HUNTSVILLE —     There are those who think I tend to be negative. Maybe so and then again maybe not.  I admit to some fault-finding when I think things are not as they should be.

    On the other hand, and perhaps not very often, really good things happen and only occasionally do they receive notice in this column...  Readers should note that I do not, will not,. name names for bad things but may include names them for good things.

    In the world of sports announcers, there is a breed of broadcasters commonly known and referred to as “homers.” 

    That is to say that even when the home town is being soundly defeated, they declaim loudly about the staunch effort in losing and overlooking the penalties that created this debacle.

    After living in Huntsville for over 28 years, I do not consider myself a newcomer.  Nor am I to be known as a hometown boy.  I met my first person from Huntsville, a young man named Kelly McAdams, in Austin High in Austin, Texas.  Over the years, I worked with others who left Huntsville.

    Early in February, my wife was carefully spending money in Huntsville at a supermarket.  That is not unusual and she has been become friends with some cashier/checkers.  This time, one visit mandated for another trip to the store.

    It seems as how the store had chicken thighs on sale at a particularly good advertised price.  When she picked up the package, she found three prices. 

    One was the normal price.  The second price was the published sale price.  The third price was even better.  Between original and the markdown of prices, there was a difference of some 25 percent.

    When saving money at a supermarket, forget the normal and sales prices.  Check them out and buy when the percentage difference makes it worthwhile.  Ten percent may be good for some few items but aim for the bigger discounts.

    Upon checking out, she was charged the highest price due to the unfailing accuracy of electronic scanners.  Questions, comments, and complaints to various store personnel were less than satisfactory.

    Later, she returned to the store carrying the merchandise and asked to see the manager.  Logically and quietly, she explained the previous scenario to the manager on duty.  He politely admitted the error and problem as being an internal situation.

    With no hesitation, he told the courtesy booth operator to refund the entire package price.  In other stores in town, the usual reaction would have been to refund the price differential.  This manager is to be commended for prompt action...

    It cost the store literally nothing to correct an unfortunate situation of their making.  The supermarket y has benefited immeasurably from having my wife relate this story to her friends.

    This was an instance when good business judgment was applied rather than blind allegiance to some ill-defined company policy.  His quick action allowed him to buy highly complimentary free word of mouth advertising among a group of shoppers for $5.82.  The action was most commendable.

    The manager’s name goes unmentioned.  My wife did not see a name tag.  The store is a supermarket based in another state.  Their marketing is aggressive and nationwide. 

    I do business with other establishments in Huntsville.  In some instances, I go out of my way to deal with a particular employee who makes me feel welcome. While volunteering at the hospital, I try to greet all patients with cheer and enthusiasm.

    A few months ago, I went for a haircut.  That was not too bad but the surprise was an announcement of a 30 percent increase for the next visit.  Since then, my absence has been notable.

    In the next shop, a barber motioned to me I was next.  A few minutes later, he was done.    Not once in 15 or 20 minutes, did he stop talking to three ladies nor did he ask me how I wanted my hair cut or how it looked.  It was not that good.  Do not ask me when I am going back to that shop.

    Of course, I should not complain.  Not once did a recorded voice tell me this call was important and the average holding time was 17 minutes.  Not once did I have to press ‘3’ or ‘4’ or ‘0’ for an operator.  Of course, the personal touch of a human being would have been appreciated even with the same results.

    In my dealings with establishments and organizations, there is one phrase that is guaranteed to raise an eyebrow or two and prompt one or two questions.           Most often, it is used to cover up a lack of knowledge and shift responsibility to some amorphous and poorly – defined policy that may or may not exist.

    “We have always done it that way.”





Grady Easley is retired and can be reached at page65@att.net or 2119 Elkins Lake, Huntsville, Texas 77340