Repost from February 17, 2006
My Dear Furniture Retailers and Manufacturers:
You’re right. I may not trust you! Although I’ve been frustrated and disappointed with you for a long time, I believe I can eventually trust you, but it’s up to you to earn that trust with honest and inspiring action, not just more words.
Most of you talk incessantly about satisfying me—some kind of fantasy, I guess. I’m approachable. All I need is substantial and thoughtful action, not more of the gimmicks and price-driven teases I’ve been dismissing for years—the ones that shout, “Here I am, baby, I’m selling furniture, and you need it, so come and get it!”
Despite all the posturing that you know what I want and when I want it, I’m not so sure you really know my lasting, precious desire. I just want the truth, enveloped with romance, sensitivity, sensibility and dependability.
I will respond well to a compelling story that appeals to my emotional, intuitive sense of how your furniture infuses my life with enjoyment and happiness. But, for me to help you, you guys really have to listen.
I promise I’ll embrace you as a partner, not as some bitchy tormentor, but friendly and loyal mentor. You need to know that I really resent being patronized as the “little lady” with an outrageous Father Knows Best attitude that preserves subordination and reinforces eons of suspicion.
Are you aware that most of your guy-talk advertising and sell-me-now, in-store demeanor is neither inviting, comforting nor reassuring? It’s highly insulting, suggesting that you believe I am some kind of mindless damsel in distress who needs to be coaxed and cajoled—someone dependent on you to tell me what I need.
I will direct my discretionary income elsewhere until you demonstrate that you recognize me as a thinking, valid person, not just an object classified as “consumer.” I don’t consume sofas, tables and chairs: With furniture, I project and confirm my dreams. Find out what those are and explain how your furniture will help me achieve them.
To me, a sofa is more than a seating station; a dining table more than a food service surface; and a bedroom suite more than a storage system in a room that’s more than a place to sleep. I enrich my life and home with furniture.
With a little more mindful and tender floorplay in your store, I will be more 
compassionate and responsive, your best friend and admirer, instead of a robot to be consumed by detached gotta-sell-something-today clerks wanting me only for another meaningless mercantile affair—the typical no-interest, one-ad stand.
Open my mind and spirit with inspiring insight instead of treating me like a sales ratio statistic in a retail game. The more disciplined and committed you are to becoming my furniture counselors, the faster you will earn my trust and enjoy the flowing financial sustenance that nourishes a lasting relationship.
Sincerely,
A Home Enricher
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