Saturday, November 16, 2013

Barefoot Happy



November 16, 2013

I am a sole-patroller, which means that I can play Vanna White (sans the skimpy dress) to demo wines for Barefoot in liquor stores. Tonight was my very first time so when I was greeted by the manager, Brian, with “Demos never go well here, most people just pass-by, ignoring the display table,” I was discouraged and then determined to prove him wrong. Arriving ten minutes prior to my allotted time, I set up with enthusiasm and efficiency.  Within the hour, I was checking my watch every five minutes and wondering how the heck I was going to stand for two more hours with a Cheshire grin on my face and a bottle of wine in my hand.

I fronted and faced all of the bottles and cartons in the store, managing to keep track of the new arrivals, due to the ringing bell as they entered the cavernous liquor warehouse. Some, startled and anxious to avoid my gaze, skirted around me or avoided my aisle altogether. Then there were the wide-eyed gulpers who asked to sample all three varieties of wine and left with a case of beer or plastic bottle of Whisky. My wine pourer stingily measures out 1 oz so they can’t get too plastered and ruin my show.

I served 78 cups and gave away three of our nifty barefoot ice cube trays and pressed a few coupons in clients hands. Tough to know just how many bottles sold or how many people hid the bottles on another shelf after I pressed it into their hands. I would say most people enjoyed the exchange so I am pleased. Who doesn’t like a free sample? Well, come to think of it, there were a few of those. I crossed them right off my Secret Santa list.

Although I was seeking some sort of acknowledgement of my hard work, none came my way as I “checked-out” at the register, paying for my three bottles and bag of ice. The gentlemen insisted I have a good weekend as they poured the remaining wine out of the bottles and dumped my watery ice into the sink.

Next Wednesday is another three hour shift at a new location. I will be better prepared, with different selections and a new attitude.  Watch for me on Jeopardy, I am the one in the green shirt with a barefoot on it.

No comments:

Post a Comment