Everyday as we go about our daily activities, we meet cool and interesting people who become a part of our lives. The interesting thing about life is that the unexpected people make the best friends. As consumers, we meet different kinds of traders; whether it is the one that teaches us lessons by selling fake goods to us, or to the one that tries to rip us off our hard earned money, or just the cool and friendly ones with top-notch customer service, we have all come in contact with traders who has in one way taught us one thing or the other about good and services and about life in general. Today’s Hive learner’s prompt asks us to share our best and worst memories with a trader.
FROM STRANGER TO FRIEND
I remember that day like it happened yesterday. It was the day before I was to travel back to school. I needed a few toiletries, and after getting them at the market, I remembered I needed new pair slides. So, I went back into the market to buy new slides. My usual seller wasn’t around and since I was going the next day and wouldn’t have time to wait for him, I decided to try out another seller. Unlike the previous one, this one was a young guy in his late 20s. One thing that naturally draws me to trader is good customer service. He started talking to me like we’d known each other for years. He asked if I was thirsty and even offered to get me water, but I politely declined.
I saw what I wanted - a black slides with tiny dots of whites. I transferred the money to his account, and with a smile on my face, I walked out of his shop. The next day, I traveled back to school. About 3 weeks later, I stepped out to get a new charger. Most of the sellers at my school do not accept cash. Meaning, you have to make bank transfers for every purchase. Unfortunately, that day, the sun was scorching and it was as if a thousand red ants were feasting on my body. I just wanted to get everything done with so I’d return back to my hostel. I was in such a rush that when I bought the charger and wanted to make the transfer, I sent the money to the wrong account- the slide seller’s account. It was not entirely my fault. The scorching sun contributed to it, plus, they had the same surname.
Immediately, I called the slides guy and told him of the situation. He didn’t deny it, instead he asserted that he indeed got the transfer, but I’d have to do a video call with him and introduce myself properly so he’d be sure that I’m not a scammer. I did as he asked, and immediately he saw my face, we started joking about the situation. After sending the money back, he adviced me not to make the mistake again because other people might not be nice enough to send it back. Not only did he exhibit good customer service, he’s also a pretty nice guy. Till today, we are still friends. Naturally, he became my slides plug.
REGRETS
On the other hand, there are traders we meet that we instantly wish we had never crossed paths with them. This incident happened 3 years ago. I needed an iPhone cord urgently, so I walked to the closest shop to buy it. My phone was dead, so I didn’t take it along. I bought the iPhone cord and rushed back to continue what I was doing. Lo and behold, after checking the new cord out, it didn’t work. I was so pissed and frustrated that I hurriedly rushed back to return it.
To my surprise, the seller claimed I allegedly spoilt the cord and that she won’t collect it back. I tried to explain to her that I had just bought the cord from her and that immediately I tested it and it didn’t work, I brought it back. She wasn’t even ready to listen to my explanation. In her words, “my charging port spoilt the charger.” She was raising her voice and constituting a nuisance, I was raised better than to start having a fight with an elderly woman. So, I dropped the cord on her desk and went to buy a new one. This isn’t the worst experience I’ve had with traders, but it is one I wouldn’t want to repeat itself.
Thanks for reading.