STARS: making a successful delivery

Last week's post focused on customer service and getting what you deserve from a company that you pay monies to. Well this comes from a negative customer experience I had recently. This also stems from my experience with delivery companies and working for Amazon and doing rideshare.

Alright if your newspaper company did not deliver your paper successfully to your house, here is the best way they can get it to you.

They need to find out your address, and phone number in case they cannot find said address or could not get there. Utilize a GPS app such as Google Maps or Waze. It's safe to say most people have a smartphone that will support either app.

You then embark on your trip with the best route, looking for delays and even shortcuts. If the paper is successfully delivered, no confirmation is necessary.  If it wasn't, that customer should be contacted.  The same applies if the delivery person gets lost or cannot find the residence. When I drove rideshare, we were required to call the person if we could not find them(happens more than you know). The same principle should apply here. This way, the person receives their goods and/or products. 

I figured this scenario and solution would fit good into the STAR format. It really is not rocket science to make a successful delivery. Most times some party (the company, USPS, etc) dropped the ball. It's not enough to give the customer a credit or a refund, they want their product. Otherwise, you will lose business.

STARS: getting what you deserve from a company with bad customer service

I hear all the time about people getting screwed over by companies and even bullied. I'm unsure why anyone would tolerate this nonsense.

Bullying and social exclusion are being discussed on www.imjustdrew.com in preparation for my second book. However this is moreso how to get what you rightly deserve from a company that isn't quite giving you the Chick Fil-A treatment.

Alright well first of all demand to speak to the immediate management of the company you're dealing with. Many of them can handle stuff onsite, no problem.

If you don't get results that way, go to their higher ups and corporate. Pro tip: if it's a cell phone and/or cable/satellite provider, contact the FCC. Their information is published on their website and they take complaints very seriously. 

Additionally, ask to be forwarded to a retention/rewards department.  You can get your bills lowered; reduced, and often even comped.  Some companies have been known to give extra perks when a customer is angry. It's a competitive market and they are not trying to lose customers. 

In the past, I have recieved phone calls from corporate reps and even CEOs, free service, discounts, deals, prizes, handwritten apologies.  And honestly I'm not much different from much.  I just wasn't scared to speak my mind and called these places on their mistakes. 

We have to hold certain companies accountable.  This year alone, more than 10 retail companies have went belly up. The hundreds of others are definitely minding their Ps and Qs.

Therefore fight for your money, entertainment and what you believe in!

STARS: Preparing for a cookout/BBQ

It's that season! The weather is again warm, the grass is growing and time to fire the grill up.

I actually fire mine up year round but it's time to go to cookouts and BBQs. Some of you don't know where to start when planning to host your first one. Well I'm here to help.

First, clean up your yard/house/area that you plan where your guests are gonna be. 

Next, have a grill, doesn't have to be big or extravagant, just adequate for the meats you are grilling.

Then buy the meats. I would suggest a good butcher shop or Sunnydales. I know it's expensive and borderline bougie but the meat simply tastes better. Allow your guests to bring sides and drinks, you can provide a few. But the meats are usually on the host.

Have games and music ready, a date and time, and let your people know. Also, alert the neighbors in case of parking and noise ordinances.

Finally, have fun, eat good food and make memories!