Great Customer Service - It's not something I take for Granted.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with ViewHomes of Clark County - Nature As Neighbors

 

   
  Great Customer Service

Great Customer ServiceDo you get all warm and sappy with great customer service? I do. It's not something I take for granted. Perhaps, one day, we'll live in a world where appreciation for customers is the rule, instead of the exception.

Recently, I experienced great customer service at a local Starbucks. The shop was crowded and an acquaintance and I wanted to discuss something in relative privacy. Unbeknown to us, one of the baristas noticed our plight.

We settled for two big chairs located in a corner, not ideal, but it was the best we could manage given the situation. We tried to talk quietly as we juggled laptops and such on our laps.

Before long, a young woman in the signature green apron tapped me on the shoulder, "If you two would like a more private location, a table just opened up in the back." She'd scurried out from behind the counter to let us know.

Great Customer ServiceWe both remarked, nearly at the same time, "Wow, now that's great customer service!" The rest of the hour flew by, and as we left the coffee shop, we both stopped to thank her, once again, for her thoughtfulness.

As I climbed into my car, I felt grateful and appreciative for her attention to our dilemma and her desire to find a solution. In short, I felt all warm and sappy - that's great customer service, and it's not something I take for granted.


If you're looking for a Realtor who appreciates and delivers great customer service, call me today at 360.608.4900. Or, visit anytime at www.debbjanes.com

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ViewHomes™ grew out of our passion for nature, beautiful surroundings, and peaceful environments. Starting together in an urban environment, over the years we've gravitated towards areas with smaller populations and less density. We now enjoy our lifestyle in a rural environment, but with close proximity to metropolitan areas where we appreciate all the amenities of fine restaurants, shopping, and an easy drive to an international airport.
Living in ViewHomes™ is like having “elbowroom for the soul”.

 

360-608-4900 

info@natureasneighbors.com
 

                                                                             

 

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Ambassador
856,878
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Access - Schertz, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

I am absolutely Just like you Debb.  I get incredibly warm and sappy when I experience great customer service!  You know why?  Because these days, it's so darn rare!  I am amazed at the nonchalant attitude a lot of folks in the customer service industry show and am absolutely floored when someone goes out of their way to provide great customer service :)!  Thanks for sharing that an I am so glad you got great CS :)!

Jan 04, 2012 09:47 AM #1
Rainmaker
5,219,425
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Debb,

I am with you on this subject.  It is one of the benchmarks I use to decide whether to refer someone or not.  In every publication I have read it is the #1 make or break for any service professional or retailer.  I am still stunned when people do not get it.  I better stop now, before i continued to rant and rave on the subject. A

Jan 04, 2012 09:52 AM #2
Ambassador
2,166,874
Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD
ViewHomes of Clark County - Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
REALTORS® in Clark County, WA

Brenda, glad to hear I'm not the only sap in the world. :) Judging from your recent blog post with your happy buyers (video), I'd say you too deliver "great customer service."  My most recent "new client" keeps saying she can't believe my attitude and that I always answer my phone. She's 60 and has never had a Realtor offer her that level of customer service...sad somehow.

Jan 04, 2012 10:05 AM #3
Rainmaker
579,933
Lee & Carol Barbour, REALTORS
Murphy and Hayesville, NC; Hiawassee, Blairsville, Blue Ridge GA - Murphy, NC
Mountain Living Team in Murphy NC and North GA

Its a sad thing that we don't see this kind of customer service and thoughtfulness more these days. I'm sure your kind and appreciative comments made her day too.

Jan 04, 2012 11:19 AM #4
Rainmaker
2,379,388
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Debb: A quick note or comment to her supervisor the next time you go by wouldn't be out of order...good customer service should be recognized.

Jan 04, 2012 11:46 AM #5
Ambassador
629,092
Jeanean Gendron
The Address Realty - Redding, CA
Specializing in Selling Unique Properties

Debb, I love to eat in our best restaurants. I'd rather save it all up for a beautiful dining experience with superb customer service than have several meals that are just "so so". I look for those experiences as you have described and enjoy savoring the experience. Nice post!

Jan 04, 2012 11:48 AM #6
Rainer
206,734
Marge Piwowarski
Phoenix AZ Horse Property - Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix AZ Horse Property, LLC

I appreciate great customer service, reward it where I find it and offer it myself.  While I don't take it for granted when I find it, I do expect it and am disappointed when it is missing.  As Realtrors, it is our ace in the hole if we provide a level the client has never experienced before.  It isn't hard...

Jan 04, 2012 12:04 PM #7
Rainmaker
565,035
Steve, Joel & Steve A. Chain
Chain Real Estate Investments & Mortgage, Steve & Joel Chain - Cottonwood, CA

Debb,

What a priceless testimony. Great business leaders create an environment where employees take ownership of the "customer's experience." It's an enduring quality that lingers long after the sale. Suggested: SC

Jan 04, 2012 12:09 PM #8
Rainmaker
559,652
Melinda (Mel) Peterson
Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR
The Blessed Realtor - ABR, CRS

I think we all desire that kind of service, yet so many businesses fall short of providing good customer service.  When an establishment hires good people who pay attention to the details, it keeps me coming back as a loyal customer.  It's funny... I went to one of my favorite coffee houses (Mellelo) yesterday and paid with a gift card as I had no cash on me.  My card came up .10 cents short and the barista said she would pay it.  I told her I'd be back tomorrow to bring her a dime (which I did).  I also left her a nice tip and said thank-you.  Great reminder to all of us to be the best that we can be... thanks Debb!

Jan 04, 2012 01:36 PM #9
Rainmaker
1,280,298
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Hi Debb~ I've worked in Customer Service, in one form or another, my whole adult life.  I'm amazed when I get questionable service.  Why are those people in that job if they don't want to be there?  Just to earn a paycheck?  Too many selfish people in this world today.  Too many people that don't care about the Golden Rule, do onto others...  I'm glad you had such a positive experience.  I'm sure the Starbucks girl appreciated your recognition.

Jan 04, 2012 01:50 PM #10
Rainmaker
312,893
Carol-Ann Palmieri
RE/MAX Executive Realty, Al and Cal Realty Group - Franklin, MA
"Cal" the Real Estate Gal

Hi Debb.   Really great customer service builds great businesses.    Caring about the job you do no matter what it is makes all the difference in the world.   Great post.   Love the graphics too.

Jan 05, 2012 12:07 AM #11
Rainmaker
2,051,489
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Debb,

Great customer service in my book is never expected but it is always appreciated by me and my family. Some how certain service providers have stopped training their employees to give good service. We all need to encourage such behavior and what is really neat yours cameat a Starbucks.

Jan 05, 2012 12:19 AM #12
Ambassador
2,166,874
Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD
ViewHomes of Clark County - Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
REALTORS® in Clark County, WA

Lee and Carol, I'm sure if buyers choose an agent in Active Rain the odds of getting great customer service increases...I've never met so many peers who have the basic business values.

Anita, funny you mention that, I actually have a letter/note I have written to drop off to the manager - I just need to get her name next time I pop in to that particular Starbucks...it's not my usual, so I'll have to make a point of going there. I should have thought of it the day it happened. I will next time.

Jan 05, 2012 01:54 AM #13
Ambassador
2,166,874
Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD
ViewHomes of Clark County - Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
REALTORS® in Clark County, WA

Jeanean, good for you. Quality versus quantity...that's our (my hubby and me) personal mantra. In our work, our home, lifestyle, purchases,etc.

Jan 05, 2012 01:55 AM #14
Ambassador
2,166,874
Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD
ViewHomes of Clark County - Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
REALTORS® in Clark County, WA

Marge, suprising isn't it when we meet a Realtor who doesn't offer this basic good business practice? For the most part, I see many good agents, it's just the few who seem to get a lot of attention.

Hey Steve and Chain gang - Good to see you. Thanks for the suggest..and more importantly, your visit and comment. Great customer service does linger...here I am still talking about my good experience. :)

Jan 05, 2012 01:57 AM #15
Ambassador
2,166,874
Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD
ViewHomes of Clark County - Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
REALTORS® in Clark County, WA

Mel - that's it in a "shot" of espresso - it reminds us all to be the "best" that we can be...you got it sista. That's the takeaway.


Thank you Donna. I need to go back and make sure management knows what a treasure they have in that young woman.

Jan 05, 2012 02:00 AM #16
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