I just want to give a shout out to the Dean, Tech Sales Associate, and the entire Staples crew in Waterville Maine. I work a lot from home, writing, along with online Zoom trainings. My laptop stopped working and the General Manager (G.M.), Pamela Rich said to bring it in as soon as possible. I have a number of protection plans with them.
Dean was transparent from the get-go, that he was off for the next couple of days. Brady called me the next day to ask questions about my computer, which I thought was very considerate. I wanted to let Dean keep working on it since we had already established a rapport and he was familiar with the issues already.
His professionality was spot on: his eye contact, consideration to my concerns, and patience answering all my questions. We call it old school customer service, putting Dean into the "cream of the crop" group of professionals. Pam is the same way and the way she works with her team is a bit magical. She trusts them, listens to them, and works with them for ultimately, the best solution for the customer.
My hardrive crashed and I needed a new one, and that protection service had expired. Arghh. Every time I spoke with Pam, she encouraged me to update that plan. I was trying to save for it, but vehicle problems and other financial stuff kept happening, taking away from my savings. I paid for that plan, and should be good to go for the next 24 months.
I asked Dean what he recommended as I trust his opinion. Working within my budget, he installed the hardrive, and did it sooner than we expected. He waited until after I arrived, even waiting to take his lunch break. In hindsight, I wish I asked what time he was taking a lunch break, so I could either come before or after.
During this entire time, I spoke with a very considerate Associate Lilly, who had excellent customer service skills answering my call and routing me over to Dean. I saw Sheryl in the print department, who's been so helpful anytime I've needed anything scanned, copied, printed or faxed. Eric, the Tech Sales Supervisor has always been helpful and seriously considerate to my laptop problems.
When I called this last time, I met Mary, the Sales Manager, who was nicer than you could imagine. Like everyone cares: "Can I help you find something...do you have any questions. Even when Dean was helping me, he conscientiously acknowledged a customer at check-out, "I'll be right with you."
In a day and age, where many businesses are still dealing with lasting effects of the recent Pandemic, many have been crippled, put out of business, or still experience staffing shortages, it's disconcerting to say the least. Any business that has its doors open and staff present both during and after the pandemic is such a huge accomplishment, one that shouldn't go unnoticed.
As consumers, it would go a long way if we could have a little more patience and understanding for both the employees and businesses that have remained open since the Coronavirus Pandemic. So many have strong opinions about it, but the fact remains that we all lived with federal and state executive orders and mandates. Our local Waterville Staples remained open, for which I'm incredibly thankful for, including Dean, Pamela and the entire crew. :-) read more
