So I am going to the RWA Conference in Orlando this July.
For a while there, I thought I was going to have to fly there on my broom because I was rather ticked off at the airlines. They insisted they were going to charge me $150.00 to change flights or cancel when the original site of the conference had to be moved due to the massive flooding in Nashville. I spent a week or two calling and emailing the airlines and Orbitz, but I was getting nowhere.
So Saturday, I decided to suck it up and make flight resevations and pay the extra $150.00+30.00 dollar fee.
I finally (seriously–Wizard can vouch for how long this took) got through to a Customer Service agent at Orbitz who was very nice. She saw my cancelled flight and asked about it. By now I was resigned, and just told her the situation. She said, “Hmm.” and made my new reservation. Then she put me on hold.
She called the airline. Evidently she explained that Nashville had suffered a terrible flood, that I had cancelled early enough for them to fill my vacated seat AND I was making a new reservation with them.
Meanwhile I was on hold. And holding. Still holding. I could have finished my book while holding.
And then…the lady came back on the phone and told me Continental was waving the fee. I was astounded! Thrilled! Overjoyed! Relieved! Seriously. Orbit waived their fee too, and consequently, I ended up with a new flight that didn’t cost me a cent more. I thanked her repeatedly and she told me she really liked Continental that they were usually pretty reasonable.
This Customer Service Agent really went the extra mile for me, and I am so impressed!
So how was your weekend?
May 24th, 2010 at 6:53 am · Link
Wow. That was impressive. It’s nice to know there are still customer service people who believe in actually providing their customers with service. I’m so glad you found her and that now you can go to the conference. =o)
Another relaxing weekend here. I got some words out – after spending most of last week being a toad.
May 24th, 2010 at 8:27 am · Link
How awesome that you finally found an agent who takes her job seriously. So many in Customer Service just don’t seem to care. They follow set protocols and that’s it, just don’t take the time or pride in their job to excel at it.
Weekend was busy, daughters softball practice, lunch with family and shopping on Saturday. Daughter did NOT find a swimsuit that covered her D’s. Everything was either cut to the navel or looked like something my mom would wear, lol. There was one style top that could be worn with swim shorts that worked and I kinda liked it, but she did not like the colors. She ended up with swim shorts and said she would just wear a bra and tank top. She wears tight shirts, but a regular bra with a sport bra over it to flatten her chest some, but as she said “Just because I have big boobs doesn’t mean I want to let them hang out for everyone to see”.
Sunday was working and giving my sons buddy a ride home. Did get to relax some Sunday night.
May 24th, 2010 at 9:47 am · Link
Sounds like the woman you talked to is perfect for customer service. Glad you didn’t have to pay extra, Jen
I had a pretty good weekend. My bff and her daughter came and stayed with me on Friday night. Saturday morning her nephew came over and we all left for the drive to Indy. It wasn’t a bad drive; we hardly ran into any traffic on the way there. Yea!! There was a Cheeseburgher In Paradise two doors down from our hotel. Awesome atmosphere! After we ate there, we left for the concert and ran into bumper to bumper traffic. It took us an hour to go about 10 miles
We ended up missing Sick Puppies and part of Shinedown 
On the plus side, we got to see all of Breaking Benjamin and Nickelback. Sunday was the drive home. Then we went out to eat w/ our respective parents to celebrate bff’s daughter’s b-day.
May 24th, 2010 at 10:17 am · Link
We were camping all weekend with my oldest son’s cub scout pack. It was fun but man the sun comes up too early and so did the kids. They were exhausted come Saturday night so we ended up leaving at night instead of waiting until the morning. The boys seemed happy to be back in their own beds, I know I was.
Sunday ended up being a lazy day for us and I didn’t get much done around the house. I did read a book though. Lois Lane Tells All by Karen Hawkins, it was a really cute story.
May 24th, 2010 at 10:48 am · Link
Don’t you love it when people are friendly and helpful. There’s nothing better than a customer service representative who actually provides quality customer service. Congrats to you on your patience and not paying that ridiculous fee.
My weekend was good. Saturday night hubby and band played at a club and my bff went with me to keep me company. Sunday the Suns played game 3 against the Lakers and we went to a friend’s house to watch the Lost finale. It was all good.
May 24th, 2010 at 11:38 am · Link
B.E., I was really blown away by this lady. I wish I’d gotten her name.
How’s the book coming? Is this the older one you pulled out to revise?
May 24th, 2010 at 11:40 am · Link
Val, this is what I HATE about clothes. They are made to fit unrealistic body types. And bathing suits are the worst.
Bet she looks great in a tank top though! Not a bad idea.
Your weekends are crazy busy!
May 24th, 2010 at 11:42 am · Link
Dawn, sorry you missed some of the concert, but the part you did see sounds awesome! What a fun weekend!
May 24th, 2010 at 11:44 am · Link
Amanda, we used to camp when the kids were little. Then I realized, HEY THERE ARE HOTELS! LOL!!! Glad you guys all had fun.
That sounds like a cute book!
May 24th, 2010 at 11:46 am · Link
Erika, I do love it when customer service people are so helpful. I try to always acknowledge it as well. It’s kind of sad when we’re surprised by good service, though.
Hope you and your bff had fun listening/watching your hubby’s band!
May 24th, 2010 at 12:42 pm · Link
This is the one I finished earlier this year. I’m rewriting it. =o\ So far, so good.
May 24th, 2010 at 2:52 pm · Link
YAYAYAYAYAYYAYAYAAY! I can’t wait to see you!
We did some work on the house, got The Only’s room shoveled out enough we could get a new futon installed in there. Her old one was decrepit!
I finished revisions on my novella. Need to reread it and make sure it all makes sense before sending it off to Ms. Editor 2.0 and then back to work on SOTW. I’ve had a nibble on it…Not saying too much so I don’t jinx it.
Happy Monday, witches. I think it’s time for appletinis!
May 24th, 2010 at 9:32 pm · Link
B.E, glad to hear it’s going well so far!
May 24th, 2010 at 9:34 pm · Link
Silver, I’m all for appletinis!
Shoveling out the kid’s room sounds like quite an undertaking! My youngest has been cleaning his room more and more lately with zero promting from me. No idea why.
Awesome on getting the revision done!