Okay. I know we're all in a mode to save as much money as we can because the powers that be are working so hard to hoard it all for their friends, but come on people, let's maintain or civility.
I work for a place that sells high-end men's fashion. Our leading demographic consists of males with a salary in the $200k range or better. Yet, somehow these guys manage to act with less common courtesy than the average Wal-Mart patron, and I know this because it's MY demographic.
At least twice a week we get an e-mail that goes something like this:
"A month ago, I made a purchase from you that was well over $200. Then, much to my dismay, I received an e-mail from you yesterday that's offering free shipping on any order over $100. I am completely appalled at your behavior! I demand that you refund my $12.50 immediately or I will never do business with you again and will tell all my colleagues how you rape your customers as common practice."
See, this is why I'm not in customer service. If I was, my answer would go something like this:
"Dear Sir: We sincerely apologize for the anguish we have caused you and the economic hardship we have placed on your family by charging shipping to someone who is only in the top 10% of the incomes of all Americans. Surely, only someone in the top 2% can afford such an extravagant shipping cost, and even though none of that $12.50 comes to us, we will swallow it and cast aside thoughts of earning a profit on this sale. Please know that we are working to correct this error. In the future, we will have no sales at all because we want to be fair to all of our customers all the time. Thank you for bringing this error to our attention. We thank you, and all of the rest of our customers would surely than you as well. We will send them all your e-mail address so they can do so."
I mean, come on! Your order was a month ago! And it's not even like I wouldn't give you the money back, I'm all about giving good customer service. But you had to go on and be an ass about it, which instead puts me in a mood to post your credit card info on some identity thieves' message board. OF COURSE, I WOULD NEVER DO SUCH A THING, NOR DO I HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR INFORMATION IN THE FIRST PLACE, but the point remains. Completely without thought, you send your rant out to be read by the lowest folks on the totem pole, who have no idea who you are and couldn't care less. They want to help you despite the fact that you wouldn't give them a dollar to buy bread if they were three minutes from death.
Don't threaten. Don't become the lowest common denominator. If you really think you're worth the money you make, then act like a civilized being. You'll be surprised how many more doors open for you. Save your idle threats and bravado for the president of the company if it really comes to that. He's the only one who has a chance at knowing who you are or why it should even vaguely matter.
