POPSICLE

Author © Jay Kantor

Power of our Pens - Following the 'Free' Publicity this Market Chain received from this silly story management gifted me a huge sugar free cake along with a Company-Cap and offered me a position in their advertising department - Nah - but I took the 'Brain Freeze' what could it hurt.

— For All the Michaels ~ It PAYS to be Nice —

While parking my SUV at the market’s pickup site, I noticed in the next space over a very slight woman wearing a crispy blue Ralphs-Guard uniform, with a gold badge/big gun and all. She was sitting on a store handicap electric shopping cart, bucking it back and forth, trying to take it back into the store.

The woman began yelling across at me just as the pickup-manager, Michael, approached to load me. “Do I know how to run this THING?” I wondered if she was asking me because she noticed that I might be 'Less-Abled'.

Therefore, of course, I SHOULD know how to work the 'THING' — Or, was it just a general shout-out? I just stepped past her and said, “why don’t you call a Security-Guard?” The GUARD pointed to her shiny gold badge and said, “I am a Security Guard.” In passing, I said “then call YOU.” Come-on, I know I was being snide, but it was just a spur of the moment response.

And, I PROBABLY would have helped her until Michael came to rescue her. What a good sport. It was 100+ degrees in the parking lot and Mike just handled it; probably thought she’d shoot him if he didn’t?

As Michael loaded the groceries into my boot he said, “Mr. K, I know you’re one of those Veg-e-Tarians but, wow, you get a lot of peas.” I told him, “I don’t believe that it is within your job description to inspect my food orders.”

He Quipped: “So call The GUARD.” I responded to the retailer’s review request after my purchase (we all get them sent to us) with a nice note. No response at all, even after sending a follow-up to them. You’d think that a 'nice' note would not be as prevalent as complaint letters that companies mostly receive; I don’t know?

So, I finally sent the letter directly to the 'Big-Guy' (verbatim/below) then printed it out and gave it to Michael so he could see what it entailed. Seriously, Michael created a smoothly-run and efficient entity separate from the everyday operation 'nicely' along with his terrific ‘tude! This shouldn’t go unnoticed and I thought 'Corp' should know about it. He got promoted to the position of store-manager (3) days later!

Michael texted me: “On behalf of my wife and son, thank you for being so nice — FREE Popsicles for LIFE.”

* Unlike our generation’s time-table: Michael is (30) with a college degree and still lives with his folks; along with his wife and young son. And, OH SURE, I’m happy for him but, who’s going to 'spoil' me now in the parking lot?

— I’ll just call The GUARD —

ACTUAL Letter to Ralphs Market:

Mr. Q, District Manager, Ralphs (Kroger) Markets Re; Grocery Pickups at the Chatsworth, California Store:

Mr. Q, I would just like to take a moment to express appreciation and to say how accommodating and professional your pickup staff is at the Devonshire street location. What a treat to be spoiling us with this special service. Now designated spaces are even permanently painted in bright yellow; especially considerate for Seniors.

Thank You for That. But, an extra shout-out to Michael, the pickup-manager. He keeps things running smoothly, even when it’s (100+) in the parking lot.

* We once lived on the canal in Long Beach. And, there was a little market called 'Henry’s' where we would quick-visit daily. We really didn’t even need our own fridge; the 'neighborhood' market! When your pickup manager calls me just to let me know that my “sugar-free-popsicles are back in stock,” it reminds me of an old-fashioned 'neighborhood' market; very appreciated!

— Ralphs, a NICE way to do business —

Jay Kantor, Chatsworth, California

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