Being Nice Saves Money in a Down Economy

In an economic downturn, there is little we can do to control how the economy might effect us. I recently discovered one really great way to save money that I could actually control; being nice.

Recently, I had to do a last minute print job over a weekend for a friend. I arrived at Office Depot, where I wasn't sure I could get the quality I was after or that they could turn my job around in a matter of one hour. I waited in line patiently behind a woman, talking on her cell phone, waiting for her shipment and job to be processed by John, the Office Depot team member. John was attentive to me by greeting me (a training thing for OD workers) and I quickly seized an opportunity to ask how much for color copies. He responded .59 cents. Being bad at math (or lazy), I asked how much the total job might be. He excused himself and told me that he would work up the quote after he finished with his current customer (still on her cell phone). I stepped back patiently and waited quietly while he started to check out his current customer. She commenced to unloading her basket (to which John was not aware) and started to take items back that she decided against purchasing. John looks at me and let's me know he will be right with me and apologizes for the delay. I say "no problem, take your time, I am not in any hurry". I do take another opportunity to let him know that my goal was to have my print job in a little under one hour and wanted to make sure that was even possible. He asked a few questions and then asked me to bring in my files for processing.

John has a visual disability. His eyes pointed in different directions and he moved a little more slowly b/c of his eyesight. In order to accommodate me and operate more quickly, he asked for my assistance (without shame or judgment from me). More people arrived behind me and as I was helping him help me, I let him know that it was o.k for him to take care of the others.

After a few more interruptions from other people, we finally got the job done together. Each time I was gracious and step back while their needs were addressed and taken care of.

John was so thankful that I was patient and nice he only charged me for HALF my job. I even had 4 sides cut and trimmed off my job to make it look nice and wasn't charged a penny.

The moral of this story? We can't control the ebb and flow of our economy, but we can control how we act in public. By being nice and patient, even kind to others when they are stressed out, you might save yourself a little money.

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