Arrival Plus Concierge service gets an A-Plus!

[LexieCat]

I've been struggling for hours over the course of a few weeks to help my elderly father connect his Kindle to WiFi.  I live on the East Coast, and he is in Arizona.  I set the whole thing up for him, but of course the one thing I could not do is connect it to his home WiFi.  The problem is that his vision and dexterity make it difficult to type the keys.  We have both been incredibly frustrated as attempt after attempt fails for one reason or another.

Now, I could call the Geek Squad if we wanted to spend a hundred bucks for someone to come out and take thirty seconds to type in his password.  But since I got the Arrival Plus, which has Concierge service (and I've read they will TRY to accommodate any reasonable request), I called the number on the back of the card.  My concierge, Michael, listened carefully as I explained the problem, and he said he would see what he could do.  He said it could take up to 72 hours to get back to me.  Three days later, as promised, I get an email with details about a voiunteer service in my dad's town that provides all kinds of assistance (including computer help) to the elderly there.   And at NO COST.

Wow--I must say, I am impressed.  He even got me the name of someone to talk to there.  I checked out their website, and it looks as if they could be VERY helpful to my dad and stepmom for those little things that you need just a LITTLE help with.  

I'm feeling better every day about this card!

[Jlu]

Wow that is pretty awesome. Any reasonable request.. haha I could imagine that term could be defined quite loosely by some customers 

Hi BARCLAYS YA HI ITS ME LEE M CARDHOLDER SO IM CHANGING THE WHEEL BEARING ON MY CAR AND I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DO IT WITHOUT A PRESS OR PULLER. ALSO IS IT A 1/4" DRIVE OR A 5/8"? CAN YOU HELP ME?

[Anonymous]

that sounds awesome! next year... i'm going to apply for it... next year... isn't it next year yet?

[LexieCat]

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@Jlu wrote:

Wow that is pretty awesome. Any reasonable request.. haha I could imagine that term could be defined quite loosely by some customers 

Hi BARCLAYS YA HI ITS ME LEE M CARDHOLDER SO IM CHANGING THE WHEEL BEARING ON MY CAR AND I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DO IT WITHOUT A PRESS OR PULLER. ALSO IS IT A 1/4" DRIVE OR A 5/8"? CAN YOU HELP ME?

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Actually, I don't think they would necessarily consider that "unreasonable."  Check out this guy's experiment on what Visa's concierge is willing to do:  http://fourhourworkweek.com/2010/05/01/credit-card-concierge/.

[Jlu]

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@LexieCat wrote:

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@Jlu wrote:

Wow that is pretty awesome. Any reasonable request.. haha I could imagine that term could be defined quite loosely by some customers 

Hi BARCLAYS YA HI ITS ME LEE M CARDHOLDER SO IM CHANGING THE WHEEL BEARING ON MY CAR AND I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DO IT WITHOUT A PRESS OR PULLER. ALSO IS IT A 1/4" DRIVE OR A 5/8"? CAN YOU HELP ME?

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Actually, I don't think they would necessarily consider that "unreasonable."  Check out this guy's experiment on what Visa's concierge is willing to do:  http://fourhourworkweek.com/2010/05/01/credit-card-concierge/.

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Hah, that was entertaining to read. A funny post from the comments section included:

-You need a cake baked/frosted in the form of Obama.

-You need a private human cannonball show for a birthday party.

-You want to know the benefits of having a platinum Discover card.

-You need to find a first person shooter computer game involving aliens and whiskey.

-You need a top 5 or 10 list on the ultimate meaning of life.

-I am stumped on a physics solution to the twin paradox.

-You need a purple come-over wig.

-You want to find a company that will let your pet go skydiving with you. Later today.

-It’s 3AM, you just woke up with a crazy dream. You need to find a dream translator. Pronto.

-You need a fan the size of a car.

-You want to find a service where you can ride in a submarine. With windows if possible.

-You are going to be King Arthur at a costume party. You need the closest thing to Excalibur.

-You need to find the breakfast cereal with the highest amount of nutrition.

-You want to find a Patrick Stewart signed poster.

-You want to find out where to purchase a gigantic GMO fruit or vegetable.

[skigirl916]

The Arrival+ is my faaaaavorite card right now.

[peaceonearth]

They could not offer you a first class service in lieu, Barclay hooked you up with Freebee service.

If I call and ask them to find me a cheap Hotel they may hook me up with the nearest shelter.

I am glad the problem is resolved.

[jefftca925]

This is a "prime" example of someone that thinks outside the box.  So many companies out there wouldn't do this for someone, but to read this example of "over delivering" is a wonderful read.  Thanks for posting this!