How about customer service that impressed you? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

ericschand · 03-02-2007, 02:38 PM

After all the complaining, when were you absolutely surprised at
the service given to you somewhere?

I'll start.

I went to a 7-11 postal outlet to send a money order. The person
who did the money orders was off sick, she had a heart attack or
something serious. The counterperson wasn't sure how to handle
sending the MO, so he called the manager.

The manager came out, and apologized to me, and asked if I could
come back tomorrow. I said no problem. Then I took my daughter,
grabbed some chips, and went for slurpees.

As I'm doing all this the manager comes up and says it's all on the
house. I reply I have chips and a big slurpee, plus another for
my daughter. He says it's all on the house for having to come back
the next day.

A 7-11 with customer service?!? Who ever has heard of such
a thing?

[7-11 in Hawkwood, for those who want to know.]

Needless to say, now I always go there to send stuff when I need a post
office...and get slurpees.

ers

Bobblehead · 03-02-2007, 02:46 PM

Co-op Liquor. I asked them about a wine my wife and I have been unable to find. They looked it up and said it was only available to restaurants, but if I was interested they would pull a few strings and get a case to sell me however many bottles I wanted.
That was teh type of response I hoped to get, but I expected to need to cajole someone or go to a smaller liquor merchant. Instead it was almost immediate and easy service.

DuffMan · 03-02-2007, 02:58 PM

this might not be considered customer service., but, I was in the hospital for 2 days, a month ago, and I was amazed at how friendly, polite, and helpful all of the nurses were.
Takes a special kind of person to deal with the stuff they do, work shiftwork etc. and still be friendly with people.
Nurses, I salute you.

The Goon · 03-02-2007, 03:00 PM

On more than one occasion, I've been impressed with the folks at the Running Room in Kensington. They really do love their jobs, it seems.

I've tried on many pairs of running shoes, and they've insisted I don't leave until I'm 100% happy. They've steered me away from the most expensive pair of running shoes, and they study how you walk/jog in the shoes the way a doctor examines a patient.

On top of that, their product knowledge puts anyone else in sports stores to shame.

SpitFire40 · 03-02-2007, 03:07 PM

Ken King, The Flames fanattic. Back when The Flames changed their lettering from black to white. They helped me out and changed my namebar for me.

Nothing really sticks out at the moment.

Jiggy_12 · 03-02-2007, 03:09 PM

Advantage Ford.

Buying my car in the summer was a very pain-free experience. Everything was quick, and they had their act together. After purchase care has so far been great too.

Oh, and mortgagebrokers.com was a great experience.

Robbob · 03-02-2007, 03:25 PM

On our Honeymoon we went out West and stayed at a few Fairmont hotels. Needless to say we were not the typical clients but figured what the hell (Wife is an old CP hotel enthusiast). We had a beyond decent experience at 2 of the 3 we stayed at. Here we were a young early 20's couple and they totally went out of there way to make the experience.

At the whistler one we mentioned it our conversation that it was our honeymoon and he congratulated us, but the kicker was by time we got our bags (we just walked in with no reservations) and got to our room the front desk had gotten someone to bring in a bottle of champange and a card congratulating us. Real nice touch.

The other one was at one of the hoity toity restaurants. The waitress could see we were definatley not the regular type of customer and a little intimidated with the whole experience so she pulled up a seat to the table (late supper) and totally eased things. She went over the menu explaining the fancy smancy stuff and when my wife asked for if possible to switch the sides you got with the meal she said you can have both to try. Portions were tiny and you left hungry but you couldn't complain because the service was beyond amazing.

jam26 · 03-02-2007, 03:48 PM

My colleague and I were in Tampa recently on business. We were at different hotels but he was at the Marriott, which was overbooked (I thought only airlines did that).
At any rate, they apologized profusely and paid for him to spend the first night across the street at the Sheraton. Then, when he returned to the Mariott for the rest of his stay, he had an elaborate platter of fruits, veggies and cheese and a good bottle of wine awaiting him, along with a note apologizing for the inconvenience.
Not really my story - but I was impressed nonetheless.

I-Hate-Hulse · 03-02-2007, 04:44 PM

My G/F had her car towed from in Singapore Sam's Parking on 11th Ave. (They suck)

Which of course means for a trip to the City Impound lot. If you haven't been there before, you'd be amazed at the anti-violence measures they have there. Staff are completely seperated from people by a thick wall of glass. Benches are bolted down so you don't javelin them. It's a damn secure place, probably for good reason.

We go down ready to go nuclear on them. Thing is, we had the nicest, most polite lady helping us. A rational person can't go ballistic on them. Calm voice - no snottiness on her part. Totally disarmed our hostile vibe. Couldn't get mad at her. Not sure if all the people there are trained like this but I doubt it.

Was just at the CRHA's Travel health clinic. Nurse was super nice and steered me away from some unecessary pills I thought I had to have.

I guess I'm infinately more impressed when people give good service where you don't expect to find it. If I'm paying top dollar at a Fairmont Hotel, I expect to have top line service. If I'm at a crappy government office and get fantastic service, I'm blown away.

keratosis · 03-02-2007, 05:06 PM

This list seems to be decidedly shorter than the" Places that have lost your business" thread.

Devils'Advocate · 03-02-2007, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keratosis

This list seems to be decidedly shorter than the" Places that have lost your business" thread.

They started at different times I believe.

There is a Subway here in Ottawa run by a husband and wife team. I used to go there every Thursday night for over a year and every time the husband would ask if I wanted "my regular". I then was moving around (Halifax, Boston) for two years. Eventually I moved back to Ottawa and decided to pop back in. The same guy was still there and all he asked was "Yer regular?". Also, he'd throw in some cookies for free. I also like that they have hired two mentally handicapped men to help out behind the counter and while that has nothing to do with their service, it does give them more of my business.

Shazam · 03-02-2007, 05:29 PM

I get good customer service way more than bad. A smile and some booze goes a long way!

SpitFire40 · 03-02-2007, 05:43 PM

I'll add Pho Huong Viet on 33rd ST and Bow trail SW. The owner is just totally nice and the food rules.

alltherage · 03-02-2007, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keratosis

This list seems to be decidedly shorter than the" Places that have lost your business" thread.

When things are good, noone notices. When things are bad, people complain. and complain. and complain some more.

Remember people, complimenting Customer Service staff to managers is constructive, and often times gets the staff some recognition and raises!

PYroMaNiaC · 03-02-2007, 06:46 PM

My Dad treated my brother and I to breakfast after very early morning doctor's exams at the A & W in Innisfail. I was grouchy, tired, and my stomach was bothering me after the tests. All I wanted was a coffee more than anything else in the world.

The lady at the counter said that normally to eat inside, you get a regular coffe mug. But for me, she would bring out the biggest "drive-thru" cup she could find. After we were seated, she brought round my coffee and asked everyone if their breakfast was good and even offered a free refill to go. She was chipper and smiling and genuinely seemed happy to be there. I was flabbergasted. At a fast food joint, no less!

Needless to say, she brightened my whole day. I will remember her as the highest example of good customer service I have ever seen.

Shazam · 03-02-2007, 07:05 PM

Want good service? Be friendly to them. Smile at them. Ask them how their day is going. Make them laugh. Say "Hello". I'm always shocked at people who order at fast food joints that just go "Combo 1". No hello, no hi, no "how you're doing". Talk about rude. No wonder people hate their jobs.

Claeren · 03-02-2007, 07:09 PM

Bumpy's Cafe on 8th St behind Brewsters. - Best cafe (Best Latte's) in the city and John the owner is a great guy.

Holy Grill on 10th Ave across from MEC - Best Panini' in the city and the brothers that work there (and own it) are also GREAT!

Ed Williams Menswear in Crowfoot - Thomas is fantastic and totally goes the extra mile every time to get you looking good at a fair price.

Claeren.

ericschand · 03-02-2007, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keratosis

This list seems to be decidedly shorter than the" Places that have lost your business" thread.

Lots of complaints about businesses people won't go to, bad service,
etc., in other threads.

I want to see the other side, where everything was so great, and perhaps
so unexpected, you go over and over (and recommend them). To
lighten it up a bit.

ers

TurnedTheCorner · 03-02-2007, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alltherage

When things are good, noone notices. When things are bad, people complain. and complain. and complain some more.

Remember people, complimenting Customer Service staff to managers is constructive, and often times gets the staff some recognition and raises!

Too true. A recent visit to Dairy Queen was a relatively exceptional experience compared to all of the horror stories you hear these days due to the labor shortage. A got a drive through clerk who was very polite and friendly, listened to my order, read it back to me, got it right, counted back change, etc. All with a friendly attitude and prompt service. I asked to speak to the manager, and I think she was half concerned, half thinking "WTF is this guy's problem?" I told the manager that the service was right on the money and that her staff member should be commended for doing the job right.

Kind of sad that competent service warrants a commendation these days, but in principle I try to give them out when I think its warranted.

ricosuave · 03-02-2007, 10:20 PM

i always go out of my way to mention to managers, or the staff themselves that i appreciate their help and such.

its such a lost art these days, it really makes my happy to see when people actually do it.