Kinda funny customer email - monkeys

Perhaps he refers to people who are black being called monkeys?

Haha, oh man.

I wrote that automatic shipped confirmation email. Yay me.

Well, I really don't know what to say.

That counter-retort is FTW.

wow... that's funny though...

haha...
funny.
harsh response, though...but still funny.
btw: when are we going to see the new ozlabs?

I talked to aken about this earlier. I don't see this being an answer I would have liked. While it is pretty obvious that the customer has a sence of humor and was just sorta giving you some constructive critisism. I would not have liked that response. As all of you know I have a very easy going sense of humor. But If I am giving you my money, and I am a FIRST time buyer here who doenst know if this company is repituable or not. I would have read that and said, "Welp, last time you will get an order from me." "If not, oh well, we can't please everyone" to me is very unprofessional. And you are running a buisness. It is one thing to say something like that to a reapeat buyer who jokes with you. But as a first time buyer that doesn't send off a good message. To me that says you don't care about the all of your potential customers. While it is obvious you can't make everyone happy. You should treat customers with the upmost respect and professionalism. I was taught to treat every customer like it is your only one. The customer is always right. And while you can't please everyone. You don't tell a customer that in that type of manner. Like I said if that was me I wouldn't be buying again. As I would have no trust in you as of yet(being my first purchase) and since the internet is just full of scammers. I want to be able to hand my money to you and when I quiestion something like that to not get a remark back saying you could give a **** less about customers that don't have a sence of humor like you. Oznium.com is obviously a very well run buisness and is top notch when it comes to service. But the way you displayed yourself there sucked. Sorry Philbo, but I see that being very unprofessional and uncalled for. Maby it is just me. But that shouldn't have been said in that manner.

What about "Gnarley Gnat-Gnawing Warehouse Gnomes"?

You can't please *EVERYONE*, all though you can try. Here's the breakdown, imho:

20% ignore or never read the eMail
20% only extract the confirmation number, and ignore the rest
20% read the email, and don't think about it one way or the other
20% read it, and find it funny.
15% read it, and don't have a sense of humor.
4.25% read it, and think of better things to say like "Gnarley Gnat-Gnawing Gnomes"
.5% read it, and it bugs them a little bit, but they'll still order from you again because of the awesome products & service.
.25% read it, and it bugs them, and they won't order from you again.

I mean, think about how long that eMail has been sent to customers - how many orders it's been used on. And the first person to eMail you about it isn't even upset, but **thinks** someone he works with might not find it funny.

Also, I'd have to say, because you run a top-notch company, it gives you breathing room in matters like this. I think your response was witty, well written, and all though kind of like "Hey, this is how we roll", you have that right.

Good for you Phil.

I am not saying the "our warehouse monkeys are...." is bad. I am saying his response wasn't worded very well at all. But then again. It is his buisness not mine. I was just voicing my opinion.

kornholio788 wrote:

I am not saying the "our warehouse monkeys are...." is bad. I am saying his response wasn't worded very well at all. But then again. It is his buisness not mine. I was just voicing my opinion.

I agree.

I found it humerous.....business etiquette, probably not...

But I'm going to assume the person who wrote the email is probably one of the same type of people who complain about the pledge of allegiance in schools, seeing religous scenes at Christmas etc.....People need to stop looking so in depth at things and just take them for what they are....The response from Oznium is in no way racist or have anything to do with race....its simply poking a little fun at people in the warehouse....and if people looked further in depth to the company, they would realize its a friend run business...

Time for people to relax...just cause there is a Manora in the window or a Nativity scene doesnt mean you will turn Jewish or Christian by looking at it...

kornholio788 wrote:

I am not saying the "our warehouse monkeys are...." is bad. I am saying his response wasn't worded very well at all. But then again. It is his buisness not mine. I was just voicing my opinion.

The great thing about running your own operation is being able to voice your mind without getting written up, or sat down in an office and dressed down, or fired .

If this customer was familiar with Oznium's business and style I seriously doubt he'd be offended . For him it probably conjured up an image of people slaving away in a huge Walmart-esque warehouse, getting little pay and less respect . Not a handful of employees dorking around with LEDs and making video clips . I've worked in a warehouse for years and I couldn't see myself getting offended by being called a monkey unless it was by a boss who I knew had no respect for the work I did . In fact I think I've commented a number of times that they're going to get rid of me as soon as they can train a chimp to replace me .

The great thing about running your own operation is being able to voice your mind without getting written up, or sat down in an office and dressed down, or fired .


You get written up, sat down, or fired for a reason... It wasn't a very professional response, but oh well. You can't please everybody.

Appreciate the comments guys!

Pork and Korn are weird.

Aken wrote:

Pork and Korn are weird.

Found it funny the first few times, really used to it now.
Response was fine in my opinion, if they don't like it, get over it. Lighten up, nothing bad is meant by it. No reason to morph it into some kind of racial slur or offensive remark aimed at anybody.

(Although my last package was a little hairy..)

I am not mad nor could I care less. It isn't my buisness. Isn't going to effect me any. The point of a forum board is to voice your opinion and I did just that. I could care less if he puts sex toys in all the boxes. It isn't my buisness and I won't be losing any money over it. I think phil runs his buisness great. But that reply wasn't professional. That is all. And he runs a buisness so ussually that is kinda expected.

I'm in agreeance with Kornholio.

I think that the automated e-mail could be handled better. I like the idea of humor being injected, but there needs to be slightly more professionalism IMHO.

I also don't believe the response e-mail was handled in a professional manner. The customer gave some constructive criticism and the response kind of ignores it and goes down an odd path talking about Gods and monkey religions.

It would have been so much better if he'd thought you employ real monkeys. (insert mental picture)

the autmated email is just fine -- i love it.

the response to the customer complaining about the email is where you went wrong, IMO...

He made a joke, and then responded with his opinion on the subject matter. How is that wrong?

Aken wrote:

He made a joke, and then responded with his opinion on the subject matter. How is that wrong?

It's not wrong. They're probably not familier with our brand of humor....of course now i'm interested to see what they bought since people that shop here are usually DIY guys that think WAY outside the box.

Bought just one 40 amp relay for $2.79

The whole reason the automated eMail is "funny" is because we, the active supporting members, requested it.

And I agree with Aken.

Aken wrote:

He made a joke, and then responded with his opinion on the subject matter. How is that wrong?

" You can't please everyone " is an unprofessional response.

So you'd rather we be dishonest?

When it comes to our product or our service, yes I understand. If this email had the guy complaining about us not refunding his defective product, then it'd be totally wrong. But guess what - this whole thing is about FICTITIOUS MONKEYS. And last time I checked, you can't please everyone.

Not to mention the fact that the guy who sent the email didn't even have a problem with it in the first place. He just knows someone that might not like it.

Oh, I didn't realize some people see "warehouse monkeys" as racist.

Maybe it is better to say, "Our trained dolphins have shipped your package..."

Phil wrote:

Oh, I didn't realize some people see "warehouse monkeys" as racist. Maybe it is better to say, "Our trained dolphins have shipped your package..."

Well Phil it's pretty wide open to interpretation, there is no ZOO or animal theme in the store, so I would be really confused to why monkey was even mentioned?

From what scientists say is that monkeys are smarter than dolphins, and monkeys have way better short term memory than humans.

monkeys is not racist in anyway seeing as how monkeys have no race just different breeds.

alienyoungjr wrote:

From what scientists say is that monkeys are smarter than dolphins, and monkeys have way better short term memory than humans. monkeys is not racist in anyway seeing as how monkeys have no race just different breeds.

Dude monkey is a racist term. Unless you lived some crazy sheltered life.

It's a term for black people. I was once suspended for school for telling a black kid he was making noises like a monkey. He was beating his chest and growling. I would be amazed if I am the only person on this board who thinks monkey is not an ethnic slur.

I say you spank the monkeys.

...

Wait...

Moss wrote:

alienyoungjr wrote: From what scientists say is that monkeys are smarter than dolphins, and monkeys have way better short term memory than humans. monkeys is not racist in anyway seeing as how monkeys have no race just different breeds. Dude monkey is a racist term. Unless you lived some crazy sheltered life. It's a term for black people. I was once suspended for school for telling a black kid he was making noises like a monkey. He was beating his chest and growling. I would be amazed if I am the only person on this board who thinks monkey is not an ethnic slur.

I was thinking that as well... the word/phrase that comes to my mind when I see warehouse monkey is something along the lines of "Porch Monkeys" which is a racial term used around here to describe blacks living in the ghettos....

For whatever it's worth, I'm all for the warehouse monkey response... I think it's funny, but it could be misinterpreted....

See, I thought of a swarm of these, flying around like dememted Santa's elves:

mx107marlin wrote:

I was thinking that as well... the word/phrase that comes to my mind when I see warehouse monkey is something along the lines of "Porch Monkeys" which is a racial term used around here to describe blacks living in the ghettos.... For whatever it's worth, I'm all for the warehouse monkey response... I think it's funny, but it could be misinterpreted....

X2 on the Porch Monkey

Aken wrote:

He made a joke, and then responded with his opinion on the subject matter. How is that wrong?

I don't have a problem with the automated email reply.

However, his job as a business owner who wants recurring business is to kiss ass all the time....I don't mean that you have to suck up to every single customer, but you do have to be nice to them and send decent emails.
So where he went wrong: instead of saying something like, "Thank you for your input. Our automated responses are intended to be enlightening and humorous; I hardly see how anyone could take offense to them...."
He basically said blow off, too bad you're not happy.

Again, just my input and, like I said, I don't see any problem with the automated emails.

But, the person that sent the email didn't even have a problem with it. And I hardly see Phil's response as translating to "blow off, too bad".

Let's try something. Pretend you're a server at a popular restaurant. You're currently waiting on two tables. Table 1 is a nice older couple out celebrating their 40th anniversary. Table 2 is a set of college guys out having a fun guys night out. The older couple is very sweet and polite, and enjoy sharing some stories about when they first met. Table 2 is kinda loud but still polite, and they enjoy telling jokes and messing with you in a fun way.

You, as a server, are going to present yourself in two completely different ways to these two completely different types of customers. And even though you are essentially acting like two different people, you are still providing all your customers with everything they need, and both leave happy, and a big tip is left for you on both tables.

The point of that? This guy emailed us talking about how our warehouse monkeys email MIGHT offend someone OTHER than himself. He has a good sense of humor and found it funny, but wanted to provide some feedback about it. Our response? A little bit of humor and some honesty. Because guess what? You can't please everyone. And as someone who has been in the customer service industry for years, I can tell you that sometimes the customer isn't always right. And while it has nothing to do with this situation, there are people who you simply cannot please no matter what you do. And sometimes depending on a person's attitude, you don't want them as a customer.

Some of you can talk all you want about how you are in a professional business and the customer is always right and blah blah blah. But if someone came into your business and completely talked down what you do or what you sell and basically insulted you to your face, I dare you to stand there and look them in the eye and smile and tell them they're right and then give them a discount and send them on their way. If you do that, you're just a damn mindless robot that's been brainwashed by corporate America.

And that's my rant for the evening.

I dont have a problem with it. Funny = good.

The guy doesn't have a problem with it.

and for what...over 20,000 orders and only 1 person complained about his friend or co-worker MIGHT not like it.

as for Warehouse monkeys. I think of a nice big ol' warehouse. Full of lots of shipping people that can easily be replaced by another. Not ethnic slurs.