This just in. We've put DDC on our Sales Calendar for the past few weeks, but it looks like we should be very wary of this fancy store. Gerald emailed us this frustrating story last night:
Yesterday, my designer put a table on hold for me to see and buy, it was during their floor model sale. The table had a price tag on if for $1800 and the saleswoman, Myrna, told my designer she would hold the table for my until the end of business last night.
I trudged over to the store, in the snow I might add, only to have Myrna tell me that she ran out for 20 minutes and her colleague sold the table. Then she tried to sell me the same table, new, for $3000.
I think part of the problem is these high-end, largely/partially to-the-trade outlets don't know how to handle a more retail customer-service mentality, or an event like an actual retail sale.
ps, Gerald--
Get your designer, in writing, to indicate to the store manager how displeased he/she was with how you were handled. While the store may see you as a one-time loss, they may be more willing to correct their action if they feel they may be alienating one of their conduits of repeat business.
And if your designer doesn't do this on your behalf, maybe it's time for a new designer...