It’s time for my own personal customer service awards! Since I regularly bitch about terrible companies (I’m looking at you, UBS… and you, Delta), I figured it would be good to point out some excellent ones.
I bought our tent at REI (hey! another great company!) at least four years ago, before Matt and I were even dating. Two years ago, we weathered the gigantic windstorm at Moondance that knocked over Klein’s giant truck-awning and blew most people’s tents away. Our tent remained staked to the ground, but the two main poles bent. The tent has been usable since then, but it kind of leans in an offkilter way, and we have to make sure we put it up with both bent sections facing the same direction, or it’ll be all wacky and twisted.
Immediately after the storm, I emailed Sierra Designs to ask what it would cost to replace them. They said it would probably be covered by warranty, I just had to send them in. Well, it was still camping season, so I didn’t get around to it then. Nor did I get around to it the next year; the only time I thought of it was when we took the tent out to use it, and obviously I wasn’t mailing them then.
I finally called back last month and asked them about it. They told me it wouldn’t be under warranty, as that was obviously an “act of god” and not defect. I was fine with that, because it would only be $50 or so to replace them, plus the shipping. I sent them off (to Boulder, Colorado: go figure) and once again forgot about the tent poles.
We got the new ones in the mail yesterday, with a note saying they were free. I’ll be buying any future tent-supplies from Sierra Designs, obviously.
So, I’m cheap. I hate spending money on things that are hard to consider highly necessary, since I prefer to save all my money for things like travel. However, I had these Mizunos that I’d worn on not one but two Breast Cancer 3-Days, and had been wearing at the gym ever since. I estimate that they have at least 1,000 miles on them, and they’re definitely not in good shape. But they hadn’t actually fallen apart, so I kept wearing them, despite the fact I was pretty convinced they were contributing to my foot problems.
I finally decided to bite the bullet and get new ones. At least I’ve learned my lesson about one thing in the past: always consult an expert. So Matt and I headed to Marathon Sports, where I’d purchased my last few pairs of shoes.
I told the girl there about my foot issues, so she suggested some other alternatives to the Mizunos. Within 10 minutes, I’d decided on a pair of Sauconys instead. They have a wider base, which is better for metatarsalitis. I asked her about inserts for my shoes, and she gave me the name of some they didn’t sell, because they’re supposedly the best. And then I got 20% off my shoes, because they’re a supporter of the Breast Cancer 3-Day.
If you’re in the 612, don’t waste your time buying athletic shoes anywhere else. The right ones are worth it.
3) My banks
Why would anyone put up with a bank that charges fees and treats you like you don’t matter? These don’t: ING, Charles Schwab, and credit unions (mine is specifically US Federal, but any of them will do). I’ve had excellent service from all of them, and am more than happy to let them hang onto my money for me. While paying me interest, of course.
I’m sure I have more companies to add to this list. Maybe I’ll just create my own personal Yelp.