Customer Service -- You can do it, if you're a man.
One of the things that I love about capitalism is that there is a never-ending cycle of new businesses that come into existence, become the next big thing, grow to dominance, become the de facto place for whatever, hire a bazillion people, lose focus and fall into poor customer service or product offerings then disappear to make room for the next, next big thing.
My wife recently had a customer service experience with a large chain home renovation retailer whose name rhymes with Foam Repo. She had decided to install laminate wood flooring in two rooms in our house. She's the do-it-yourself-er in our family and had the good sense not to even suggest that I get involved. (For more information about why I don't do any fix-it projects in our home, look for my forthcoming blog entries: How I nearly Electrocuted Myself Checking the Water Heater, How I Nearly Electrocuted Myself Playing with Model Trains and How I Nearly Electrocuted Myself Working in Potato Harvest, coming soon).
When my wife visited the aforementioned super mega home renovation outlet, she perused the offerings for a time, patiently hoping for some assistance. A few employees meandered past, carefully ensuring that they did not make eye contact as they did. Another busied himself nearby, also very careful to not look helpful lest a customer approach him with any questions.
My wife isn't one to approach employees. She's not much for asking directions or seeking advice, but she was sure that she would need more than just a carton of laminate flooring to finish the job she had planned. When her patience wore out, she finally approached the nearest employee, a young male. She told him that she was going to install a new floor in two rooms and asked him what, in addition to the flooring itself, she would need. His reply was straight and simple: "A man."
Undeterred, but perturbed, my wife returned to the flooring, bought several boxes, then she went to the tools area. Before she was finished she had loaded up the cart with a jig saw, a circular saw, a new drill of some sort, some blue stuff (that apparently goes under the wood), a band saw and some additional random things that seemed like they would help. She later told me that she may have misjudged the number of tools required, but she wanted to be sure she could get the job done.
In two days, she finished two rooms of new flooring. I wish I could find that young employee and take some snapshots of the work she did. It looks great and it was done very well. And for the super mega home renovation store, I think they may consider changing their motto.
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From the wife who installed the floor, I'd like to thank the "helpful" employee for giving me the extra incentive I needed to get this job done. As my husband learned early in our courtship one of the best motivators is for someone to challenge me by saying I can’t or won’t or do something. ;o)
Holly
Posted by: Holly Schwendiman | October 10, 2005 05:27 PM
Too funny, but so typical of the gal you married! I'm waiting to hear the sour milk short story!
Posted by: Mardean Pope | October 12, 2005 03:38 PM
I think the employee got it backwards. I bought some laminate wood flooring over a year ago and it still isn't installed - man-oh-man and I am a man!
Posted by: Brent | October 13, 2005 12:55 PM