Recently in Retail Brick-and-mortar Messaging Category

From: Williams-Sonoma

Subject Line: In-Store Cutlery Demo - Find the Right Knife for You

Date: Thursday, May 5, 2011

It might be true! That not all products are best sold online. Williams-Sonoma is smart to promote in-store visits for those considering a cutlery purchase. It's impossible to get a sense for how a particular knife feels via keyboard and--I have scars to prove it--it's super-important to get a sense for when and how to use one knife as opposed to another.

Personal note: Do you actually have a good set of knives? Oh my goodness the difference a good knife makes! Ours are Global and I love them. And they're totally the knives they draw in Quickfire Challenges in early seasons of Top Chef.

Another personal note: The band The Knife is awesome.

Happy cutting!

From: Solestruck
Subject Line: Thanks for your purchase at Solestruck.
Date: Sunday, March 13, 2011

From: Solestruck
Subject Line: Your Solestruck order has been shipped
Date: Monday, March 14, 2011

Diary of my latest shoe-shopping adventure...
Saturday 3/12/2011: I pop into Villians and spot these leopard-print, mega-tall platform booties and I think it's love and first sight. But I'm only 99% sure that I have to have them, so I decide to sleep on it...
Sunday 3/13/2011: I'm 100% certain that I have to have them, so I head back to Villians. Too late! Somebody else with unwavering convictions has snatched them from me! Fortunately the nice people of Villians point me in the right direction (maybe they should actually be named Heros).* Following their advice I go to Solestruck.com where indeed they have my shoes. Instantly, after clicking "Complete Purchase" I received the charming Purchase Confirmation email. (Note the no sales tax or shipping charges!)
Monday 3/14/2011: Less than 24 hours later I received equally adorable Shipping Confirmation email. I love the prompt service of Solestruck and the execution of their emails: the cute receipt and "SHIPPED" stamp visuals, plus the feel-goodiness of shopping with (in their own words) a "small, independent and family-run" business.
Wednesday 3/16/2011: Package arrives from UPS!

*It was a win/win/win situation... Because they were so helpful at Villians, and I really had the urge to buy something I got some sneakers for the hubby.

Date TBD: When will I have the guts to wear 6 inch platforms?