The Difference is Day and Night

I had a couple of accounts that I had to change the credit cards that I had set up for auto pay. Both of the businesses that I had to call were pretty similar types of businesses. One was a local company that I just can't tell you how great the customer service was. I mean the super helpful young lady that answered the phone. This started because I was unable to update all of them online. Well she took down all of my information and told me she would take care of all three accounts that I had and email me to let me know it was taken care of. Not only did she do that, she called me back as well to let me know it was all updated and she got the issue fixed so if I needed to correct anything in the future or I could always call her. She really sounded happy on the phone and made the whole transaction painless. I mean I was almost in shock because it was so easy. AND I could tell that she really wanted to make sure I was satisfied and not troubled.

And Then

I picked up the phone to update the card on another account. This one is a national account and isn't one that I have been able to change or find a local company. I could feel my BLOOD PRESSURE rising as the automated phone message started. I mean this phone tree was ridiculous. And I couldn't change it online because it wouldn't do the billing the way I wanted on auto pay and online said I needed to call. I call and listen to the same thing every couple minutes that I can update billing online! Boy I am starting to get a bit worked up and I haven't even talked to anyone yet. After 15 minutes I get transferred and hear that they are experiencing heavy call volumes and that I can get called back and won't lose my place in line. About a hour later I called back again...no different success but have requested a call back another time. Finally I just went in and paid the open invoices and just set it up on auto pay even though it wasn't the way I wanted to do it.

And Guess What?

You got it. I never got a call back the entire day. It is crazy that companies can get away with this. What is more crazy is that I was so shocked to be treated the way I should be treated and getting excellent customer service in the first place.

I try to make it a priority to make sure we deal with local companies when we can and many times we try to use companies that have business with us. And 9 times out of 10 those interactions that we have are the ones that are pleasant and not a headache.

I really don't like feeling like I should take a baby aspirin before making a phone call to someone who I am paying for their service.

And don't forget our Supporters, Partners, and Sponsors.

You may notice certain businesses are highlighted and standout not only in the directory but we highlight them on our Facebook Page as well as our group. This ever growing list of businesses help us promote  a lot of great things in our community. Many of our blogs which you can find right here are focused on our community and our local businesses.

Many of these businesses are helping us promote other local businesses. Which really is what Delmarva is all about. I am asked quite often how a business can be part of Shop Local Delmarva. If you are part of our group you are part of Shop Local Delmarva. If you like the group and like the concept of a digital type of media that we share blogs, videos, highlights and features and want to be part of it we would love to have your support. You can find out more information here. All of our supporters, partners, and sponsors are on the rotating banners on most of our blogs just like this one.

If any of our supporters, partners, or sponsors have upcoming events we encourage them to let us know so we can help them promote them as well. Just like the recent launch of Baywater Farms and Williams Market's open house, or Addie's customer appreciation day that we have highlighted in our blogs to name a few. In addition our blogs are also highlighting several important non profits and community events.

The whole idea of Shop Local Delmarva is all about our local community supporting local businesses, and our local businesses supporting our local community. It goes round and round.

David

Shop Local Delmarva