Why are we as customers so captivated by tales of nice customer support? Maybe it’s as a result of they function a reminder that there are firms (and wonderful assist professionals) who nonetheless care about their clients.
Each firm says their clients are their #1 precedence, however tales present us that many companies are prepared, prepared, and capable of go the additional mile for every one in every of their clients.
As Benjamin Franklin would put it: “Properly performed is healthier than nicely mentioned.”
We agree, and all through the remainder of this information, we’ll take an in depth take a look at some memorable customer support tales in an effort to spotlight these companies who “stroll the stroll” in terms of delivering the sort of service that wins a buyer over for all times.
Alongside the way in which, you’ll discover insights to your personal enterprise to contemplate and a few distinctive inspiration to cross on to your assist crew.
1. Sainsbury’s takes recommendation from a three-year outdated
A inflexible perspective would possibly simply be the antithesis of nice customer support. Proving that they’re an organization that is aware of the right way to have a little bit enjoyable, this story from Sainsbury’s grocery store highlights how your assist crew ought to spot nice alternatives to do issues which are quirky and out of the peculiar.
Lily Robinson (who insists that she is three and a half years outdated) was fairly confused by one in every of Sainsbury’s merchandise referred to as tiger bread. In her eyes, the bread didn’t resemble a tiger in any respect, and, actually, seemed very very like a giraffe.
It is onerous to disagree together with her!
With a little bit help from mother and pa, she wrote a letter to Sainsbury’s customer support division.
To her shock, buyer assist supervisor Chris King advised her that he couldn’t agree extra. He defined the origins of the title:
“I believe renaming tiger bread giraffe bread is an excellent thought — it appears way more just like the blotches on a giraffe than the stripes on a tiger, doesn’t it? It’s referred to as tiger bread as a result of the primary baker who made it a loooong time in the past thought it seemed stripey like a tiger. Perhaps they have been a bit foolish.”
Lily’s mother loved the letters and ended up posting them on her weblog. Earlier than lengthy, this cute correspondence was a viral hit, and the stress was on for Sainsbury’s to alter the title of the product to the way more applicable giraffe bread.
Understanding the shopper was actually proper on this occasion — and recognizing an uncommon alternative to do one thing enjoyable — Sainsbury’s modified the title of the bread and put indicators round their shops that give a humorous nod to Lily’s unique thought.
2. Gaylord Opryland wows a repeat buyer
It doesn’t take a slew of shopper information to assist the argument that your common clients are your rock. As such, taking good care of them isn’t just the best factor to do. It’s additionally good for enterprise.
Contemplate the case of normal Gaylord Opryland resort buyer Christina McMenemy who stayed on the resort three years in a row for the annual BlissDom convention.
Throughout every keep, McMenemy discovered herself entranced by one of many options in her resort room: An alarm clock that performed gentle music (as in, the type that you just’d expertise in a high-end spa).
McMenemy liked the clock radio. She had by no means slept higher than she did whereas utilizing it.
For 3 years, McMenemy tried to search out the precise mannequin clock from her resort room to no avail. She had almost given up hope when she messaged the corporate’s Twitter web page throughout her most up-to-date journey to Opryland.
Resigned to her destiny, she attended the convention and let the alarm clock hunt go.
However upon returning to her room she was stunned to search out not one however two spa clocks and a letter together with her title on it.
Opryland acknowledged a possibility to verify a long-time buyer had among the best experiences ever. And so they didn’t simply win a buyer for all times; in addition they purchased loads of goodwill with people on the convention (and past) who subsequently heard in regards to the story.
“You reaffirmed that there are nonetheless firms on the market centered on nice service, and also you’ve made a lifelong fan out of me.”–Christina McMenemy
3. Bungie creates a vacation miracle
The assumption that you must do your greatest to “make issues proper” with clients in robust conditions is a recurring theme amongst these firms with legendary customer support. That mentioned, even the greats of the customer support world could have a tough time topping this subsequent story.
In one other excellent instance of taking good care of clients, Bungie, one of the crucial beloved recreation builders within the business, raised the bar for his or her willingness to deal with their followers.
The story begins with a distraught father whose son needed to obtain liver transplant surgical procedure across the holidays.
Since being within the hospital left his son unable to play the most recent launch of his favourite online game franchise, Halo, his dad reached out to Bungie.
The response he obtained from the corporate went far past what anybody anticipated!
First, all the Bungie crew signed and despatched a card with get-well needs.
To make up for lacking out on taking part in Halo, the crew constructed him a customized helmet based mostly off of the principle character and despatched it — together with shirts, toys, and customized artwork from the sport’s designers.
His father later posted a thanks thread and a group of photos on Christmas day, which was when Bungie visited his son within the hospital and introduced the presents.
“He was completely shocked when he noticed the customized helmet from Halo Attain! Bungie, you’ve performed an enormous half in making this smile! My household can’t thanks sufficient!”
4. Jim Shukys’ Auto sweats the small stuff
Lots of the memorable tales that we’ve coated thus far give attention to an organization’s stellar response to an standard state of affairs, however what about these day-to-day service tales?
Excellent service isn’t restricted to out-of-the-ordinary circumstances. It may be integrated into the very cloth of what you are promoting, displaying up in even the commonest of situations.
That’s why we love this subsequent story shared by a buyer in Streetsboro, Ohio.
The story was posted on Reddit beneath the appropriately titled subject of “I’ve by no means in my life seen this stage of customer support” and included this real, considerate thank-you word.
However the perfect a part of this story is that even supposing this picture was shared on the web, random commenters beginning stating that they knew precisely which enterprise this was:
“I used to reside in Streetsboro and I do know precisely who that’s. He’s a great man, stick with him!”
Now that’s the definition of memorable service! The reward continued with non-customers, too, with one commenter saying,
“It’s little issues like this that earn enterprise. If I received this card I might by no means use one other mechanic in my life.”
5. A Lego service rep saves the day
Shedding a favourite toy feels devastating to a younger youngster. Longtime Lego fan Luka Apps spent all of his Christmas cash on a Ninjago (Lego ninja) named Jay XZ. Towards his dad’s advisement, he introduced his Ninjago on a procuring journey … and misplaced it.
Luka wrote a letter to Lego explaining his loss and assuring the Lego employees that he would take extra-special care of his motion determine in the event that they despatched him one other one.
Hiya.
My title is Luka Apps and I’m seven years outdated.
With all my cash I received for Christmas I purchased the Ninjago package of the Ultrasonic Raider. The quantity is 9449. It’s actually good.
My Daddy simply took me to Sainsbury’s and advised me to depart the folks at dwelling however I took them and I misplaced Jay ZX on the store because it fell out of my coat.
I’m actually upset I’ve misplaced him. Daddy mentioned to ship you a e mail to see if you’ll ship me one other one.
I promise I received’t take him to the store once more for those who can.
– Luka
The response he obtained from Lego buyer assist consultant Richard was nothing in need of wonderful. Richard advised Luke that he had talked to Sensei Wu (a Ninjago character), writing:
He advised me to let you know, “Luka, your father looks like a really sensible man. You need to all the time defend your Ninjago minifigures just like the dragons defend the Weapons of Spinjitzu!”
Sensei Wu additionally advised me it was okay if I despatched you a brand new Jay and advised me it might be okay if I included one thing additional for you as a result of anybody that saves their Christmas cash to purchase the Ultrasonic Raider should be a very massive Ninjago fan.
So, I hope you take pleasure in your Jay minifigure with all his weapons. You’ll even have the one Jay minifigure that mixes 3 totally different Jays into one! I’m additionally going to ship you a foul man for him to struggle!
Simply keep in mind, what Sensei Wu mentioned: hold your minifigures protected just like the Weapons of Spinjitzu! And naturally, all the time hearken to your dad.
It’s so uncommon to see such a considerate, inventive response to a distraught buyer that this story went viral.
6. Dealer Joe’s delivers (actually)
An aged man, 89 years of age, was snowed in at his Pennsylvanian dwelling across the holidays, and his daughter was apprehensive that he wasn’t going to have entry to sufficient meals because of the impending storm and unhealthy climate within the space.
After calling a number of shops in a determined try to search out anybody who would ship to her father’s dwelling, she lastly received ahold of somebody at Dealer Joe’s who advised her that in addition they don’t ship … usually.
Given the intense circumstance, they advised her that they’d gladly ship on to his dwelling and even recommended extra supply objects that will match completely together with his particular low-sodium eating regimen.
After the daughter positioned the order for the meals, the worker on the cellphone advised her that she didn’t want to fret in regards to the worth; the meals can be delivered freed from cost. The worker then wished her a Merry Christmas.
Lower than half-hour later the meals was on the man’s doorstep — free of charge!
In refusing to let crimson tape get in the way in which of a buyer in want, Dealer Joe’s exhibits that customer support doesn’t must be in regards to the fanfare; it may merely be about doing the best factor.
7. Morton’s Steakhouse is filled with surprises
It is a enjoyable one! It’s additionally a unusual reminder that lots of the most fondly remembered service tales are those that come out of left subject. This story actually matches the invoice, and it’s sure to encourage you to take some additional time to shock a valued buyer each infrequently.
Peter Shankman is aware of a factor or two about customer support. As an writer, marketing consultant, and speaker on the subject, it’s secure to say his requirements are excessive.
Whereas at an airport, Shankman realized that if he didn’t seize a chunk to eat he’d be caught driving the airplane again on an empty abdomen. Not one for quick meals, Shankman took a shot at the hours of darkness and jokingly tweeted to one in every of his favourite eating places, Morton’s, asking them if they’d ship him a steak!
Though he’s a longtime buyer of the steakhouse, Shankman admits that he had no expectations when he despatched out the tweet. In spite of everything, who ever heard of steak on wheels?!
To Shankman’s utter disbelief, one in every of Morton’s employees drove 23 miles to the airport to greet him with a full meal:
“He proceeds to inform me that he’d heard I used to be hungry, and inside is a 24 oz. Porterhouse steak, an order of Colossal Shrimp, a facet of potatoes, one in every of Morton’s well-known spherical issues of bread, two napkins, and silverware.”–Peter Shankman
One of the attention-grabbing issues about Shankman’s story is that he admits that this “stunt” was meant to be out of the peculiar … and that’s utterly okay.
“Customer support isn’t about telling folks how superior you might be, it’s about creating tales that do the speaking for you.”
It is a stellar instance of doing precisely that, and Morton’s deserves the entire consideration it obtained (and extra) for making it occur.
8. B. Dalton Bookseller calls the competitors
Whereas nice customer support tales is usually a dime a dozen for those who’re searching for them, you’ll be able to’t assist however suppose that a few of these tales appear particularly calculated.
It makes good enterprise sense to deal with clients nicely, doesn’t it? Huge firms in all probability aren’t hesitant to go above and past for purchasers if they believe it may lead to free press, particularly across the holidays.
However if you hear a story like this, you already know a enterprise is actually centered on buyer happiness.
A B. Dalton buyer (earlier than the corporate was acquired by Barnes & Noble) was visiting the shop to choose up a e book requested by her son for Christmas.
“The younger girl seemed within the laptop stock to see if that they had the requested e book. It confirmed there have been some in inventory, nonetheless packed. She went to look by the packed books and will discover none.”
For the sake of not stopping the relentless pursuit of buyer happiness, the B. Dalton consultant truly referred to as their competitors (on this case, Borders) to order a e book for the shopper and printed out instructions to the place she may decide it up!
“She gave me the contact title at Borders and advised me to only go as much as the counter and my e book can be ready.”–Reader DD Moffitt
Whereas the B. Dalton crew might not have made the sale that day, their excellent dedication to wowing clients received them a repeat shopper for all times.
9. United Airways delays flight for dying mom
It’s all the time heart-wrenching when an in depth member of the family passes. Sharing the ultimate moments with an individual we love is usually a small respite in a really troublesome state of affairs.
When Kerry Drake received on his United Airways flight, the mom he was en path to see was dealing with her remaining hours. So as to add an additional layer of misery, Drake knew that if he missed his connecting flight he would probably not see her earlier than she handed.
After his first flight received delayed, Drake broke down into tears on the airplane. The flight attendants quickly seen his state and shortly came upon what was improper. Inside minutes, Drake’s dilemma was relayed to the captain, who radioed forward to Drake’s subsequent flight.
The flight’s crew responded by delaying the flight’s departure to verify he received on board.
“I used to be nonetheless like perhaps 20 yards away once I heard the gate agent say, ‘Mr. Drake, we’ve been anticipating you,’” he mentioned.
When Drake lastly sat on the second flight, he realized how a lot went into getting him onto the airplane.
“I used to be overcome with emotion!”
The results of many employees members working collectively to go above-and-beyond the decision of obligation to assist this buyer was that Drake made it to the hospital in time to see his mom.
“At one level she opened her eyes, and I believe she acknowledged me,” mentioned Drake, who spent the evening on the hospital. “Round 4 a.m. she had an actual second of coherence, a final rally, though we didn’t realize it on the time. It was the final time.”
She died that very morning.
Drake wrote the employees a heartfelt thanks letter expressing his immense gratitude for a crew who was prepared to tug out all of the stops to help in any method they may.
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In the coverage of this story on CNN, consumer advocate Christopher Elliot said:
“Airline employees are evaluated based on their ability to keep a schedule. Airlines compete with each other on who has the best on-time departure record. When the crew on this flight heard about this distraught passenger trying to make his connection, they must have said, ‘To hell with it’ … and they made the right call.”
We think so, too.
10. Ritz-Carlton helps with Joshie’s extended vacation
Ritz-Carlton is one of those few large companies that is held to high standards from their consumers. With an almost legendary reputation for service, one has to wonder: Do they really live up to the hype?
The story of Joshie the giraffe certainly presents a compelling case for “yes!” In case you’ve never come across this fantastic tale, the story begins when customer Chris Hurn’s son left his favorite stuffed giraffe, “Joshie,” in their hotel room after a recent stay.
Mr. Hurn assured his distraught son that Joshie was just staying a few extra days on vacation. He then called the staff at the Ritz and relayed the story he had told his son.
In an all-star effort to make everything right for their customer, the staff at the Ritz created a series of photographs that included all of the activities Joshie had been involved in during his “extended vacation.”
First things first: They knew Joshie couldn’t just be aimlessly wandering around the Ritz without a staff card … so they made him one!
After that, Joshie headed over to the pool area to relax.
Not one to sit around and do nothing, Joshie helped out in the loss prevention department.
Joshie then decided to melt away some stress with a spa day.
To top it all off, the Ritz sent Hurn and his son a booklet filled with information about Joshie’s stay, as well as a host of pictures showing what a good time he’d had.
What a story!