Harris Teeter

Yesterday, I looked on-line for a video game and found that it was available at Wal-Mart.  After an eight mile drive, I was told if it's not in the display cabinet, we don't have it.  My comment that I just looked on-line didn't help.  "Oh, on-line information is usually wrong."  Then she walked away.  In my opinion, while some Wal-Mart employees are personable and helpful, most are extremely over paid.

On the other hand, good customer service does exist.  Below is the feedback I sent to Harris Teeter.

No one was around the produce department at Cary Place when I stopped by to pick up my fruit tray at 3:00 p.m.  on December 4.  A man from the Deli took my copy of the order and went to look for the right person.  A few minutes later, a woman, who I learned later was Angel McGee, the Store Manager, came over to me and explained they had misread the order and thought the pickup was at 4:00.  She saw that I was distressed.  I explained I have 20 people coming for a party at 4:30 and I don’t have time to come back.

She said not to worry, they would deliver it.  And because it was their mistake, it would be free.  Before my party started, the fruit tray was delivered with two additional containers of fruit and a potted poinsettia.

Many organizations claim to promote excellent customer service, yet fail to deliver.  Harris Teeter turned a mistake into an opportunity to delight a customer.  I told everyone at the party about Harris Teeter and I will continue to tell this story.

Seasoned Man

stevelem117@gmail.com

A Different Thanksgiving

We went to the beach for Thanksgiving and decided to have Thanksgiving dinner at Flannigan’s, a casual, sports bar, rather than go to a fancy place.  Our table wasn’t ready so we sat at the bar with a drink.  A young (to us) couple was sitting next to us, and I struck up a conversation with the man.  The waitress told us our table was ready.  While I was paying the bar bill, Aloma was seated in a booth right behind me.  I paid the bill and started wandering around looking for her.  She mentioned to the couple at the bar I went the wrong way - so the man went looking for me and guided me back to Aloma.

Then Aloma asked them to join us at our table and they accepted.

We learned they were from Lebanon, now living in Columbus, Ohio, ran a Jewish Deli and had two children in their twenties.  Over twenty years ago, Joe opened the Deli and went back to Lebanon for a visit, met his wife-to-be and married her two weeks later.  They were interesting and positive about life and this country.  We had a great time with them.  Oh, while they run a Jewish Deli, they’re not Jewish.

The Deli must be successful because they recently bought an oceanfront condo and were here to buy furnishings for it.

I forgot to mention, Thanksgiving dinner was delicious.

Seasoned Man

stevelem117@gmail.com