Sometimes retail sales people miss the mark when it comes to customer relationships.  Speaking from my own personal shopping experiences, many salespeople put on a happy face and pretend to like you for the sake of getting the sale. I'm sure that most are genuinely good people at heart, or that the sell means commission to put food on the table, but what about when it comes to finding a consumer's needs?  
One of the most aggravating buying experiences is "the forced up-sale."  I don't have a problem with a salesperson showing me differences in quality from one grade to the next.  What if I can't afford the best on the market? What if the median grade is sufficient for the nursery that is getting painted again in a year or two?  
The other issue on my mind is the salesperson that cares more about his phone than what I need.  This can range from the very busy and popular salesperson that politely keeps asking to be excused during a major presentation every 30 seconds, to the 18 year old fighting with his or her significant other about a jealousy issue via text.  Uggggh!
I'm so happy that we at Robbins aren't pressured to sell certain items.  Here we are able to find the best product for the customer that he/she can afford.  Being genuine with every customer regardless of race, age or gender makes it easy for anyone to shop comfortably.  We want our customers to come back for other needs without dreading The Saaalesssmannn.  :)
Have you had a terrible sales experience recently? Comment below if you have.
Jeff Higginbotham

Here in North Carolina, it's definitely summer!  90 degrees on the local bank clock in the shade.  What it doesn't tell you is that the air has so much moisture in it that you can almost swim to your car from the front door.  My wife and daughter complain about their hair going flat (whatever that means) and my son avoids me like the plague when I ask if he wants to help me with something outside.  You know, it's summer.  So for those of us that like to hang outside in the summer with a cool beverage and our feet propped up, you gotta get that deck ready!
 Sometimes using the most expensive product on the market isn't always the best choice.  For instance, if you stained your deck last year and it looks a little dingy, why not get some Jomax deck cleaner, a scrub brush and a water hose (hosepipe for those in Rutherford County) and save a bundle of money and time in making your deck brand new again.  
Is your deck faded due to major exposure to the sun?  Stop using the cheapest stain on the market and be done with it for several years.  Try Sikkens SRD which is sold right here at Robbins.  I've heard so many personal testaments about this product holding up extremely well that I recommend it to anyone with a brand new or severely faded deck.  
As for me, I built a deck out of recycled decking that a friend of mine had replaced by composite decking.  Composite decking isn't solid wood, but rather multiple materials that are extremely weather resistant and makes a long lasting deck when installed properly.  Composite decking costs and Arm and a Leg, maybe even an ear!  With that being said, there are products out there that will prolong the life of a cracked worn deck that most would discard as unserviceable.  That's what I started with.  Decking products proclaiming to have high elastomeric values help to span gaps up to 1/4" wide!  They are testing seriously weathered wood on decks and docks across the US, and at my house, with these products.  I used a product called SUPERDECK that's made by Duck Back for extremely damaged wood and concrete.  It worked great after 2 coats!  My wife is having me put a 3rd coat on much to my chagrin at first, but I had to admit that it looked great!

Most people know that Robbins Paint and Carpet is an honest local retailer that strives for customer satisfaction.  What many don't realize is that we are a member of ABBEY CARPET for a reason.  That reason is that:
We are the exclusive dealer for Abbey Carpet, the best selling retail carpet brand in America.
Our store is a member of the Abbey Carpet Marketing/Buying System which brings to our customers unsurpassed selection, value and quality assurance of all products.
Along with 350 other stores that sell Abbey Carpet, we have the advantage of the Buying Power of a National Chain.
BUT, Unlike most all chains, WE KNOW OUR CUSTOMERS. We are your neighbor. We hope you like the Abbey Carpet idea: A LOCAL INDEPENDENTLY OWNED RETAIL STORE WITH NATIONAL BUYING POWER.

Jeff Higginbotham

Many people rely on Better Homes and Gardens to guide them when making buying decisions around the home.  I know my mother was always a big fan of the magazine.  In fact, she won a house in Cummings, GA that was beautifully set in a wonderful community.  The house had everything it needed to move in and live.  Beds, desks, couches, carpet, drapes, and it even had Benjamin Moore Paint.  The color scheme was vibrant and rich at the same time.  
The people of Better Homes test and rank many household items and then give an unbiased conclusion as to how they perform.  Benjamin Moore paint was top dog in a recent study they've done.  
This really doesn't surprise painters and homeowners that insist on using the paint.  If you've ever used it, you know it covers better and lasts longer.  In addition to the high quality, their colors are so unique that they can't be truly matched in another paint.
I work for Robbins Paint and Carpet in Forest City, NC and although I am a flooring salesman and installer by trade, I'm certainly happy we sell Ben Moore paint!  It's always great to know you aren't just giving a great price, you are giving the best quality.

Jeff Higginbotham