Credit Card Fees for Paying on Time? Now I’ve heard it All

It’s said to be the credit card industry’s response to legislation that will restrict credit card issuer’s ability to raise interest rates on existing balances. That legisaltion takes effect in February. In January, Bank of America will begin charging between $29 and $99 a year to customers who pay off their credit card on time each month.

The story is in USA Today. This should encourage everyone to start paying off that debt, cut up your cards.

Not practical, you say? The article also gives some advice for finding a card that won’t nickel and dime you.  They say consider applying for a card through a credit union because many credit union cards charge no annual fee and offer below-average interest rates.

Time to Get Cruisin’

Did you see Priceline’s Cruise special yet? Royal Caribbean has some cruises for $159 for 4 nights. Carnival has 3 nights starting at $99.

The deals are good through Friday.  If I had any vacation time left, I’d be on board tomorrow!

And if you worry about buying now only to find lower fares tomorrow… Royal Caribbean is now offering a ”Best Price Guarantee.”   Passengers who book early and later find a lower fare advertised by Royal Caribbean for the same ship, sail date and cabin category can receive the full difference in price as an onboard credit.  Any dollars not spent onboard will be refunded at the end of the cruise.

The Best Price Guarantee is good up until 72 hours prior to sailing.  Passengers who find a better deal must contact Royal Caribbean or their travel agent to request the credit.

Carnival Cruise Line has a similar guarantee as part of its “Early Saver” rates.

Big Discounts on Prescription Drugs

There are coupons for diapers, sodas, department stores and now… prescription drugs. You just have to know where to look.

Internetdrugcoupons offers hundreds of coupons on all types of name-brand drugs. You may already be taking one of them, so why not get a discount?

I found out about the site and drug coupons in this Wall Street Journal article.

Get Cash for Sharing your Customer Service story

Maybe you’ve seen Nancy Friedman on TV. I interviewed her in the first story we did on hold times in 2006. She’s also appeared on Oprah. And now… she’s giving away some money.

Telephone Doctor Customer Service Contest

WINNER RECEIVES $500
On a recent trip to Las Vegas while waiting to check into one of the mega hotels on the strip, I saw something that surprised me.

I couldn’t help but notice how surly and down right rude some of the reception/check in staff were to the guests. With all that’s going on in this down economy, I wondered what it would take for them to smile, say something nice and be more polite. Others in line noticed it too. We started talking and we all agreed we wouldn’t want to come back to this property.

YES it’s tougher now. YES times are difficult. YES jobs are being lost. YES people are spending less. But the good news is they are still spending. And customers want to spend their money where they are welcomed and appreciated. It got us thinking, in this down economy, what companies are rising to the top to keep your business? Who’s doing more than the bare minimum?

Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training, headquartered in St. Louis, MO, wants to hear from you. Nancy Friedman, President of Telephone Doctor, says: “We’re seeking the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE STORY in the past year. We want to hear about something, someone or some company who created a really positive experience for you that you’re still thinking or talking about.” The winning story will receive $500 and receive front-page placement in our new book. Tell us how you were treated above and beyond.

There are hundreds of ‘worst customer service stories’ out there. Telephone Doctor wants to turn the tide. We want positive stories that we can pass along to help other businesses. Let’s raise consumer confidence with GREAT customer service.

Submit as many entries as you’d like, as long as they’re positive. Please include your name, company (if applicable), address and phone number in your EMAIL to PRESS@telephonedoctor.com. There’s no limit to the number of words in each submission; however, Telephone Doctor reserves the right to edit the story should it get reprinted. All stories become the property of Telephone Doctor, Inc. and could be published in our new book.

Contest is open through January 31, 2010. Winners will be notified by April 1, 2010.

For more information, call Nancy Friedman, at Telephone Doctor 314 291 1012.

 

It’s Customer Service Week. I need your input.

Did you know this week is “Customer Service Week?”

In 1992, Congress proclaimed Customer Service Week a nationally recognized event, celebrated annually during the first full week of October.

It’s all about those people who provide great customers service. I’m putting together a story for Thursday night at 10pm. Let me know which Houston company provides the best customer service and the worst and why.

And please take a minute to participate in this quick poll: