Because I Knew You, I Have Been Changed for Good

I must give a shout to my friend Tracey who is making the world a better place through blogging. Tracey recently blogged about some success she had with an airline customer service representative. From this I learned that, in matters of customer service, it doesn't hurt to ask.

This afternoon I had reason to call the electric company to discuss my recent bill. My bill had been based on my electric usage from November 2008 because my meter has been malfunctioning. Ordinarily, this would be fair and square, but this year I was gone for a week in November and thus, not using as much electricity (unless Cosmo had friends over). I wondered if the electric company would adjust my bill to reflect my week's absence. Remembering Tracey's success, I called and was given a 10% deduction. There are those of you who will argue I should have fought for more, but life is too short to argue with customer service.

I was so encouraged by this phone call that I made another.

In 2007, my friends gave me a gift card for a custom Viv Pickle purse that I never used. (Sorry, ladies!) I pulled it out this week only to find it expired in May, 2009! (Really sorry, ladies!) Excited by my victory with the power people, I called Viv Pickle in Philadelphia. I told the girl my sob story and, yadda yadda yadda, I'm getting a new purse for $7!