Gifts

You will notice we are doing product reviews again in the video section. I am a big believer that a purchase can be made or destroyed by more than just a bad product. The service and customer experience is paramount when it comes to luxury items and quite frankly if I am paying a premium, I fully expect an elevated level of service.

I am not saying everyone has to usher in a Tom Ford experience of single malts, champagne and round-the-clock service, but is it too much to ask for the basics? To me the basics are:

1. Respond to your emails and potential customers.…

I remember as a child watching an episode of the Flintstones where Fred buys Wilma a bowling ball for her birthday. I remember laughing at his excitement in purchasing it for her, and laughing even harder when she let him have it after receiving it.

Of course she didn’t like it, Fred! YOU like bowling, not Wilma. Wilma likes pearls and appliances made of talking elephants.

Of course, now I am old enough to appreciate these situations, I realize I myself have turned into Fred Flintstone; but instead of a bowling ball I use Bond girl accessories to become the butt of my own joke.…

As many of you know, I do a James Bond gift video every year whereby I highlight items for the Bond fan that has everything…except family that knows what to get them. These have been fun and a bit tongue in cheek but I have been amazed how many people truly do sit their loved ones in front of the video and press play in hopes that more than sugar plumbs will be dancing in their heads.

But this is a year of major Bond moments, like the 50th Anniversary and a small movie called SkyFall, so the abundance of Bond products is dizzying.…