how not to thank a customer

Recently, a firm I use made a big mistake. I was inconvenienced and unhappy.

They fixed the problem (eventually), and sent a Starbucks gift card.

I went to starbucks this morning and used the card.

Total value?

5 bucks.

IE, less than the price of coffee and a donut at Starbucks.

Fortunately, I bought less than $5. But you can imagine if you usually didn’t go to starbucks, going just this once to use the gift card, and finding that you had to pay a dollar or two more to get your coffee and donut.

I understand that they want to keep costs down, but I have used this company for 10 years. A $5 card? Come on, guys, you can do better than that.

If you are going to go to the trouble of saying “sorry, we screwed up, here is a gift,” make it at least $10-$20. Give me a pound of See’s chocolate- that way I’ll know you care!