20d (edited) • Stories and Blogs
The Girl with Three Baskets
Back when I was working at Bath & Body Works in Kerrville—during the short-lived season when the company carried makeup—I learned one of my biggest lessons about not judging a circumstance by its cover.
We sold everything from lip gloss to mascara, all under $8. One day, a little girl—maybe 8 or 10 years old—walked in and started filling a basket. She was deliberate, studying each item before adding it in. At first, I thought she was just playing, but her choices looked serious enough that I decided to step in.
I went over to help and asked who she was with. She told me she had come with her parents but didn’t give me much more. I tried to gently guide her—asking what colors she liked, if she was shopping for herself or for gifts, and trying to figure out what her budget might be without embarrassing her. Each time I circled back, she had added more.
By the time she finished the first basket, she picked up a second. Then a third. These weren’t careless grabs—she was pausing, comparing shades, and making thoughtful choices. Still, in my mind, all I could see was a mountain of product I’d have to put back. When she finally walked out without saying a word, leaving three overflowing baskets behind, I was frustrated beyond belief.
I gave her about 30 minutes to come back, then reluctantly began putting things away, starting with the lotions so I could concentrate later on the 150+ tiny pieces of makeup.
That’s when she returned—with her parents.
Her dad chuckled and explained everything. She was headed to Camp Waldemar in Hunt—a very well-to-do girls camp about 30 minutes away. She wanted to bring matching gifts for her friends from the previous year. Her parents hadn’t set any parameters, so she simply pulled everything she thought would work and waited to show them when they arrived.
And here’s the kicker—they bought every single thing she had picked. All but the lotions I had already put back.
The total? Just over $800.
On items averaging $5 each—between 150 and 170 products.
The relief in the room was almost comical. For me, it was unforgettable.
From that moment on, I never judged a customer by age, look, or circumstance again. What looked like chaos turned out to be intention. What felt like wasted time turned into one of my biggest sales I had in my 5 years at that company.
✨ Takeaway for our community:
Don’t assume you know the whole story. Whether it’s a customer, a coworker, or a friend—there’s often more happening than you can see. Patience and curiosity can turn frustration into a win.
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The Girl with Three Baskets
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