Although I am from Taber (Alberta) I lived in Calgary for about 12 years. I moved back to Taber about a year ago to start up a computer repair and service company, and occasionally some stereotypical ’small town’ thing happens that shocks me. The other day, I saw the mailman in Canadian Tire, and he said he had a package for me but thinks it went to the wrong address. I asked him to send it to my home address (don’t worry he knew it, I didn’t have to give it to him). It showed up the next day.
Lately I’ve been doing some computer repair house calls. I’m bad with directions and am always sure to ask for the customer’s address so I can figure out how to get there on Google Maps. You know it’s going to be an interesting trip when you ask for the customer’s address, and they say… well, go about 5 miles out of town, turn left at the pink house. Ours is the house with the blue rock on the lawn…. Trust me, that’s not something you can type in Google Maps!
I’m enjoying it though. It is so much fun to live in Taber and to be able to get to know each and every one of my customers. I think having a personal relationship with your customers is so important – in any business but especially in the computer repair business. Let’s face it, when you call me you’re already frustrated, and maybe a bit angry, because your computer isn’t working. Would you rather talk to a friend who understands your problem and genuinely wants to help you, or to some nameless PC repair technician who’s just there to make a buck?