Flying the Flag

A couple of weeks ago we decided to replace our tattered old U.S. flag. We searched on the Internet for a high-quality flag and pole, and we found one we liked on Amazon — it was pricey, but had all the things we were looking for. When we got our order (more on that below), we were very pleased with the quality of the product. The flag is made from very heavy material, it is sewn beautifully (nearly everything is double-stitched), and the stars are embroidered. The flagpole spins very easily, which should keep the flag from wrapping around the pole. And the mounting bracket looks like it would hold up a ton, and its angle is easily adjustable. I put it up this morning, and Old Glory never looked better at our home.

When we initially received this order, there was a problem: the only part in the box was the spinning flagpole. This is when one always gets that sinking feeling…"Oh, no! Now I’ll have to go through some horrible hassle to straighten it out — if the vendor even will fix it!” So you can imagine my pleasant shock when I called the customer service 800 number, and got an actual person on the first ring. And the further shock when, after I described my problem, that person immediately said “That’s our problem, we’ll take care of it.” I was starting to wonder if I was hallucinating when the customer service person said they’d get it right out in a priority shipment, and I’d have it the day after next. And sure enough, on the promised date the box showed up, with the right stuff in it — along with a handwritten note that said:

Apologies for the goof. I’m the culprit.

Signed by the fellow who made the mistake.

That’s what I call excellent customer service. The company is called “Thompson Flag and Banner", though on Amazon they seem to go by “The Flag Center”. Either way, I know where I’m shopping the next time I need a flag…