Dunkin Donuts Customer Service

Good or Bad? You decide.

I got a $25 Dunkin Donuts giftcard for Christmas. I hadn't used it that much, and then I went in and got an extra large half hot chocolate half decaf and it was $2.30. I used my card, got a receipt, and it said I had $13.12 (I don't remember the exact change, but I know it was $13).

The next day, I go back, use the same card at the same Dunkin Donuts and get the same thing. They tell me the card is empty. Huh? After a bit of a back and forth, the manager gives me the coffee/hot chocolate for free and tells me to call the 800 number.

I do. They ask me for the number from the back of the card and then look up the history. They say it was bought in early December for $5 and used once in early January and again on January 11, and again the previous day which tapped it out. Okay, no. I was in Puerto Rico on January 11. They ask if I registered my gift card on line. Um, no. They ask if I have the receipt from yesterday. Um, no.

We finally figure out that they must have given me the wrong card back the day before. But, because I am irresponsible Dunkin Donuts card holder, there's no way to prove it. So she takes all my info (address of the store, date I used the card, exact amount I used it for, and the exact time I used it) and says she'll do some research and get back to me.

I had had a terrible customer service week so far, so I asked her when she'd call me back. By 4, she says. Okay, I tell her, but please call me back. I'm having a terrible customer service week so far.

At 4:30 I hadn't heard. At 5, I called them and they looked up my card number to verify the amount on the card and told me there was $14 on it. I asked her to check when that amount was loaded on the card. That morning, in fact.

So, good customer service, yes. They gave me my $14 when they didn't need to. But bad because they never called to tell me the verdict? Not sure.

The next day, I registered my card online so if I ever actually lose it (or if the Dunkin Donuts barista ever just gives me whatever random card happens to be next to her on the counter again) I can easily get my money back. And for doing so, I got a nice $2 bonus. Not quite enough to buy my extra large half hot chocolate half decaf, but I think I can swing the 30 cents to make up the difference.

Name Tag Revolution

I have this new connection I made through Boston Cares. A man named Joseph Porcelli, who is young and lives and works in JP in Boston and I have been working together to post Boston Cares stuff onto his Neighbors For Neighbors website in an effort to pull in members of that organization in JP to our work.

Now, for his new year's resolution, he's donned a name tag and wears it everywhere he goes in order to introduce himself to others and reconnect with the people, community and world around him. Not a bad idea.

Today, I put on a nametag. I'm going to see how long I last. He says that he feels like a dork, but that's not the point. He's right. We are disconnected as people from each other.

If nothing else, watch the clip from the news on this posting. Really good stuff.

Below is his info that he has sent out via email. Enjoy connecting!

*****************************************************

Friends,

I got more name tag news. CBS 4 Boston did a piece on my wearing a name tag.
Check it out and forward it around. My new thing is to get people to wear a
name tag for a day and then email me stories and pictures of their
experience I will then put on the blog.

http://cbs4boston.com/topstories/local_story_016190333.html


So much has transpired in the last 24 hours. Neasa is participating by wearing a digital name tag on her blog and inviting other bloggers to join her, Charlie will comparing the experience of wearing a name tag in Boston v NYC, and 14 year old teen is going snow boarding with his buddies wearing name tags. Check it out at http://nametag.neighborsforneighbors.org. How will you participate.

I've been interviewed five time already and tonight you can listen in to WBZ Radio 1030 around 9:45 PM ish after the game. For those of you out of range you can tune in online at http://www.wbz.com/pages/37336.php. Please call in and show the love! 617-254-1030.

Tomorrow I will be interviewed by Q 104 in Cleveland and on Sunday a local radio show in Kingston NY.

If you're considering wearing a name tag for a day - stop considering - and choose to do it. You'll have a blast. It not about looking like a dork - which you will - It's about getting over felling silly to make a point that you believe the power of community and are being proactive about creating it. Join me! If you do, be sure to record your experiences, take pictures, and email them back to me so I can post them to the blog at http://nametag.neighborsforneighbors.org.

Mom, dad, Marc, when are you going to try out the name tag for a day? Kate is doing it today. Dad and Marc you should really try it at the airport, the TSA folks get a kick out of this and appreciate it.

All of you who are getting this email are people I consider friends. Some of you who don't know me that well are getting this email cause I think you are cool and I'd would like to get to know you better. If any of you would like to not receive any more name tag email please simply reply with no thanks and you be removed from this list. I will not take any offense.

One last thing please forward this email to as many people as you know and invite them to participate. I want this to spread as quickly and powerfully as possible nationwide!

Your neighbor,

Joseph Porcelli.

Imagine what would be possible if every one in the country would wear a name tag for a day.

2007

It's 2007. How the hell did that happen?

My year of tres inviernos (three winters) has come to an end. Course, I still have most of the third winter to get through, but that's another story.

What a weird year. It was just last January, around my birthday, when I decided to consider applying for the Peace Corps. From the moment I made the decision, I was on my way, much the way I do most things. Figure it out, make it happen, and keep moving forward toward whatever decision you've made. So I did, and scarcely three months later I received my invitation and only 6 weeks after that, I left. Some might say the whole thing was too quick, but I know different. It wasn't "too" quick. It was just quick, which, when you've made a decision and feel good about it, is a good thing.

Three months deciding to apply and doing so, two months getting there. Three months living in Paraguay. Two months of complete uncertainty of what was next and worrying like I haven't in years. And the final two months, settling into a new job and being home. What a compartmentalized year.

I'm not sure what this year will hold, but it might not be just hunkering down and staying put. My roommate decided over Christmas that she should think about buying a house and she will begin that process this month. I'm really excited for her. What I'll do is still up in the air. I could move with her and help her with the mortgage by paying her rent. Or, I could stay here, in this place I've come to really love (even with the horrible landlord) and find myself a new roommate. And, I could move (again). That idea doesn't sound so horrible (it is amazing how quickly you forget how awful moving is). So do I stay here in the city or is it maybe time to move up to Lowell and be closer to family and friends and take advantage of the cheaper rent and extra 50 minutes times 2 trips a day on the commuter rail to read? Perhaps I might actually get to be a daily Globe reader again if I do that.

I'm not making resolutions this year. I haven't for a while now. I'm just going to keep trying to be a better person and keep trying to make new friends. I'm going to keep dating and keep telling everyone I know to tell all their single guy friends that they know this great single woman. I'm going to keep doing good work and helping others do good work. I'm going to keep in touch with my friends in Paraguay and keep spending time with my family. I'm going to keep defending those who need it and keep learning as much as I can. I'm going to keep listening incessantly to NPR and keep making dinner dates with friends I don't see that often. I'm going to keep going to the gym and keep eating well and sleeping well. I'm going to keep loving my siblings and keep getting to know my new brother-in-law better. I'm going to keep arguing and keep watching Grey's Anatomy. I'm going to keep loving the Amazing Race and keep using the library. So there's nothing to resolve, only things to keep. Let's do that from now on, make New Year's Keeps.

Welcome 2007. I'm amazed you are here already, but I still welcome you. Let's make it a good one!