(originally published October 31st, 2005)

Two weekends ago, I did something I rarely do. I went back to a store that had given me really bad customer service. There was something my wife wanted, and it turned out that only two stores in the area carried this particular item, and they were in total opposite directions from each other, and I was under time constraints. So I went back to this store, not expecting much, and I was surprised. The person in this area gave great customer service, showed us everything we needed to know, and some things we didn’t know we needed to know. He was attentive, and treated us like the first customers he’d ever had. It was an amazing turnaround from the last time I’d been in the store.

It’s not often that any stores get a second chance after making a really bad impression on a customer. For most of us, we need to make sure we get it right the first time, and every time after that, because customers usually have many other choices. If it had been just for myself, I still wouldn’t have gone to this store. But I’d do anything for my wife, so I acquiesced. And I’m glad I did; I guess, sometimes, a second chance can be earned.

Either that, or make sure you become an exclusive for something!