When something does not insist on being noticed,
when we aren’t grabbed by the collar or struck on the skull by a presence or an event,
we take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude” [Cynthia Ozick].
Last week a salesman stopped by our house and offered us an unbelievably low rate on high-speed Internet, phone, and cable television. More options and lower prices than our current vendor. As luck would have it, Greg has been in the midst of comparison shopping on these services, so this guy’s visit was quite serendipitous. After reviewing pricing, options, and services, we signed-up and scheduled an installation appointment.
Yesterday, our new cable service was installed. Everything from the initial contact with the sales rep, to our interactions with the installation tech was professional, friendly, courteous, and helpful. We couldn’t have been more pleased.
However, when Greg called our now “former cable provider” to cancel our service, the interaction was quite the opposite. They were incredulous. They were displeased. They felt wronged.
“Well, you’ve been with us for five years.”
“You’re on an old pricing plan.”
“You should have called us, we could have price matched.”
I couldn’t help but wonder how things may have turned out differently if our former provider had appreciated us as customers, instead of thinking it wise to blame us for their poor pricing and failure to provide proactive customer service.
When Greg mentioned they had ample opportunity to contact us, offer a better plan, and keep our business, their response was, “Well, you know, we’re a business.”
Okay. Go with that. See how that works for you.
Instead, they lost a good customer, because a competitor was willing to show up at our door, give us some attention, and provide great service and pricing.
This experience started me thinking how often we take for granted those things and people and blessings that have ingrained themselves in our lives. They become such a part of us, that we fail to recognize the importance they play in our success and happiness.
We treat them as if they will be with us forever. We overlook their value.
We take them for granted.
“We are so often caught up in our destination
that we forget to appreciate the journey,
especially the goodness of the people we meet on the way.
Appreciation is a wonderful feeling,
don’t overlook it [unknown].”
Why not seek out opportunities this week to thank those people you may have overlooked. The individuals who, through efforts large or small, seen or unseen, have enriched your life, made the trip more enjoyable, showed some kindness.
“We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have” [Frederick Keonig].
Whatever you are, show a little appreciation!
Deanna
Whatever You Are, Be a Good One 