Truly superior
Dallas R. Conley
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
I’M WRITING to recognize superior customer service. Recently, I was out of town on a business trip. While I was gone, my wife had a flat tire. Since our friends were all at work, she didn’t know who to call. The service writer at John North Ford was the first person she thought to call. The service department took care of everything and she was back on the road.
Though we have been doing business at John North Ford for a number of years — and yes, we purchased our tires there — I still consider the service we received above and beyond normal expectations. In my absence, the dealership responded as I would expect a personal friend to respond.
When I leave town, I usually let my friends know I’m going to be gone. In this manner, I’m confident my wife has someone dependable to call if she needs anything. This is what friends do for each other.
In my 28 years in Emporia, I have had similar experiences with various businesses. In addition to recognizing John North Ford for their superior customer service, I want to encourage Emporia residents to “Buy Emporia.” Buy Emporia and build relationships you can count on.
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
I would shop Emporia if there were places to shop. I do not like wal-mart and when you find a product that you like, they may or may not continue to have it. Also, I have been looking at ads in an Oklahoma newspaper and there is a real big difference in price of vehicles. They are much cheaper down there when compared to Emporia prices. The very same vehicle is anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 cheaper.Shop Emporia, you find me stores that are worth it and I will.
May 23, 2007 at 4:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Would you give me particulars on which vehicles you are talking about. Is your judgement made based on ads?
May 23, 2007 at 4:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Spring broke on reclining chair. Visited local store where chair was purchased several years ago, broken spring in hand. Owner went into his shop and found a replacement spring, no charge. Lended me a homemade tool to help reinstalling spring..
TV satellite dish quit working. Visited local store where I purchased the equiptment and programming and inquired about scheduling a service call. Store owner suggested first that I try unplugging equipment for a few minutes and then plugging all back in. This might prevent a service call. I tried that and it worked. Fixed the problem
Lamp switch in living room decided to quit working. Removed switch and took in hand to a local hardware store. Clerk showed me which switch was the correct replacement. I purchased it and installed in my lamp. It works fine.
Cell phone contracts confuse me. I get my service via a home owned agency business. When I have a question I stop by and ask. I receive all the info I need. No pressure to upgrade, change plan etc. No question is stupid and they always take all the time I need.
Look at all the money I saved (not) by buying in Topeka, Kansas City or on the internet.
Buy local best prices best service
May 23, 2007 at 4:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barbara61 (anonymous) says...
You lucked out because I cant get service like that here. Walmart is the biggest loser in town and everything else is to over priced. I shop in Topeka and Wichita there cheaper and FRIENDLY.
May 23, 2007 at 5:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporiaalumni (anonymous) says...
Couple of comments about the gentleman who thinks money has to do with service. Otherwise he wouldn't have commented and showed how smart he really is. People who shop on price alone are never going to be happy. My suggestion to you "Mr Save $3000-$5000"...move to Oklahoma. We don't want you here. It's people like you that complain about everything and can never be satisfied. Like the gentleman said "Buy Emporia and build relationships you can count on". Maybe...if you took the time to build a relationship with the local business' you would understand service and buying locally. Go ahead, save your $3000-$5000. However ultimately you are the one who loses....pretty sad because I would be willing to bet you have no clue as to why.
May 23, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
midnight_rider (anonymous) says...
After living in Emporia 50 years, I agree there are very few places to shop. Why should I shop Emporia when the store owners are so rude and not helpful. It is not just the clerks, but also the owners. If they are not going to be nice, helpful, and polite, I have no problem taking my money out of town. At least the clerks in Topeka, Wichita, KC, Manhattan, Council Grove, Ottawa, etc. are helpful and friendly. I figure that if I am not "good enough" for the store owners to be nice to and appreciate that I came into their store, then my money is not "good enough" for their cash register. It's all about attitude and it starts and stops with the local store owners. The local store owners are the one that are hurting themselves in the end. Not those of us that choose to shop elsewhere.
May 23, 2007 at 8:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
You know, midnight_rider, this could also apply to county/city employees as well.
My car registration expires at the end of this month. Due to military circumstances, I had to call the Lyon County......what is it? Dept. of Motor Vehicles? I don't know. But I'm sure you know who I'm referring to: The women who act as if they are doing the TAXPAYERS a favor by renewing us. Anyway, I was completely caught off-guard at the rudeness of the women in the motor-vehicle office (you know, the ones who "renew" your registration). Anyway, they acted like, because we are military, I'm causing extra work for them....gimme a freakin' break. Last I checked, I still pay KS taxes, still pay KS registration fees, all of which include their salaries. Who the heck hired them? If I treated my clients the way I was treated, you can bet that I'd definitely be out of a job.
I'm sort of sad.....we've always claimed Kansas as our home of record and/or State of Residence and now, I'm not all that proud.
M
May 23, 2007 at 11:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
Car ads are just to get you in the door-they mean nothing.They're all competitve.If you shop and actually buy a product in Emporia,and the store has a service department,they take care of you.When's the last time a Chinamart cashier looked at your non-functioning coffeepot or television and said"I know what to do"?- instead of "you'll have to ship it somewhere,they'll send you a used refurbished one kinda like it". I've found places like Hill's,Bluestem Supply,Dayton's,Fastenal,Water's,S&S,and Flint Hills Music that are competitive,can order AND repair anything you buy.A local IP company will order me any PC component I want at a very good price,with twice the warranty.I even buy buy Pro sound equipment locally-this is the big stuff you don't find in the boombox and 39 dollar DVD player aisle.Most of what I've purchased has a 3-5 year warranty.All bought locally.Haven't used a warranty...wait - North Ford found a problem with my car during a service 12 years ago.New engine installed at 28,000 miles,no charge.This year my US made Bunn coffeepot purchased at Bluestem 7 years ago leaked. I emailed Bunn and 4 hrs later I got a reply that said that the repair kit has been mailed to you free of charge,also an apology for the problem.I had the kit and was brewing in 2 days.Seems if you stop in and talk to a local business instead cruising the Wanamaker corridor looking at the big signs,you might see that we have it better than a lot of people think.Heck,I like to take a road trip and shop some,too! A few things are worth it,some aren't.Granted- we just don't have the population and sales volume to support 10 big box stores in a row,all trying to be different,but the same.But I don't live near those places for a reason.I chose to live in a less populated area called "Home" a long time ago.
May 24, 2007 at 12:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
siamesefred (anonymous) says...
I agree with admireed about local service. All it takes is asking a few questions. About 12 years ago, I bought a used Maytag dryer. Only problem was the knob that controlled time/temp cycles was broken, so you had no guarantee that setting it to 50 minutes of permanent press wasn't giving you 30 minutes of high heat. Guion's came out and fixed the problem.
Since then, I've had two minor problems — needed a new door switch and belt for the drum. Both times, Guion's has diagnosed my problem, sold me the part and explained how to do the work. Saved me service call charges (especially the mileage to the north end of the county). Never talked down to me as a woman. Guion's and Maytag have earned my loyalty.
May 24, 2007 at 6:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
Emporiaalumni, go suck an egg. The price does make all the difference. You are probably on of those people who are afraid to admit that Emporia is drying up! I can even go to Council Grove and buy a vehicle cheaper than I can here. As a matter of fact two friends just bought their vehicles in Topeka because dealling with the car dealers was like talking to walls. They both bought cars cheaper, and saved thousands. By the way, I was always taught that you get what you pay for! Sounds to me like you have money to blow, well I do not! I am sorry, but it is people like you who are so wrapped up in themselves that you do not care if we get better places to shop in Emporia. By the way, if you reread the article, there are several ways to interrupt some of what hes is saying. Your mind is probably too little to figure it out.
May 24, 2007 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
THANK YOU SNAKE. This town is full of hippocrits. He sounds like a car dealer. Just afraid to admit we are right. As to moving from Emporia, I am trying,but trying to sell my house is another story. Emporia needs to wake up and take a look around. Even Chase county is a better place to shop and deal with the peole. Emporia will always be a small town divided by the rich and the poor, and of course the snobs!!!!
May 24, 2007 at 9:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
Melissa, I understand what you are saying about the rude people in the court house. I have had many dealings with them and they are not helpful. They live in such a small world and fail to open their eyes as to how other people live, such as the military. They do not understand that you can not come here on a moments notice. Yes, I think you should change your home of residence. Emporia, Kansas taxes are too high for what we get out of them. I have complained to Dora, but she is so nice I do not think she takes it any further. Those people need to realize that they work for us!!!
May 24, 2007 at 10:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
LOVE YOU SNAKE. The problems are only seen by those who look. Most of the people think the problems will take care of themselves. What a sad city we are.
May 24, 2007 at 11:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
midnight_rider (anonymous) says...
I agree that the ladies at treasurers office at the courthouse could be more helpful. It is a pain in the @## when you have to get new tags, change addresses or names, etc. with them. They should take a lesson from the security guards out in the foyer of the courthouse. Those guys acknowledge everyone that walks through, they are great at giving directions, and very helpful to everyone.
But if the store owners and managers in Emporia want people to shop Emporia first they need to be more appreciative of their customers and be more helpful and friendly. The merchants of Emporia need to quit judging people by their appearance, if you know what I mean.
May 24, 2007 at 9:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )