POETS DAY

Even though I now work from home, I still get that same old Friday feeling. Which is quite bizarre, as more often than not I work over the weekend as well. I suppose the difference is that on a Saturday or Sunday it is highly unlikely that you will get pestered by the phone, and I don't feel I have to be at the gym by 7am.
Since going self employed I've been very conscious about sticking to a set routine, if nothing else to stop myself from that slippery slope of watching daytime tv. So ok, I might go and put a load of washing in during the day, and take a break to hang it up, but what I don't get now is that hour lunch break, or a 10 min gossip about what everyone watched on tv last night. So even though I worked long hours at my old job, I probably have a more concentrated working time now, as I have fewer distractions.
Worryingly I now seem to know the delivery guys quite well - and the staff in the local post office, but it is nice to see more local people, than when you disappear at 6.30 in the morning, and get back at 7pm you don't really feel part of a community.
This week we have been finalising the last few Christmas shows - I will add prompts as we get closer. It becomes a real juggling act to work out logistically where you need to be and what to take, as every venue is different. Now we are a year older though, the Christmas Fairs certainly seem less daunting this time around, and we will hopefully be more organised when we turn up!
I spent a day, labelling and gift boxing our latest candle delivery yesterday. The new soy wax in the oval glass holder looks lovely - at £8 it makes a great gift that won't break the bank.
Our link up with APC has also been finalised this week, so the impending Royal Mail deliveries seem less daunting. Plus the postage rates are a lot better. So even though they were paid by the customer, it feel better that they are more cost effective.
So back to that Friday feeling - I still need to take pictures of our new candles, set up the new items on the system, and update the shipping information, so I won't be shutting down early. But I will probably be pouring myself a glass of vino at 5pm, and catching up with my friend Mary, as she does her Friday night commute, just like I used to in the old days when I had a proper job! That certainly feels better than my old hour and a half drive home!

Customer Service - the goodies and baddies!

Image via Wikipedia

Why is it some people do exactly what they say they are going to do, whilst other companies are absolutely useless. I've experienced at first hand this week both good and bad customer service.
Lets start with the baddies - as the owner of an online shop I like to support other online businesses, so with my other half's birthday approaching, a quick google and I came across Fur, Feather And Fin - www.furfeatherandfin.com - an outlet for sporting goods. I placed my order, easy to use site and waited, and waited, after a week I thought I had better chase it, as there was only 5 days to go before the birthday. I was told what I'd ordered was out of stock, (why they never thought to tell me??), offered me a replacement, and told it would be with me in 3 days time.
So again I waited - no news and unfortunately the birthday has come and gone - and still no present. I have had to resort to contacting them again, to be told it's being despatched tomorrow(heard that one before!), so we shall see.
(Note I am not actually saying what the item is, as it was / is supposed to be a surprise!)
On the goodies side, with the addition of our new hamper range, plus impending postal strike, I thought it prudent to get an alternative delivery service organised. The guy from APC came out to see me, went through the range, and with one simple form the account was set up - simples!!
I still intend to use Royal Mail for the smaller packages, but at least with a fall back of a courier, I can avoid disappointing customers if a strike happens.
The star baddy award though has to go to a building company - no surprise there I hear many of you cry! Roundwood Construction have got appalling customer service.
We booked a garage back in July, and were advised that it was 6 - 8 weeks delivery, so end of September for delivery. Yes, you've guessed it, the end of September has come and gone, the delivery date was revised to this week, and yesterday we were told that suddenly the wood is only just being cut, and it will be another two weeks before they come to erect the frame.
Once again, poor communication has really let a company down, and instead of telling us last week that there was not a cats chance that the garage would be here this week, they decided the head in the sand route was the better option! Will they redeem themselves?? I will keep you posted, but at the moment it looks like end of September delivery is really end of October....