In 2015 I noticed more people talking about exceptional customer service and they are becoming loyal customers.  Like it or not as a consumer we have many choices and if you want our business we want to be treated right.
 
Examples:
 
Our daughter Brandy went to a shipping store with a box to be shipped back to Amazon.  Hopefully you have never had to use Amazon customer service but if you have you know they have great customer service.  Her luggage had a stain, she called Amazon and they issued a return label for the box.  No arguing just good customer service.  Next she went to a shipping store and being Brandy she forgot to print the label or to even tape up the box.  The shipping store said "No Problem" use our computer to print the label.  Next she was going to buy a roll of tape and the employee said do you need a roll of tape for your house?  She said "No" and he said then don't worry about it I will get your box ready to ship.  Brandy left as a loyal customer to this store and she has told others. 
 
Another driver told me about need Wi-Fi and since his normal truck stop does not provide Wi-Fi for free he went across the street to the competing truck stop.  While using Wi-Fi he also bought a meal.  Is not providing free Wi-Fi worth losing a loyal customer?
 
A few years ago a car hit us as the driver tried to avoid the police and we had $27,000 dollars worth of damage done to our truck.  Lucky for us I had switched to another insurance company and they provide customer service.  When we first started trucking our truck was backing into and that insurance company just about would not give me the time of day so I switched.  When I called our current insurance they made arraignments for the adjuster to meet us on a weekend. After the truck was in the shop they called to make sure everything was going smoothly.  We were not near our truck and the adjuster checked on our trucks repairs and let us know how it was coming along.  The check was mailed before the truck was completed and we were told if they find any more damage once they start the repairs we will issue another check.  Talk about a relief and much needed support when our way of making a living was in a truck hospital.
 
Another customer service that is becoming more known is UBER cabs.  Like it or hate it they provide customer service.  When I flew to Washington DC I took two cabs and wondered if I was going to arrive alive at my hotel and then the office.  Both drivers drove like maniacs, the car was beat up and the ride was rough as the cars needed to be in a junk pile.  On my way back to the airport the company booked a UBER ride and what a shock, a beautiful car shows up, the driver gets out in a suit and tie, he loads my luggage, opens the door for me and I have a wonderful safe ride to the airport.  Both cab drivers expected a big tip for their awful ride and they did not get out of the car to help me while the UBER driver told me to have a nice day. 
 
Our GPS's were giving us fits and we found out the Dash Cam was interfering with them.  When I talked to the company about this problem he had a solution that solved the problem.  While talking to Don, at Diesel Boss he also gave me ideas on other ways to use our dash cam.  This is the only place we will buy a dash cam or that we will recommend to other drivers.
 
Looking at our business we are constantly questioning, "Did we give our agent and their customer exceptional service?"  Were we polite?  Did we smile and greet the customer? When we secure their freight are they reassured that their product will arrive at their customer safe and sound?  I feel that customer service is making a comeback and if a business wants my loyalty I am going to expect this out of them.   We will continue to questions ourselves and to improve how we provide customer service.

Comments (6)

Linda Caffee

Bob and Linda started their driver careers after their children left home for college in 2000. Bob started as a driver for a large motor carrier with Linda as a rider. They decided to enter the Expedite industry as team drivers in 2005 and purchased their first Freightliner. Both, Bob and Linda have had their Class A licenses since the early 80's starting out driving in the oil field and hauling grain as fill in drivers where Bob worked as a diesel mechanic. Linda worked at the local country courthouse in data processing.

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WOW, your so right. Maybe the only difference, was past service, it worked for me.

February 14, 2016 16:07:49 PM

chetjester, When I arrive at a shipper or receiver, I am fully prepared for delays that could occur, especially for personal needs. I do not expect them to provide anything for me except what is required to move the load. Restrooms and refreshments are taken care of prior to my arrival. However, it is always nice when they ask if I need anything, like a drink or restroom, which I generally decline with a " no, Thank You". I don't want my first impression to be of fulfilling my needs over their needs.

February 12, 2016 13:37:04 PM

chetjester good points and we are often stuck in the middle trying to make a lot of different people happy. We though are not our customers customer we are a vender there to do a job and then move on... Knowing that they are going to use us for storage and not providing any facilities is not right and is really cruel. To many play by those rules. Great point on the people that hate their job as they sure do not provide any customer service as they want everyone to be as miserable as they are.

February 12, 2016 12:37:42 PM

Great examples Linda . Many of my cab rides have brought back memories of my stock car racing days . I would be quite a race to watch if you put taxi drivers in a NASCAR style race . I would pay to watch that for sure !

February 11, 2016 20:09:45 PM

Nice article, Linda. I know you and Bob go out of your way to provide the best in customer service. Regarding truck driving, it is my opinion that so many of the drivers out here hate their jobs so much that they would never consider greetings, smiles and "Thank you's". They don't know they they are customer service and probably don't care. But, the other side is relevant, too. It's rare for me to arrive at a pickup or delivery and find any arrangements for the drivers to know where there is a rest room or vending machines. The shipper/receiver exists in his environment without any consideration for the trucks delivering or shipping his goods. It is so difficult to be a truck driver because we all get the attitude that nobody cares about us. This causes us to react accordingly. But, I love what I do.

February 11, 2016 16:53:27 PM

Great examples Linda. I feel the same way, I always strive to provide the best customer service I can, and when I find a company that does the same for me, I stick with them.

February 11, 2016 5:44:14 AM