The Rural Voice, 1995-01, Page 14Robert Mercer
Customer appreciation days
This past month I seem to have
had the opportunity to visit a greater
variety of farm businesses than usual.
In just about every case there have
been efforts by the local staff and
management to put across customer
appreciation days. In one of the
smaller towns in Ontario I even
entered the L.C.B.O. to get a bottle of
Pelee Island's best, and they were
holding a customer appreciation day.
That was the first time ever for me to
get any appreciation for my business
through the wine store, which is also
a major tax collector. I was
impressed.
This past week I visited an Apple
Growers' Co-operative rather than a
supermarket. Great selection,
friendly service and great knowledge
on the products displayed. It was
also their customer appreciation day.
(Apples and local cheese were both
on offer, making for an excellent
mix.)
The co-op farm store also had a
customer appreciation day and I took
time to look around and sec what
really was offered Not being a full
time farmer, my v'sits are normally
more rushed and
single product
oriented. This
store certainly
had the full line
of very
impressive farm
hardware,
garden supplies
as well as the
free coffee and
donuts.
I think my
biggest surprise
came when
visiting the local
post office. Yes,
they too were on the service forefront
of a federal agency. No 10 per cent
offer on stamps or bulk postage, but
First Class
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See us at the Weller display at the Canadian International
Farm Equipment Show, Toronto, February 7-10, 1995
Buchanan and Hall Ltd.
615 Huron Road, Stratford, Ontario
271-4793
10 THE RURAL VOICE
they were discounting T-shirts, coin
collections and other post office
merchandise. That is surely another
first, or maybe I normally visit the
wrong post offices.
Customer appreciation days by
those who service the farm market
are a pleasant way to pay tribute to
the farmer customers at the Christmas
period. Business can be more
relaxed, suggestions offered and
comments sought by the companies.
If you have been well served by
your supplier, let him/her know.
There's nothing like a little bit of
appreciation given to get even better
service next time. This is especially
true for those in the livestock
business who most often call out the
vet at non-traditional working hours,
the milk equipment service
representative or the electrician when
a ventilation system fails. Paying
your bills is one thing, but a little
note to say how well some employee
did on the job carries far more weight
when you next need help.
Saying "thank you" is often
difficult, so often overlooked and
only remembered when it is too late.
This year could be the one when
your New Year's resolution actually
means something more than giving
up smoking, losing weight or
stopping swearing. Be pro -active
with random kindness as well as a
few well placed, well deserved
"thank you's". It's very inexpensive
and excellent value.0
Robert Mercer is editor of the
Broadwater Market Letter, a weekly
commodity and policy advisory letter
from Goodwood, ON LOC 1AO.
Deadline for the
FEBRUARY ISSUE
of
The Rural Voice
is
January 18