ed4copies
Local Chapter Manager
Many years ago, this "business card" was a traveling joke:
Well, it came to mind today, as I was trying to track an international package. The package tracking said it left New York on September 14!! Sounds good, and the agent tried to suggest that it was in Customs, either here (US) or THERE (Great Britain).
I pointed out to him that it said it was in New York AGAIN on September 20 and AGAIN on Sept 25---the LAST entry. The customer has checked with the British Postal System who says they don't recognize the "tracking number", which is actually the Customs paperwork number (as the Postal service was quick to inform me).
So, the crux is---it is probably lost and we will work it out with the customer.
So, why did that remind me of "Plan ahead"??
BECAUSE I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT THE POSTAL SERVICE FOR THIS INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENT FOR THE PAST THREE DAYS----THE PHONE SIMPLY SAYS WE ARE BUSY AND YOU CANNOT CONNECT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!
(I believe this pretty well defines what Clark Howard refers to as "customer no-service")!!
It is NOT my intention to pick on the Postal Service--we have sent thousands of packages this year and MOST are delivered, without incident. HOWEVER, last year about one-quarter of the "guaranteed delivery by Christmas" for USPS, UPS and FedEx were NOT delivered by the 25th at midnight. They blamed the weather and, for the most part no refunds were issued.
THIS year, it is expected that the volume will increase another 20%ish. Which means EVERY PARCEL will slow down. They will be working well beyond their capacity.
Well, it came to mind today, as I was trying to track an international package. The package tracking said it left New York on September 14!! Sounds good, and the agent tried to suggest that it was in Customs, either here (US) or THERE (Great Britain).
I pointed out to him that it said it was in New York AGAIN on September 20 and AGAIN on Sept 25---the LAST entry. The customer has checked with the British Postal System who says they don't recognize the "tracking number", which is actually the Customs paperwork number (as the Postal service was quick to inform me).
So, the crux is---it is probably lost and we will work it out with the customer.
So, why did that remind me of "Plan ahead"??
BECAUSE I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT THE POSTAL SERVICE FOR THIS INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENT FOR THE PAST THREE DAYS----THE PHONE SIMPLY SAYS WE ARE BUSY AND YOU CANNOT CONNECT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!
(I believe this pretty well defines what Clark Howard refers to as "customer no-service")!!
It is NOT my intention to pick on the Postal Service--we have sent thousands of packages this year and MOST are delivered, without incident. HOWEVER, last year about one-quarter of the "guaranteed delivery by Christmas" for USPS, UPS and FedEx were NOT delivered by the 25th at midnight. They blamed the weather and, for the most part no refunds were issued.
THIS year, it is expected that the volume will increase another 20%ish. Which means EVERY PARCEL will slow down. They will be working well beyond their capacity.
PLAN AHEAD
Don't promise delivery of pens that you don't have!!!!
If you do shows, plaster it all over your booth!!!
BUY NOW IF YOU WANT IT FOR CHRISTMAS!!
Remember, you can't promise a thing about something you don't control and you DON'T control USPS, FedEx or UPS!!
I hope you will take this as a marketing aid! A word to the WISE!!!
Advise your customers to PLAN AHEAD!!
Avoid the embarrassment of a late gift!
Don't promise delivery of pens that you don't have!!!!
If you do shows, plaster it all over your booth!!!
BUY NOW IF YOU WANT IT FOR CHRISTMAS!!
Remember, you can't promise a thing about something you don't control and you DON'T control USPS, FedEx or UPS!!
I hope you will take this as a marketing aid! A word to the WISE!!!
Advise your customers to PLAN AHEAD!!
Avoid the embarrassment of a late gift!