iContact’s Lack of Customer Service
In an age when people have so many choices, I am still amazed when I come across less than stellar customer service.
My client has been using iContact for the last 17 months (back when they were Intellicontact). We’ve been having problems since we signed up with Intellicontact iContact with processing the credit card my client keeps on file. There is always some kind of error message IDPT: 9003 card not valid foolishness. It’s funny though that the payment goes through and I have to call them to have it straightened out. This has been going on 9 out of the 17 months my client has been with them.
This month was no exception, I had to call to have it straightened out. So I’ve spoken to my client and we will be switching over to Aweber. Why have we decided to jump ship now? Well aside from it being terribly annoying to call and have the account fixed it’s equally a waste of valuable time. However, last night when I tried to send a message for my client we couldn’t. The sending function had been disabled yet again! UGH!!
This morning I called to have the problem fixed and spoke to Darrel who provided less than stellar customer service. I explained to him that this has been an ongoing problem. His response: “He’s sorry. It’s fixed now.” My next question was to ask him where was the message we tried to send out last night. He doesn’t know. He doesn’t see it. “You’ll have to resend the message.” What?!!!! It’s just gone?!!
I explain to him how ridiculous it is that I have to redo a message that should have been sent the first time around. I again let him know how troubling it is to call all the time to get the account straightened out and now a message has just disappeared. I explained to him that we will have to look for another company because this is just not working and no one seems to care enough to try and figure out why. His response: “Okay that’s your choice.” Ahhhh,,, yes it is and that’s exaclty what we are going to do. Where is the customer service? How about trying to figure out what the problem is before losing a client. No Darrell would much rather be lazy and let a customer move on to a competitor. I feel sorry for the owners of iContact if this is the best they could find to represent them. I really have nothing more to say about the situation. I’m off to sign my client up for Aweber, I’ve heard great things about them…Hope they don’t disappoint me.
Hilton Hotels Hire the Homeless
The program is called The Hospitality Institute. It’s function is to look in our own backyards streets for that matter and give people who are otherwise down and out, a second chance. I commend Hilton Hotels for creating such a program and think more hotels should follow suit. So often America’s focus is own helping people abroad that I think we forget that there are people right in the USA who need our help also. Now, before you go get on your soapbox, I’m not saying not to help other countries. I’m simply stating that we shouldn’t neglect our own in the process.
I think the pull to rally together and help our has never been greater. Especially with the country’s economy in a fast paced downward spiral. The media reports daily of more and more people losing their homes. Corporate downsizing is on the rise and store retailers like Starbucks and the Gap are closing some of their stores.
There is no doubt in my mind that we need to foster a sense of community. I think Hilton Hotels is setting a great example that when you help someone else, everybody wins. Now that’s American!!
Life Is Beautiful
Have you ever found yourself having a really hard day? Well today was one of those days for me. Normally I would complain about my day to anyone who would listen but since I read the book A Complaint Free World by Will Bowen, I try not to complain any more. Instead, I change directions or switch gears if you will to connect with something more positive. What happens next always amazes me. I usually find something that the universe saw fit to put in front of me. I’m even more amazed or proud really that I always pick up on the sign. I just know that it comes at a perfect time and it always makes me smile. What are some of those signs? Sometimes it’s an unexpected phone call from a friend I haven’t heard from in a while. Sometimes it’s an article in a magazine that seems as if it were written just for me. Other times it’s hearing about some unfortunate event happening somewhere in the world that just makes me grateful for what I have. Today’s sign was a poem I found while looking for a WordPress theme for a project I’m working on. The words of the poem spoke to me and the best part is that I heard the message loud and clear. So I thought I would share it with you.
Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.
– Mother Teresa