NICE Testimonial: Trusting a Customer

Thanks to those of you who submitted testimonials for me to share here! I'll tell you guys now, I got some GOOD ONES. In fact, it's probably time I invest in waterproof mascara. I'm always accepting submissions, so please keep that in mind if a story pops into your head.

I was talking about NICE Testimonials with my husband yesterday. I asked, "What's the nicest thing someone's done for you?" He actually had three really fantastic stories, and I might force him to write a guest post. :) I told him one of mine. It was the story I shared in this post. And as I told it to him, I couldn't help but cry. Telling that story brings me right back to that moment and how I felt when those people offered their kindness (and their pie) to me. That's how powerful these moments are.

So if you think back to some of the nice things others have done for you and it makes you feel just as awesome, do share! :)

Here's a story I received from Karen S. of Connecticut.

This happened a couple of months ago but surely worth sharing - I was on my way to work – on E with my gas gauge. Stopped at the little gas station on the right on Albany Avenue, West Hartford. I’m not sure of the name but it is the one that has a small convenience store a few pumps and a small car wash.

Anyway – I pumped the gas – went in to pay and my debit card wouldn’t work. I didn’t have any credit cards on my and I had already pumped $20 worth of gas into my car. Totally embarrassed I didn’t know what to do. The man behind the counter pulled a $20 bill out of his pocket and put it in the register and said - don’t worry about it. I put the money in for you. Come back when you can to pay me. I see you work at Saint Joseph College from the parking tag so I know you're good for it. Embarrassed and upset, I left and went to the nearest ATM and got it to work. I returned with $20 cash in hand about 12 minutes later. The kind gentleman replied – “I told you to come back whenever – you didn’t have to rush back." I was so amazed at his kindness, I started to cry and I thanked him profusely. He grabbed my hand and said, "It happens my dear – no big deal. Have a nice day." Needless to say – this gentleman (whom I think owns the station) restored my faith in good people.

I will never forget that act of kindness.

This makes me think of an old-timey gas station in a black and white movie where the station attendant knows all the customers. Don't you wish businesses were still like that? Well, it seems like some still are!

I go to the same bagel shop every weekend, and they only accept cash. Nowadays, who carries cash! So I got stuck there one time with no way to pay. They did the same thing. "We trust you! You can pay us next time!" And I've heard them do the same with other customers as well. Is it possible that they'll lose a few dollars here and there? Maybe. But I'm definitely more likely to frequent a place that treats their customers like friends instead of dollar signs. Don't you think?

Do you have a NICE:Testimonial that you'd like to share? If so, click here to send me an email!