Learning a lesson from a shoe company

Zappos.com Rocks

Jeff: “Hello?” My office phone’s display shows it’s my mom calling from her office nearby. “Did Ali-girl ever get any shoes from Zappos?” My mom had recently turned Ali, my twelve-year-old, on to Zappos.com, a web site with an unparalleled selection of shoes. 

“No, not yet. But she’s been looking.” 

“I just ordered mine the other day, and they’re already here!” 

She was delighted. A few minutes later she came bouncing into my office. “Look!” She handed me an amazing hand-decorated, personalized thank-you card from Corina, a customer service rep at Zappos. 

“Wow, that’s impressive.”

“Tell Ali she’s got to get some shoes from Zappos. They have great service, and if you don’t like your shoes, you simply send them back!” 

For a $50 pair of shoes this lady took time to create an artistic thank-you card. In doing so, she created a connection with my mother that probably took her thirty seconds and the cost of postage. 

This, my friend Shane, is what many missionaries don’t do. Many, who every month receive from a donor more money than the cost of a pair of shoes at Zappos, never make a point to personally say “thank you.” 

Shane: Hang on a second. Zappos does that because they want the next sale. I don’t want to say “thank you” just to get the next check. That feels manipulative to me. 

Jeff: Being grateful is biblical, right? Then take thirty seconds to say “thank you” to your donors in a personal way.

Do people know that we are thankful for their sacrifice?

May it be so today.

Bro. Tony