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I think this article is really great. I was interested to see that Zappos let the call center spend 10 hours with a customer. What were they doing for that long? Also, the article mentions Twitter activity sky-rocketing, and I find this interesting to see these companies utilizing different social media platforms to reach their customers.

There is something to be said when (by the time you are finished reading this article) you are smiling from ear to ear! I was so incredibly touched by these retailer's stories of impecable customer service - especially the Ritz-Carlton with Joshie the Teddy Bear being able to explore the hotel's pool, front desk, golf cart, and getting his own Ritz-Carlton ID badge before being returned to it's owner. When a company (any company or retailer) goes out of their way to make a customer's day and keep them as a loyal/return shopper, there is nothing more special and important. Just by reading these stories, I am going to tell people about the company. Word-of-mouth marketing is the best form....and here I haven't even been an actual customer or purchased from them! Really, really neat to read how associates go above and beyond. The sad thing is that we just don't hear enough of these stories any more - it's almost like they come "once in a blue moon" when shouldn't they be happening every day? Food for thought as we go into our own customer service roles in the future!

Like has been mentioned in the previous comments, this article was a real eye opener. The lengths that these companies go to in order to provide spectacular service to their customers is remarkable. These companies are making a name for themselves and this service is helping to increase their brand reputation. People will be drawn in by the experience they can receive.

My brain makes me wonder how the company would react if an opposite reaction is given. Take the last one with the tiger bread really looking like giraffe bread, what if another child looked at that and was so unhappy that he can't eat awesome tiger bread anymore and has to eat stupid giraffe bread, and he sent in letters asking or begging to see tiger bread return. There is always a risk that it pleases one customer and displeases another. I can see going above and beyond like giving the grandmother clam chowder even on the off days and staying on the line for 10 hours but the "bottom up change" listed seems whimsical and pointless expect to have the story known and gain recognition. When I look at it that way, maybe a little too cynically because I am taking away the little girls giraffe bread, it seems like if you change your product for one person then why would the other customers expect any less. I think that good responses should be things you can replicate for every customer not just one or two over the top cases. I want my Tiger Bread back....

Great way to take advantage of the omni-channel possibilities! In the short term it will be interesting to see if these marked products have an increase in sales. I think in the long run this will help enhance the overall brand image since Nordstrom is integrating their online shoppers into the brick-and-mortar facilities. Someone commented on the article and said it nicely, "Labeling your company's "Top Pinned Items" in the physical store is a clever way to give a nod of appreciation to your online followers..."

This is an excellent representation of omnichannel retailing at some of it's finest. As Pinterest continues to grow as a Titan in the social media and image sharing realm, Nordstrom is capitalizing on it's already strong foundation through this channel. Since many if it's consumers could probably be profiled as pinners, all they are doing is taking excellent basis for opinions and incorporating it into their layout, features products, and presence alike.