Christmas Lessons 1 Buying a Xmas tree

This morning I set off early to purchase a tree-keen to get a good price and checked out a couple of places. A corner shop, not in my locality and a more specialised looking outfit who had set up in a carpark nearby. In the latter case the lights were on and I thought I saw movement in their hut but was not sure they were open. I called back a bit later and they were sort of open, i.e. they were there but did not look keen and also directed me to a list on the wall re sizes and prices. Then the final nail in their coffin-they said they were not really open yet, so I said that I would come back. I did not go back!

I did go back to the corner shop and I purchased the tree I had had my eye on. The shopkeeper responded right away to me and when I realised that it was going to be too heavy for me to carry back to the car-he offered a solution. Bring your car to here he said pointing to an area of roadworks and I will pass the tree over the fence for you. Now feeling more happy I raced off for the car and did as he suggested. He was as good as his word and also climbed over the fence to help me put the tree in the car and wished me well.

Retailing is hard and this shop I have frequented before, they are open all hours and the whole family work there The other tree sellers were from out of town, obviously did not care and were more focused on the fact that they were not open yet than their customer or their sale. Key messages for retailers and sales staff.

Final lesson for me. I did not buy a Bethany Xmas tree this year which has the added bonus of having non shedding needles and also helps the homeless. I may live to regret this decision come 5th January but for now I am happy to have supported a local retailer in tough times.

Imagine a Scotland where retailers and customers appreciate each other.