One of things that I hope all of my clients would say, if asked, is that I am fair, honest and straightforward regarding my business practices. A photographer lives in two worlds most of the time....the world of artist and the world of business. I try on a daily basis to make sure that all of my clients have a wonderful shooting experience, are thrilled with the end product and recognize that value of the finished product. This week two totally different companies, both in the business of customer service, left me with two TOTALLY different tastes in my mouth.
My husband has been looking for a new vehicle. His current vehicle will be sent out west to our college student so that he may use it for an upcoming internship he has acquired. So the car shopping process began. In a 24 hour period, at a Honda dealership in Avon, Indiana....my taste for car salesman took a serious drop in the honesty polls. I truly believed that things had changed in car sales with the introduction of Saturn, and their no haggle pricing. Gone supposedly were the days that you felt violated when you left a car dealership. Not so......and I will not name the Honda dealership in Avon, IN....but if you Google the name of the town....
And then the other side of business....the good side. A few weeks ago, Old Betsy....our loud and crabby furnace...decided to start her journey to furnace heaven. We call our local heating and air-conditioning company,Control Tech, to have them take a look. A blower motor was replaced, but the technician warmed us that Old Betsy was passed her prime. And to add insult to injury, her sister, Miss Freeze....the air conditioner....had blown her last bit of cold air....and we would be wise to replace both while all those federal and local rebates were floating around. A few days later Jim Bridges, Control Tech's sales manager came out to explain our options and presented three different units and the benefits of each. Never during my conversation with Jim did I feel pressured to pick the most expensive unit. He spent a good amount of time explaining the various options and then left my husband and I to make the final decision. A week later Jeremy and Adam, Control Tech's technicians came to install the units. They arrived on-time, were courteous and friendly and answered any questions that I had about the new equipment. My home was left in the same shape it was before they arrived, but now I had a new heating and air conditioning unit that is keeping us toasty again.
The difference between these two businesses?? The car dealership claims "TLC" toward their customers but never delivered. The heating and air-conditioning company claim "great customer service" and delivered it over, and over, and over again. I know that Control Tech will forever have our business. I know of one car dealership that will never see a dime of our money. I hope my clients always feel that I treated them with respect and honesty....and if I can't deliver that, I need to get out of the business.
And since a post is always better with a photo.....here are the new additions to our family. Beauty and the Beast:) |
