I could have just run in and picked up a replacement cartridge but my sense of attempting to spend wisely was working overtime. Last time I purchased a replacement cartridge, the cartridge was the same price as the printer. The printer I am using now has a small issue when I manually print double sided. While it is full of paper, the printer warns me the paper tray is empty and it will not let me print double sided. I don't need to do that very often and, of course, there is always Staples for such printing needs.
I began my search for a new printer that would give me the ability to print double sided and copy and scan. I could eliminate the extra printer I use solely for scanning and copying. That would make my office look tidier and I would only need to buy supplies for one printer. Of course, walking into those electronic stores is like walking into a plastic, wire, and display screen grocery store. I walked up and down the aisle several times. I compared features and prices and manufacturers. I have used HP for years and feel more confident with that brand but the Brother was making the choice difficult.
Luckily, a clean cut young man came to my aid. He was very knowledgeable and personable. He indulged my desire to get the best value with uncommon patience. We talked about printer quality, cartridge capacity, and improvements to the ink jet systems.
He truly spent a great amount of time with me helping me to make a comfortable and educated decision. He even carried my printer to the register station in the department so I would not have to wait in line up front. In a matter of moments, I was walking toward the front of the store with my shiny new printer. It was by far one of the best purchasing experiences I ever had.
Sadly, these days it seems finding someone to assist you with your search for the item you have come to the store to find is harder than just finding the item yourself. I worked at Barnes and Noble a few years ago and our store's number one priority was customer service. Our store manager, Jonathan's, determination to give unmatched customer service had the entire team dropping whatever they were working on to help each and every customer. Most times in other stores, they have personnel doing so many other things like stocking shelves, etc. that they seem to have little time for customers. In those stores I spend a great amount of time wandering as well, not because I like to look at all the stuff, but because I can't find anyone to help.
I strongly believe when I am confronted with an exceptional interaction of some kind, I am obliged to tell the manager. So, lugging my printer toward the front of the store, I strayed away from the doors and headed to customer service. I walked to the desk and asked the girl if I could speak to a manager. She was polite but looked nervous. It might be she expected someone was going to get scolded for something. She pointed to another girl at the register and told me she was a supervisor. The supervisor was checking another customer out so I set my printer on the floor and waited. I could see I was drawing attention to myself and did my best to not feel uncomfortable.
Interestingly, while I stood there, the young man who helped me with the printer walked by with a beverage and a snack. He was apparently taking a break. A well deserved one after what I put him through! He asked me if I needed more help and offered to assist me any way he could. I told him I was going to talk to he supervisor, and now that he was here, he should just wait. The supervisor looked a little nervous and so did he. She finished with her customer and I explained how I have had years and years of business experience, owned companies and traveled for business in the US and abroad. I finished my speech by telling her, he was one of the finest sales persons who had ever helped me and, in my opinion, he was an amazing asset to their store.
They both seemed shocked! I guess, based on experience, the only time a customer came to speak to store management was to issue a complaint. They thanked me, I picked up my printer and as I walked away I heard them celebrate a bit.
Here, is what all that is about... It is a shame that when people encounter people, too often the only time an effort is made to express an experience is when it is a bad experience. Too often, we only feel the need to complain and do not feel the need to compliment someone. Don't you find that sad as well?
It is true that some people under deliver in the area of service but there are many good people who do their best to give us help and advice. There are many people who make an extra effort to give us a good expereince. There are friends and family who are always there to help us. There are neighbors who are always willing to lend a hand or their lawn mower. There are teachers and bosses and workers who give above and beyond yet we don't take the time to tell someone how great they were.
Wouldn't it be a great world if we all told others what a great job they are doing, how nice they look, how we notice them making an extra effort? Wouldn't it be great if we all looked for opportunities to praise another person's efforts rather than looking for ways to feel displeased?
Let's take that to heart. Let's look for opportunities to praise others for what they do.
By the way, I didn't like the printer I bought and I took it back and traded it for the other brand. I wan't happy with it because it was missing the double sided printing feature and took it back. So, here I am with my old, small, black and white laser printer that keeps insisting my paper tray is enpty. I have gotten over it and have focused on the great job it does with everything else and every once in a while I remind it of that! Ha.