Althouse: "Whether it's providing a warm place to visit for a cup of coffee or simply charging your electronic devices..."

November 2, 2012

"Whether it's providing a warm place to visit for a cup of coffee or simply charging your electronic devices..."

"... we are here to help in any way."

An email "Message to Our Customers" from Saks Fifth Avenue (intended mostly to be received in New York City). It's nice for the posh store to invite folks in to charge their electronic devices. Let's take note of the businesses that were kind to the powerless.

23 comments:

Known Unknown said...: "Message to Our Customers"

You don't think they're talking about any schmoe with an electronic device do you?

They only want inconvenienced schmoes who can afford $300 jeans.; 11/2/12, 3:54 PM
edutcher said...: Businesses also are subject to Venckman's Law.

Especially in Gotham; being a mensch is always a good idea.; 11/2/12, 3:59 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "They only want inconvenienced schmoes who can afford $300 jeans."

Anybody can walk into Sak Fifth Avenue and shop around without buying anything. It's a pleasant pastime. You can try on perfume too.; 11/2/12, 4:03 PM
Known Unknown said...: ""... we are here to help in any way."

Especially if you need to match a sweater set with a pair of sensible pumps!

I kid, but good on Saks.; 11/2/12, 4:03 PM
Known Unknown said...: Anybody can walk into Sak Fifth Avenue and shop around without buying anything. It's a pleasant pastime. You can try on perfume too.

I'm kidding!

Do they make you take the perfume off after you try it on?; 11/2/12, 4:05 PM
Known Unknown said...: Anybody can walk into Sak Fifth Avenue and shop around without buying anything. It's a pleasant pastime. You can try on perfume too.

Is Sak Fifth Avenue a branch of Occupy Wall Street?

Okay, I'm done.

Sorry.; 11/2/12, 4:06 PM
AF said...: "Anybody can walk into Sak Fifth Avenue and shop around without buying anything. It's a pleasant pastime. You can try on perfume too."

But who gets the email? People who bought stuff there. I mean, good for Sak's. But "kind to the powerless" is a little bit . . .rich.; 11/2/12, 4:24 PM
rcommal said...: On Long Island and in NJ there are yarn shops that announced they had power, heat and coffee offer. In the case of one in Farmington, it also invited people in to knit squares to make blankets to donate and also decided to donate 10 percent of its profits in November to relief efforts. I think it is cool when businesses do what they can with what they have in order to try and help.; 11/2/12, 4:26 PM
rcommal said...: Well, but those who DO get the emails can spread the word by mouth, via social media, or even via blogposts!!!

; ); 11/2/12, 4:28 PM
Methadras said...: I wonder if any government offices are open to doing the same?; 11/2/12, 4:29 PM
Known Unknown said...: I wonder if any government offices are open to doing the same?

"Whether its providing a cold, sterile place for a cup of coffee or simply using the mimeograph machine ... "; 11/2/12, 4:34 PM
Eric the Fruit Bat said...: I have always depended on the kindness of high-end Midtown Manhattan specialty stores.; 11/2/12, 4:35 PM
rcommal said...: One of the more heartwarming posts I saw on FB today was from someone in lower Delaware who had made it through the storm and once they had cleaned up what absolutely had to be right away taken care of for themselves, loaded up a truck with supplies they hadn't used yet, plus generators, gas, clothes, tools etc. and themselves as volunteers and were headed over to NJ shore towns harder hit than they were. That one made me tear up.; 11/2/12, 4:40 PM
Brennan said...: Uhh. Sell them something useful like this.

http://www.amazon.com/HY-88E-Emergency-Powered-Flashlight-Charger/dp/B008EAT00E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351892096&sr=8-1&keywords=self+charger

Bezos 1.
Saks 0.; 11/2/12, 4:40 PM
Oso Negro said...: People will have a long memory for how the businesses treated them during this epoch. For good or ill.; 11/2/12, 4:42 PM
Wince said...: "... we are here to help in any way."

Nah, if it's all the same to you, I'll just throw this trash can through your plate-glass window and loot the store instead.; 11/2/12, 4:44 PM
Amy said...: A large gym chain posted that if they had power after the storm, anyone was welcome to come in and shower there, members and non members alike. I was impressed by that (and luckily didn't need it).; 11/2/12, 4:53 PM
Titus said...: Everyone go shopping!; 11/2/12, 5:20 PM
n.n said...: Despite their best effort to subordinate voluntary exploitation, the American spirit of charity prevails.; 11/2/12, 6:27 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: I got an email from Jet Blue...

For those customers who have been impacted by Hurricane Sandy, we hope this letter finds you and your loved ones safe. Our hearts go out to the millions affected by this far-reaching devastation, including our crewmembers, customers and all those in the impacted cities. We know resuming full operations is the best way to support our communities, and I’m happy to report that we are expecting to run a full schedule tomorrow.

Beyond our operations, we are focusing recovery efforts to rebuild our cities and neighborhoods. If you wish to help those affected by Sandy, we will match up to $50,000 in customer donations to the Red Cross. You'll also earn 6 TrueBlue points for every $1 you donate, now through 11/30/2012. Click here to donate to the Red Cross.

Not bad.; 11/2/12, 8:47 PM
harrogate said...: That's what Saks is all about, of course. Being kind to the powerless. Let's remember it indeed, and let us not be ashamed of tearing up at their roll-up-the-shirtsleeves gestures.; 11/2/12, 9:25 PM
Tank said...: I read this last night sitting in Barnes and Noble and downloading Ibooks onto my Ipad [ironically enough]. Very nice there, the people, both customers and staff.

I had some trouble connecting to their wifi [which ended up being just slow, and we weren't giving it time to reach the "I agree to the terms..." screen before moving on].

First the staff helped me for ten minutes. Then three strangers sat with me for 45 minutes, called an Istore for me, etc. We finally worked it out.

My thanks to the people at Barnes and Noble, customers included.

Meanwhile, here in NJ, we're still without power, and it might be another week before we [my block] gets it back. Looks about 50% restored to me in my general area.

My wife works in a different B & N and they've been deluged with people coming in to recharge and use their wifi. Not selling much, but building up some PR I guess.; 11/3/12, 7:55 AM
Known Unknown said...: Let's take note of the businesses that were kind to the powerless.

I just realized she's not talking about the truly powerless, but the right kind of people with low batteries.; 11/3/12, 11:30 AM