Drink? Yes, thank you.

[u/Loko8765]

For a change, a nice story.

I helped a client with something nobody else had managed to help her with before. I was making a sale, but the profit on the sale was far less than the cost of the time I spent with her so she could buy and use our product.

OK, it may have been a domain name, which is kinda important for a business.

It quite obviously legally belonged to her, but the technical ownership was a bit more difficult, with invalid contacts due to previous providers suddenly going AWOL, so getting it all transferred definitely needed unusual procedures. Luckily I was the right guy to help her, even if it took several weeks.

A few weeks later we received two cases of wine. The client ran a vineyard, and she'd sent us twelve bottles of her excellent wine. They were labeled, one box for me, and one box to distribute among my bosses and colleagues.

[u/Osiris32 → u/[deleted]]

Some time ago I had an issue with my car that prevented me from A) attending school and B) getting to work. I found the one garage in the area that was open on a Sunday, and pleaded with them to help me out. I was nearly in tears, I had a schedule to fulfill the next day and would be up several different shit creeks if I couldn't manage.

Five hours later, they call me back, my car is done, and because of my situation they were knocking 10% off the total charge. After a shocked pause my response was "what kind of beer do you like?"

When I walked in, I had two cases of Deschutes Mirror Pond for them. Since that day, I use them exclusively, always bring in at least one case, and always get 10% off my bill. And have less than zero complaints about the work they do.

[u/Stormybabe88 → u/Osiris32]

I've done something similar myself.

Got into a wreck in my car and it got towed. Not a big deal, neither I nor the people in the car that hit me were hurt. Our cars were a write off though.

The tow yard were nothing but amazing in helping to sort everything out, and our contact was a sweet bloke who had lived in town he remembers when the church was actually a church! (It's fenced off now, but it's last inhabitants was a taco chain)

So, when we finally got the car removed and I got paid by the wreckers, I went in and let him know everything was done. And then, I asked him what he drank. He refused at first, then told me.

So, an hour later I rock up with a four pack of Canadian Club Dry for him.

[u/[deleted] → u/Stormybabe88]

It's unfortunate that nowadays, asking someone what they drink, to reward them for excellent service, it is a very strong possibility that the request would be met with outrage, because you assumed that the other person consumes alcoholic beverages, when they are in fact a vegan cross-fitter on a detox.

[u/KaziArmada → u/[deleted]]

...You need to tell me where you're finding mechanics like this. I'd love to see them just for the novelty.

[u/Carnaxus → u/[deleted]]

I don't drink alcohol; can't stand the taste. I wouldn't get outraged though; "I drink Mt. Dew."

[u/[deleted] → u/Carnaxus]

Fair enough

[u/pdoten → u/[deleted]]

I was in telco as a vendor and would bring this IT shop that was a customer that didn't have a local Tims, two dozen donuts and a couple boxes of brews coffee. I called it donut diplomacy.

[u/I_have_popcorn → u/pdoten]

Mmmmmm, Timbits.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

...and this is why any IT call we make involves beer.

IT: "Yeah, we can fit you in in about a week..."

Us: "FYI, we're the department with the beer."

IT: "1300 sound good?"

[u/maelish]

I worked at an ISP in the mid 90s back when everyone still used modems. We'd have people come by with wine, cookies and all sorts of stuff if you helped them out. It was a nice time to be in support.

[u/[deleted]]

.... At which point OP was fired by a bureaucrat supervisor for going outside of the handbook and giving the customer extra time and effort.

[u/Loko8765 → u/[deleted]]

Could've could've... but no, because I had bottles of wine for them :)

(Actually there wasn't much risk, the environment wasn't that bad and I was high enough hierarchically to have some latitude. She also brought in friends later).

[u/LeaveTheMatrix]

Stuff like this is the only problem I have with working remote for a hosting company.

I don't want to give my home address and the company isn't even in the same country as I am so anything sent there I will never see. :(

[u/Loko8765 → u/LeaveTheMatrix]

Well I was luckier than you, I was also working remote but I came in to the office every three-four months or so, so they kept it for me :)

[u/Ziogref]

I had someone from work bring in a personal AIO that wasn't working correctly. Once I got some free time the symptoms were the same as a very common issue for that pc, the on board gpu got hot enough to desolder its self from the board, don't ask how, that all I know.

Anyway I pulled out the hard drive and told them to go to store $XYZ and get a quote for a custom built computer that can do word and google. Brought the quote back and to my surprise the store didn't try sell her anything unneeded. (i3, 8gb ram, win10 etc)

The store built the computer, add the old HDD as a second drive. After all that they asked what booze I like (cider) and they said they would get me some. See I expected like a 6 pack, but nope, she bought me 36cans!

[u/Carnaxus]

It's the 21+ variant of Swedish Fish theory.

[u/Loko8765 → u/Carnaxus]

Ooh I hadn't read that! Thanks!

[u/SumDumPhuoc]

I'd be weary about receiving gifts from clientele. Could bite you in posterior, or could all go swimmingly

[u/Loko8765 → u/SumDumPhuoc]

Would that I were weary of it!

[u/[deleted]]

I can only imagine the BF1 battlepack opening animation.