“First class customer service!” is what today’s post title says for those of you not so well versed in Latveišu… Who deserves this accolade? Well, a gentleman by the name of Janis Paeglkalns at EuroShop.lv as he has been of invaluable help as I passed successive enquiries to him about ordering a digital camera for my friend Inese for her birthday, just passed on 1st of May.
Initially, I had only asked if the shiny new digital camera could have been gift wrapped as I was planning to get some flowers online from Interflora in Latvia. By next day, there was already a reply as I checked my inbox having got home after work. Janis not only said this is not a problem, but perhaps he could arrange flowers to go with the delivery as well… It’s almost as if he knew what I was planning! Obviously seeing this would mean the camera and flowers would arrive together plus delivery was free to Rīga anyway, I snatched this option and had no qualms playing a little extra for his troubles.
But with every good story, there’s always a stumbling block and I was to effectively get not one, but two. Firstly, Inese’s birthday was on the 1st of May, but this was also Latvia’s Labour Day so delivery that day was out and plans needed to be altered so that the delivery was 30th of April instead. Next was the fact it wouldn’t be possible to use my MasterCard for a “card not present” transaction which pretty much kicked the door shut in terms of getting funds there in a timely manner as with all the planning, there was just over a week to go till the end of the month! After a bit of head scratching, decided the best way would be electronically via SWIFT as a Banker’s Draft would have been too slow in clearing.
On Tuesday, 27th of April, managed to finalise all the details and I duly popped into Corby to HSBC and get the funds transferred. If one is familiar with Gant Charts, my little endeavour so far was running right on the ragged edge that is the “critical path” as my money would only credit Janis Paeglkalns at EuroShop.lv on Thursday at the very earliest… ouch!
Friday came and lunch passed then at mid afternoon, I got a phone call from Mr. Barker at HSBC asking for a clarification in the beneficiary, as I had put just “EuroShop.lv” forgetting that this was only the trading name and the account was in the company name of “B2C SIA” as there was a query from HansaBanka as to whom this money was actually going to… With this little slip up corrected and conformation on phone that the funds have been transferred, I crossed my fingers hoping not to find out it had actually gone all pear shaped the next day.
Was up unusually early on Saturday as had some errands to do later in the afternoon, but what surprised me was the fact there was an E-Mail: from Janis! After a bit more dialogue, he confirmed he would be able to send the delivery that day and got a confirmation that it was delivered to Inese in the suburbs of Rīga having tried to deliver earlier to her Aunt’s flat where she normally resides, but obviously not today as she was obviously out celebrating!
It was only yesterday that I learned from Inese that her present had been delivered via cycle courier and that he cycled the 18km all the way to Jaunmarupe, where her brother lives! I honestly will need to thank Janis Paeglkalns in person if I ever get the chance, what you and your team have done is quite exceptional, and can sincerely recommend anyone that might need to shop from there to do so. Liels paldies, ļoti pateicos! :D