MISS MANNERS by Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I personal a small retail present store. I provide my clientele conventional present certificates, printed on card inventory, which have the recipient’s title, the sender’s title and the present quantity, all handwritten on my own.
For the previous a number of years, a gentleman from the West Coast has known as and bought a present certificates for his sister who lives right here domestically. It’s a substantial quantity annually.
She got here in as soon as and requested a hand-blown glass merchandise that was out of inventory. I’ve since had them restocked, however she hasn’t returned.
I maintain detailed notes of every present certificates offered and redeemed. This previous 12 months, when the brother known as, I didn’t point out to him that his sister hasn’t been redeeming the certificates. I believed it gauche. However I did ship a well mannered word together with her subsequent present, telling her that the merchandise she was on the lookout for is now again in inventory. I included our retailer hours, and wrote that we sit up for seeing her once more.
It’s been six months and he or she has not proven up, and he or she has a number of present certificates now. They by no means expire and can at all times be honored; that’s not the issue. I actually really feel in a quandary about receiving cash for merchandise that aren’t being bought.
The brother presumably doesn’t know she isn’t redeeming his present certificates, however I don’t know if saying one thing to him is the well mannered factor to do.
Ought to I say one thing the following time he calls, or keep quiet?
GENTLE READER: “I hope that your sister is properly. I haven’t seen her within the store shortly, and I used to be involved. I might love her to benefit from the issues that you’re type sufficient to facilitate her shopping for.”
It is a light technique to alert him to the certificates state of affairs, whereas legitimately veiling it beneath the extra well mannered guise that your concern is absolutely about her well being.
Miss Manners will add that it additionally saves each of you the embarrassment — if it will get again to her — of ratting her out if her style in outlets has modified.
Please ship your inquiries to Miss Manners at her web site, www.missmanners.com; to her e-mail, gentlereader@missmanners.com; or via postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas Metropolis, MO 64106.
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