It pays to say thank you :)

Friday, August 7th, 2009 at 9:00 am

It was only a couple of weeks ago that I was bemoaning about a property in North London, and how a spanner in the works had spoilt my plans. Well all I can say now is that it pays to say thank you. I have been doing that a lot lately – acknowledging good service when I get it. I am not sure whether I have suddenly had a bout of great service, or just remembered to say thank you – either way it is good news.

After the saga of the low water pressure, the tenant decided to leave. That’s fine except that mean that there was only ten months of my contract with the Housing Association left and would they replace the tenant? I was moved from the maintenance section, where Shamona had been brilliant in liaising between me and the tenant. Now I was being ‘handled’ by Mark in the void section!

Mark was equally brilliant, confidence and competent, quick and efficient – perfect. Then…the surveyor struck. As part of the change over process between tenancies the Housing Association sends in the surveyor, to report on any works needed before a new tenant can take up occupancy. Having just paid for a full refurbishment only six weeks ago I was shocked to find a letter citing another £600 of work!

Fortunately for me in leaving Shamona’s section I had thought to send her a thank you email, saying how much I appreciated the service – I know it’s her job, but she always did it with a smile (to coin a phrase:) ), then Mark had also been brilliant so I told him ‘thanks’ too. I was contact by their supervisor who asked if I would formalise my gratitude in an email – “of course no problem ” say I.

This morning, the supervisor was on the receiving end of my calls. Mark and Shamona had both managed to be on holiday – who would help me now? – Michelle ! So within minutes of my call, she had checked out the situation, spoken to appropriate colleagues and got back to me with an answer – problem solved – costs averted – property sorted!

Now that’s what I call service, and that’s why it pays to say thank you … thank you Shamona, Mark and Michelle – you are appreciated. It struck me that when you say, do and think nice things … nice things happen to you. That’s what they call Karma I believe When did you last say thank you to someone, maybe for just doing their job?

To our mutual success, wealth and happiness
Vicki – The Property Mermaid

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