What would you do?

[AdamB]

Thicker poly sheet shouldn't be a 'kiddie' hazard. If it was draped in vertical strips (say 18 inches wide and slightly overlaping) customers could still access the items on the rail.

If you have a good relationship with this group have you tried simply and ever so politely asking them to limit the 'wanderings' of the dogs because the dog hair is making your stock unsaleable?

It's not a nice position to be in and IMO it needs to be resolved because it is clearly something that could damage your business if word gets around that you have dog hair all over your stock.

It may be the only option?

Yes - I do have a good relationship with them and I mentioned it (again) earlier after a visit. I've tried joking, apologetic - to be honest there's not much more I could say without offending them.

Microfibre type wand/brush and when they're gone, a quick once over should sort it. I cannot see how you can restrict them around the shop as, like you say - they're entitled to come in. If you start laying down the law you might loose a good customer.

Cheers John

That's what we do at the moment John - and we've managed to get them clean before anyone noticed apart from the one occasion (as mentioned above)

[smitch6]

if they are part of an organisation have you tried ring the office and having a word?

also have you thought about a 3 foot high perspex guard with thick poles at each end
like a barrier you see in banks etc but smaller obviously so adults can touch and feel but little kids and dogs can't?

[RogerC]

Adam...another potential problem with this situation is that you have a customer with an allergy who buys a 'cleaned' item of clothing who then suffers an allergic reaction.

It can happen quite easily. A friend of mine can not even go into a room where a cat or dog has been without having a lengthy sneezing fit. IMO you need to find a way to stop the dogs contacting the clothing.

[AdamB]

if they are part of an organisation have you tried ring the office and having a word?

They are the ones I speak to Steve.

if they are part of an organisation have you tried ring the office and having a word?

also have you thought about a 3 foot high perspex guard with thick poles at each end
like a barrier you see in banks etc but smaller obviously so adults can touch and feel but little kids and dogs can't?

It's an idea - cheers buddy

Adam...another potential problem with this situation is that you have a customer with an allergy who buys a 'cleaned' item of clothing who then suffers an allergic reaction.

It can happen quite easily. A friend of mine can not even go into a room where a cat or dog has been without having a lengthy sneezing fit. IMO you need to find a way to stop the dogs contacting the clothing.

I never thought of that! Thank you for that 'angle' on things - this obviously needs addressing more urgently than I first thought.

[RogerC]

give me a ring Adam... I might have a solution for you but it's too difficult to explain here.

[Ian M]

Adam,

I would get in touch with Guide Dogs for the Blind to ask if they could give you any advice in how to handle such a situation. Their contact details are :-Email: [EMAIL="guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk]guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk[/EMAIL]
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
Burghfield Common
Reading
RG7 3YG
Tel: 0118 983 5555

I'm sure they will be able to help you & have probably helped with a similar situation in the past.

[AdamB]

Adam,

I would get in touch with Guide Dogs for the Blind to ask if they could give you any advice in how to handle such a situation. Their contact details are :-Email: [EMAIL="guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk]guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk[/EMAIL]
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
Burghfield Common
Reading
RG7 3YG
Tel: 0118 983 5555

I'm sure they will be able to help you & have probably helped with a similar situation in the past.

Good idea Ian - thanks buddy

[Reg]

The rails can't be highered and are at there highest point - any higher they could topple over and be a hazzard

Could the rails be cut and have a section added to raise the height and then secured to the wall with brackets for safety.

[draig]

What about Polythene bags similar to what cover dry cleaning over each item, people could still take them off the rail individually and just lift the bag to examine garments. Would keep items clean and should help the stray dog hairs from getting on them.

Sharon

[Andrew]

Have a stronger word with them in as friendly a manner possible and put more emphasis on the the problems it creates. If it is a wet day and the dogs come in then it would be even worse. Explain to them that you will be more than happy to help them get what they need if they just wait until you become available rather than let the dogs wander. They are human after all and you would ask other people with kids or food to be careful if they were messing up the clothes. Not much to ask so you can run the business the way you need to.