – Photos by Maria Killam

Okay, so that’s the end of the lesson of the day, a few more points about my living room. We are getting a bigger TV to be mounted on the wall but in the interim, I like the way the painting picks up the raspberry covers I found from IKEA the other day while I’m waiting to decide on the custom combinations I’ll create. The pillows are temporary until I establish the rest of the fabrics. And here’s the console I bought (below) from Chintz & Co.

Colour me Happy Blog 614 I still need to find stuff for underneath and I like how rustic, big and NOT contemporary it is. I was also very happy to see it in a shop in San Francisco when Brooke from Velvet & Linen was just there on her travels (below):

image

Image from Velvet & Linen

Colour me Happy Blog 616 Here is my mantle decorated with a bunch of greenery from outside. The mirror is definitely not staying but it’s here for now until I find something better.

Colour me Happy Blog 619 I love the coral in front of the white bricks

There is lots more to do, the walls are still blank and I need to get the dining chairs re-done and a table including a sideboard purchased for that room. Also I’m still working on styling the bookshelves that were installed last week so that’s why they are not in this round of photos!

Hope you had a great weekend!

If you would like your home to fill you with happiness every time you walk in, contact me for on-line or in-person consultations.

Related posts:

Design Lessons from Elizabeth Stevenson

Sometimes being Happy is too Obvious

Here’s a Method that Helps keep me Sane during Decorating

New to this Blog? Click here ; Subscribe to my free Monthly Newsletter; Become a True Colour Expert

LinkWithin