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Yes, it's that time of year again, when Christmas is getting close and product and shipping cutoff time are mere days away. This is also the time of year in which of a certain brand of SC rears its ugly head. This particular SC will bitch/mine/moan/plead/harass/demean/attempt to bribe workers like you and I in an attempt to convince us to move heaven and earth (or other customers orders 
) so they can get their precious item on Christmas.
At a job I used to have we had a firm cutoff of Dec. 10 for most Christmas orders. These were custom designed items and although they weren't overly complex, they did take awhile to get together. All of the regulars knew about the deadline and got their orders in well in advance. There were also several signs in the office, red with huge lettering, indicating the cutoff.
But we all know how well signs work.
On Dec. 19, a guy comes in and this exchange between him and my manager/the owner ensues after he finds out he won't have his precious item by Christmas.
SC: What??! No no no, this has to be ready for Christmas? it's very important.
O: I understand sir, but we do have a firm cutoff date of Dec. 10 for all Christmas orders.
SC: But it's still like a week away, can't you do one of these in a couple of days.
O: Yes we can, but we already have a bunch of others we're working on for customers who have already ordered and therefore will not have time to get yours ready before the 25th.
SC: That is unacceptable.
O: It's going to have to be, there's nothing else I can do.
SC: Can't you just bump somebody back until after Christmas? I'm sure they won't mind.
O: I'm pretty sure they will sir, and in fact I'm sure some of them will take their business elsewhere.
SC: Well if you don't find a way to do this, I'M going to take MY business elsewhere!
O: That's an empty threat sir. I don't have your money yet and therefore I don't have your business.
SC: Okay, enough! Look, I promised my wife I would have this for Christmas. This needs to be done. I'll pay you double for it ok? I don't care how it happens, come in early, leave late, I just need YOU to have this ready for me by Christmas.
O: Sorry sir, the answer is still no.
SC: Ok....ok. *Grumbles* I will pay TRIPLE. Three times the regular price. Do we have a deal?
O: Not a chance.
SC: WHAT???
O: Look sir, I'm going to go over this one more time. I don't care how much you want to pay me. I will not bump back my other paying customers who got their orders in on time to accommodate your extremely late order.
SC: Aren't you supposed to be customer service? You're doing a pretty shitty job of serving the customer.
O: Actually I'm doing a great job of serving my customers who ordered before the deadline. I've already told you that I'm happy to do this project for you but I just can't have it ready by the 25th. I have been polite and professional with you and as far I am concerned, that is good customer service.
SC: Screw you, I'm never coming here again and I'm telling all my friends how much you people suck! *stomps off*
Did I mention I much I loved this particular boss. He was the owner, there was no corporate BS, just him. Oh it was awesome to watch him dress down SCs. He was also a great guy too. There were a couple of times he unfortunately missed Christmas deliveries for a couple of folks who had gotten in before the deadline, usually due to supplier issues. In those cases he would send a handwritten apology note and offer a pretty steep discount on the item.
There are three morals to the story:
1. PLAN AHEAD
2. It's not the end of the world if someone doesn't get a gift until after Christmas. It happens. It will be ok, seriously.
3. Bribes never work.
) so they can get their precious item on Christmas.At a job I used to have we had a firm cutoff of Dec. 10 for most Christmas orders. These were custom designed items and although they weren't overly complex, they did take awhile to get together. All of the regulars knew about the deadline and got their orders in well in advance. There were also several signs in the office, red with huge lettering, indicating the cutoff.
But we all know how well signs work.
On Dec. 19, a guy comes in and this exchange between him and my manager/the owner ensues after he finds out he won't have his precious item by Christmas.
SC: What??! No no no, this has to be ready for Christmas? it's very important.
O: I understand sir, but we do have a firm cutoff date of Dec. 10 for all Christmas orders.
SC: But it's still like a week away, can't you do one of these in a couple of days.
O: Yes we can, but we already have a bunch of others we're working on for customers who have already ordered and therefore will not have time to get yours ready before the 25th.
SC: That is unacceptable.
O: It's going to have to be, there's nothing else I can do.
SC: Can't you just bump somebody back until after Christmas? I'm sure they won't mind.
O: I'm pretty sure they will sir, and in fact I'm sure some of them will take their business elsewhere.
SC: Well if you don't find a way to do this, I'M going to take MY business elsewhere!
O: That's an empty threat sir. I don't have your money yet and therefore I don't have your business.
SC: Okay, enough! Look, I promised my wife I would have this for Christmas. This needs to be done. I'll pay you double for it ok? I don't care how it happens, come in early, leave late, I just need YOU to have this ready for me by Christmas.
O: Sorry sir, the answer is still no.
SC: Ok....ok. *Grumbles* I will pay TRIPLE. Three times the regular price. Do we have a deal?
O: Not a chance.
SC: WHAT???
O: Look sir, I'm going to go over this one more time. I don't care how much you want to pay me. I will not bump back my other paying customers who got their orders in on time to accommodate your extremely late order.
SC: Aren't you supposed to be customer service? You're doing a pretty shitty job of serving the customer.
O: Actually I'm doing a great job of serving my customers who ordered before the deadline. I've already told you that I'm happy to do this project for you but I just can't have it ready by the 25th. I have been polite and professional with you and as far I am concerned, that is good customer service.
SC: Screw you, I'm never coming here again and I'm telling all my friends how much you people suck! *stomps off*
Did I mention I much I loved this particular boss. He was the owner, there was no corporate BS, just him. Oh it was awesome to watch him dress down SCs.
He was also a great guy too. There were a couple of times he unfortunately missed Christmas deliveries for a couple of folks who had gotten in before the deadline, usually due to supplier issues. In those cases he would send a handwritten apology note and offer a pretty steep discount on the item.There are three morals to the story:
1. PLAN AHEAD
2. It's not the end of the world if someone doesn't get a gift until after Christmas. It happens. It will be ok, seriously.
3. Bribes never work.
Brother-in-law hasn't had little ones around the house for decades, so it's likely that he's never seen The Santa Clause. If Son sees it and questions the names, I'll tell him that of course Hollywood movies aren't real... that or Bernard got tired of SC tykes giving him crap on the phone after he told them they were on the naughty list and retired. 
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