Accepting things I cannot change?
I was not going to talk about this, I really wasn’t. What’s the point of raking over all the negative stuff, the stuff that can’t change, that won’t change? Well in the hope that there’s a 1% of a 1% chance that it will, here goes.
So I was wondering around Chelsea last week and came across a white gallery – much the same as many others, a ground floor medium sized gallery. I walk in and see a very impressive looking sculpture/installation that takes up the whole rear gallery. I wonder around and I think I’d like to blog about it, so I ask the young lady at the desk whether I can take a picture. The conversation goes like this:
She: No …….sorry.
Me: I take the image is on the website?
She: Yes (but without looking at me)
Me: Is the work for sale?
She: Yes (with that look as if to say if you’re asking you can’t afford it anyway)
Me: How much is it?
She: I don’t know……I don’t deal with things like that.
Me: How can I find out?
She: (after a moment or two and a big sigh) Now?
Me: Yes please
She: (Handing over a card) you could try calling the sales director on this number.
Me: Thank-you
She: (nothing)
So we called the number……a voice messaging system came on and asked for an extension. We weren’t given one.
So what do you think? They don’t want to sell it? They don’t want any new customers? Do you think she might have made a judgment call on what I looked like and extrapolated that I wasn’t worth any time or effort?
It could and does happen in any number of galleries in Chelsea. Why?
June 15th, 2009 at 2:13 am
Why ‘not talking about it’? Throw it all out. Says all about them, not about you…. I think you should see it as a compliment on your way of thinking and working concerning the art world. These galleries, and such tear jerking staff, should get cut out of the art-cake.
Chin up and f*ck-m. (beep-beeep)
June 15th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Customer service, it’s a basic. So funny how galleries often forget how to be polite under the guise that they are just too cool to be (?). Whacko banana! I try to follow the motto “Be nice to the little guy on your way up, you may see him on your way down”. Everybody at one time or another has been on either side of that, but that shouldn’t be the reason for simple manners.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Oh the hipper than thou sour puss art zombies! How I’ve abhorred them for years. Do these people really like what it is they do at the galleries, or are they just there for hipness, praying that something else might rub off on them? (Like creativity or talent? God knows the wealthy patrons aren’t going to sponsor or engage snotty $10/hr gallery clerks.)
If I were the gallery owner, that person would be fired for what she didn’t do; provide a smile, genuine interest in her job and outstanding customer/public relations and service.
What these dimwits forget is what is happening right here, right now on this blog and twitter, we are ALL one blog post or tweet or social networking conversation away from viral bad press. Which ultimately can bring down any business and its reputation.
Galleries are businesses first and foremost. Gallery owners must learn that who you have sitting in your gallery reflects back on the business and the business owner. And the clientele know this.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Well, I agree with Kathy’s previous comment. Common customer courtesy is sadly lacking in many so called professional/public institutions where the folks employed working with the public simply forget why they are there,that is to serve the customer.
Myself lately have found myself frustrated to no end, never being able to directly speak to another directly or when leaving messages and emails never getting a response or reply. Real effective communication is going the way of the do do bird I am afraid, regardless of the fact we are constantly, twittering, emailing, blogging, texting on and on.
I know I have to take responsibility to speak up at times like this, when I am not getting basic respectful service and to make my own voice heard. I still believe in the power of the individual. I know I cannot control another’s behaviour, and I know I cannot change everything, but I can control and change my own behaviour, by empowering and asserting myself and letting people know as a customer, I deserve basic common courtesy.
Thank you for bringing this point up as I believe it is a very common experience but many don’t bother to address it. – Catherine Meyers
June 15th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Well, the problem is not only the way this galleries are treating customers, it reflects as well the way those peoples treat artists. This attitude is so “normal” in this world, that it is frustrating. Do this people really love art and artists? Not sure….
Marina, not all people out there are like you guys…LOL karin perez.
June 17th, 2009 at 1:13 am
Darling you should send that post to the sales manager of that gallery…
June 17th, 2009 at 2:03 am
I agree with all of this and want to add that I feel sorry for people like you described. Their lives are empty, with no passion and no emotion… shallow. Their arrogance indicates a lack of intelligence, empathy etc… We should not feel personally addressed by their attitude, but stupidly we often do because it looks like they are not only making their own lives miserable, but try to spoil our day too.
But that is not going to happen!!!!!