Thursday, October 14, 2010

Awesome Surf Shop

Ever had one of those weeks (months/years) where everything that can go south does so?

Don't you hate it when the bumpy road involves expensive items acting up? Breaking down? Not living up to the hype?

I hate having to put my I-can-be-a-bitch-if-you-make-me on and dealing with companies that don't back up their products.

I might do a post on the two companies that have caused much time suck in this house of late.

But today is Travel Tip Thursday, so I will focus on the company who made me happy.

We broke down and bought Son an expensive surfboard a couple of weeks ago. A belated graduation gift. After being furloughed 17 days last school year and Hub's hotel being slow, in May all the boy got was a family dinner and some much needed clothes.

Anyways, we bought him his "dream board." In less than two weeks a fin broke off the tail when he was turning at the top of the wave. The company who made the board has a total ass hat as the rep in charge of replacing bonker boards. I might do a post and show you all the ass hat's emails.

HOWEVER, the surf shop where we bought the board stepped in and gave us a full refund. Told us they would deal with the ass hat. The manager was always nice, empathetic, and willing to whatever it took to keep us happy customers. He said he understood how making such a huge purchase was supposed to be a happy thing. Proud parents. Stoked graduate. He derailed the train wreck the whole ordeal was becoming.

Local Motion. A local Hawaii surf shop. If you are visiting the islands, visit one of their stores. Take back T-shirts to all your family. The manager of the Ala Moana store is my new favorite person.

Got a Travel Tip? A post on living like you are on vacation in the middle of a work heavy week?

Link on up....


26 comments:

Kristan said...

Aww, people like the Local Motion store manager rock!! I'm so glad he helped y'all out.

Brian Miller said...

nice. love it when people step up and do the right thing like that..not so much the other guy...

Liz Mays said...

There truly are people in customer service/retail who belong there! I'm glad it worked out!

Nubian said...

Did you tell them you blog? I know it sounds silly, but I have used it and it does work. Best book I read was "Groundswell by Charlene Li" Social Media can slowly destroy a company. I just calmly say, no problem I will write about this on my blog. :)

tulpen said...

Al has a Local Motion tshirt. It is at least 20 years old and full of holes and I am forbidden to get rid of it.

Lori said...

There are some people that do a really good job at customer service and then there are others that shouldn't be any where's near working with people. Glad the store helped you...this other guy, not so much. :) XX

creative kerfuffle said...

yeah for great customer service! i love it, and am always a bit surprised, when a retailer goes the extra mile. and, while those of us no where near where you live won't be buying a surf board, if we ever did...we'd know where to get it : )

cheatymoon said...

Bad customer service makes me a bit crazy. Glad they treated you right at your favorite place.

I hate it when expensive things (like cars) (and electronics) stop doing their job. Ack.

xo

Sprite's Keeper said...

Local Motion! I love that name! Much better than Hilo Hattie's. :-)

Irish Gumbo said...

Manager dude totally rocks, man. And another reason is added to my list of reasons to visit Hawaii :)

Cloudia said...

Glad you had a great experience!




Warm Aloha from Waikiki

Comfort Spiral
><}}(°>

Joanie said...

What great customer service that store gives!! I'd totally give them my business if I lived in Hawaii!

Michele said...

That was awfully nice of the surf shop. Do they have a website? I'll stop in, write them something nice and maybe have them send me a t-shirt.

Anonymous said...

Wow- that surf shop knows people and how to keep happy customers- and the other asshat? Well, you said it....
Would you ever buy another surf board from that company- I bet not!

Unknown said...

I love companies like that. Absolutely love! : ) Glad he turned your bad experience into a better one! What a gem!

Jan said...

I just got around to reading this and just cracked up. Why? Local Motion is one of our clients.

Casey said...

Wow, I'm glad the store manager stepped in and made things right. That totally sucks that the company wouldn't guarantee their product. UGH. I've had some good dealings with allergen-friendly companies as of late, maybe I need to post about them.

sage said...

Good for them for backing their products... Maybe next week, I'll be back to post a TTT (I know, I've said that before, but I've just returned from a trip)

Bill Lisleman said...

good you put this up. Our nearby big city paper, Chicago Tribune runs a "what's your problem" It is amazing how many problems magically get fixed when the newspaper guy goes calling on a business.
A number of them are run by "a few clowns short of a circus" and they never learned that bad negative news on products and services travels much faster and wider than good news. Also companies that do come through and fix things are typically rewarded with repeat business.

anymommy said...

It's always a great thing when a store stands behind what they sell. So, have you been surfing?

Smart Mouth Broad said...

It's so refreshing to find a business who still believes in customer service.

And let this be a warning to those companies who don't believe that customer satisfaction is important: "Never mess with a blogger!"

Mrsbear said...

So frustrating to put your hard earned money toward a purchase, just for the manufacturer to basically give you the finger. Glad the shop stood up and did the right thing, if ever I'm surf shopping in Hawaii, I'll stop in. Oh how I wish I was surf shopping in Hawaii. ;)

Heather said...

Soo cool that they did that! I hate buying something just to have it break shortly after and 99.999% of the time I never manage to get my money back!

Jen said...

I'll make sure I visit him to buy souvenirs. I'm coming for at least a visit soon...maybe to stay...

Shadow said...

now THAT is service. and how it should be done! everywhere!!!

secret agent woman said...

That store owner is generating some really good karma for himself!