But he has taken a step to bringing the American buyers back and in the window of his chic shop at 46 Bourne Street, off Pimlico Road, SW1 is a bold sign saying: “American Clients. To help you and us, the exchange rate for items purchased in this gallery is $1.60 to the pound.”
Mr Von Moltke is working on the principle that it is better to do a deal than not to do a deal, and, after the first week, the sign has engendered plenty of interest.
At this stage the sign has not resulted in any direct sales – but it did bring in two American decorators who would otherwise not have bothered.
A good move, but it seems the Pimlico dealer is not the first to put up the sign.
I hear that for some time the same offer has been in the Sloane Street, Knightsbridge, gallery window of the renowned dealer in things maritime Paul Mason.
Will this buck up business?
PIMLICO dealer in 1940s design items Alex Von Motke, has suffered as much as anyone else from the dearth of American customers, frightened off by the strength of the pound.
