I know I was there for the iPhone thread, but thankfully (I think) I have forgotten all about it.
-- Espi On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 5:55 AM, Jonathan Link <[email protected]>wrote: > Now it's officially the iPhone thread. > > > On Wed, Apr 23, 2014 at 6:01 PM, Kurt Buff <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Yes, I realize that, and apologize. That came out very poorly. >> >> More later. >> >> Kurt >> >> >> On Tue, Apr 22, 2014 at 9:02 AM, Michael B. Smith >> <[email protected]>wrote: >> >>> Yeah, that's not quite what I was going for there... >>> >>> >>> >>> *From:* [email protected] [mailto: >>> [email protected]] *On Behalf Of *Andrew S. Baker >>> >>> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 22, 2014 11:19 AM >>> *To:* ntsysadm >>> *Subject:* Re: [NTSysADM] OT: Corporate Support of Open-Source projects >>> >>> >>> >>> *>>As MBS has pointed out, those who have monopoly grants from the >>> government often prosper without customer service.* >>> >>> Is that that MBS pointed out? Or are you just willing to extrapolate all >>> that in order to support your otherwise unsubstantiated argument? >>> >>> Does Google have a monopoly grant from the government? Do they have >>> good (or even comparable) customer service to Apple in the area of mobile >>> computing? >>> >>> Just for the record Kurt, you are entitled to have your own views, as is >>> everyone one else here. The issue -- especially in a technology forum full >>> of technologists -- is that we have, for some foolish reason, gotten it >>> into our heads that people who present a position will not only be able to >>> support that position logically, but will consider it their duty to do >>> so. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> *ASB **http://XeeMe.com/AndrewBaker* <http://xeeme.com/AndrewBaker> >>> *Providing Virtual CIO Services (IT Operations & Information Security) >>> for the SMB market...* >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Mon, Apr 21, 2014 at 11:48 PM, Kurt Buff <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> No, not all category leaders are good at customer service. As MBS has >>> pointed out, those who have monopoly grants from the government often >>> prosper without customer service. Those who offer retail Internet >>> connectivity (often WISPs), have customer service as a differentiator - >>> sometimes it's their only differentiator, because they're shut out by law >>> from string cable/fiber, and can only occupy a small niche, usually well >>> outside of a metropolitan market. >>> >>> As well, I'm fairly sure not all companies with good customer service >>> are category leaders, though I think that's more often true in smaller >>> markets - but if I were to run across such a company, I'd probably prefer >>> to buy their stock, and would definitely give them my custom. >>> >>> >>> >>> However, in most free(ish) markets, category leaders are often, though >>> not always, very good at customer service. It probably depends a lot on the >>> market in question. >>> >>> Take groceries, for example. My wife and I don't shop at the large >>> corporate chain stores that are local to me (Albertsons, QFC, Safeway, >>> etc.). We shop at a smaller locally owned store, where they have very good >>> service, and a really good selection - not just the basics, but nice stuff >>> that it's hard to find at the large chains that focus on the lowest price >>> at the cost of service and selection. Their prices where I shop are usually >>> within a percent of the large stores. For me (and obviously a fair number >>> of other people, as the store is doing well), customer service wins. >>> >>> Kurt >>> >>> >>> >>> On Mon, Apr 21, 2014 at 3:20 PM, Andrew S. Baker <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>> So, only the category leaders (and those vying to be category >>> leaders) offer customer service? >>> >>> Are there any category leaders that *don't* offer customer service (or >>> anything approaching real customer service), while others in their category >>> do? >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> *ASB* >>> >>> *http://XeeMe.com/AndrewBaker* <http://xeeme.com/AndrewBaker> >>> *Providing Virtual CIO Services (IT Operations & Information Security) >>> for the SMB market...* >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Mon, Apr 21, 2014 at 10:07 AM, Kurt Buff <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> On Mon, Apr 21, 2014 at 5:56 AM, Steven M. Caesare < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> >> Re: Companies' incentives: That's not universally true. I refer you >>> to companies that have as at least some of their core operating principles >>> the ideas of customer service - >>> > >>> > That's an ends to a means. That customer service exists to promote >>> goodwill with regard to the customer buying products the sell, >>> > >>> > The litmus test for these: >>> > >>> > Cold the company conceivably exist by eliminating the "extra mile" >>> customer service? Yes. Could they existin by eliminating product sales? No. >>> >>> Hrm. I don't think that's the right yardstick. I believe the question >>> should be: Would these companies be category leaders if they didn't >>> have such good customer service? And I believe the answer is no. >>> >>> Kurt >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> >> >
