Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Using Customer Service Reps Online



If you’re reading this, you have access to the Internet. These days, a lot of consumer product-related problems can be resolved by visiting the manufacturer’s website and using the Contact Me/Us forms.
I just did this, this week, for two issues that I worried would be very costly.

The first is my inkjet printer. It’s a Brother all-in-one and it’s over 5 years old. I didn’t really expect a lot of help. I only wrote to find out if my black-ink print head was replaceable or whether it was permanent. If permanent, I needed to somehow unclog the print head. When they got back to me, they actually extended my warranty to possibly cover the issue. They asked me to follow a few trouble-shooting steps and if I still had a problem, we’d go from there. While I am waiting to see how this will go, I checked, also online, to see how many authorized Brother repair centers are nearby. There are two. So, if they are generous enough to fix it, and if I have to take it in, I know where to go.

The other issue is my faithful slow cooker. It’s a Rival 6-qt crock pot. The ceramic lift-out pot is cracked, both outside and inside. I really rely on this pot. I contacted them to find out if I can get a replacement pot for it, and where. It, too, is over 5 years old. When I gave them the model number and other information, they came right back by email. The replacement pot will be only $15 plus shipping. It would cost me a lot more to get a new one. I do not have that kind of money. I’m still sweating tires, tie rods, and now brakes, among other things. Anyhow, when this month’s SS comes in, a week from today, I’ll order the pot right away. I’m curious as to the shipping costs. Can’t wait to find out. Those pots are heavy.
 
Bottom line - do not hesitate to write to the manufacturer, on their website, with your problems. You might be pleasantly surprised with the response.      

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