Home

Consumer Warnings

The Better Business Bulletin

How Fast Do You React?

by Ben Armacost

Our kitchen sink had been leaking for months. The problem is that when we moved into that house, it was equipped with a Corian sink and counter top, which requires specialised attention for repair. Shortly after discovering the leak, we phoned the authorised repair agency to have the repair done. That was in December. We didn't get a repairman in until February. It was a casual visit in which the repairman broke the news to us: "Your sink is leaking and needs to be repaired." Wow, what a breakthrough! But he never came back, and in spite of numerous reminder calls to that agency, we never got a single response. We even called the Corian company itself who contacted the authorised repair agency. After eight months of calling and waiting, we finally gave up.

Would you consider this to be the norm in customer service? Far from it! In fact, I would say this is a bit extreme. For us, it was quite a test of patience and a shattered confidence in modern business service. But it has also been an important reminder to me that I need to react quickly whenever people have needs. To render assistance in a timely manner is not just a courtesy. It is an essential element of competent leadership.

Thankfully, God doesn't drag his feet when we need Him. He says, "I will come quickly and save them; the time of my victory is near." (Isaiah 51.5).

By the way, I decided to repair our sink myself, in order to prevent further water damage to the cabinets. Selley's Kwik Grip does wonders!

Better Business is a non-profit service to the business and consumer community.
© Copyright 2007
This page has had 7584 hits from 1025 hosts