May I have the ring please

"So did you show Erica the giant ring?" I said to TG on the way to church yesterday.

"Yep," he said. "We walked right by it." 

See, TG and Erica spent the day in Charleston on Saturday and took in a football game at TG's alma mater.

Specifically, The Citadel versus Virginia Military Institute (The Citadel 31-10, in case you're interested).

By winning, El Cid retained possession of the coveted Silver Shako. And now you know.

Being as it was the last home football game of the season, the campus was crawling with alumni.

With that in mind, as a promotional stunt of sorts, Balfour had set up a table where those who wear the ring could stop by and, as a courtesy, have said important piece of academic bling cleaned.

"Hey Dad, why don't you get your ring cleaned," said Erica.

TG demurred because occasionally, especially on warmer days, even though his long fingers are awesomely slender, he has some trouble removing his rings. 

"Maybe later," he said.

Later, when the football game had concluded and they'd spent the afternoon snacking in alumni tents and greeting old friends, TG and the Boo made their way to McAlister Field House for a basketball game.

The Citadel played North Greenville University and again prevailed (83-53), in case you're interested. No shako of any metallic persuasion was up for grabs.

But at that contest as there had been during the football game, there was a Balfour ring cleaning table.

"Dad. Hey. Why not get your ring cleaned," suggested Erica.

So TG walked over to the table, removed his treasured ring, and surrendered it to a female Balfour representative.

And do you know what she did? Do. U. Know. Wut. That. Chick. Did.

She took my TG's Citadel ring. And without speaking a word -- not even hi how are you -- she rubbed on it for two point five seconds with a soft cloth. And she handed it back.

?????

Talk about phoning it in. Pun intended.

I mean, what about bringing in some sort of gizmo featuring a specially-formulated chemical bath, or hydrosonic rays or microwaves or pulsating jets or something equally super-duper ring-sparkling?

Like, a little portable jewelry spa? You're Balfour. Figure it out.

Next time the process will have devolved to the Balfour rep taking the ring, exhaling Hah, Hah, in reasonable proximity of said iconic bauble, and wiping it on their sleeve.

The days of true customer service may be gone, ya'll.

Meanwhile I have one of those soft cloths in my jewelry box and I told TG, I'll shine your ring anytime you want, my darling.

And that is all for now.

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Promise Small. Deliver Big.

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Happy Monday ~ Happy Week

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Comments

[irene]

Yes indeed customer service is well on it's way to being a thing of the past. On the other hand, great to hear that TG and Boo had a great time in the winners circle.

[Crystal]

That is so cool! My hubby son is in the Air Force in Dover De and before he landed there he did a year in Charleston and LOVED IT. He's fixing to "re-up" and he really hopes he can be sent back there!