What defines service?

I am going to ask you to sto p and think for a moment.

Where did you get the best service in the last seven days?

Was it a restaurant? Tire shop? Dentist? Online order?

And what made that business or person stand out from the rest?

Like you, I do know poor service when I get it.

Sometimes it is in surprising places, like a health care professional’s office which consistently overbooks, running their clients through like cattle in a chute, always taking longer than is necessary if committed to quality over quantity. Or a retail store worker who just shrugs their shoulders when asked where a particular item might be located.

I hate to say this out loud, but I love Amazon. You order what you want, when you want, usually at very competitive pricing. It is delivered to the door in a guaranteed time frame, and if for some reason the product doesn’t suit, it is easily returned.

I know, I know. It takes jobs away locally.

But fighting traffic and wandering around big box stores trying to find the same article, only to discover it is sold out even though it was just advertised, is just a waste of time in my opinion.

Some companies have built an incredibly loyal client base around a commitment to service. You may pay more for their support, but if you need them, they will be there as promised.

But too many times, people think good service means their “wants” deserve to come first before anybody else’s.

The same Amazon and Wal-Mart “always open” business model has made them believe you should be able to get what you want, when you want.

For example, the late Saturday night phone call by someone wanting to see a cabin the next morning at a location an hour plus away. No regard for either the Realtor’s plans for the day with their own family, or the property owner who is being asked to vacate it for the showing at short notice. Especially when you find out the prospect has been camping at the lake the entire previous week and decided the best time to check it out was before leaving for home that afternoon.

Yes, like any other self-employed person, I know there are times when customers may need some extra care, but I really would like to see some courtesy and common sense from time to time.

Vern McClelland is an associate broker with RE/MAX of Lloydminster and an active partner in his family’s livestock operation. Comments on this article are welcome either by emailing vernmcclelland@remax.net or calling 306-821-0611.