• “We’re not sure what’s wrong with it. But it’s going to cost you more to find out.”
• Ring. “You’ve reached the emergency hot-line. We’re not here, so leave a message.”
• ”Sure it’s under warranty. We need the original packaging & paperwork from 1997.”
• ”We don’t carry that item you saw in our newspaper ad this morning.”
• ”Yes, I realize we’re three hours late, but at least we’re here.”
• ”A complaint? You’ll have to call the corporate office. No, I don’t have that number.”
• Ring. “You’ve reached the corporate office. We can’t take your call right now.”
• ”That discount we advertised was for anyone over 110. You didn’t read the fine print.”
• ”Are you sure it wasn’t already broken when you bought it yesterday?”
• ”It looks like your flight bag is over the 3 pound weight limit for carry-ons.”
• ”I’m afraid that the rebate was only for the Chinese version of Windows XP.”
• ”Yes, it’s the express lane and you have one item, but it’s a bunch of
  Merchant Account Rates Explained:Do You Know How Much Each Credit Card Transaction Really Costs You?
  The Two Components of a Credit/Debit Card Transaction Each time you process a credit or debit card transaction, you are charged an inquiry fee and a percentage of the total transaction. The inquiry fee is a flat amount, typica
  cy hot-line. We’re not here, so leave a message.”
• ”Sure it’s under warranty. We need the original packaging & paperwork from 1997.”
• ”We don’t carry that item you saw in our newspaper ad this morning.”
• ”Yes, I realize we’re three hours late, but at least we’re here.”
• ”A complaint? You’ll have to call the corporate office. No, I don’t have that number.”
• Ring. “You’ve reached the corporate office. We can’t take your call right now.”
• ”That discount we advertised was for anyone over 110. You didn’t read the fine print.”
• ”Are you sure it wasn’t already broken when you bought it yesterday?”
• ”It looks like your flight bag is over the 3 pound weight limit for carry-ons.”
• ”I’m afraid that the rebate was only for the Chinese version of Windows XP.”
• ”Yes, it’s the express lane and you have one item, but it’s a bunch o
  Does Economic Recession Mean Career Vision Recession?
  In my conversations with individuals over the last several months a common theme has occurred. Many have said, “In light of the economic times, I need to put my own Career Vision on hold.” Does Economic Recession mean a Career Vision Recession?Yes, I realize we’re three hours late, but at least we’re here.”
• ”A complaint? You’ll have to call the corporate office. No, I don’t have that number.”
• Ring. “You’ve reached the corporate office. We can’t take your call right now.”
• ”That discount we advertised was for anyone over 110. You didn’t read the fine print.”
• ”Are you sure it wasn’t already broken when you bought it yesterday?”
• ”It looks like your flight bag is over the 3 pound weight limit for carry-ons.”
• ”I’m afraid that the rebate was only for the Chinese version of Windows XP.”
• ”Yes, it’s the express lane and you have one item, but it’s a bunch o
  Careers In Finance
  If you have a knack for numbers, particularly if you are good in understanding and interpreting figures, then a career in the finance industry may be just right for you. Certainly, working in finance is not for everybody. It takes a person with an a
  your call right now.”
• ”That discount we advertised was for anyone over 110. You didn’t read the fine print.”
• ”Are you sure it wasn’t already broken when you bought it yesterday?”
• ”It looks like your flight bag is over the 3 pound weight limit for carry-ons.”
• ”I’m afraid that the rebate was only for the Chinese version of Windows XP.”
• ”Yes, it’s the express lane and you have one item, but it’s a bunch o
  You Can Have A Bright Future With Health Care Jobs
  If you want to spend your life helping people live better lives, then you should consider applying for health care jobs. You don’t have to go to college or study for seven years and become a doctor to help other people. There are jobs that are as im
  flight bag is over the 3 pound weight limit for carry-ons.”
• ”I’m afraid that the rebate was only for the Chinese version of Windows XP.”
• ”Yes, it’s the express lane and you have one item, but it’s a bunch of over 15 grapes.”
• ”The printer does not include the cable, electrical plug, or ink. Did you need those?”
• ”I know it’s 1 PM on Thanksgiving day, but we’re out of turkey. Is spam okay?”
• “Yes, I realize we’re three days late, but at least we’re here.”

If you happen to be in business and your employees or company has ever been on the sending end of one of these statements, then shame on you. Any business that provides a modicum of customer service should never subject us, the consumer, to such abuse. Reconsider your priorities and what a customer is worth. Negative word-of-mouth advertising is far worse than none at all. Try to teach your people the fine art of taking care of the consumer and do everything in your power to keep them. What have you got to lose? Just profits and success, if you fail to follow this advice.