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Great customer service

Posted on by Brian Lee

Last month, I ordered a black, leather wallet from Amazon.com. When it arrived, I was stunned to see I received a brown, plastic wallet instead.

So I begrudgingly started the return process and thought, what an annoyance to have to go through this (e.g. shipping it back) when it wasn’t my fault. It turns out I couldn’t complete the process, because the wallet I wanted was now out of stock.

I wrote Amazon’s customer service a note explaining the situation and seeking a recommendation. I was stunned by their response:

I’m so sorry to know that the item which you received was different from what was ordered. We certainly did not expect this to happen. As a customer service representative, I’m willing to help you in this issue.

It is certainly not our intention to ship incorrect products to our customers, and we will investigate the origin of this problem. Unfortunately, on rare occasions, fulfillment centers make a mistake when assembling a package. I’ve forwarded your message to our fulfillment team to make sure they’re aware of this incident.

When something like this happens, I’d normally send out a replacement order.  I’ve checked your order and see it that the item now is temporarily out of stock in  our website.

As a valued customer and as much as I want to help you, I’ve requested a full refund of $XX. This refund will appear in the next 2-3 business days as a credit on the original payment method used for the order. Once processed, you’ll also be able to see the refund here:

To avoid any inconvenience, as we don’t like to waste your precious time, there’s no need to return the item you received. You’re welcome to keep, donate or dispose of it–whichever option is most appropriate and convenient for you.

How awesome is that? As the saying goes, go above and beyond in customer service–and Amazon certainly did that.

How to Create a Google Map with Pinpoints

Posted on by Brian Lee

*Confirmed again on Feb. 20, 2019*

I never understand why companies continuously change their procedures. What’s worse, most don’t explain the new procedures to their customers. Google is guilty of this when it changed how to make a Google map with pinpoints. As of March 5, 2015, here are the new steps:

  1. Google My Maps 2Log into your Google account (e.g. Gmail). Note: all maps you create will be saved to your Google Drive.
  2. Go to google.com/mymaps or google.com/maps/d.
  3. Choose Create a New Map. From here, there are numerous ways to begin.
  4. For example, you can type in a location in the search bar at the top of the screen. That location will be noted with a green pin. To add it to your map, click on the green pin and choose “Add to map.”
  5. Repeat step four until you have all the pinpoints added.

Google allows you to have multiple layers, each with its own set of pinpoints, on one map. You automatically start with an “Untitled layer” (rename by clicking on the three dots and choosing “Rename this layer”). Add more by clicking on “Add layer.”

In addition, Google allows you to import a list of locations saved as a CSV, XLSX or KML file. Under your layer, before you add any pinpoints, click on “Import.”

Public involvement meetings announced for WIS 19 study

Posted on by Brian Lee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 13, 2015

Contact:
Franco Marcos, WisDOT study manager
(608) 246-3860; Franklin.Marcos@dot.wi.gov

Public involvement meetings announced for WIS 19 study in Dane, Jefferson County

Meetings to be held in Waunakee and Sun Prairie

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Southwest Region will hold two public involvement meetings to discuss the planning study underway for the WIS 19 corridor in Dane and Jefferson County. The study extends from US 12 (Town of Springfield) to WIS 89 in the City of Waterloo.

This is a planning-level preservation study in which the primary goal of the study is to document the existing and forecasted corridor conditions along WIS 19. This study will develop a long-range plan to manage, preserve, and extend the useful life of the WIS 19 corridor. The study involves evaluating the existing roadway conditions, identifying deficiencies and concerns, and analyzing conceptual roadway improvements to improve safety and mobility.

The meetings will be held on the following dates:

Wednesday February 25, 2015
4:30 to 7 p.m.
Prairie View Middle School, 400 North Thompson Road, Sun Prairie WI 53590

Wednesday March 11, 2015
4:30 to 7 p.m.
Waunakee Middle School, 1001 South Street, Waunakee, WI 53597

The public can attend anytime between 4:30 and 7 p.m. to review displays and other study materials, ask questions, and provide comments. WisDOT project staff will be available to explain the study process and answer questions. A brief presentation will be held at 5:30 p.m. at each location.

The meeting facilities are wheelchair accessible. People who are deaf or hard of hearing and need an interpreter may arrange for one by contacting WisDOT’s Region Communications Manager Michael Bie at (608) 246-7928, or michael.bie@dot.wi.gov, no later than three working days prior to the meeting.

Information about the WIS 19 study can be found at the study web page: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/sw.htm

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