There are certain parts of life that we assume everyone has been exposed to. We believe that every person has had the opportunity to learn and grow in these aspects. For many it's simple like respecting our elders. But as time has changed it seems so have the rules. It is so familiar to us we call it common. For example: common sense. How often have we said the words, "Well it's just common sense." Sense is no longer common it seems. No, no, I won't post about common sense today. I'd rather not fire myself up over nothing. Rather, I'd like to bring up, common courtesy.
I hold true to some of the older ways of thinking. Within that, I believe that there are certain ways to treat people, whether they are family, friends, or strangers. How we speak to each other and how we act towards each other should contain some form of common courtesy. I feel that this is more strongly agreeable to complete strangers. We haven't learned all of their incessant ticks that drive us up the wall. They haven't been slowly getting on our nerves until we want to punch them. No, they are simply new to us. Therefore, we should put our best foot forward until something has told us that they don't deserve our niceties. There is one area where I feel that this is even more necessary. Work. Business. Any job where you are selling a product of any kind needs common courtesy. I for one am always stating that I'm selling myself. If I am anywhere in hopes of taking money from strangers for a product or service, my smile is fixed on, my head is held high, and the emotions match each and every customer. Recently I have had a difficult experience. Many people know that my children's books are published through a hybrid publisher. Simple breakdown - I pay up front, they do alllllll the work outside of what I have written. I own all the rights, including the images since I pay for them. Then as I sell them, I keep every penny. (A traditional publisher would purchase the story, make any changes they desire, create images that they prefer, and I would get just a few copies for myself. ) So this has been an okay experience thus far. It's difficult making the initial money up front, but there is a good profit to make on the tail end. With great excitement I contacted my project manager from the previous two books and proudly announced that I am ready to begin the process of book number three! She eagerly responded and copied an acquisitions editor to the thread. I sent the manuscript. They read. He sent the contract. Being my third trip around the sun with them, I was ready to hit the old digital signing button and get this thing going. Then I see the price. WHHHAAAA?? There was an increase in price. Printing prices have gone up for the publishers, therefore, it goes up for me. 1- I get it. This is a business. You need to make money. 2- This sucks. I had a number set in my mind from the last two contracts, I wasn't expecting this. 3- What do I do now? So, big picture this isn't a huge deal. But because there were also some other differences, I decided to email back with my issues. As we corresponded, he threw a number out for what my increase was. His number was significantly lower than what it actually was. The issue I have is not the numbers, but the man. What kind of a man chooses to use misleading calculation? What kind of man chooses to phrase things so that he sounds like a pushy salesman. Take into consideration that I am not some random person. I have worked with this company for two years. I have many more years to come in this series alone. Why would you act so secretly with someone that should give you years of business? I understand not giving me the old price. I understand business and numbers. But to lie about things, I just can't understand. And it all comes down to one thing in my book: common courtesy. There are things that could have been said to make me less hostile. "Well, in addition to printing costs going up, we have expanded our team to better serve customers." "Yes, it seems we have had quite the increase, however it is less than 10%" "I understood that you would get the promotional items as well, maybe we can get you some at no cost to you." Or simply, "Yes, I'm sorry. Inflation." Common courtesy means not making up some bogus lie to make your company seem better than it is. Common courtesy means recognizing a customer and making them feel secure in their decision to continue with you. Customer service has dropped significantly over the years. I have had multiple callers hang up on me. Seriously? You broke up my day. You called over nonsense. You hang up on me? This is customer service? I truly believe we lack customer service because we lack common courtesy. We lack simple manners. I am amazed by the things people find refreshing of my kids. Manners among children are virtually non-existent these days. Parents are dropping the ball. Parents a generation before dropped the ball first. Now we're lucky to have children that understand manners and common courtesy because adults don't know it. America. Wake up. Courtesy is no longer common. Sense is no longer common. Let's bring that back.
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AuthorI have a lot to say about a lot of things. Archives
May 2023
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