As I was browsing Google for pictures a couple weeks ago, I stumbled across this one. Not only is it a great vintage illustration, but the sailor looks an awful lot like my dad in his sailor days. I know it isn’t of course. This picture dates back to WWII and my dad would have been to young to be out with a woman like that, but still…it sure looks like him! Is it true, as they say, that everyone has a double-even if it’s only on paper?
And last week I found a really cute vintage picture frame online. From the listing pictures of it, and the description, it struck me as a really cool frame. I’d been looking for one so that I could display Amy’s school picture in the sewing room. I’m in there a lot, and I wanted to be able to gaze at her sweet face while I’m sewing.
The frame arrived yesterday-in a thin plastic mailing envelope, no less. As I feared, the glass was broken. But that wasn’t what disappointed me most. It was the presentation, or lack of it. A bit of tissue paper and bubble wrap, and the frame itself was dirty.
Now I’m not bringing this up here to criticize anyone. But what I want to know from you, my readers, is this-does presentation matter to you? I know careful packing is the most important element, but in my eyes, the frame would have seemed more special-more like an object of value, if it had been treated as such.
When I ship out my bags, I try to make it an event for the customer when they open the box. Nice tissue paper, a thank you card, and a little extra token of my gratitude. Because I can still hear the voice of one of my apparel design professors from my college days.
“Presentation is everything!”
I like to think my double would agree. Wherever she is.
Well put ...make it an event --- I totally agree! I love to make someone feel special .. plus I put ALOT of time and effort into my creations {an I'm sure you know just what I am talking about!} and feel they are special and should be packaged just so!
ReplyDeleteLove the picture and the photo .. they most definitely look alike.. but I must say .. men were so much more handsome back then ~:o)
I was just wondering last night if I have a double somewhere. If you see her let me know. ;)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree! When I was selling on eBay and Etsy, I always took great care to package my items carefully and add little touches--a ribbon, a little packet of sachet, things like that. I love it when a store wraps my purchases in tissue paper and adds a sticker to close it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you let the seller who sent you the frame know how disappointed you are. I'm disappointed for you!
I'm not any good at making things look cute, but I do try to at least use ample bubble wrap and such. I bet your packages are such a treat to open!
ReplyDeleteLisa-that's true about the time we put into our creations-it makes us want to present them well!
ReplyDeleteThere is definitely something about a cute sailor...:)
Ms.G-ditto-if you see mine let me know:)
Mary-I should let the seller know, but I hate confrontation, even when it is necessary. They need to know for their won sake so they know better next time they mail something fragile. And I love when a store does that too-it makes the purchase seem like such a treat:)
Lisa-you know how to make one heck of a cute lunch though! I love your muffin tin Monday posts! :)
Yes, I do value presentation! For me, I consider my bookcover to be a form of presentation of the story, and spent many hours working with the cover designer to get just the right feeling communicated with it. I want the reader to enjoy it from the very moment they see it. Plus, I think even the packaging is a reflection of ourselves, and how we feel about the contents.
ReplyDeleteJoanne-often times I am drawn to a book because of the cover, so I can see why you so carefully planned yours. And it's so true what you said about packaging being a direct reflection of ourselves and how we feel about the contents. Excellent, excellent point!!
ReplyDeletePresentation is *always* important to me. I love a movie with beautiful cinematography, a book with a good cover, and a home with inviting colors.
ReplyDeleteMe too Tina, me too:)
ReplyDeleteAnd that's why your customers will return again and again. You make it special.
ReplyDeleteI know I love it when I get a package that makes me enjoy the opening of it as much whatever I've ordered. I think that's the child part of us we all need to honor.
As a customer of yours, I know that your presentation is absolutely FANTASTIC. It was a true pleasure to open up your package and I appreciated it so much.
ReplyDeleteLikely whoever sent you the frame was only selling it for the money - and had no ties to it whatsoever or no clue of the care that should have been taken with it. What a shame.
Thanks Sara! I like that-the child part of us. That is so very true:)
ReplyDeleteMelissa-thank you! I love you for saying that and it means so much to me:) If I sold vintage goods, I would see myself as caretaker and I would take great care with the items I was selling. You are so right in what you said!!
I have no doubt receiving one of your packages is an event in itself. What a handsome young guy your Dad must have been.
ReplyDeleteA little touch of "presentation" is going to make me remember the sender, be it a friend or a shop owner, and in the case of a merchant? Memory leads to repeat business.
ReplyDeleteSeems to me you're keeping it classy. And acknowledging the value of your product.
Thanks Cam:)
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