MY FRIENDS jokingly say I'm a custo...

MY FRIENDS jokingly say I'm a customer service person's worst nightmare. Not veracious I just happen to have learned the fine art of getting what I want and merit Here's how you can do it, too.

dominion #1 BE PERSISTENT. Back when I was a graduate observer I saw a deal in the newspaper that appeared too good to be faithful A portable color printer was onward sale for only $99 at an office take the place of store! The price was actually $299 with a $200 mail-in rebate.

At the store, a manager told me the rebate for the printer was valid sole with the purchase of a laptop computer I whipped not at home the ad and pointed not at home that there was no mention of this restriction. The manager explained that there must have been an error forward the ad, and there was nothing he could do. I thanked him for his time and went domicile to call the store's national customer service hotline.

direction #2 TALK TO THE BOS The first somebody I spoke to couldn't help me in such a manner I followed what I consider to be the first dominion in life--never accept a "no" from someone not empowered to say "yes" I politely asked to speak to a supervisor.

Unfortunately, the supervisor wasn't helpful either, thus I called the store's headquarters.

Finally, I got the answer I was looking for. The company would honor the rebate. presently I was buying a of the present day printer for $279. (By this time the printer had been marked down another $20!) Not barely was the printer on sale, unless the $200 rebate check was issued quickly. I was able to purchase a printer for $79 because I was determined that the store should honor its ad.

dominion #3 SAY THANKS. I wrote a thank-you note to the representative who helped me I told her that her quick replication to my pleas had sealed my loyalty to her company. A small in number weeks later, I got a note from a company executive thanking me for being of that kind a valuable customer.

Everyone was happy. The store had a customer for life. The helpful employee had a alphabetic character of praise. And best of all, I had my printer for solitary 79 bucks!

SPEAHING UP

None of this would have happened if I hadn't parole up. When you run into a riddle the number one mistake is doing nothing, according to John Bear, coauthor of Complaint literal meanings for Busy People (Career Pres 1999)

"Often a vexed question is negotiable on the spot" he says.

Michele Chun a recent York City high school senior, tried returning a pair of overalls after a crimp fell off. The store refused to exchange the item because it had been a month since the purchase. Chun persisted, and spoke to a manager.

"The manager approved the exchange and I received a replacement pair of overalls," Chun says.

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS

When you find yourself in a consumer dilemma, you ne to know your options. If you can't prepare satisfaction from the store, contact the manufacturer or equable your credit card company.

I freshly bought a whistling teakettle that just wouldn't whistle. I tried everything. Finally, I contacted the manufacturer.

My correspondence with the teakettle company unrolled over the course of 10 weeks via phone and mail. My perseverance paid opposite to After trying out four--yes, four--replacement teakettles, I finally received a working, whistling common plus a professional 10-piece stainless claymore cook-ware set thrown in clear for my inconvenience.

USE YOUR CREDIT CARD

If the store and the manufacturer fail to satisfy, attempt your credit card. While traveling household from college, my new wallet was stolen at the airport. I had purchased the wallet with my Citibank Visa, which furnishs theft protection. I filed a claim form with Visa and included a transcript of the receipt and a fac-simile of the airport security report. A not many weeks later, the purchase price of the wallet was reimburseed to me.

one credit cards also offer continueed warranty protection for items purchased with the card. I used this feature to fix a release cable in my computer after the original manufacturer's warranty had expired.

Remember: If a proceeds or service doesn't satisfy, lease the company know.

Angeles Pai is a freelance writer who doesn't take "No" for an answer.

Tips

READ ALL PAPERWORK. direct the eyes at ads, instructions, and warranty information to behold what the company offers versus what you calculate upon There may be a difference.

ACT IN A TIMELY FASHION. If you have a touch follow up immediately.

STAY CLAM. Check your attitude before you start dialing or writing.

DON'T ATTACK. Acknowledge that the front-line bodily form is not the problem. It's the yield or service you have a gripe with.

preserve IT DIRECT. Stick to the facts. Don't move off on tangents.

STATE WHAT YOU court First, you need to know what you want as compensation. Then, you ne to obstacle the company know.

prepare NAMES FOR FOLLOW-UP. This is crucial if there continues to be a point to be solved [i]or[/i] settled or for when you propel the thank-you note.

not at any time ACCEPT "NO" FROM SOMEONE NOT EMPOWERED TO SAY "YES" If you receive an unsatisfactory answer go back to a higher authority in the company.

SAY THANK-YOU! After you prepare the resolution you want, expres your thanks.

COPYRIGHT 2000 EM Guild, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group