World of Mirth in Richmond, Virginia does a great job on Facebook in letting customers know in advance, what their shopping experience may be like.
"Masks required for everyone over 3. Upon entering, please use hand sanitizer and grab a basket-anything touched needs to be placed in there even if you're not purchasing it. Please be advised there may be a wait to enter, as we are limiting the amount of people in the shop to enforce social distancing. We are frequently disinfecting and wiping down the counter after every transaction. We've missed everyone!
We are still offering curbside pickup, shipping all over the U.S., and free local delivery on orders of $50 within 15 miles of the store."
Pufferbellies in Staunton, Virginia also very successfully communicates what the experience will be like for their customers.
"We will limit the number of in-store shoppers to about 10 at a time to help with distancing. We are grateful for your patience if we ask you to wait at the door. Also, please be aware if we have folks waiting, we might ask you to step outside and wait while you are having your gifts wrapped so we can let the next person in. Thanks for understanding.
Please don't hesitate to use our online ordering or curbside pickup if you are worried about having to wait. We have done our best to make that an easy, convenient option for you."
I think Thea and Erin at the World of Mirth and Pufferbellies respectively, have made it clear what their expectations are, and they did it in a friendly way. There's no confusion. When a customer walks into these stores, they know what to expect.
Make sure that you are getting that message out to your customers on Facebook, Instagram, and through your newsletter. Let them know how much you value their support, and what their shopping experience will be like.
I never wrote to Sonic and I never called them. I never asked a friend or a relative how to navigate it all. I simply took my business elsewhere, to someplace that was in my
comfort zone.
