Martini Musing: Be The Change I Want
I don’t do New Year’s resolutions (why keep losing the same 10 pounds over and over?) However, given the dismal state of most customer service - I’ve decided to be the change I want:
1. I’m not going to buy anything with a rebate offer, unless that rebate is given at the time of purchase. Life is too short to jump through the flaming hoops most companies put in your way to avoid giving you the rebate. I’d rather spend more with a local company where I can look ‘em in the eye if something breaks.
2. I’m going to ask why.The next time I get bad service or am being ignored while the clerks talk amongst themselves - I’m going to ever so politely inquire “why?” Are they having a bad day? Is there something I should be doing differently? Maybe it’ll wake ‘em up.
3. Simplify, simplify. I’m canceling most of my credit cards and using only Discover (with a Visa tucked away for places that don’t take Discover.) They’ve always given me far better service than the others. Even though they do call me during dinner - a real person actually reads and responds to my emails! Cash back; web site easy to grok and use; real customer service; pay one bill once a month easily online (no “convenience” fees or clumsy process). Works for me! (No, Discover isn’t a client. I just like ‘em. See how this happy customer stuff works?)
I can’t fix broken processes or train employees - but I can choose with whom I do business - and how. And so can you. (For example, from now on, I will not be flying on American Alrlines, unless I absolutely, positively have no other choice. I don’t care how cheap their fare - and “cheap” and “American” seldom belongs in the same sentence.)
…Now, about that 2008 presidential election….Hmmmm…
Read More: All my Friday Martini Time posts (some fun, some serious, pretty much all irreverent.)
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