Ali Bytes: Bullet-sized strategies for modern living

There is some rule of thumb in marketing that an angry customer tells 10 times as many people as a happy customer does. (Incidentally, there’s a book with a variation of this rule as the title). As a happy customer, I feel a duty to help out the brands that go out of their way. These are four stand out examples. I encourage you to patronize these stores (that is visit them regularly not be condescending towards them).

1. Vat19.com: A recent discovery (along with these others), Vat19.com is an online retailer that really impressed me with a short, simple hand written thank you postcard after a purchase. While there’s good reason to lament the impersonal nature of emails, text messages and Facebook wall posts, the up side is that they have increased the impact of the tried-and-true snail mail.
2. Revolution Cycles (in DC): Out of this bike shop in the DC area comes this remarkable example of personalized service, though it’s second hand so I hope I don’t botch it. A friend’s bike got stolen, which in this area is unfortunately not that uncommon. A few weeks later, a worker at Revolution Cycles saw a suspicious (likely helmet-less) character riding a bike and asked where he got it. The bike-rider answered that he got it at a local bike shop to which the employee replied, “No you didn’t. They don’t sell that brand there. How about this? You give the bike to me or I’ll call the cops.” He got the bike, looked up the owner (who bought it there) and called her up to return it. This employee deserves employee of the month.
3. Neiman Marcus: To most it’s probably a given that a store that charges $100 for a basic t-shirt would provide high quality customer service, but I was still surprised since I shop there once every 6 years.  Similar to Vat19’s approach, the employee that helped me sent me a hand written thank you note with her card in case I needed her help on anything else. 
4. Chipotle: My brother recently ordered a burrito online and was surprised that it suggests you call to ensure they received your order. He obliged so you can imagine was even more peeved that when he showed up to pick it up, they had forgotten to make it.  He got home and sent a frustrated note from their website.  To his delight, they followed up with an email apology, followed by a call from the store’s manager, followed by a coupon for two free burritos and, icing on the cake, an invitation to come to the store for a burrito meal for himself and friends.  I was lucky to be one of the friends and got the guacamole just because I didn’t have to pay extra.  Excellent job Chipotle. 

A few weeks ago I spent a week in Iceland on vacation. In the weeks leading up to the trip and weeks following my return (nearly the exact amount of time since I last wrote on here as a matter of fact), I was asked countless times “Why Iceland?” most of the time with a hint of consternation. With all the trips I’ve taken, I’ve never been asked that question so many times, even when I went to the United Arab Emirates.

So for all the future inquisitions here’s my answer.  If you’re so inclined, or are actually contemplating a trip, you might also check out this very short but stellar Iceland tips video and some of these highlight photos.

1. It’s one of the cheapest flights from the U.S. compared to the other European and Middle Eastern destinations on the short list. In this stage of life, that’s pretty much the largest decision criteria (my last two trips were to India and Thailand).  Despite the fact that trip itself wasn’t as cheap as expected for a country that was recently bankrupt, the flight made it worth it.  If you act fast, you can fly round trip from Boston to Reykjavik in March for less than $500.
2. The flight is one of the shortest flights from the U.S. (also compared to others on the short list).  I’ve found long plane rides can eat days off the front or back end of a trip. So if you only have a week off of work, this short 5 hour flight from Boston will give you the maximum time on the ground and only a 4 hour time difference to adjust to.
3. Iceland is an outdoors-person’s paradise. I’m not especially outdoorsy, but I appreciate fresh air, natural landscapes and a healthy dose of exercise while vacationing.  I wanted to take a trip where I could unplug in the truest sense by enjoying nature and Iceland is a great place for that.  We climbed a volcano, golfed next to the ocean, walked behind a waterfall, hiked on a glacier and swam in a thermal pool.
4. Because who knows how much longer there will be glaciers.  People can debate global warming all they want but the reality is that glaciers are melting fast.  I think our guide said it retreats 200 meters every year.  I wanted to see up close what I might not be able to see for much longer.  I’d like to have gotten to see icebergs as well but have that on the list for next time.
5. Take a break from DC’s famous summer heat.  When booking the trip in February, going someplace cooler in August sounded like an awesome idea.  This is probably the only reason I’d modify slightly from my original reason.  Go sooner than late August because when they say “summer” they mean it’s in the 40-50s, windy, overcast and rainy.  Granted, we had a few amazing days, it was still pretty chilly - quite a bit cooler than I thought I signed up for.