The Flibbertigibbet: We are not the droids they're looking for

One of the more interesting things about having my name and email on the company website is that I am the person most likely to get emails from random-ish strangers. Specifically, I get mail for people looking for customer service for companies with initials like the one I work for.

I have suggested to my boss that we could generate some revenue by billing those companies for the pleasant (and even possibly helpful) replies that I send.

Here is a selection. Some were more fun to handle than others, but Number 1 will always have a special place in my heart. I wouldn't mind having that lady on my side in a similar situation.

#1

From: [name]
Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2013 2:59 PM
To: Hall, Leta
Subject: Poor, Poor Customer Service

I was just at your Sturgis, Michigan store. Ahead of me in line was a woman with a return. She had her receipt, but the barcode wouldn't scan and the date was smudged, but it was clearly a TSC receipt. The manager, Will, was called to the front and turned the woman away, saying that she could not return the item because of the barcode and date. She was not even given a cursory apology. Then, after she left, the cashier got on the phone and said, right in front of me "Yeah, I have a lady who just got crappy with me about a return" and proceeded to read off the woman's phone number. This entire incident was rude, unnecessary, and a breach of privacy. I was a long-time customer, but seeing how my future returns and private information might be handled in the future, and that I might be described as a "crappy" customer in front of other customers after I walk out of the store ... well, I think this issue should be addressed. The customer was not even being rude; she just said "I don't understand". Wow.
[name and address]

From: Hall, Leta

Sent: Monday, February 04, 2013 10:27 AM
To: [name]
Subject: RE: Poor, Poor Customer Service

Good morning, Ms. [name],

I agree with you – that sounds *awful.* Unfortunately the TSC you’ve reached isn’t the same as the one you’re hoping to reach. The TSC that I work for doesn’t have any stores – we provide engineering services.

If you wanted the Tractor Supply Company their website and customer service contacts can be found at http://www.tractorsupply.com/. I hope you are able to reach the right person and get a good resolution.

All the best,

Leta Hall

Corporate Administrator

From: [name]
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2014 3:09 PM
To: Leta
Subject: WX-110110CSO-CBK

Hi Leta –

Can you please provide a detailed spec sheet on the following part # : WX-110110CSO-CBK

The customer isn’t happy with the quality and would like complete details of the material, etc

Please advise

Thank you!

[name and contact info]

From: Leta
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2014 2:30 PM
To: [name]
Subject: RE: WX-110110CSO-CBK

Hi [name] ~

Unfortunately, I can’t provide that spec sheet. The TSC that I work for are engineers.

It looks as though the item you are referring to is made by TSC America and while I can find their product suppliers easily on the internet, I am having trouble finding the actual company. I’m sorry that I couldn’t be more help but hope that you are able to find the information that your customer needs.

All the best,

Leta

From: [name]
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2014 3:33 PM
To: Leta
Subject: RE: WX-110110CSO-CBK

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond J don’t find that much now a days !

You have a super weekend!

[name]

From: [name]
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2014 1:57 PM
To: Leta
Subject: Tsc conventionally raised or organic meat?

Dear Ms. Hall,

Is the meat in tsc's tsatziki steak flatbread conventionally raised or organic?

Sincerely,
[name]

From: Leta
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2014 2:06 PM
To: [name]
Subject: RE: Tsc conventionally raised or organic meat?

Good afternoon, Ms. {Name],

I think that you are trying to contact the Tropical Smoothie Café, rather than [my employer]. We don’t (alas) have any flatbreads, just lots of engineers.

Tropical Smoothie’s customer service folks can be reached at http://www.tropicalsmoothie.com/contact-us. I hope they are able to provide the information you’re seeking.

All the best,

Leta

Corporate Administrator

#4

From: name
Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2014 8:48 AM
To: Hall, Leta
Subject: cable inquiry for vietnam

Dear [misspelling of my name],

I am working for [company], a Austrian company, which produces various kinds of lighting kits for vehicles. We would like to establish a business in Vietnam and therefore we need several cables. I found out that you company as well has a branch office in Hanoi, correct?

If yes I kindly ask you provide me with a contact person, or forward this E-Mail to a person in charge.

I have enclosed you a folder with the several different cables we need!

For each cable type (cable number) you can find a technical datasheet and a picture. Please check whether the production of each single cable is possible for you or not.

If you can produce those cables I need the following information from you:

From each type we need 600 km per year.

We want to have the cables in big cable rolls. Is that possible?

Besides I wonder what the minimum order quantity is?

I kindly ask you to send me an initial price quotation for each cable type /cable number.

Thank you in advance and I hope to hear from you soon

Best regards

[name]

Von: Hall, Leta
Gesendet: Mittwoch, 02. Juli 2014 16:53
An: [namen]
Betreff: RE: cable inquiry for vietnam

Dear [name],

I’m sorry to tell you that the TSC that you have reached is not the TSC you were looking for. I believe that you are trying to reach Tractor Supply Company (www.tractorsupply.com). Their page for cables and connectors is http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/search/cables-connectors.

Our web addresses are similar so this confusion happens a lot.

All the best,

Leta