Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Story
October 23, 1901
Bismarck Daily Tribune
Bismarck, Burleigh County, North Dakota
What is this article about?
A large London drapery firm employs professional lady shoppers to test the politeness of its nearly 1000 shop assistants across over 30 stores by having them act as difficult customers, potentially leading to dismissal for any rudeness.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Professional Shoppers.
Professional shoppers are employed by a certain large firm of London drapers to test the abilities of shop assistants. This firm owns over thirty large shops and employs nearly 1000 assistants. To find out whether every customer is politely served a number of lady customers are employed to call at the various shops. They are told to give as much trouble as possible and sometimes to leave without making a purchase after looking at nearly every thing in the shop. Should the unfortunate assistant's temper not be equal to the strain, or should a single word be said that might offend, a report will infallibly reach headquarters and lead to the dismissal of the sorely tried handler of silks and ribbons.
Professional shoppers are employed by a certain large firm of London drapers to test the abilities of shop assistants. This firm owns over thirty large shops and employs nearly 1000 assistants. To find out whether every customer is politely served a number of lady customers are employed to call at the various shops. They are told to give as much trouble as possible and sometimes to leave without making a purchase after looking at nearly every thing in the shop. Should the unfortunate assistant's temper not be equal to the strain, or should a single word be said that might offend, a report will infallibly reach headquarters and lead to the dismissal of the sorely tried handler of silks and ribbons.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Professional Shoppers
London Drapers
Shop Assistants
Customer Service
Politeness Test
Where did it happen?
London
Story Details
Location
London
Story Details
A large firm of London drapers employs professional shoppers, mainly ladies, to test shop assistants' politeness by being troublesome customers who may browse extensively without buying; any lapse in courtesy results in a report and potential dismissal.