Dear {FIRST_NAME},

I remember when we asked my aging father-in-law what he wanted for his birthday or Christmas; he would simply say that all he wanted was “a kind word.” We often forget the power of a sincere thank-you, a thoughtful compliment, or a simple expression of genuine appreciation.

Have you tried “a kind word” with anyone you get service from lately?  I don’t mean greeting someone working in your garden or the house painter with the robotic salutation, “Have a nice day.” How about bringing them a big cup of ice water or soft drink? Or telling them how much you love their attention to detail and professionalism? You might be surprised at how much being appreciated is appreciated!

Recently, I bought some small denomination gift cards for In-N-Out Burger to hand out to outstanding service people I come across. I also read about a guy who carries around $2 bills and uses them to hand out when he gets superior service.

But you don’t have to spend extra money to say thank you either. The other day, when my cleaning lady was leaving the house, I told her how much I appreciate her thoroughness, reliability, and the thoughtfulness she shows my family and me.  After the AAA technician helped repair my flat tire a couple of weeks ago and was unusually friendly and efficient, I called his supervisor to rave about his attitude and competence.

The point is, when it comes to service, the name of the company, their uniform, or size of the truck is not what matters. Services are performed by individuals like ourselves who are just trying to do their jobs professionally in between the normal family and life situations with which we all have to contend.

Recognizing good service and commending the provider is not just a kind human thing to do.  It helps remind the providers that it pays to take pride in their work.  Everyone wins: you, the service provider, and the company.
 
Sincerely,

Chris Bjorklund
The Savvy Consumer

Recognize, Avoid Magazine Subscription Scams

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, wants consumers to beware of telephone sales pitches for magazine subscriptions. While some offers may be legitimate, many are not. Agreeing to buy could result in years of monthly bills for magazines you don’t want or could have gotten elsewhere for less. Or, you could end up paying for a magazine you never receive at all.

How do you know if an offer is a scam? Words like “free” and “pre-paid” should alert you. And the caller may try to get your guard down by saying he or she is just calling to conduct a survey.

To protect yourself:

• Don’t give your credit card or other personal information to any caller, ever.
• Don’t agree to anything you don’t get in writing first. In some states, you’re legally bound to pay for a subscription if you agree to it over the phone.
• Before you accept an offer to renew a subscription, check the expiration date to determine if it really is coming up. (Check the mailing label. Or, better yet, call the publisher to verify and to confirm that the caller is actually authorized to renew your subscription.)
• Tell the caller to put you on the company's "do not call list." If you get another call, hang up and report it to the California attorney general and the FTC.
• Watch your credit card statements closely, and dispute unauthorized charges immediately.
• Also beware of magazine subscriptions sold door-to-door.
  

Contact your state attorney general or local consumer protection office to report a scam.

Dear Chris,
Can you explain to me when, if ever, it makes sense to buy pet insurance?
Thanks,
Liz

Dear Liz,
Many of my friends have spent thousands of dollars on their pets’ illnesses and injuries, so I can understand why pet insurance might look attractive. Still, statistics show that only around 3% of pet owners have invested in coverage.
Whether or not buying coverage for your cat or dog makes sense depends on a number of factors.
For example, is your pet healthy? Pre-existing conditions generally are not covered. Likewise, some policies exclude the hereditary conditions that certain purebreds are likely to have. Many also exclude dental and drug costs. And coverage on an older pet may be limited or unavailable, and premiums may increase as your pet ages.
 
Policies range from those that cover only major illnesses and accidents to those that also cover routine veterinary care, like vaccinations. Plans start at under $10 a month, and can go much higher. More extensive coverage and a lower deductible will cost you more.
 
When doing the math, consider whether or not it would make more sense to put the cost of the monthly premium into an interest-bearing account so that it will be available for you whether you end up with a big vet bill or not.
 
Whether or not pet insurance is cost-effective, some proponents say the coverage offers peace of mind and allows you to make decisions without being influenced by money.
 
In a nutshell: Like other types of insurance, pet insurance is worthwhile if you’ll get more out of the coverage than you spend on premiums. How’s your crystal ball working?
_____________________________________________________
Need advice on a consumer problem? Send your questions to me at ChrisBjorklund@diamondcertified.org. Due to the volume, I cannot respond to each question personally, but will answer one every month in this column.

Kudos from Diamond Certified^® Consumers

Dear Chris,

A couple of years ago I wrote a letter complimenting both your service and a flooring company that had worked on my uncle's home in Hayward. As fate would have it, we again used your directory to find a business to remove a very large, very dead tree in my uncle's back yard.

Horticultural Services, Ltd. was listed in your directory so I contacted Chris Chapman for a quote. We set up an appointment with Chris a couple days later to survey the tree and give us a quote. He explained in detail how his company would cut the tree to the stump and remove all the debris. His crew arrived a few days later (which was earlier than he first anticipated) and completed the job exactly as presented. The quote for the removal was very reasonable considering the crew also went next door and cleaned the debris that had fallen in the neighbor's yard.

I live in Tennessee, we also have large trees that die and have to be removed; however, we do not have a Diamond Certified book to help us find a good company like Horticultural Services, Ltd. and Chris Chapman.

Sincerely,
G.G.

Companies Recently Earning Diamond Certified^®

Contra Costa County
World Class Window Coverings, Co., Oakley

Marin County
Martin & Harris Appliances, San Rafael

San Francisco
GB Mechanical HVAC Co, San Francisco

Santa Clara County
Luckscheider Automotive, San Jose