Noise Levels

[srhaz]

Keeping kids/babies quite, and what about that Television?

I have a unattended mat with NO television. The customers I talk to say they like it because they can sit quietly and read or study.

But, others bring their kids/babies that are very noisy and are annoying to the other customers. When I'm there I sometimes give them a little 10cent plastic toy to shut them up.
A loud blaring television would defeat the purpose.

Who do you make happy? What are pros and cons of having a television? (beside theft). Any tricks out there to occupy children in a unattended mat with no room for a jungle gym.

[danskines]

I actually have televisions in all of my stores and they are partially attended during certain hours. When they are unattended I have had no problems with anyone trying to steal them or vandalize them. The tv keeps the kids quiet, but I did have problems with people changing the channels to the Spanish stations. I found that if I crazy glued the buttons, then they stopped touching it. In each of my stores there is enough room for the customers to find a queit spot to relax in!

[pete f]

I have a radio tuned into a 80's pop station.
I have very few seats, so most leave the kids at home:))
Other then that, they amuse themselves with the carts..
TV would just give them a reason to bring the kids. You know doing a giant bunch of laundry sucks, it is worse trying to watch your kids and do it at the same time. I think my customers like the fact we have no place for kids, they get a few hours "off"!!

[Anonymous]

hey Pete,

Speaking of carts, I had one stolen the other day. Or at least I think it was stolen..... it just disappeared from the store and hasn't found its way back yet.

It was an older one without a cloths bar on it. I guess it gives me a good excuse to buy a new one.

If you notice one of those kids amusing themselves with a cart you don't recognize, let me know. It could be mine..... ;-)