Looking for a customer service “feel-good story” to end this holiday season? Two current examples just to let everyone out there know there is still such a thing as good service:

1) Kudos to United Airlines (and others) for waiving the typical $100 (or more) fee for changing flights as a result of that massive snowstorm Denver received this past weekend. In United’s case, I contacted their customer service center, fought my way through their voice-activated support menu, and finally got a capable Indian gentleman (off-shoring alert!!) who took my info, informed me that the change fee would be waived, and quickly and efficiently got me on alternative flights that would avoid the mess in Denver. (This, BTW, on top of two very enjoyable – and on time – flights from AZ to MA several days prior.)

2) Kudos to Code Red Appliance in Gilbert, AZ for responding so quickly when our washing machine’s transmission (yes, Virginia, washing machines really do have transmissions!) went kaput for the second time in seven weeks on Christmas Eve. Hearing their voice message that they wouldn’t be returning to work until the 27th but would contact us that day, they did just that, set up a service appointment for us first thing on the 29th, came out when they said they would, replaced the broken part, and charged us nothing for doing so.

After so many occasions where good service seems so hard to find, it’s always good to know it still survives out there. In our case, it was twice the same day.

Thanks again to United Airlines and Code Red Appliance for helping us end our 2006 on a positive note.