Customer Service Alert Level: Brown
Posted on January 22, 2008 - Filed Under Business |
As a customer, some business experiences exist that we know are not going to be pleasant. For instance: the dentist office. No one enjoys going to the dentist office. We go because it’s good for us; we also understand the experience will not be a pleasant one. So, when entering the dentist office our Customer Service Alert (CSA) Level is set quite low. That way, when the dentist says "I need a new BMW. So you’re getting two fillings, a root canal, and a crown" your heart does not sink. Rather you were expecting the bad news and solemnly open your mouth to exposure to weapons of mass destruction.
Keep that in mind.
It is now day 7 since I reported the melt-down of my hot water heater to the home warranty company. No plumber has called. No emails have been sent. AHS has not followed through.
american home shield has met my expectations of their service. For those that are just joining us, my CSA Level for AHS is Level Brown. Poop Brown. Baby-Poop brown.
Alas, AHS’ performance was expected therefore I’m not disappointed.
A call was placed to my contractor. As of January 1, hot water heaters have been redesigned and now cost $500 instead of $300 (Labor not included). Something about being more efficient, more environmentally friendly. I asked him if it was bio-degradable.
December 31st, in Paris, cork-popping celebration with thousands of other revelers. At 12:01 am January 1st, the environment sent me a bill for $200. How is that for an inconvenient truth?
Oh calm down. It hasn’t been 7 days since I’ve taken a shower. That’s what the local gym is for. But I’m probably the only member who shows up, showers, then leaves without performing a single exercise.
Clifford’s CSA Level: Mr. Cranky Butt.
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4 Responses to “Customer Service Alert Level: Brown”
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Hey, Clifford,
So, your water heater can’t simply be repaired–it has to be replaced? What’s wrong with it? I’ve had to have the heating element replaced before in water heaters. It’s not too terribly expensive to do so. But, I think I recall you mentioning it had a pressure problem.
Michael said he thinks your water heater could simply have a bad relief valve. It’s the only thing he can think of that could cause a problem like what you’re describing.
Trisha and Michael,
The water heater does a great job of heating water. It’s just not getting into the house with any great speed. Lord Google tells me the lack of pressure is caused by build-up. Some folks suggested some techniques to break the build-up loose . . . but there’s no guarantee it will work.
My contractor tells me he has a way to replace the heater without it costing $800 to do it. I’ll wait and see.
I drain my water heater every couple of years by attaching a hose to the outlet at the front bottom and turning off the intake before draining. You’d be amazed at the small rocks and pebbles that come out! However, this will be a thing of the past for me, as I will be upgrading to a tankless water heater this year…