There are so many ways to reward a best customer, a valued consignor, a true fan of your consignment or resale business. How do you reward yours?
Do you give them their own parking space? You can, you know.
Is it special enough to get word of mouth going? Do your favorite customers bring all their friends shopping and brag to strangers about your shop? Have your actions as a shopkeeper entered into others’ family lore?
Do they feel special?
Share with us what perks you keep in mind to gain their loyalty and bind them to your business.
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
It’s always the little things. Here are two things I did recently:
I had a customer tell me in advance she planned to shop with me on her birthday. On my way in, I stopped and picked up a box of chocolates for her. She was so surprised and loved her gift. She also loved her 4 new pair of designer jeans.
It was a Saturday afternoon and the alterations shop I’m located next to is only open Monday-Friday. (Great neighbor to have, btw!) I had a customer buy an adorable Lilly dress that was just about 3″ longer on her than she cared for. Knowing this customer doesn’t have free time Monday – Friday and rather than have her make a separate trip, I pinned the dress for her, walked it to my neighbor on Monday when she opened and paid for the alteration. (A sealed sale for her.) Then my customer was able to drop by my shop at her leisure, pay me for the alteration and do a little more shopping. Win win!
We have frequent shopper cards where the customer earns a stamp for each purchase totaling $25.00 or more. When they get 10 stamps on the card, they earn a $25.00 gift certificate to the store. Sometimes we’ll give them an extra stamp or two when they make a large purchase. We also provide free gift boxes when they purchase jewelry as gifts and we have even provided free gift wrapping. Although our store policy states that we do not accept returns, we will often break the rules for our regular customers if they return the item in a timely manner. And one of our favorites that everyone loves is the little dish of free candy on the sales counter!
Sometimes it is the small things we constantly do for those loyal customers that keep them coming back. Like setting things aside for them that we know they will want first chance at, carrying their bags to the car when they have multi. bags, holding their crying babies when they need to shop or try things on, free coffee as they browse and of course the personal chat of asking about their families and them. These small things we do at our shop, without ever thinking about it are the ones most of our customers say keep them coming back. THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT THEY JUST DON’T GET AT THE “BIG DEPT. 🙂