They Want to Hear From You! Yeah, They Do! Seriously

Have you been going to a yarn store and noticing that the yarn that you used to buy is gone and has been replaced by a substitute? Suddenly, my videos suggest yarn that you cannot buy locally but used to be able to. You are not alone.

Complaining online about stock makes little difference for retailers. It's hard to differentiate online between people who are just complaining for the sake of complaining and those who are legit about the complaint. You know what I am talking about here.

The best way to create change is to contact the retailer's head office through their website. Whether you pick up a phone or send them a message through email, these companies create what is called 'Tickets' that are recorded and filed. If there is consistency in the same topic, it gets noticed and communicated beyond customer service.

One of my local stores has stopped carrying a brand that I know is still out there. Red Heart Super Saver. I want this brand; I don't want a substitute because the pattern I want to do uses that yarn, and I trust the brand. The store hopes I will use a generic or another brand instead and switch me over. I don't want to switch, so I have gone online shopping to get what I want. Due to me being who I am, a complaint or suggestion to the corporate head office is bias. So there's nothing I can do about it. They know my name and company.

Trigger

Companies do not want you walking into a store and leaving with nothing in your hands. Nor do they want you to shop with a competitor because it's money loss for them. You have the power to make what you were looking for known.

Course of Action

Politely contact the retailers' head office and let them know your experience. You don't need to threaten them because the person behind the message or phone is human, just like you.

Let them know the store's address on where you are referring to.

• Let them know you used to be able to buy a product that is no longer available and that you prefer that product over what they have changed it to be.
• You prefer to stay shopping at their location instead of visiting a competitor and/or shopping online.
• You want to be able to see the product in person and know the product is not discontinued.

You essentially want to keep doing business with the retailer and have the money to spend but the product is gone. Would they kindly bring it back?

You will get one of three answers back.

• Thank you for the email.
• We will look into that for you.
• I'm sorry, that product is no longer available.

The system records your communication and if there is a common thread between you and a lot of people, it can reflect a change at your local store.

You create change by communicating. Never underestimate the power you have to speak up, not sit on social media and gripe about it. Communicate directly.