Because Oprah Says...

First Encounter

My first encounter with "because Oprah says..." took place over the phone.

I had a customer call into my department requesting the status of a certain item. I asked her if it was something that she saw on our online catalog, to which the conversation continued as such:

"No I haven't looked at your online site. Oprah says your store has it." She stated snottily.

"Uhmm...okay-y-y...uhmm. Can I have the name of the item, so that I can look it up?" I asked unsure about her request.

She sighed deeply into the phone, "It's the XXX - XXX and Oprah says that your store carries it."

"Alright, let me take a look." I typed into the register search field. This woman was killing me with her Oprah says. I swear if she said if Oprah says one more time I was gonna hang up on her.

"Ma'am I'm sorry this item is only available to be ordered through our online system. I can process the order over the phone or you may do it yourself if you like, but we do not carry it in our store."

"HOW CAN THAT BE! OPRAH SPECIFICALLY SAID THAT YOUR STORE..." at that point I hung up the phone.

I'm not sure if she called back and I have yet to hear anything about her.

Second Encounter

My second encounter came when one of her "suggestions" made it's way to a special display in our store. I use Oprah as a source expert when it comes to suggesting the item at hand.

A couple of teens came through and gasped at the price and asked, "Who the hell would pay that amount for a XXX?"

"It costs a lot because Oprah recommended it." I laughed at their stunned expressions and because one girl was carrying a hundred dollar coach purse, while another sported a pair of hundred dollar True Religion jeans.

"What? Wow I wish I had something that Oprah would like."

"Don't we all."

To retailers across America, if you want your store to sell an item or even sell your store. Just try and make friends with Oprah because if Oprah says your item/store/book is the place to go  then you won't need any other marketing.