No Good Deed Goes Unrewarded

Today I made my semi-annual trek to Sam’s Club to lay in supplies for the last half of the year. I try not to go any more often because I am not a fan of warehouse stores. I do appreciate good savings.

A close friend and I make this trip together and then treat ourselves to a nice lunch in a calm environment afterwards. Come to think of it, it has turned out to be such an entertaining adventure that we might even consider going quarterly.

After piling our carts high with all the bargains we could manage, we headed for the checkout. She fell behind so when I picked out what I strategically thought would be the quickest line, a young man followed in behind me and then my friend took her place. When I glanced back at the man’s cart, I saw that he only had four or five items. I invited him to go ahead of me. For a moment we played the “Are you sure? Yes, I’m sure” game, but he acquiesced and accepted my offer.

As he was checking out, he looked back at me and said, “Do you like cupcakes?” Silly question. Who doesn’t? He invited me by his store for a free cupcake. His “cupcakerie” it seems was just around the corner and has only been open a month. It coincidentally was just a few doors from where we had planned lunch. When we finished our lunch, we went by the brand new store, “Smallcakes,” and I selected my complimentary cupcake. His comment was “You did something nice for me so I want to do something nice for you.” A number of good things happened here:

• I saved him from spending unnecessary time in a checkout line.
• He rewarded me with a Chocolate Bourbon cupcake (my pick from his tempting array).
• He gained two new customers and then some because we are now going to tell everyone we know about this nice young man and his brand new store in beautiful downtown Sandfly (that’s right, Sandfly), Georgia.
• I can’t speak to the cupcake yet since I am saving that for my dessert but I am quite sure that it, too, will get rave reviews.

So you see, no good deed goes unrewarded–at least in my book. In addition, no effort in good manners and customer service will ever go unnoticed. Off to devour my cupcake!

Hire Lydia to work with your staff to improve customer service and employee relations through the use of those priceless and often over-looked soft skills called manners. Lydia is the “unstuffy” business etiquette expert who helps individuals and organizations add the polish that builds profits. We’re talking about your bottom line here.

Since 1996, countless people have benefited from her wisdom through keynotes, seminars and conference breakout sessions.  Her Southern charm and sense of humor have made her a sought-after speaker and consultant.

Based in Savannah, Georgia, Lydia is available for national, regional and local speaking and training engagements. She has suitcase; will travel.

Contact her via email at lydia@lydiaramsey.com or call 912-604-0080. Sign up for her free monthly newsletter and visit her website, lydiaramsey.com.