The customer is not always right.......... But, they're never wrong!

As you walk down Main street in Sayville you may find yourself counting the many empty store fronts. Each of these vacancies represents some person's dream and the failure to realize that dream. This scene is repeated on Main Streets throughout the country.

In a world of corporate big box retailers and one stop shopping today's small businessman has a steep uphill climb to compete with the big guys. Customer service is the only front on which an independent business owner can outperform their Wall Street backed competitors.

Sadly, I can't share any positive or uplifting experiences that I have had at any of our local shops. I will however, share a negative experience that I had.One night, After both my wife and I had gotten home tired from work we decided to order Mexican take out from a place in Oakdale. My wife called in the order and made a point to tell the person on the phone no sour cream on her dish please (at least 3 times). I went and picked up and paid my $33. When I got home we sat down to eat and, you guessed it. Sour cream on everything. OK mistakes happen. the wife called and told the young lady on the phone the issue and I'll admit my wife was quite annoyed but still respectful to the employee. The person on the phone said to come back and she would correct the mistake. My wife decided to make the trip this time. When she came in with the item that was prepared incorrectly the young lady was waiting for her with the cash refund which was good. I suppose. but when my wife said she did not care about the money she just wanted what she had originally ordered the young woman behind the counter responded by telling my wife to "take her money and get out of her store". Taken aback my wife asked what kind of service this was. The young woman responded that her father was the owner and he would back her decision 100%. Wrong answer! That young lady's bad manners and lack of concern for her customers has prompted me to tell this story to any of my friends who eat Mexican which is pretty much all of them! And now, I share this story with the whole town. Yes I left out the name of the business but, I am sure that most of you could figure that out. The moral of the story: If you own a business don't take any customer for granted you can't afford to! We know we are being gouged. Your job is to make us feel good about it.