Customer Service in ’09

I have a story that I think needs to be told, and am hoping this is a good place to post it. A few weeks ago I went to the Ritchie Bros. auction in Nashville, TN. to pick up a dump truck. Well, I stuck around a while to see what else they might "give away" if you know what I mean. Well, after forever in the summer sun, I bought a Blue Diamond Attachments (from ATCO Eqpt.) rock bucket for my skid steer, frankly for a song. Didn't go to buy it, but for the money and the reputation for quality, I knew I could put it to use. So when I get home, I'm of course having to sweet talk the missus about the truck, but it is like "Honey- look what else I got that you said you could use!". So I get it out of the truck to hook it up- and it won't. I cannot get the ss to lock on. OK, I'm a newbie but we do have 5 attachments and have this switching out thing down pat. But try as I might- no dice. The ss carriage just will not tuck up far enough to let the locks latch. Boy do I have egg on my face with the better half now! So I look, do some welding clean up, but still no dice. Figure I learned my lesson about auctions.... A few days later, I work up the nerve to call ATCO Eqpt. Spoke to a salesperson who says, Hmmm, don't know. Never heard of that. But promises to call me back. He did call back. Tells me you know, it was bought at an auction. I tell him I know, and understand all that it implies, but just felt they might want to know. He tells me he understands, and says he'll see what he can do. A couple of days later, Aaron calls me (I understand he's an owner of the Co.) and asks what's up. I relate what I've seen. He asks me to check a couple of things, and that he'll take care of it. We speak a couple of days later, my checking didn't really answer anything, and he's very plain and clear- You know, we send these to auction, they don't carry a warranty, and we lost our shirt on what you paid- but this isn't right. Let me check on it. A couple of days later Aaron calls back, and tells me that he is sending me another bucket and picking up mine. I am over 200 miles away, but that doesn't matter to him. Last week ATCO's truck came to me with a new bucket, and picked up the one I bought. I had no warranty, nothing required from anyone, but Aaron sent out a truck and driver (with another bucket no less!) to me, to make me happy. I'm sorry- but if more of business folks acted like this, life would be more fun! I understand I bought "where is- as is". I didn't expect anything- But I got a lot! And while I cannot ever buy much (remember the wife mentioned earlier ) - you can be sure that Blue Diamond Attachments by ATCO Eqpt. will be my first choice. Many of us are small business owners who have had it tough lately, and I wanted to share a bright spot in the landscape. If Aaron from ATCO says it is so, it'll be so. And I found this refreshing! Thanks to Aaron and ATCO!