In a world of automatic answering devices, punching in codes, account numbers, pin numbers, and what you had for dinner eight nights ago, I am always amazed when I make a phone call to a company and hear a real live American answering my call.
I have discovered this little gem of a company out of Bend, OR (which NO, I do not work for, nor do I get anything from them for this) called Ruffwear (For Dogs On The Go). I have called them a number of times, when ordering a collar for my dog, when I need to ask how to measure my dog for a winter jacket, or to see if a return as made it. Each time I call, the person on the other end finds my account with ease in the computer, is charming, and helpful, and even when my dog refuses to wear the boots I bought her for Christmas (despite the cut pads on her feet Christmas Eve), I will always purchase from them first.

My husband and I were squeezing in a "date" Sunday night. It was actually just a sandwich at his favorite deli. We hardly ever go there, and when we do, we take out. That night, we decided to eat in. The waitress was excellent! When we pondered the choices out loud, she discreetly brought us a "taste" of the chicken salad I thought about ordering. It was delicious and she suggested eating it hot. Would have never thought of it! When we asked what time they closed, she offered to take our lunchmeat order (Sunday=lunchmeat, bread, etc for the week's lunches) and have it sliced and ready for us when we were finished. She was a young girl, but wise beyond her years! We tipped her well,thanked her and told her what a great waitress she was! I waitressed all through college and remember how tough it was at times, especially at the end of the day! I think that everyone should either waitress or work retail at some time during their lives, the experience stays with you for the rest of your life.

I work in retail (the red bookstore, not the green one) and am routinely surprised by my coworkers' ability to deal with frustrating people and their demands. Being on the other side of the issue has also helped me respond to fellow service members better. I am a better tipper and try to be a better customer because I understand exactly how terribly frustrating retail and service jobs can be. When another retail worker comes into the store, we smile at each other in recognition: it is rare that we don't spend a little bit of time commiserating over the little things we notice about people, working where we do. Thanks to all of you who treat us retail employees with respect and gratitude--you make our jobs worth the rest of the people we encounter every day. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Yup, sometimes it's worth the money to go to Brooks Brothers. My husband bought a new pair of his favorite wrinkle-free khakis and when he was wearing them he realized they weren't as roomy through the thighs as his other pairs. He brough them back to the store and they took them back, no questions asked and gave him a full refund...and helped him find a style that fit better.

Right there with Chris! I worked in retail management for the first nine years of my working life, and I went above and beyond the call of duty to give excellent service. I trained my staff to do the same. When I get good service, I'm their customer for life, and I send others to them. When I don't, they'll never see me or anyone I know again. That is why I do not shop at the big mass merchandiser that begins with a W!

I have to say that Lands End had one of the best customer services experiences I could ask for. I was doing some last minute shopping online (at work no less...shhh) & realized that I clicked on the wrong shipping address at check out (I didn't want my husband coming across his present at our house). They had a button to chat with a customer service rep online & I thought to myself that this will surely be as frustrating as calling! To my surprise it was the greatest experience! They were polite, helpful & had my order shipped to the right spot! Not only did I not have to speak with someone over the phone at work I was able to clear up the error within a few minutes (much shorter than calling in & being placed on hold). Technology...gotta love it! (sometimes).

We have moved a lot around the U.S. for my husband's job, so when I purchase clothing or big ticket items, I think in terms of which state we were living in at the time of purchase. While living in San Diego, I wore my favorite denim dress to church one day and while hopping up into our Suburban, imagine my horror when I heard the familiar sound of "RIP"...The tear wasn't even in the seam where it could more easily be repaired, it was right in the middle of my bum! Needless to say, I was "bummed". This was my favorite dress, it was made for tall women such as myself and was comfortable AND flattering. I called up Land's End hoping they had a similar style in tall that I could order. The customer service representative asked me for my address....hmmm, current address or when I ordered the dress? She asked for the address from where I lived where they would have shipped it to... I figured it had to be at least 4 years old, I'd been wearing it forever, so I gave her that address. Nope, it had to be longer than that...Six and a half years old that dress was, pretty good, huh? "Ok maam, you paid $49.95 for this denim dress and I'm sorry to say we don't have anything similar in style to this one, so you have a credit of $57.85 with shipping to replace the dress with whatever you choose. I'm so sorry for your trouble" Can you believe that? Not only did they still have me and my purchases still in their system after six and a half years, they offered to replace it without my having to ask? Now THAT'S customer service! Land's End should be the model for all catalog companies!!

Wow! Land's End is just getting more awesome every minute! I ordered some sweet pjs for my boys for Christmas and long story short...they were out of the bottoms but had some of "last year's model" still in stock. I was a little hesitant because I was having their little initials monogrammed and everything so wasn't sure if I could send them back (sounds like now I probably could even if they WERE monogrammed!) if the colors weren't right. Anyway, the sweet lady that was taking my order basically just said, "I'll just go look in the stock room and put the colors together and see how it would look!" That's exactly what she did and although they aren't the EXACT navy blue, it was so close I would never complain. Superb Service! 5 Stars for Land's End!!

I second (and third and fourth) the kudos to Lands' End. I'd rather shop with them than anywhere else and only wish they sold cars, appliances, dog food, and provided plumbers and electricians!