Sometimes working it retail can bring challenges beyond the norm. Occasionally the question ‘Can we help?’ can lead to some very odd situations. We asked a few Perth businesses to share some of the those 'oops' moments. Times when 'can we help?' doesn't have the clearest answer:

Oops at McCash's Country Store

McCash’s Country Store stocks a great range of fuel for various types of domestic fires. They do what they can to make sure it’s up to the same high standard that they hold against their other stock.

That’s why, when they received a complaint about the logs they stock, they took it very seriously. However, in this instance, they were at a loss as to how they might help.

The staff at McCash asked what the fault with the logs was (in the hopes that it was something they could help with). The customer instead requested a refund as they couldn’t see a solution being likely. You see, as it turns out the smoke from their logs wasn’t going up the chimney.

It’s unclear what role the logs were supposed to have played in this problem but we suspect that it might be time to call a local chimney sweep like JC Chimney sweeps, J & S MacDonald, EKO installations, or McArthur Home Maintenance?

Oops at Fun Junction

It can be hard to figure out what shop is the right one to contact regarding more unusual items. Toy shops, in particular, can receive some strange requests as a result. However, in this instance, there was a double whammy of confusion for the staff at Fun Junction.

A while ago a customer came in asking if Fun Junction stocked Marquees (to hire preferably). The customer wasn't really expecting them to have any, she was just hoping. She insisted that she ‘understood’ that they might not stock marquees for hire since Fun Junction ‘ isn't a music shop…’. (Guessing the guys in at Bandwaggon had a confusing conversation on their hands next).

Oops at Charlie Taylor

The situations above are simple mistakes but the next one is truly, gloriously, bizarre. Charlie Taylor are known for their flair for adding a touch of glamour to any look.

However, even they had to admit that they had found their limit for glam when a regular client asked if they could add a bit of glamour to a very important fella in her life; her prize bull who she thought might look all the more dashing tinted black!

Oops at Big Dog Books

This last mistake has become so common that Stuart over at Big Dog Books has taken to just helping out.

On a regular basis (probably due to the shop’s name) Big Dog Books get asked if they stock books about dogs. Understandably, many customers look at the name and jump to a fairly clear conclusion.

It’s an easy mistake to make and especially simple if you’re simply calling in after a google search for ‘dog books Perth’. In this instance ‘Big Dog Books’ is your first hit so it’s a pretty forgivable mistake.

It’s also one that’s easy to deal with. Big Dog Books stocks a fantastic range of books (mainly graphic novels) and their main supplier is actually able to provide books about dogs too. They’ll frequently simply order the book for the customer anyway. Might as well help where you can.

Something that’s always helpful

No matter which shop you walk into in Perth, so long as they’re a Mi Rewards business they’ve got something helpful to give you.

If you’re a Mi Rewards member you can enjoy access to a huge range of perks and prizes on a regular basis. What’s more you will also be rewarded for your purchases, gaining points every time you shop, dine, or otherwise spend, in a participating business.

It’s easy to join Mi Rewards Perth (and it’s free), simply click on this link and we’ll walk you through it (you’ll be done in a couple of minutes).