Yes, it's "Tealightfully Thursday"…especially when I receive the sweetest customer service from a representative with our insurance company.  Have you ever just had someone truly go out of their way…go above their call of duty…simply to help make your life a little easier?  Well, that is just what Diane did for me today!  I had already spoken to one rep and had to be transferred to another department since I had some other questions.  I was trying to verify some information regarding my physical therapy.  Diane had already answered my questions, but when she realized that I still needed some assistance in trying to find some answers…well, she asked me to  hold on just a moment becausese she thought she might be able to help me.  Let me just tell you that my questions were not even related to her department, and I really thought I would have to go back to another department or keep searching on my own.  She remembered something new that had come out and wanted to try to find the info for me because she thought it would relate to what I was checking on.  So, she did…and, she truly did find just the answers I needed!  I would not have found the info without a few more calls and a good bit of searching…and, even then, well, I'm not so sure I would have ever come across this info that was very relevant to what I needed to know.  She told me about how she could relate to my situation with my shoulder.  She used to be a nurse so I could tell that her compassion ran deep.  She took her time with me, was very understanding, and truly helped me when she didn't have to.  It wasn't her job…it wasn't in her department…but, she went above and beyond!  And, I told her so!  I told her just how much I appreciated her taking time to help me when she really didn't have to.  She was so appreciative!  I could literally "see her smiling" through the sound of her voice!  So, I asked if there was a supervisor I could talk to because I wanted to tell someone about the wonderful customer service I received from her.  I waited and was soon chatting with her supervisor.  He thanked me several times for taking time to actually "pass it on"…pass along the message that someone was doing such an outstanding job.  One of my biggest pet peeves is poor customer service or simply…the lack of it!  I cannot stand for store employees or representatives on the phone to be rude, to act rushed, to act as though they are so bothered by my questions or the time it is taking to assist me with an order, and so on.  Yes, people have alot going on in their personal lives, but we have to remember to be professional…to be that person that goes above and beyond. There have been many times in my life when I might have wanted to just say what was on my mind or maybe didn't really feel like being friendly due to something I was dealing with…however, when we are dealing with the public…well, they are our customers or our patients (as the case was regarding many of my jobs).  Many times people are looking for someone to be friendly to them, someone to go out of their way…many times people just need that human touch…even a simple smile will do.  And, yes, I was beginning to feel a little frustrated wondering how I would find the info I needed…but, then, I ended up laughing and smiling all because of Diane!  This one lady…someone I don't even know…had the ability to make me SMILE…to ease my frustration…to help me to find just the answers I needed.  And, she didn't even have to!  I take customer service very seriously….it is soooo important to me with my business. I want my customers to know how much they mean to me…and, I hope in some way…maybe I can show them that through the ways I try to show my appreciation.  And, you know what…it really does make me feel good to do something for someone else!  So, here's a little "shout out" to Diane…you give rockin' customer service!…And, she even gave me some good tips for sitting at the computer!  Thanks so much!  And, remember…when someone does something nice…out of the blue, not because they had to, for you…well, PASS IT ON!!

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