Customer Service

Posted on August 29, 2005 - Filed Under Housing |

Regarding the locks, today was my day.  I stopped completely because I wasn’t looking forward to replacing, in total 8 locks on 2 doors.  Let’s be realistic, who has 4 locks per door?  Removing the grotesque screen doors will eliminate 4 locks.  This leaves only the locks on the inside door.  This cuts that number from 8 to four.  I like that math better.

I had a chance to meet the man who brought Costco to Canada.  He told me "For any business to succeed, they must meet two of the following three criteria:  1. Phenomenal Customer Service; 2. Excellent product selection; 3. Cheapest prices possible."  My response was "So Costco is about products and prices." to which he responded "Yes."

After utilizing the Internet, I discovered that Schlage makes home locks.  I thought about getting some locks from Brinks until I read that Schlage makes the locks used in prisons.  I thought to myself "If it’s good enough to keep murderers, rapists and pick-pockets locked up, it’s good enough for me!" 

I had picked out my locks at Home Depot (HD).  A fellow cubicle inmate told me that HD can re-do the locks so that they all work with the same key.  Armed with my $50 coupon, I was ready to get the locks changed and get them on the door.  I found the guy in the lock section and asked him about getting the locks "re-keyed".

Cliff:  Excuse me sir, I’d like to get these locks to work with the same key.
Minimum Wage Worker (MWW):  Alright . . . .  (He pauses for 10 seconds)
Cliff (wondering):  Do you do that?
MWW:  Nope.
Cliff (Irritated): Who does?
MWW:  The key guy
Cliff: Where is the key guy?
MWW:  Up front.
Cliff:  "Up front" is a little vague.  Where up front?
MWW:  Where else?  The Tool Section.
Cliff (reads name tag):  Thank you Paul.  You’ve been extremely helpful and have made my Home Depot experience a true pleasure.

Pinhead.

I go to the Tool Section where I find the key guy, who was talking on the phone.  A young lad of perhaps 24 years, his body language seemed intent on the phone call.  I approached him, holding my locks and patiently waiting.  I know at some point, he’ll put down the phone and attend to his customer.  As I kind of zone out, my ears suddenly became super sensitive to the sounds around me, including his conversation.

Minimum Wage Worker 2 (MWW2):  You looked so hot in that mini skirt.  Oh yeah.  After a few drinks, I couldn’t keep my hands off you.  I know, I know but I couldn’t help it.  I was so horny and you were so hot.  Yeah, I didn’t care about that.
Cliff (to myself):  You’ve got to be kidding me.  Someone shoot me now.
MWW2 (puts the phone off to the side of his head): Can I help you?
Cliff (irritated):  I need these locks re-keyed to work with the same key.
MWW2 (finds a piece of paper and a pen):  What’s your name and number?
Cliff:  Why?
MWW2:  So I can call you tomorrow when I got the locks done.
Cliff:  How long does it take?
MWW2:  About 15 minutes.
Cliff:  And you can’t do it now?  I know you’re extremely busy but I’d like to get this done tonight.  Your store doesn’t close for another hour.
MWW2  (to the phone): Yeah baby, I’ll call you back.  I gotta work.
Cliff (to myself):  Imagine that.

Pinhead.

Great Selection.
Reasonable Prices.
No Customer Service.

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Comments

One Response to “Customer Service”

  1. Joëlle on August 29th, 2005 1:16 pm

    Tu m’as fait vraiment rire Clifford avec tes aventures au magasin de bricolage !

    C’est tellement imagé ce que tu as décris !

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