For a long time I have frequented the businesses located in and around the historic Bozeman Hotel building on east Main St. Recently I have been admiring the items in the Old Bozeman Beads store display window located in the very north eastern corner of the building. I decided one morning I would go in and have a look around. My experience was less than positive. In fact I was so taken aback by the rudeness of the store clerk I will never give them my business. I've received "not-so-great" service at other places before but I chalk it up to bad days, personal reasons, etc. This was an entirely different story.
When I entered the store the lady behind the counter, "Barb" was on the phone. So as not to be rude I stood back and waited for her to be done with the call. She hung up and I approached the counter. She did not look up. I did not want to break her concentration so I waited. She still did not acknowledge my existence. I was starting get annoyed. Someone from the back of the shop called for assistance and without looking at me (I'm not even two feet in front of her) she hurried off to help them. I couldn't believe it! A moment later, after she finished helping the person, she did not return so I peered around a display and found her standing in the middle of the shop staring at the ceiling. I inched closer hoping she would take notice of me this time. Still nothing! It wasn't until I was close enough to touch I spoke up. "Excuse me," I ventured. The look on her face was a look of disingenuous surprise as if it was horribly wrong to interrupt her ceiling meditation. It turned out the item I was after (the one in the display) they didn't carry. False advertising if you ask me. However, I was instructed that I could admire the item from OUTSIDE. Yes, that's right, she ordered me out of the store! Unbelievable.
I also work at one of the many fabulous business here in downtown Bozeman. I often have people wander in looking for other businesses or even to do business with us but are confused by the building. I always greet them warmly cause I really am happy to see them even if I can't help them. Employees are the faces of the companies they work for and have a large impact on the customers and communites they serve. Old Bozeman Beads, you're doing it wrong. read more