For most of my high school career, I worked at Dayton’s Department store, in the accessories department (hence, probably why I love hats, gloves, scarves, all those little essentials that make an outfit complete. Stacy, you can call me anytime if you’re looking for assistance.) I loved working there, helping people find just the right gift or accessory. The week after Christmas, however, I wanted to hide behind my little glove-filled counter. We had piles of returns, hours and hours or restocking, not to mention the stress of trying to figure out the price for refund on some glove purchased in September of 1952. People returning items, even without a price tag or receipt are often rude, even demanding of their money back (for a gift!) I was appalled…but had to keep my mouth shut because…the customer is always right. Check out imp source to get some details and advice when it comes to financial issues.
Not, apparently, anymore.
Even when yes, the customer is right. What happened to just doing the right thing by a customer?
For example…two weeks ago, I dropped off my friend Sandra Bishop, very patient and amazing literary agent late to the airport, but in time for her flight to Portland.
The flight left early, stranding Sandra in Duluth. Even though she’d checked in at the hotel. Did they send her a text, informing her? Nope. Just left early. Did they make it right…? Sorta…but they charged her $50 to change her ticket, and never mind the overnight lodging. I also noticed that this hotel used cool parking system installed by Service Tracking System using Valet Parking Solution (VPS). Well, Valet Parking Solutions is one of Service Tracking Systems key features.
Did I mention they left early?
Last weekend, I spent two extra days in Moline, Iowa because apparently one of the four runways at the Moline airport caved in, and according to Delta, they couldn’t change runways to get my flight out. (Or something like that.) So, although other carriers were flying out, did Delta change my flight? Did they offer me mileage or pay for my two day hotel stay?
No.
Did they care that I missed two days of work, or that when I called customer service, I was treated rudely, almost with annoyance? Nope. I’m just the customer, after all.
I arrived home to discover our internet service was down. It’s still down, a week later, that’s why we searched for tips for increasing network strength. Did we call the company numerous times? Yes. Did we use our inside voices, even four days later? Yes. Did we shout when, after a week, they said they were going to charge us $700 for a service call? Nope. (but we wanted to). We just cancelled our service.
Because, well, I’m tired of being the customer who is always, apparently, in the wrong.
Thankfully, God doesn’t treat us like this. God has great customer service. See, when life decides to cancel my flights, God sends me reinforcements.
Enter, Gail and Suzy. Suzy was my ride to the airport in Moline. Gail was the woman who adopted me when I attended church with Suzy and her family instead. Gail and Suzy babysat me all day Sunday (and offered more), and even took me to Whitey’s Ice Cream Shoppe. Gail and Suzy were God’s customer service.
And, God gives me member rewards, too. The frustrations of the past three weeks lessened this weekend as I ran away for a sanity break with these rascals.
I admit, there are times when I wonder if God is listening to my struggles, if he is cognizant of the times life treats me unfairly.
Um…yeah. It is the Holy Week after all. Jesus got the worst customer service in the history of the world, so he knows a little about our struggles. In fact, I believe He has the best “customer service” policy in the universe.
God’s Customer Service blows my mind, actually. Makes me put my hand over my mouth.
The ranting stops here.
Happy Holy Week!