Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 1:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I personally have not had 'fun' in shopping Downtown Natchez. Especially at Darby's. They were rude the first time i went there which was FOREVER AGO and just as rude a year and half ago when i brought 7 other people to Visit Natchez and get a 'feel' of my hometown. Even with 2 of the out of townee's SPENDING their money in Darby's still didn't even crack a smile on those people face!

NOw the little store on the Bluff I think it's connected to Cock of the Walk ((maybe)) i just had a brain fart. haha they were sooo nice!!! Even gave the boyfriend 'extra' sweets for well heck i don't know what for.. Just cause i guess!!

OH AND THE INFO CENTER RIGHT THERE BY THE BRIDGE!! THOSE PEOPLE WORKING THERE ARE JUST SOOOO POLITE AND NICE!!

Posted by awayfromhome (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 1:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The biz owners all do have attitudes... like they are there for "certain" shoppers.... and not all of us!

Posted by timefertruth (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 5:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What! shop in Natchez? do ya know there is a recession going on
you can get stuff a lot cheaper off of the internet than you can Natchez, Example I wanted to get a tachometer for a vehicle went and looked in Natchez it ran about $130.00, went on the internet got the same tach for $54.51 with the same warranty did not have to put up with sour pussed faces and did not have to pay sales tax
I buy off of internet as often as I can.
gas in Natchez has always been more expensive than say like Meadville, Mccomb,Brookhaven,can somebody tell me why this is?
I think it is because of GREED.

Posted by Omega (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 6:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hummm…Poor parking in most places, High prices at most locations, Not as much selection as other places, let me think… NO!

Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I love the fudge from Darby's, but every time I make an attempt to go buy some, I cannot find a parking place anywhere close. There are other shops I would like to visit but parking is always a problem in town and walking is a medical challenge for me. Maybe the employees and owners of the shops should park in one location and be shuttled in by transit. Or are the customers not important enough?

Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have not shopped in downtown anywhere in a long time. When I was a kid, mom used to drag us all over downtown Natchez shopping and then when I was a little older, she drug us all over Sears at Tracetown shopping.....now I hate shopping but do most of my shopping in big box retailers, like Target, WalMart, Lowes, Kohls, and others like that .....

Posted by frostyw47 (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 8:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I would rather shop Natchez, than any big mall in some bigger town or city. I have lived in big cites and most of the retailers there have no sense of having a nice attitude. Customers are rude and don't care what anyone think. They push and shove and never say excuse me. Small towns like Natchez are great to shop in, we just have to remember to be nice to retailers. And if they are rude, i have said to some, bad day huh, it will get better and smile

Posted by silly_willy_24_7 (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i have found some really nice stuff while "dumpster diving." and have also been fairly successful at regifting many of these discarded items without anyone becoming suspicious of where i got them. i also use old newspapers for wrapping paper; this is an old family tradition and it also saves tons of money.

who says that recycling does not work??

Posted by mslugirl (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No!! There is no selection and what there is, is so pricey. I have grandchildren(6) from newborn to teenagers, and there is nothing downtown that would interest them for the prices you have to pay. Parking is bad, but if it is a good day, the walk is nice.

Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

About once a year (during Christmas) I'll go downtown. Thought it's beginning not to be safe. The first place I went was Darby's & they had just finished the delicious fudge. I didn't find them rude at all they even offered me a free sample of the best fudge I have ever tasted as they were cutting it into pieces. Too rich and expensive so that sample hit the spot.
As fat as I am I shouldn't say this, but if you plan on going to Darby's the more walking exercise you get the better it is because once you taste the fudge it's hard to stop! Kinda like potato chips only more expensive.

redusmfan
I'm sure my kids can relate with you. Every Wednesday my Mama, four kids(always one in a stroller) and me would hit Trace Town, Magnolia Mall & downtown. Then when the Natchez Mall openened we were ususally there. I prefered Trace Town & Magnolia Mall.
I really miss the old downtown Natchez I grew up in where the the alleys were some of my favorite hideouts. Now you take the chance of stepping on a needle or getting shot if you go to those alleys. It really seems funny to think back to the 50's and rememeber seeing all you friends downtown on Saturday going to a movie. Usually leaving their bike in front of the movie. Now you can't leave them in your back yard chained to a tree. Natchez with the exception of a few expensive gift stores on Main St. look like a deserted ghosttown.

Posted by 3on23 (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by awayfromhome (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 1:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The biz owners all do have attitudes... like they are there for "certain" shoppers.... and not all of us!

Thanks for the lovely generalization about the owners and the shoppers. Not "all" biz owners have attitudes and not "all" the shoppers are a pleasure to deal with. I work downtown and "some" of our shoppers are a complete pain to deal with but I try to smile and treat them the same as those that are a pleasure to wait on. Sometimes you get what you give. JMHO

Posted by hitchcock (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Your going to find a bad apple in every bunch. If you don't have a good personality you shouldn't work where it involves being friendly to people. There are many jobs that don't require being friendly. Maybe you should become a policeman then you don't even have to fake a smile.
I know it sounds rude but if you go into a store and the employee is not friendly tell them how rude it is their parents may not have taught about politeness. Or maybe say "Smile God loves you."

Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't find them rude at Darby's at all. Sometimes clerks have a bad day just like the rest of us. Smile first and ask how they are doing. It might surprise you . However, I do think the ambience of Darby's is changing to a more aloofness than in its humble beginnings. Fudge is still great. Some things never change,thank you very much .This year its more important than ever we at least try to shop Natchez. Especially downtown . How can we possibly complain about our economy if we,ourselves don't support local businesses. I've seen people drive a hundred miles one way to buy the same thing, at the same price somewhere else just so they can get out of town for the day . Downtown needs us and we need them . Shop downtown when you can.

Posted by virsam (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I shop at darby's many times, but the employees are so rude. I experience it first hand; not saying all of them, but the ones I came in contact with. To begin with I felt like an outsider from the bitterness that was shown toward me. I cancelled my order and I never returned. I'm signing off with this comment "Customer Service is the key to success", try it sometimes :)
Shine

Posted by cultureshock (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I really want to shop downtown, but the prices are high and there is not much selection. I try whenever I can to buy things locally. The downtown shops are more on the "touristy" side and just don't cut it for all the shopping most people need or want to do. Sorry, but the Internet and stores in other cities are often my top choices.

I went into Darby's last weekend and when I was ready to check out, the kids behind the counter seemed to take great pains to ignore me and talk to each other and the customer who was at the register before me and finished paying, and who they apparently knew. I almost put my purchases back and left. I have also found the people in Turning Pages to be very snotty. I may not be "old Natchez rich", but believe me I SPEND MONEY big time when I'm ready to shop. Shop owners, are you reading these postings?? You never know when you're alienating a possible big spender. Not everyone who walks through your doors is a tourist you'll never see again. As noted in another posting, though, the people at the Cock of the Walk shop and the Visitors' Center are wonderfully warm, friendly, and helpful. So are the people in Sun, Moon, and Stars, Moreton's Flowerland, and One of a Kind.

Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't shop Darbys anymore, either. And that's a shame because they always had the neatest stuff. I feel that if I'm not worth speaking to, my money is worth more at another store.

virsam...good point about customer service being the key to success. And why does the Democrat use Darbys as a shopping barometer if the store is obviously well-known for their rudeness? Maybe they're only nice to people they know and to hell with the rest of us.

If I owned Darbys, I'd be ashamed right about now. Time to learn some people skills.

Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's hard to find good help . I hear what ya'll are saying and maybe Dennis and Darby are listening . Sometimes you can get so caught up in making a living that you miss what's going on around you . I've seen too many times when bad things happen to good people when they are not paying attention . Maybe it's just God's way of drawing them back to reality and Him .

Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe so, southernbelle. Maybe this is their wake up call. They have so much neat stuff in that store and I would love to shop there. A simple smile will work, or "hello". People want to be convinced their business is needed.

I only hope they haven't made more money than they can spend and could care less if I spent $20 in their store.

Posted by Bobaloo (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

aw, come on,....... they're all stressed out bout Doc Biglove's. spend all their time picking up trash and cleaning up puke. Not to mention, can't sleep at night for the noise.

give em a break......

Posted by been_there (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

timefortruth, The reason that things are a wee bit more expensive in Natchez is because Natchez is out of the way. Its NOT ON AN INTERSTATE. This is a major problem for shop owners. We have to pay more to get stuff to us. Small shop owners also have to pay more wholesale. We are not like the likes of Kohl's, Target, Wal-Mart who can buy in large quantities. And I hate to break the news to you, but if you are shopping at the big box stores you are REALLY getting s******. The mark up at these places is mind boggling. They mark up stuff about 300% to begin with, so that when they have a "SALE", they make you think you are getting something for your money.
Now rudeness is another subject all together and I don't abide with that. And perhaps if people hired older folks, you would not have to deal with kids making cell phone calls from the shops or texting on their blackberries. If someone is rude to you say something right then and there or IF the owner is not there let them know the next time you see them.
And don't get me started on Doc Biglove's and the bars they have allowed to be opened on Main St. This is not the place for this. If I wanted this, I'd move to N.O. Give Darby a break, she has 3 buildings on Main Street the last of which was a bad deal and needed a lot of work done to it. Then the deal to sell furniture that once was in the old Depot fell through. She pays a lot of taxes and has given the town a lot of her money. And please don't get me started on the fiasco of the condos in the Depot. BIG MISTAKE! That was the perfect place for both shops and NPT. Johnathan and the Old South Trading Post are a joy. His bubbly personality just makes you smile. There are so many other wonderful shops to go to downtown, but sadly many have recently closed. The slow economy has hit us hard and Natchez just might not spring back. So dig deep and shop locally.

Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The reason we are left a little out of the way and seemingly forgotton is our state politicians treat us like a red-headed step-child and has done this for years.

Posted by NameThatTune (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is important to shop local. It is also important for Natchez residents to save as much money as possible when purchasing Christmas gifts. If you have a better selection of gifts online, at a lower price, with free shipping, then you won't have to use your gas, jockey for position for a parking space or deal with inadequate employees. You decide where you want to shop.

Posted by reneef (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let me make sure I understand. The economy in Natchez is bad. You complain because there is no selection locally. You complain about having trouble parking. You complain about the cost. But you will buy on the internet where you have to pay shipping, wait to get the item and help the economy somewhere else. You should try dealing with the parking, traffic and attitudes of employees in Baton Rouge. I will take Natchez anyday. BTW: the people at the local businesses have always been polite to me. As for Doc Bigloves --- I don't see anybody complaining about the taxes they pay and there have been bars on Main Street and other downtown streets for over 30 years. This is not new.

Posted by timefertruth (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 6:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

been_ there

I have shopped big box stores and smaller stores and the products are about the same nothing is meant to last anymore I have looked at prices in the box stores on a certain product and then went to smaller stores and looked at the exact same product
and most of the time the smaller stores are a lot more expensive than the box stores I have seen some products in small stores that have been as much as 50% higher in them than the box stores
the box stores are not the only ones who have an extreme markup
and I do understand that the smaller stores have to pay more for some products but if they have to sell it at a 50% higher price than a box store it is not worth selling it will collect dust.
as far as friendly employees Wal mart in Natchez has a big problem with sour puss employees I could not count on both hands and feet the people that have told me that they cannot stand wal mart because of some of their rude uncaring and unprofessional employees, the first basic rule of business is that the customer comes first second rule that an employee is to leave their personal problems outside the door, I also will be the first to admit that some customers come in looking for a fight but I always told my employees that they were expected to take a business butt chewing from a customer but never expected to take a personal butt chewing from a customer.
some people are miserable in their own skin and want to make everybody else miserable with them,that is the kind of customer and/or employee we can all do without no matter how much money they spend.
The main problem with this country is that people think the bigger and more ritzy the building gets the more business they will get,but the problem with that is everything you sell gos up in price to pay for that building, look at some of the new banks in Natchez are they having a contest to see who can build the biggest building,guess who pays for that in the end.
did you know that in japan they do not have big costly car dealerships? they have one little building that you go in to and look through a catalog and find the car you want decide what you want in it and order it, when it comes in they call the customer they come in and these people will go completely through the vehicles and look for the slightest flaw even behind the steering wheel then they go to negotiating the price down they will not stand for any flaws without the price being lowered,but in this country they put these vehicles out with flaws,bad clear coat,parts that they know are recalled
but yet they still want the top price for them,these vehicles today are not worth the price of a house I don't care what they are, hummers fiberglass and one of the most unsafe rides in this country example.
I'm tired now gonna stop here, HE HE

Posted by NoWireHangers (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 6:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Some of the best customer service I've seen in Natchez
is at the Visitors Center and Monmouth. Pig Out Inn folks are very nice too!

Posted by timefertruth (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 6:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

reneef

I can buy something off of the internet pay shipping and still get the item cheaper most of the time plus save gas,grief and I don't go downtown Natchez unless I absolutely positively have to.

As for doc bigloves I went once and did not like it so I continue going to the wild coyote saloon at lake montrose it has a lot better karaoke and the people are down to earth and don't think they are better than everybody else they are there to have fun and sing.

Posted by teacher (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I do not shop downtown all the time for different reasons. However, on occasions I have been shopping downtown and I must say Darby’s is fantastic. I cannot think of a better place to shop. What I am saying, every now and then I like to change my routine so when this happens I go downtown to Darby’s. I get the best service, the warmest smiles and let’s not talk about the fudge. I have visited The Copy Cat, and I never laugh so hard. I also eat at Pearl Street Pasta, great food and service. I am not saying that there are people who do not get treated rude while shopping downtown, but far as that’s concern I have been treated rude at Wal-Mart.

Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 7:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Remember our own. It begins at home.

Posted by reneef (anonymous) on December 15, 2008 at 8:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was not promoting Doc Bigloves. I prefer C&W music myself. Just pointing out that bars on Main Street are not new and Doc's is not the only one there so why point fingers at just one bar.

As far as shopping - yes the internet can be cheaper but people swap to Internet Shopping and the big chains like Walmart and then complain because the business districts close down and the small stores close. Small business can't compete with the quantity discounts that the large stores receive or with the lack of overhead that mail order has. If you want local businesses to succeed and the town to thrive then people have to make purchases from the local businesses.