I was not at all surprised; somehow, to hear that they had actually put Feng Shui to use in Mac Donald's in California. If you didn't catch the story, you might want to read about it here: Click here: Calif. McDonald's Tries Feng Shui Theme: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
Slowly, VERY slowly, Feng Shui is becoming more and more popular. And I have always believed it would finally "catch on," I just hoped I wouldn't be too old when it did! Catching on so much that traditionally "mainstream" places are beginning to realize the public's interest in it-and figure they'd better get on board NOW.
Not Home Depot, however. At least not my local one on Long Island. As good as their workshops and classes may be, I hate to say that I dislike that store very much. I occasionally have to go in to pick up something for the house to TRY and fix and I've realized that you can get lost in there forever. There is no help. It's wonderful for handymen and workers but I can never find anyone around to help me try and actually find anything....I've probably left that store empty handed more times then I've actually purchased in there. I DO recall getting help once, actually; I stopped in on my way home from a consultation so I was dressed well and lo and behold, there just happened to be people in there that particular day coming over and asking me if I needed help!
It was with some trepidation that when the new Lowe's was built nearby on Long Island I had to decide whether to get all dressed up and head to Home Depot or try Lowe's in my regular "jean" attire. I decided to be brave and head out to Lowe's-in jeans; it almost felt like an experiment.
When I walked in there was something there to greet me! They directed me to the isle I was looking for and told me there would be people there who could assist me in what I was looking for---of which I had a list. I am replacing my bathroom downstairs and needed EVERYTHING. They were wonderful to me in helping choose everything I needed from a tub, sink and toilet to the tiles. Needless to say I haven't been back to Home Depot. I realized that Lowe's was about CUSTOMER SERVICE---GIVE THE CUSTOMERS WHAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR.
So what does this have to do with the Feng Shui of Mac Donald's? I received today a package in the mail from an online client from California that I am working with. She apparently also is a fan of Lowe's and in her package I found this from their website: Feng Shui: An Introduction and this:
Working Hand in Hand - Feng Shui and Chi A Catalyst for Change Tools to Learn the Bagua Step One: Clear the Clutter Step Two: Color Me Creative Step Three: Elementary Elements Step Four: Knicks and Knacks for Quick Fixes Learn More About It
Pretty interesting, isn't it? And I believe it shows the impact Feng Shui is having on people who are choosing their new designs. In my opinion they will be one step ahead-or maybe two! If you're involved with Real Estate and intend to stay in your profession, don't be a Home Depot Realtor. Become a Lowe's Real Estate Agent; your knowledge will one day be worth your investment time in learning Feng Shui.
Carole.... I just think Lowe's nationally is making a change in customer service. I have found the same, when comparing both Lowe's and Home Depot. There is a lot to be said behind management and ownership. "How easy do we want to make it for our clients"..... I am off to read your McDonald's article now. thanks
Carol - I detest Home Depot. There is never anyone around to help, and God help you if you find what you want and get to the register where it rings up wrong. It will take 45 minutes for someone to actually check the damned price. I have walked out of that store more than I've walked in - I swear!
I love Lowe's - but around here we have Menard's, too. Now that is one awesome store!!! And ALWAYS lots of folks working the floor. They have a huge selection of everything and their prices are incredible. Do you have them in your neck of the woods?
Carol, Greetings from Olympia WA! Thanks for taking the time to post this blog. I'm fairly new with feng shui. My realtor gave me the book, "Clean Your Clutter with Feng Shui" and it really moved me to start cleaning up my home! The results were terrific and anytime I accidently fall behind, I read the book and get to work!
Now I'm a realtor and when I enter houses that flow and have energy, I really appreciate the technique and IT HELPS TO SELL HOUSES FASTER!!!
Thanks for the article from Lowe's and I plan to keep learning more about this feng shui!
Carole,
I Loved this post! well, I know I love all of your posts, but this one in particular. I've never been a fan of Home Depot either and find it a very impersonal and uncomfortable place to shop, so needless to say, I never go there.
This is very interesting about Lowes....we don't have one in our area yet, however they'll likely arrive within a few years. Off to read your links ....
Jo
Joan, I was glad to see that Lowe's is giving their customers what they want--great customer service and Feng Shui :)
Jeff, They have a wonderful staff who's ready to help, SO different from Home Depot. I'm thrilled they're here!
Candy, I saw the bagua from my client and at the top it said Lowes. I had to ask her about it, I think it's wonderful.
Julie, I'm glad you've got one there, there truly is no comparison between the two; I don't know about prices but with someone to help it saves me a lot of time!
Carol, We don't have Menard's...I guess it's along the same lines. Our only choice until Lowe's came was Home Depot and I've left empty handed many times. I am thrilled with Lowe's.
Sally, I'm not kidding, I believe they hide. The only reason I think that is because the day I was all dressed up there seemed to be so many people around and more then happy to help...hmmm....
Elaine, That is a wonderful book by Karen Kingston, she is a terrific author and writes so that it's actually understandable. I'm glad you are learning Feng Shui, I truly believe it will benefit you and your clients!
Katerina, I need a day--or a week to go back and read all my bookmarks (many of them from you with wonderful SEO tips!!). You're so on top of things it's wonderful.
Gita, It is becoming more mainstream and less "weird" especially since it involves most of the principles of The Secret which everyone resonated with. I believe realtors who are in business for the long haul should learn about it, the market is changing in more ways then one.
Jo, I do hope you get a Lowe's, they are just wonderful. When you purchase a big item they put it on a truck and wait for you to pull your car up--just wonderful shopping.
Missy, Actually now that you mentioned it I do remember it was always so dark in there...I always had the feeling in that store to try and find what I needed and get out...maybe that was it!
Teri, I wonder who's next after Mc Donald's? I know that large and elite restaurants incorporate it but was surprised to read about a chain doing it :)
Rosario, You're right, mine is only about a mile apart. I believe Lowe's did that deliberately---Home Depot had a huge market for their early hours and all the merchandise. Lowe's did the same thing but took it up many notches!
Vanessa, I am thrilled they are incorporating Feng Shui. I have to believe there are many people asking for it or they wouldn't have put all that information online!
Well what did you expect, Lowes is a North Carolina company? LOL!
Carol:
Feng Shui is used by just about every Chinese restaurant I have ever been in. And I have not seen any of these restaurants ever go out of business. The concepts of Feng Shui really do lend themselves to making a home look and feel better when you walk in. Thanks for the post.
Hi Carole - great post - I saw the McDonald's clip on the news last night and here is our 1st hand experience with LOWES=We remodelled our bathroom and Laundry room last year and hands down Lowe's got all our business - they were much easier to work with and guaranteed their work - they delivered the same ceramic tiles but from 2 different dye lots - the installer also from Lowes,refused to lay them because there would be a slight but noticeable color difference - he drove to another town,to another Lowes that had enough tile in the same lot # in stock and exchanged them for us - because of this delay, he worked till 1030pm at night to get the job done - the manager of Lowe's sent a gift card of apology for our inconvenience ? what inconvenience - they handled it all and then some!! Awesome customer service!
Sincerely,
Grace
Cynthia, I didn't know that! You sure know how to do it right down there, it's a great place.
Arina, Thank you, I believe that's in my days of article writing (I call it BB--Before Blogging). I hope it works for you, it's something I recommend my clients do.
Bill, Good point, they don't seem to ever go out of business. Fortunately your home doesn't have to look like a Chinese Restaurant, something people seem to be afraid of :)
Gary, Did you write about it? I only came up with it last night while reviewing photos for a client in California. She went to Lowe's website and printed out the Bagua and superimposed her house plan over it. But it brought to mind the differences between the two of them and I'm thrilled Lowe's in on board with Feng Shui.
Diane, I'd like to go down there and speak to the manager and see if they have a Feng Shui Consultant on hand for their clients....It couldn't hurt and some of the people already know me, I've been in there so much lately.
Grace, What an awesome story to share. They are really looking out for their customers and they helped me choose everything to put my downstairs bathroom back together (and I'm not easy to work with, I want it right :)! They really did have wonderful suggestions so when everything is completed I know exactly what I'll be using to get my bathroom redone.
Hi Carole...I had just seen that article about McDonalds...have you been in one? Did they do it right?
I won't even go into Home Depot...it makes me want to run(I feel the same about Shaws) We just got a Lowes...I haven't been yet!
Gayle, I wish I had knowledge, I have none at all unfortunately. So when I'm in one of those stores, I REALLY need help. I got the feeling in Home Depot when I could find someone that they didn't know much more then I did....
Joan, They've only done one so far, in California. The article said the Feng Shui Consultant was going to use 44 chairs (four translates to the word "death" in Chinese). Thank goodness someone caught it and they added a chair :)
Hi Carole,
Home Depot....now that is a swear word!! That place makes me angry, as you said there is no one to help you. When I have found someone to help they either get a call or someone else comes along and starts asking questions. We are not lucky enough to have a Lowe's here but I am looking forward to the day. We do have Rona which is like Home Depot but they are better with their customer service so that is where I shop.
Thanks for the post, feng shui is very helpful if you're in real estate.
We love Lowe's also and switched from Home Depot after they were horrible about a return. Lowe's has a great program for Realtors called Lowe's Realtor benefits. They also have free newsfeeds and moving tips that you can use on your website, we have the newsfeed on ours. I hadn't seen the feng shui tips though before so thanks for sharing those.
Carole - Haven't been to a Home Depot in many, many years. Sounds like I haven't missed anything.
Our McDonald's here in town (yes, we only have one) is closed for remodeling. A complete gutting and re-doing. I am hoping they incorporate some of the principles I've learned about from your writing. Now, if you could only give Home Depot a few pointers!
Trace, It must be universal that home depot employees are not taught anything about customer service. Maybe if they stepped into a Lowe's they would understand why people are leaving, I'm sure they've noticed a huge drop in business. And I really do hope you get a Lowe's soon, it's worth the wait.
Kevin & Monica, I didn't know they had a place in Lowe's for Realtors. That's wonderful. I believe Lowe's is listening to their customers wants and taking action to be creative and helpful.
Debbie, I wonder if they will incorporate it into other McDonalds. It's interesting that sales are up; I'm curious to see if they'll stay that way.