YouTube Videos That Make Me Laugh

Watch how fast this reporter goes ghetto!

WARNING: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS PROFANITY!

Who doesn't love a good flashmob?

Customer Service Perfection

I am a very customer service oriented person. I make it a point to go out of my way to ensure that all of my customers feel that they received great customer service. Sadly, I rarely receive even a mediocre level of customer service when I am on the other side of the equation--and I find this to be completely unacceptable. Just because you work at Wal-Mart does not give you the right to ignore me for the entire transaction. And I have started to make sure that they know that I am not satisfied.

But there is hope for humanity after all...

Over the past two days, I have received what I would consider Customer Service Perfection.

Let me start from the beginning. A little less than a week ago, a few pixels on the screen of my iPhone died. Although annoying, I figured that I could live with it, so I didn't contact Apple immediately. Unfortunately as each day passed, the number of dead pixels increased. Instead of a few dead pixels, I started noticing horizontal rows of pixels were no longer working. If I didn't do something then, I would soon have five horizontal lines of dead pixels along the top 1/2 inch of the screen. Knowing that my iPhone was still covered under the AppleCare Warranty, I decided that I needed to contact Apple.

Upon arriving at the AppleCare website, I was asked to sign-in with my Apple ID. They already had all of my information and knew exactly which Apple products that I owned. I completed a brief questionnaire about my iPhone problem. My next option was to select whether I wanted Apple to contact me by phone right then or at another time. Yes, Apple was going to contact ME! I didn't have to call them! I selected the option to have Apple contact me immediately. Less than a second after pressing the button, my phone rang. Wow!

I spent less than five minutes on the phone with AppleCare Service Representative Lewis. He asked about my situation and then gave me some options. I could either send the phone in for repairs, or I could take it to an Apple Store to have it looked at. Luckily, the only Apple Store in SC is in Charleston, so Lewis set up an appointment for me to meet with one of the Apple Geniuses at the Apple Store the next day.

I arrived at the Apple Store fifteen minutes early for my appointment. Upon entering the store, I noticed my name on the TVs behind the Genius Bar. There was one other person listed above my name, so I knew I had a little time to browse. I was approached by an Orange Shirt (an Apple Concierge--if you've ever been to an Apple Store, you know what I'm talking about). He asked me if he could help. I informed him that I had an appointment at the Genius Bar. He announced over the radio that I had arrived and brought me back to the Genius Bar where I was seated. Everyone behind the bar already knew my name and said hi.

I was greeted by a Blue Shirt (Apple Genius) by the name of Lee. I showed him my iPhone and the dead pixels. He did a little computer work and then unwrapped a new replacement iPhone. He told me how to go about restoring it when I returned home. After a few minutes of small talk and general geekery (it has to be expected in an Apple Store), I was sent on my way with a shiny new iPhone.

I have never experienced this level of Customer Service in my life!

I was never accused of dropping my phone or submerging it in water. The Apple staff treated me like an adult, unlike other companies' technical support staff.

Never again will I joke about the Apple Tax (the idea that you pay a premium for Apple Products). Not only are Apple Products made of great quality, they are backed by Apple with outstanding customer service. You can't say that about the Dells and HPs of the world.

If I wasn't yet considered one, I became an Apple fanboy today.

You rock Apple!

Tagged: 8 Things

Thanks to Sharon for the tag!

8 Things I Am Looking Forward To:

1. Taking a vacation. It has been more than six months since I last took a day off.
2. Going to a couple of local minor league baseball games.
3. Beach season.
4. Memorial Day--first bank holiday since President's Day back in February.
5. Hurricane Season
6. Simple cookouts--hot dogs and beer.
7. Star Trek--Yes, I am a Trekkie and this movie looks AMAZING! IMAX baby!
8. The final three episodes of Season 5 of The Office.

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

1. Woke up at 6:45 AM.
2. Drove to work downtown.
3. Played with dirty money.
4. Used a gallon of Hand Sanitizer. Damn you Swine Flu!!
5. Made homemade pizza for dinner--pepperoni and bacon. YUM!
6. Attended the annual HOA meeting in my neighborhood.
7. Watched the season finale of Chuck--best Chuck episode ever!!
8. Downloaded a bunch of songs on iTunes that I had been meaning to do for a while.

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

1. Meet Jenna Fischer.
2. Meet Steve Carrell.
3. Meet Rainn Wilson.
4. Meet John Krasinski
5. Meet the rest of The Office cast (AGAIN!).
6. Tour the set of The Office.
7. Travel to Europe.
8. Buy a Mac Pro.

8 Shows I Watch:

1. The Office
2. LOST
3. Chuck
4. American Idol
5. Monk
6. Psych
7. NCIS
8. Bones

Things That Make Me Happy: Ryan Started The Fire

The fans of The Office are the most dedicated and creative fans of any other television show out there.

One of the best fan videos ever.

PS: I'm back. :)

That's What She Said

That's what she said.

To any long-time fan of The Office, these four little words can bring about a fit of laughter.

We have been trained long and hard to listen for any phrase that may warrant the use TWSS.

I'm sure every Office fan out that has felt the urge to utter the phrase, but apparently it can get you in trouble.  This detention slip made its way to the internet last week after a student used TWSS in class.  

Hopefully this won't deter the writers from using the TWSS joke in the future.

But knowing their sense of humor, I'm sure they'll keep 'em coming.

That's what she said.

Happy Birthday Jack!!

I am so happy to announce that today is my godson's birthday!!  Jack is three years old today--I can't believe it has been three years already.

I remember September 30, 2005 like it was just yesterday.  

I started the day off by going to the gym (yep, I actually went to a gym once upon a time).  Then I got a phone call from Jeff telling me that he was sure that Jack would be born later that night.  So I hopped into the car and drove up to Greenville.  

When I got to Greenville, I made Sue watch an episode of Gilmore Girls.  Sharon and I had been talking about how the character of Paris Gellar reminded us of Sue.  So I set out to show Sue who Paris was.  Of course, the ONLY episode that didn't have Paris in it aired that day.  Figures.

Then Sue wanted Linguine with Clam Sauce for dinner.  I remember that it tasted good but smelled awful.  Maybe that's why Jack decided it was time to abandon ship.  While eating dinner and watching an episode of Ghost Whisperer, Jack said he had had enough.

Now I remember that the episode of Ghost Whisperer was about Jennifer Love Hewitt talking to a dead boy that kept walking along the train tracks.  There were a lot of trains in the episode.  I think this was a sign that Jack would grow up loving trains.

Sue and Jeff rushed off to the hospital and Jack was born a few hours later.  He was just a little shy of being an October baby.

Now, a short three years later, Jack is an awesome big boy with many Monkish tendencies!  He enjoys playing with trains, loves to spend time with his big sister and is not afraid of calling someone a loser when it is warranted.  Yep, he really is that awesome.  Feel free to be jealous if you don't have the honor of knowing him.

Happy Birthday Jack-Jack!!!  :)