Too often, we bitch and moan about this or that bad service (apologies to our tender-eared friends and readers, as I do not wish to offend). And, along with many of you, I have had many cases of encounters with suppliers who do not treat their customers well.
One feels as though one has been cast adrift, or one’s stomach gets all tied up in knots with the frustration.
That said, how often do we thank those who have given us good, or even excellent, service? When was the last time you did?
A year ago, when our association was having its annual election, people were jockeying for a possible position on the national board and complaining about this and that and intimating all sorts of imagined sculduggery.
I wrote a letter in the association’s forum, thanking everyone on the staff by name for their excellent service and lauding the board, elected by all of us members (even by default). Over the years, that board, ever changing in composition, has done such an amazing job for us members. I know how difficult some of the decisions can be, as I once served on that very same board.
There is the case of our assistant, whom I thank often, both in person and in things I try to do for her. On Mother’s Day, she and her family came by with a lovely hanging basket of Impatiens that hangs outside my office and which I can enjoy daily, at least when we are home. It was her way of saying, “Thank you.”
Yesterday, a friend came to Cup-A-Joe, and I complemented her on her wonderful, warm smile. She was most appreciative and thanked me in return. A small thing, but it meant so much to her.
In New England, we often visit a classic farm, and for years, I have always asked permission to photograph there alone and with our workshops. I encourage all our participants to say, “Thank you,” by buying some of their wonderful maple syrup. They do, and even if they can not take it home on the airplane, they donate it to their B&B and enjoy it at breakfast!
And for us pros, there is nothing like one’s supplier treating us well. In this case, we are talking NPS (Nikon Professional Services). Yes, Canon, and other manufactures have their programs, too, but since it is Nikon that I have used for a long time, I cannot speak to the others.
Many of you read about what NPS did for us when Arnie’s camera was stolen in Barcelona right after my mother had died, and we were exhausted beyond exhaustion.
Nikon and others have experienced horrendous challenges because of the well-publicized earthquake and ensuing tsunami in Japan, followed by the massive floods in Thailand. The tragedies of loss of life and disruptions to families and communities are too massive for us on this side of the pond to even begin to comprehend except on an empathetic level. Alas, there are people in the western world that lose track of all that. They bitch and moan because they can’t get this or that piece of equipment.
Hello? These businesses, including many camera and electronic manufacturers have lost friends, family, and colleagues, not to mention millions of dollars of potential income.
So, we thank NPS and all those others who have struggled to meet the demands of their loyal customers during such incredible challenges.
I had a problem with a new lens and had to send it back for repair. Arghhh! We were headed off to the Outer Banks for one of our photo workshops, and to go there without my full complement of lenses was not good for an instructor! I called NPS, and not only did they replace the lens, but while it was in transit, they gave me a loaner with extra time because of our unusual schedule.
That is service. That is great service!
Thank you, NPS! Arnie and I appreciate all you do for us professionals.
And thanks to NPS, I was able to make the photos you see here on this blog, with the exception, of course, the one of the New England barn that was made last fall with my old version of the same lens.
So, the next time you get good or excellent service, take the time to thank those who gave it to you. They’ll really appreciate it
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What can I say – No thanks is necessary for us simply doing our jobs but – Thank you – yes our people did lose friends, family and in some cases – their homes. I will pass your thanks on to our family in Japan.
We appreciate that, Bill. Thanks for writing.
Take care,
TBC
Thank you for this good reminder demonstrated by your own behavior.
George,
How nice of you to write, and what a lovely comment! Thanks, and
Take care,
TBC