Life's Little Observations

I’ve normally found that when doing business with a company and giving them referrals for new business for a number of years, that they normally would give me a discount or some other type of break as a way of saying thanks for helping their business grow.

I was astonished to find out that in some cases, it doesn’t work that way. Actually its quite the opposite. By opposite, I mean being a good customer…….. well let me tell you what happened to me today.

I’ve been a customer of a cell phone service provider for over ten years. Silly of me to expect that since I’ve been a customer for so long that I might get a little bit of “preferred” customer service.

I thought I would treat myself and replace my cell phone because I’ve had it a number of years. I walked into the phone store and I was greeted by a salesperson with a grin that went from ear to ear. “Can I help you?” he asked. I said “Yes” and that “I would like to look at a new phone.”

He showed me a phone and shared with me the features and benefits of the phone and suggested that it might meet my needs. I looked over the product brochure and agreed. I then asked “how much is this phone?” He said “$29.99” as he looked for his order pad. I said “that’s great, here is my cell number so you can get the service transferred to the new phone.”

"Oh, great, you’re already a customer. Then the cost of the phone will be “$99.99.”

“$99.99, for the very same phone that I could have purchased for $29.99 as a nobody off the street?”

“Yes sir” he replied energetically with his not very thoughtful or logical response.

I said to him, “if I’m already a customer, why do I get penalized and have the opportunity to pay five times, more for the same phone?” He replied “don’t look at it like that.”

I said with the grin of a Cheshire cat “exactly how should I look at it?" He stared at me blankly. There was customer standing next to me and he also asked, “yeah, how should he look at it?”

I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I would retain too many clients by saying “since you’ve been such a loyal customer for so long, you should be happy to pay me five times more for my service to you.”

Was I really living in a Seinfeld episode? By the way, my old phone is working just fine tonight. Pinch me and tell me this isn't for real.

Posted by Life's Little Observer

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This site collects absolutely NO personal data. In fact, we collect no data at all. However, if you have any data that you think is worthy of collecting, send me an email!

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Useless, Pointless and Meaningless Disclaimer: This site collects absolutely NO personal data. In fact, we collect no data at all. However, if you have any data that you think is worthy of collecting, send me an email! No attorneys were hurt or consulted during the preparation of this disclaimer!

Useless, Pointless and Meaningless Disclaimer:

This site collects absolutely NO personal data. In fact, we collect no data at all. However, if you have any data that you think is worthy of collecting, send me an email!

No attorneys were hurt or consulted during the preparation of this disclaimer!