Hi all, I'm a long-time member of my local Sears that is on the most recent closing list. I know many of the store associates by name (and they know me by name); they've all provided me with excellent customer service over the past few years. I'd like to do something small for them just to let them know I've appreciated their service. Any suggestions? I was thinking of bringing them some snacks/drinks since they will probably be hammered during the upcoming liquidation, but will that just get them in trouble with their liquidation overlords? Thank you all for any suggestions!
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@1uga - No, I was employed at a store in Ohio. Although I wasn't a recipient of your very thoughtful gesture, I would still like to thank you for being so kind to my fellow associates. Store liquidations can be such a stressful and sad time that an act of kindness such as yours can really lift everyone's spirits. Coincidently, our good hearted customer brought in Dominos pizzas as well. That is one slice of pizza that I will warmly remember for the rest of my days!
@VIDW8Ah-1uga Very kind of you the reason he didn't take it is because we arent suppose to take any gifts from customers. Although once a customer insisted for me to take a chocolate candy when I said I couldn't and took it in the end lol.
Very nice from you end honestly I wish management would truly treat us that way. Our store manager was a huge prick he always talked big, but never gave anyone anything other than the very few times we got limited pizza for the whole crew.
He promised us raises if we worked very hard never ever did you see that. He would always bad mouth you and make you look dumb if he saw something wrong. Overall I was so happy when our store was closing (not for my co workers) but seeing what will my store manager do now since he had a very golden position he will never get a position this good ever in his life.
@VIDW8Ah-amc Were you employed at the roseville mi store? If you were that was me.
The first week of the liquidation sale I picked up ten pizzas from dominos and brought them in. I liked everyone at that store, they were real good to me over the years. I frequently tipped the MPU employees $5 or as much as $20 at Xmas. One fellow refused to take it but the rest did.
A very close family member went through a store closing 3 different times. She had long time customers that she knew their names and family and all that. She said the best thing anyone did was a few of them bought her thoughtful cards and gave her a small gift card (enough to cover a meal at a fast food place) and these customers did this with the other associates they knew really well. She said that helped more as she was able to enjoy their gift after working all day. The last store she closed, one of her customers had a friend that was hiring and knew she was qualified and arranged for her to be offered an interview before the job was posted. She left her store with a small severance package that allowed her to start her new job and have benefits until her new position’s benefits started.
@iyy Very interesting. where are you located?
Being a Sears survivor that went on to another very lucrative career, I'm networked enough to help laid off Sears and Kmart employees find local jobs . They usually don't have a problem finding one in this strong economy
When our Sears store closed this summer we had members bring in donuts, coffee, pastries, and pizzas. Very kind and thoughtful of them. They were also some of our best customers and regularly shopped in our store.
This was a couple years ago, but when my previous store closed, we had a few customers who brought in some various snacks like cakes and brownies. I think they knew certain associates well enough to know who they could give them to to make sure they made it to the break room, rather than into someone's car. We had a pretty close-knit crew too, so after we were closed to the public but still had a week or so left of tear-down, we threw together a huge party for ourselves. I feel bad because I missed out on the very last week, when I guess everything was truly done for their part with still another day or two left, but the liquidator was cool with that and signed off for full days for the half dozen people left while they played cards and had a pizza party or something. I had already gone off to my next store.
coordinate it with the manager. I am thinking about doing pumpkin bread, spiced hot cider, a deli tray, soda , cupcakes, and other various baked goods, cookies, a cheese, sausage, and crackers with spreads tray, chips and pretzels , and popcorn for my local store.
(Just wanted to add, yes, of course I intend to thank them all personally as well. :) But I will probably still be dropping by the store a few more times before the very end, so it seemed a little early to give them the "in case I don't see you again" speech quite yet! But there are 4 or 5 associates who have either rung me up dozens of times or plucked my online orders dozens of times, so I will absolutely let them all know I've really appreciated their service and want to wish them well. This whole thing is just so sad. I hope you all realize there are customers who care and sympathize too!)
Thanks for the input, all! The funny thing is although I've been shopping here for years, I'm not even sure who the store manager is anymore - it's changed at least 3 times in the past 4 years. I interact much more with the MPU folks and associates manning the registers of course. But I will try to track down the manager and ask! I was actually thinking of stuff like little chip bags too, so I'm glad to hear that might go over OK. I considered pizza as well, but I don't want anyone to end up left out if they happen to not be working the day I bring stuff over. Thanks again for the recommendations!
When our store was in liquidation one of our regular customers brought several pizzas in for us to enjoy. A very kind gesture that was very welcomed and that I will never forget. Since I was a long time associate, 25+ years, a number of customers stopped by to thank me for my service, to inquire about my future plans, and to wish me well. Those thoughtful gestures were very much appreciated as well.
I think they've stopped restocking the vending machines at most or all stores, so some packs of soda and little bags of chips for the breakroom might be appreciated. You do need a cooperative non-stealing store manager regardless of whether you ask first or not. I would suggest you first ask one of your friendly associates if they think the manager would be cool with it, and then ask the manager if so.
Check with the manger? My manger would be taking it home for herself. It’s very nice of you!
That's a very kind gesture. Check with the manager just to let him know your intentions. He may have recommendations.
Let them use you as a reference when there putting in applications for employment.
I suggest you find the people who have served you well, and tell them you appreciate all they've done for you.
I think they'd like that.
And maybe some Funyuns. Funyuns are good.