How To Be A Good Sport

This story reminds me of an “easy” customer I had: 

I sell custom-made home decor ornaments online and have thirty colors of materials I can use to make them. I got an order for forty-five of them, which is impressive because people usually just want a couple. I proceeded to have this interaction with the buyer through an online messaging system over two or three days.

Me: “Thank you so much for your order! It’ll take a little longer than usual to fulfill it, but I can have it done in three weeks once I start. I just need to know how you want them to look. I have [list of colors] and patterns 1, 2, or 3. I can do them all the same, forty-five individual designs, or whatever combination you’d like.”

Buyer: “I don’t want you to rush. Take your time. I can wait!”

Me: “No worries, three weeks is plenty for me to make them without compromising the quality. I just need to know the colors and patterns you’re interested in.”

Buyer: “Some of each pattern, please. I’m sure they’ll be great. It’s okay if you end up needing extra time. No pressure!”

Me: “Thank you for being understanding about that, and I’ll keep you updated on my progress. What color(s) would you like?”

Buyer: “Whatever you want to do is fine. I’m easy.”

Me: Okay, I can definitely get you a wide variety. Are there any colors you want to be sure are NOT included? For example, if it were me, there’d be a couple of sports team colors I wouldn’t want.”

Buyer: “Yeah, that’s good; whatever you think is best. No worries about colors, we don’t watch sportsball in this house. Too low-brow for us. We don’t follow any of it, LOL.”

Yes, the buyer called it “sportsball” unironically when I just threw it out as an example… pretty clearly implied I enjoy sports. Don’t cut yourself on that edge.

Me: “You got it! Getting started on it now.”

And so, I made a beautiful array of ornaments, which the buyer was 100% satisfied with. I got a great review. Guess no one noticed that I made sure to include ornaments in the colors of my favorite football team, favorite basketball team, favorite hockey team, favorite baseball team, favorite soccer team…