Don't Waste Your Customers' Time

Yesterday I was meeting a friend to take in a matinee, and -- traffic being better than I expected -- I arrived 15 minutes early at the shopping center where the theater is located. I had on my Christmas shopping list emergency cellphone power supplies for my nieces and nephews. There was a Best Buy across the way from the theater. Could I get in there on a busy December Saturday and score this purchase inside of 15 minutes? I doubted it but decided to give it a try.

I walked into Best Buy and couldn't spot the sign for the Wireless department. Blue-shirted employees were standing around looking for people to help. "Can I help you find something?" asked a 20-something woman. "Yes, I'm looking for emergency cellphone power supplies", I replied. She pointed to the Wireless sign and said somebody over there could help me. In the Wireless department, I didn't even have to look. I asked a blue-shirted young man who took me over to the right section and gave me a primer on choosing the right device for the right cell phone. I told him "Thank you! You've been very helpful!"

I walked over and got in the lengthy checkout line and, inside of one minute, I was at the front of the line. Several more blue-shirted Best Buy employees were directing buyers to the next available cashier. I was in and out of that giant store with exactly what I wanted in 8 minutes!!!

Will I go back and shop at Best Buy? You bet I will. Now that's customer service!