DP | @ekhoophotography

Aren't Mondays' always terrible? Probably because most end up having so much to do over the weekend with so little time! Anyways, just a few things to share on this post.

First up is customer service. Most Malaysian companies aren't noted for good customer service. This also extends to foreign companies with local staff. I mean, generally there's no focus on putting the customer first and no matter how much training and customer first exercises a company does, the people just don't seem to care. For example, if you've been to Starbucks in San Francisco or Lake Forest, take note of the customer service. I know customer service in the Malaysian Starbucks is already good (I get fast & prompt service, unlimited refills when I work on my notebook there, free donuts at times, extra shots when I really look like I need it badly, etc), it still doesn't hold up to a store in California. Just like Think Tank Photo bags. When I just mentioned that my Pro Speed belt clip is a little loose and the webbing is beginning to fray, guess what happened? They sent me an entire replacement speed belt in 14 days. I know I'll need a roller bag in the future. You know who's getting my business?

So, imagine my surprise when I got superb customer service from a Malaysian company. First off, they made purchasing and payment easy. Free delivery to boot. Then as usual, we did change our mind on one or two items. Despite the All Sales are Final policy, they allowed the return despite opened and damaged packaging. When we needed more items way after the sales period was over, the same discount level was extended. Better yet, they anticipated our need, stocked up their local PJ warehouse ahead of time so that when we actually placed our additional orders, stock was on hand. Invoices, pickup sheets all prepared ahead of time. And when the order was too small for credit card and I didn't have enough cash, they waived the requirement. Recently, better still, they issued the delivery authorization and allowed pickup of items before even payment. In the CRM world, there's a measure called Net Promoter Score (NPS). It's basically the answer to one question: Will you recommend this company's products or services to a relative or friend on a scale of 0 (for never) to 10 (for definitely). You know what, they earn a 10 from me. That company is Niro Granite. And when I need more tiles in the future, they'll have my business.

I know their broadband should be called narrowband and their Streamyx customer service is absolutely terrible but imagine my surprise when I made a complaint about a telephone pole obstructing the front of my house. Within a week, couple of guys came and moved the pole. I just wish they can fix their Streamyx problems this quickly!

Our electrical utility on the other hand, first assigned workers who are on vacation to perform the three-phase power upgrade of my new house. I called the technician assigned and get Saya Cuti (I'm on vacation) and gives me another technician who also was on leave. Two week later, their contractor comes and digs the road to lay the cables. Two days later, a second contractor comes and tars the road. A week later, right now, I'm still waiting for their vacationing technician to connect the main cable to the power supply. Earth hour last Saturday, hah, power was out at my house 24x7 thanks to TNB.

Anyways, spent the last weekend cleaning up and dust and all the debris of the renovation works. Maybe that's why I need a double shot to get my system started. But you know, I'm still getting the low battery alert

The truth is that I'm more excited about the 270EX flash than the 500D. There are nice features on the 500D though but the only big drawback I see is the lack of an external microphone input. 720P or 1080P is no different to the users of this class of camera but without the external mic, everything, including the image stabilizer gyro is going to be picked up by the mic. For a lot of other people however, if the price comes in at or below RM2999, it will sell like hot cakes.

Rob Galbraith has more details here.

I've been rather busy lately... packing to move house is one thing but there's also a lot of other things to do at work and outside work. Haven't really had time to take many photos personally. Many weddings are at year end but also right now, I'm in no condition to take any bookings for this month.

Anyway, I need to send in my EF-16-35mm lens for service soon as it's starting to back focus slightly. Anyways, I hope to post a few more updates soon.

Well, if you're reading this then you're on my new server

If you're reading this, you're on the new box... a 2.6Ghz Xeon.
I'll post something interesting later when I get some time.