August 2009

Customer Service - a critical element for the success of Shop Apache Junction

While a growing number of economic prognosticators are saying the national economy has bottomed-out, we continue to look for the recovery to gain strength across the Valley of the Sun. We also continue to Shop local/Shop AJ as our part in the local economy by supporting our AJ merchants, restaurants and professionals. Many of you have noticed and commented favorably on the Thank You for Shopping Apache Junction "mega-banners" so proudly displayed along "The Trail" and the Old West Hwy. Your Shop AJ partners {City, Chamber, Main Street} appreciate your continued support and feedback for this vital initiative that CAN and does make a difference. We have also heard or experienced an occasional customer service "horror story" that can sour your enthusiasm for shopping locally. Customer Service is a critical element for the success of Shop Apache Junction!

To our Apache Junction business owners and operators, I would simply remind you that while you endeavor to control costs and scale back on overhead, your never-ending challenge remains to: providing a quality product, at a reasonable price, with a positive customer service experience. No amount of goodwill or public "PR" to Shop AJ can erase the damage your business experiences when a consumer leaves dissatisfied and tells a dozen or more of their friends. It is bad for your business and ours' when they simply drive an extra five or ten minutes down the street and begin a cycle of taking their business elsewhere.

Should you - the consumer - experience one of these less than stellar shopping/dining moments my advice is to ask to speak to a member of the management staff and try to share with them - without embellishment - what your expectations were and how their business failed on this occasion to meet your expectations. When you are able to communicate these sorts of incidents directly to the store or restaurant management before you leave, they then have an opportunity to address the situation in a timely manner. There are some instances where nothing they can do can fix whatever it was that went wrong, but the vast majority of our business owners and operators do want to make the situation right and avoid repeating the problem for either you or other future customers.

Together, with reasonable Shop AJ shopper expectations AND a renewed commitment to providing a positive customer service experience by our AJ businesses, we have an opportunity to make Apache Junction a more inviting place to live, work, go to school and play. So smile and Shop AJ!


Shop AJ reader board message and banner* along Apache Trail and across our community to start, Wednesday November 12th, 2008.

"Thank you for Shopping AJ" parking lot greeters scheduled for January 17th, 2009 from 9:00 - 11:00 AM -- weather permitting.

"Thank you for Dining AJ" parking lot greeters to be scheduled for a future Friday evening 4:30 - 6:30 PM.

I Shop AJ because... Available NOW at City Hall! Flyers will also be distributed at local events (i.e. 2008 Health & Wellness Expo, Art Show, etc).

Shop Local/Shop AJ 30-second TV Commercial - "ON THE AIR" Appearing on local cable television December 13, 2008 through January 17, 2009. If you missed our fall Shop AJ commercial watch it here or watch our new Summer Shop AJ commercial!

Support your Library - Shop AJ flyers available at the Apache Junction Library for Library patrons, visitors and guests - NOW AVAILABLE AT THE AJ PUBLIC LIBRARY!

Support your Parks & Multi-Gen - Shop AJ flyers available to Apache Junction Parks & Recreation and Multi-Gen users, visitors and guests - NOW AVAILABLE AT THE
MULTI-GEN CENTER!

Support your Apache Junction Police - Shop AJ flyers available at the Apache Junction Public Safety building and other City facilities for visitors and guests
- NOW AVAILABLE AT CITY HALL!

Shop AJ decals on selected City vehicles:
"Watch for these on a City vehicle near you!"


* The Apache Junction Main Street Program has graciously agreed to fund and supply a limited number of Shop AJ banners for local businesses in the AJMS program area. Contact Ariel Ohler for further information: (480) 273-9256.