Some Weird Odds And Ends

I guess I must have lived a very strange life before but I never experienced very much of this "strangeness" that I seem to be experiencing now.  Is it my imagination or are things not as well-built as they used to be? I find that I need to replace items more often than ever before. Maybe that is why  prices are lower too for products in many cases.  They have to be replaced much sooner.  It is quite unfortunate, but I have learned how to deal with it.

 

I find that we also don't seem to be living in a world that is very consistent. My wife enjoys entering contests which can be fun, but also annoying at times. In the past, she has been a big winner in a number of contests, winning very substantial prizes. As an example, a couple years ago, she won a wonderful cruise to the Mediterranean. Now though she enters so many contests but does not win  anything except maybe some small, silly prize.

I decided to try my luck and here is where the inconsistency comes into play. Let me give you an example that I have had. I won a $2 prize from one of the coffee companies. It was for a free cup for coffee. Sounds easy and simple. Well, no that wasn't the case. It took 5 phone calls before I was able to get an answer as to why I couldn't redeem the prize.  The difficulty in winning the prize was due to the fact that my computer had Internet Explorer and didn't use Google Chrome. The browser was not compatible. Naturally, because I did not use it, I had no intention to put it onto my computer for just this $2 silliness on one occasion. However, it was the principle of the matter. I shouldn't have to waste my time for a crummy cup of coffee. I spoke to a supervisor who assured me I would receive my prize in the mail. We'll see if that happens or not.   

Just compare that with the article I wrote a little while ago about my positive experience regarding the mystery sound that turned out to be the flush valve in our bathroom working improperly. Do you see what I mean about different episodes being handled in completely different ways in just about the same time-frame. 

This is why I find a lot of businesses do not last long in the marketplace anymore.  Regardless of how great your product is, if you do not listen to your customers or help them when a problem arises, not only will they take their business elsewhere, but they will also tell others. Word-of-mouth is very powerful.

I understand that sometimes it takes time to solve a problem, but it is that genuine rapport which makes a lasting impression. No matter how big or small the issue, customers matter!