I called my stockbroker a couple weeks a go. I had a question. I wasn’t sure who to ask for because it’s been about a year or so since I actually talked to anyone there. Anyway, I finally get “my guy” on the phone. What a phoney!
This guy doesn’t know me from a fence post but acts like he just saw me yesterday. He ACTS like he cares about me, but his act is so bad no matter what he’s saying it sounds like this:
“Haaaaayyyyyyy, how ya do’in? Boy It’s nice to hear from you! I haven’t a clue who you are — but as long as you called — I’ve gotsome really great ideas for you to consider that will suit you perfectly, what-ever-your-name is. We should sit down and talk. I’ll pop some information in the mail to you. You look it over and give me a call. Cause, hey! I don’t remember your name, so there’s no way I know your phone number … as evidenced by the fact that you never, EVER hear from me.”
I got the info in the mail and I’m like, “Whatever!” I didn’t call him. Course, he didn’t call me. Until three days ago … I called him.
“My guy” wasn’t in. Someone took my name and number and said “my guy” would call me back. He hasn’t.
I’m moving my account.
Sure, maybe he wants my account and the fees that go with it, but it’s obvious he doesn’t care about my account or me. And no, sending me a birthday card every year doesn’t make up for treating me like I don’t matter the other 364 days a year.
Here’s My Points:
If the only communication I get from you is a birthday card, then the card simply calls attention to the fact that I never hear from you.
If you make me feel like the small account I am … I will never become a bigger account … at least not your account.
If you really don’t want my business … fine. But if you really do want my business … then genuinely treat me like I matter.

#1 by Steve Gray on November 27, 2007 - 7:17 pm
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Why don’t they set up a small accounts section so that people with small amounts can have a person who does care, maybe that person care for 250 small accounts but they do the rounds of ringing those people and keep a really good database of who how why what and when they contacted the small account holder.
Good post Michael, it shows service is dead in some area, and hopefully not in all!
#2 by Brennan Ryan on November 28, 2007 - 9:13 am
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Or, just not act!
We cant be all things to all people, so maybe your small account might be “too small” in their overall scheme of things. Ok, i can live with that, but just TELL ME so i can look for someone who does specialise in my type of account.
Better yet, refer me to an ideal competitor!
Sure! Why not? I do it all the time, and the first rime i did it was liberating! I didnt have to deal with an orde too small for my company, the prospect thought i was a great guy for referring him to someone who could help, and my competitior thinks i am agreat guy and never bad mouths me!
So who loses? Only the guy who “acts” apparently….