Wednesday, July 15, 2009

I Have a New Hero


So what in the world does this . . .





have to do with this ???



Let me start at the beginning.

Kristen was 13 or 14 years old. She suddenly, overnight, turned into a teen. The New Kids on the Block hit the scene and she was totally infatuated, especially with Jordan. Her walls were covered with pictures of the boys. She had plans to name her first child Jordan, whether it was a girl or a boy.

I actually liked their music - they had a good sound - decent lyrics, nice harmony. When they came to Denver, I took Kristen and her best friend to the concert. We even stayed in a very nice hotel room - the same hotel where the boys were staying. They spent some time trying to find the floor they were on. Of course, they did not succeed.

Since they didn't have driver's licenses yet, I took them to Fiddler's Green, where the event was happening, went back to the hotel room, waited the whole long evening, then went back to pick them up. We almost didn't connect - some scary moments ensued. But we were finally back together and they were very, very excited with the whole experience.

Naturally, the girls had all made posters to hold up, sending out their affection for whichever "kid" they loved the most. As a matter of fact, Kristen ended up on the news that night, riding high on another friend's shoulders. I tried to get a video of the broadcast, but the $200 price tag was a tad steep for me!

I found this picture of her favorite t-shirt. We still have a very large box full of her memorabilia in our basement.




So, I know you're asking, what does all of this have to do with FedEx and superheroes??

Last week-end when Kristen went to Denver to visit this same best friend from high school (with whom she has recently reconnected because of Facebook), she learned that her friend had ordered tickets to tonight's concert of the not-so-new, no- longer-Kids tour, which was back at the same venue - Fiddler's Green. She not only ordered them for herself and Kristen, but for both Care Bear and Feisty. They have become quite enamored of the "boys", since Mommy has been telling them all of her stories.

So -- last week-end, while Kristen was still visiting her friend, they went shopping to try to find t-shirts to wear to the concert. No luck whatsoever. I decided to check the internet to see what was out there. I found plenty of sources, but everything was $30 and up. But then I came across a clearance sale and found shirts for $5.00. They were left over from their 2008 tour, but who cares?? Right?? For $5.00?? Turns out it cost more to have them shipped than it did to buy them. But it was worth it.

I asked for the two-day delivery. As I tracked it, I found that it would arrive by 4:30 this afternoon. Problem is - they needed to leave by 3:00 or 3:30. I e-mailed FedEx customer service to see if it was possible to get it delivered before 3:00. They said it was not possible to guarantee it would be earlier than 4:30, but it would not be any later.

Our little prayer warrior, Feisty, asked Jesus to make it happen.

Today, I decided to take it a step further. I actually called the 800 number and got a real live person on the line. I asked her if it was possible to schedule the delivery by 3:00.

I actually had a person with a heart on the line. She said she couldn't guarantee anything, but that she'd call the driver who had our package to see what could be done. She took our phone number and promised to get back to us.

She called not once, but twice - the first time to say she was still working on it, and the second time to say it would be arriving in the next 30 minutes. We were eating lunch on the picnic table and the girls got so excited. We all got the giggles. We decided to sit on the front swing, read some library books, and watch for the big white truck.

TEN MINUTES LATER - I heard the unmistakable sound of a truck turning into our cul de sac. It was them. The boys in blue had arrived! Our heroes!!




I asked them if they minded posing for a picture with the very happy girls. They were so gracious. I told them I'd be spreading the word about their extraordinary customer service!! So that's what I'm doing.




The package had a special marking on it -




There was a bit of discussion as to who got the black one and who got the white - they were the same size. I probably should have ordered the same for both, since they are extremely competitive about EVERYTHING. But they resolved it amicably and were happy with their choices. Mommy's shirt matched Feisty's, and her friend's matched Care Bear's.








We all gripe and complain about the lack of customer service in this world, so I wanted to let everyone know about this extraordinary happening.

It's now 9:45 p.m. and I'm dying to know how it's going. I'll have to give you an update soon!


20 comments:

Mary said...

Dawn,

I have experienced very bad customer service but NEVER from Fed Ex. They are always such nice people that deliver right to the door.

Glad the girlies all got their T-shirts in time and yes, they were a bargain. Looking forward to seeing how it goes.

Blessings,
Mary

Tammy said...

Wow! Dawn, what a great story!!! I was hanging on every word...
Yay for the people at Fed X! But leave it to childlike faith to think they can pray for things like this, because God honored it!

And I couldn't help but think how that whole New Kids on the Block thing doesn't seem very long ago at all to me...I'm not sure how old Kristen is exactly but she must be pretty young indeed to have been a fan as a teen!

I'm excited you're on FB at long last! But I was sitting here trying to remember your last name...I did see a Grand Ma Dawn on there...but without a pic I can't be sure...tlynns@verizon.net

Sam said...

Dawn,
I cannot believe this story! First of all, I LOVE that you took two 14-year olds to a NKOTB concert. What a hip mom you were! Second, I cannot believe that you worked so hard to get those t-shirts! What a hip grandma you are!

Seriously, I think you're wonderful! :-)

Hope they had fun at the concert.

A Hint of Home said...

Hi Dawn,
You are on determined Mom and Grandma. They are so lucky to have you. I hope all had a great time.

Needled Mom said...

This is such a great story, Dawn. I am so glad that you have a kind ear to hear your story. This is great publicity for Fed *Ex. I know that they all had a great time at the concert. Can't wait to hear about it.

Nadine said...

My daughter loved the New Kids too when she was younger. Memory lane is fun and so is connecting with old friends.

Unknown said...

Aw yes, I too remember The New Kids OT Block. I was a bit older of course when they 'came out' so I never 'got' into them so much. However I do remember the thrill and excitement of going to a popular artists one year, Michael Jackon to see his 'Bad Tour' concert in LA. It was so amazing at the time and I was able to relive those old feelings of thrill and ecstascy (sp) while reading your story.

I also have a similar story on my blog about awesome customer service, but with the post office; it's title 'The Post Office At It's Best' under July's archive. I hope when you get a chance you'll read it; it's very touching and was passed onto me from a friend, of a friend....ect.

I bet Kristen had a blast 'going back in time' feeling like a teenager once again with her best friend. How awesome is that!!!

Can't wait to read your update on how things turned out, if everything lived up to their expectations or not. Awesome story! Awesome Grandma Dawn!

Hugs,
~Sarah

grammy said...

What a story. Sounds like great fun. I am sure we will here about it (o:
way to go Fed X

nancygrayce said...

Oh, how neat! How nice of Fed Ex and how great for the little girls!!!! I hope they had a great time!!

Midlife Mom said...

What a great story Dawn! Fed Ex certainly came through for you, yes they are very good with customer service! Just think, you might be in a commercial for them if they read your blog!! Can't wait to hear how the gals made it at the concert!!!

Sharon Lynne said...

Good work!
I can't wait to read how the concert went!

Hootin Anni said...

Oh my gosh...oh my gosh!! What a fanTASTic story Dawn. I'm so glad I stopped in today to read this. Yes indeed...the FedEX company are true HEROES!!!

Can't wait to hear about all the exciting news of the concert. Nice also, to hear that your daughter connected with an 'old' high school chum.

Yes, as you say on my comments...it DID take a lot of will power and stamina to NOT turn the computer on. I didn't even check emails 'til this morning.

Happy Friday to you.

groovyoldlady said...

That was an awesome story!

I've always said that UPS and Fed-Ex guys/gals are the best because they never bring bills. They only bring presents or something you ordered!

Even better is when they bring it EARLY!

Diane@Diane's Place said...

I never was a NKOTB fan, but Jessica was. I haven't heard anything about them in years and had no idea they were touring again until I saw Kristen's note on Facebook a while back about going to the concert and taking the girls.

Good service can be hard to find these days, and I agree, it should be noted and recognized on the rare occasions you find it. Yay FedEx!

Hope you have a good time at your district convention.

That's too bad about Feisty's potty issues. I hope y'all find some solutions soon, for her sake.

xoxoxo

Diane

Unknown said...

What a great story! I know they had the time of their lives. With such a happy ending too!

When my youngest was growing up he used to call the UPS man the "Box Man". And anyone he'd see dressed in the uniform was a "Box Man".

His grandma, who lived out of town, always sent the "Box Man" with a package for his birthday. I remember one year when he walked up to a UPS guy in a store we were shopping in and asked him if he was coming to our house soon with his package. The guy looked at me over the boy's head and I just nodded, so he said, "Yes sir, young fella, I'll be there on time."

His birthday was on a Sunday one year and I had to put the package from my mom outside on the front porch where he'd find it when we came home from church.

Those are fun memories. As this will also be for you. Great story, really!

Carole Burant said...

Oh wow, how very exciting for Kristen and the girls!! Talk about going back in time when they attended that concert! hehe I remember well when NKOTB arrived on the scene and liking their music. It shows my age but when I was a young teen, my heroes were Elvis, David Cassidy, Bobby Sherman, Michael Jackson and Donny Osmond! lol

That really is super duper service from FedEx, it truly is heartwarming to know that in this day and age, they will still go out of their way to satisfy a customer:-) xoxo

Robin said...

That's amazing - and how wonderful of you to share good news! I wish I could find such a deal mailing packages to Peru. I just sent you an email regarding that topic!

Ms. Kathleen said...

What a cute story.... My girls sure like TNKOTBlock when they were teens.... How things come around. Hugs!

Christa said...

That's great! Out of the mouth's of babes.

Jess said...

What a great story!!!! Who kenw fed ex was so grand! And all for New Kids! LOL
Hope all is well

Love, Jess