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A jewelry hotline may get your cash registers ringing

To enhance your reputation for jewelry expertise, you might try a tactic used by one New York City apparel retailer, a boutique that sells discounted designer clothes.

The boutique, called Le Firme, installed a toll-free number consumers can call for advice on clothes-related issues. The store's management and staff answer the queries, which averaged about 12 a week shortly after the line was installed. The store has called customers to let them know about the hotline. Staff members also talk it up at every opportunity.

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