Let's Talk Dance
Dear Ms. Austin:
I want to commend you on the excellent response to your reader in the July 2002 Dancer magazine. Your insight, knowledge and understanding of the need for timely, correct fittings on pointe shoes was very strong and I am glad to see you advising parents that their dance instructor should be the one to determine when their child is ready for point shoes.
However, I would like to address one point that I feel was totally out of place in your article. First let me say that I am employed at the largest dancewear store in Arkansas, which has been in business for over 26 years. We keep a large stock of many different brands/styles of pointe shoes and make sure our employees have knowledge of each of these as well as what it takes to ensure the dancer receives an excellent fit which will most effectively reduce the chance of injury or permanent damage.
The point I wish to address in your response was the comment that "And remember...retailers and shoe manufactures want to SELL SHOES. It will be hard to trust them to discourage early placement on pointe." By making this statement you have cast a major shadow of doubt on the customer relations and honesty, which we have worked so hard to develop and offer to our customers. All retailers want to sell or they would be in business. However, not all retailers are untrustworthy as you indicated. We work with the students, parents and instructors alike to ensure that the dancer is properly fitted.
We do not encourage early placement on pointe and make sure that the dancer and parent alike receives very up to date information on the dangers of early placement. We always discourage sales if the dancer is young and "just wants to own a pair" but has not been referred by the instructor. We are not out to make a sale at the expense of our dancers. To do so would only hurt our business and reputation.
Every dancer/parent/instructor who comes through our doors is treated with the utmost respect and all the
knowledge we have at our disposal is provided to them. As the mother of a 20 year older dancer as well as being in the retail business I feel an extra responsibility to see that each young dancer is guided and protected.
I totally agree with you about stores who don't practice our policy. I'm sorry you found it necessary to make the comment and group all retailers in the same negative statement. It was very unfair. Thank you for understanding my concern
M.S., Arkansas
Dear M.S,
Thank you for your letter. I am always thrilled to know people are reading "Let's Talk Dance!" DANCER is a great voice for everyone. I am glad you contacted me as quickly as you did so that I could reevaluate my response in the July 2002 issue. I, too, own a Retail Dance Shop. I have only been in business for 12 years though so I have lots of learning to do. I do understand your point of view and I apologize if it seemed I was laying blame. What I should have said was for parents to educate themselves about pointe study and shoes, and to be certain to patronize a reputable store with a knowledgeable and trustworthy staff (like yourself). (Something that I forgot to stress was that unless you know your brand and size and have stopped growing, please do not try to do "mail order" fittings.)
The word that I left out in regard to the retailer issue was the word "some," and I honestly did not mean to indicate ALL. Now I see where I need to be more careful with which words I choose and which words I choose to edit out. You would agree though that "some," if not "many" retail stores will sell a student "whatever"...just to make the sale. You know that is true. We don't. We will not sell a pair of shoes we do not feel is an adequate fit. We offer to order in other choices or send them to another store. I am not against retailers...I am one. And I am not against wholesalers. I am one, also, for a Highland Dance Ghillie. I try to be realistic and honest and I do appreciate your letter. It draws my attention to my comments and keeps me on the straight and narrow. In addition, I have met someone new--you! Thank you so much for your input and your readership!
Questions, comments, concerns, issue..."Let's Talk Dance!" Kathryn Austin at kaustin2@cfl.rr.com or PO Box 771518 Winter Garden, FL 34777. •