I recently went to Johnson's sewing center on the south side since I was in the area to look at some industrial machines and get some pricing. When I got into the store I was told that they do not have industrial machines at that store and I would have to go to the north side store on 124th street and 107th avenue. I wasn't pleased since this is not mentioned on their website but I did go to the north side store. (When I went to their site later it does say that they do not stock machines and have to order them in after having a discussion with you on your requirements. My fault not theirs but one would think their staff would know that.)
In any event, I went over to their other store. It took quite a while to find a parking space within reason of the north side store but after three or four trips around the block I finally got one about a block away. I went into the store and there were no machines on the floor. One of the staff came up and asked if they could help me and I asked where the industrial machines were. That's when I was told they don't stock them. I told her that the south side store had sent me and her response was, "I don't know why they would do that" and then added only one of their sales staff could help me. The woman I was talking to looked at another woman who was busy with another customer and told her I was looking for an industrial machine. Without batting an eye the second woman asked what I was looking for and I told her a compound walking foot machine. Without pause she told me $3,700.00 and went back to her customer. I have to admit I thought that was miraculous that she could discern what I could use just by looking at me. You see, industrial compound walking foot machines start as low as $1,500.00 and go up over $10,000.00. She didn't ask what I wanted it for, what make I was looking for, what material I would be working with, none of the questions one would expect. Just "wadaya want, $3700, now go away."
So I went away. I went away permanently, never to return. You see, I can get better service elsewhere in the city from Johnson's competitors not to mention online sales. It was patently obvious that Johnsons was, in my mind, a total waste of time. Years ago I myself was in sales. I sold industrial products anywhere from a few dollars to a few million. All of my clients and potential clients were important to me. I had a mentor that once told me, "You can spend months, perhaps even years, to find a client but it only takes seconds to lose one." and he was right. After my experience dealing with their staff I would be reluctant to purchase anything from Johnsons for fear they went out of business. You see, in this day and age you cannot treat clients that poorly and remain in business...... read more