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A Box of Ice

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/Max Associates DE#RA-0003085 PA#RS347136

My refrigerator died about a month ago. I had heard a clicking noise coming from the kitchen occasionally, like the sound a coffee maker emits, only I don’t have a coffee maker. Then I remembered when I had heard that sound. I heard it the last time my refrigerator quit working.

One quick peek at the contents of the freezer confirmed it. Everything had defrosted. I tossed all of it. Goodbye shrimp and salmon, veggies and scallops. 

(Deep sigh)

Knowing I’d lose the contents of the refrigerator, too, I called the appliance repair company who had breathed life back into it last time, except none of the repair guys would be available for a few weeks due to illness.

A few phone calls later and I had ordered a new refrigerator. The only problem now was, it couldn’t be delivered for about a week and a half. So, I searched for a local source for dry ice and discovered All Service Ice Corporation DryIceWilmington.com

What a great find! Though it meant a daily trip for a block of dry ice, I discovered what a great company they are and what terrific customer service they provide, especially via Diana. On day two or three of my dry ice saga,  I was out showing houses all day and was running out of time to get to their office before it closed. I called and spoke with Diana who told me to just call back when I was about 15 minutes away and she’d run back to the office and cut off a block of ice for me. What business does that?  Works around the needs of their customers so seamlessly? Has empathy for their customers? Cheers on their successes as Diana did when it was my last day for dry ice?

Oh, wait. That’s what we do as Realtors®, isn’t it? If we’re doing our job well, we adapt to what our customers need. We listen to them, discover what their situation is, and help craft solutions for them. We don't make them fit our agenda, but we devise a way to fit into theirs. And when they meet their goals, which means our chapter with them draws to an end, we cheer them on and move on to the next person who needs us.

I’m keeping All Service Ice Corporation in my contacts. You never know when I might need more dry ice or heck, they even make those cool luges, if anyone ever needs one of those. I hope, likewise, that my clients always keep me in their contacts, too.

 

Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I never thought it would be as simple as a box of ice, but yeah, I get it

May 22, 2021 10:08 PM
Monica Hill

Thanks, Laura! Lots of great lessons all around us if we take the time to observe.

May 23, 2021 09:09 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

What a story and so sorry to hear your drama, but at least there is somewhat of a positive ending.... Just to give you an idea I have been dealing with looking for a Handyman now going on two weeks and we are on number 10 that I reached out to....lucky for us it is not as important as your situation, Endre

May 22, 2021 10:20 PM
Monica Hill

Endre, this taught me another layer of empathy for my clients. I've had many who've made offers on houses where the refrigerator isn't included and then they've had to face a month or more without one. So sorry to hear of your problems with securing a handman!

May 23, 2021 09:06 AM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Great reaction to a downer situation.  Thanks for the post, make it a productive Sunday.  The week starts new again tomorrow.  Bill Salvatore

May 23, 2021 05:02 AM
Monica Hill

As I was told by a Realtor who I respect highly, every day is our first day in the business. 

May 23, 2021 09:06 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

We have all experienced something similar when the power goes out and the fear of lost food takes hold.

Having a source or ice for you was invaluable and the lesson taken from it should be rewarded and emulated in our daily business dealings.

May 23, 2021 06:20 AM
Monica Hill

Thanks! It's great when you receive great customer service and acts as a reminder of how we all like to be treated!

May 23, 2021 09:07 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I have to say that if you only had to wait a few weeks for a refrigerator, you did great! As for All Service Ice Corporation? They sound like a wonderful company who definitely deserved a shout-out! Thank you for sharing.

May 23, 2021 06:30 AM
Monica Hill

Diana at All Service Ice Corporation is a true gem! And I can now eye a block of ice and guess pretty darn close to accurate what the weight of it is! 

May 23, 2021 09:08 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Monica,  I hav some items order on line that need to stay cool and dry ice works great.

 

May 23, 2021 09:51 AM
Monica Hill

Dry ice works wonders except... don't put it above a filtering water pitcher! It made the water taste like baking soda. :-) It also made my blueberries taste somewhat fizzy. Who knew?

May 23, 2021 05:07 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Monica- Don't you just hate it when our everyday appliances go on the blink!!!  Your ice company sounds like a dream come true. I'm going to have to remember that the next time we are without power (like 2+ days this past February in our ice storm.)

May 23, 2021 06:42 PM
Carolyn Roland- In Delaware and S. Chester County PA
Independent architectural histor'n - Wilmington, DE
Carolyn Roland, GRI, CRS

Monica-You had to be resourceful and found a company that equals your resourcefulness! Two all star businesses!!

May 25, 2021 05:16 PM