********************************AZ is awesome!

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

Hey, I'm not slammin' Blink and am happy that he had a positive experience.

What I am saying is that this should be the norm, not the exception. But, if we issue unwarranted praise for a Vendor simply doing what should be normal, then where is the incentive to reach for greater heights? By settling for normal or sub-par performance, we take away the incentive for those who hope to increase their business by providing better service - if we patronize those who don't, then we're sending the message to these Vendors that it doesn't matter what you do, that improving the Customer Experience (with all it's increased cost, attention, and effort) doesn't pay off.

One of the first Hotel Chains in the world was started by a guy named Conrad Statler (several of his hotels have since changed hands, but still retain the Statler name). Anyway, in each of his hotel lobbies, Statler had a small plaque which read: "Life is Service, those who succeed, give their fellow man a little better service..."

I think if we believe this, it is up to us to expect this of a Vendor and not to succumb to expediency or indifference. But, as I said, - just my humble $0.02...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Brucelee]

If I had to generalize, I would say the service I personally receive as I go about my life as a consumer is average to poor at best.

Of course, I fly alot, so that could explain my outlook!

[Rail26]

Jeph, that Taco town skit made me hungry! Taco's rolled up in a blueberry pancake? What could be better? Maybe a Taco ground up and blended with a Starbucks Decaf skim sugar free Hazelnut latte?

[docdyh]

when I order a taco, I expect a taco, and get upset if there is no taco in the bag...that is the basis of good customer service...a taco today, a cabin filter the next...so yes, it makes me very annoyed when the kid at the ff messes up my order.

[cfos]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

One of the first Hotel Chains in the world was started by a guy named Conrad Statler (several of his hotels have since changed hands, but still retain the Statler name). Anyway, in each of his hotel lobbies, Statler had a small plaque which read: "Life is Service, those who succeed, give their fellow man a little better service..."

I think if we believe this, it is up to us to expect this of a Vendor and not to succumb to expediency or indifference. But, as I said, - just my humble $0.02...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

While I agree that we should expect good service from vendors, I also think that satisfying customers with issues is just as important. Likewise, I am intrigued by good forum discussions and while I enjoyed some Taco Bell *incorrect amount of fire sauce -- hot sauce is just not the same* I decided to research the story of Conrad Statler since I was moved by the aforementioned quote. Unfortunately, there is no Conrad Statler. ELLSWORTH Statler (1997 inductee for the Conrad N. Hilton College of the University of Houston) was the hotel mogel. CONRAD Hilton purchased the Statler chain in 1954.

That's my nickels-worth *I gotta count more for inflation and early retirement*

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by cfos

While I agree that we should expect good service from vendors, I also think that satisfying customers with issues is just as important. Likewise, I am intrigued by good forum discussions and while I enjoyed some Taco Bell *incorrect amount of fire sauce -- hot sauce is just not the same* I decided to research the story of Conrad Statler since I was moved by the aforementioned quote. Unfortunately, there is no Conrad Statler. ELLSWORTH Statler (1997 inductee for the Conrad N. Hilton College of the University of Houston) was the hotel mogel. CONRAD Hilton purchased the Statler chain in 1954.

That's my nickels-worth *I gotta count more for inflation and early retirement*

Hi,

You're quite correct it was Ellsworth, maybe a Senior Moment for me. Anyway, I learned of Statler early on in my 20+ year career in the Hospitality Industry. Thanks for the correction. A little more about him:

Ellsworth Statler was born poor and started working in Hotels as a Bell Boy at 13. His unique philosophy that "Life is service. The one who progresses is the one who gives his fellow human beings a little more, a little better service" is just as true today as when he coined the phrase. He was also the first to give hotel employees a six-day week, paid vacations, and free health service. He devised a profit sharing plan that matched a free stock share with each one purchased by employees. He died in 1928 and his Wife, Alice, carried on and grew the business until it was sold to Conrad Hilton in 1954...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99