Something for Free

When the front glass door at the Leawood (Kan.) retail store was blown against the building and broke, a couple was hit by flying glass, as documented in a Gizmodo posting. What’s fascinating is that the son immediately e-mailed Steve Jobs and Ron Johnson about the incident, and that so many commenters to the post have a “something for free” attitude. It’s not clear exactly what response the college-age son expected–or intended–from either of the executives. I mean, would you e-mail Alan Mulally if a tree fell on your Ford? The son says his parents “took the high road” out of respect for the company, not saying exactly what they would have done had they taken the “low” road. The son then laments, “It’s just funny that all Apple did to rectify a retail door shattering on my parents was to make sure we weren’t suing,” but again doesn’t say exactly what remedy is socially or morally required in such a situation. Instead, he alludes to the remedy by observing, “It’s ironic that people who get horrible service and whine about it, walk out of stores with brand new macbook pros and whatever they cry for. Yet people like my family have taken the high road because we respect companies that give 1st class service to customers and deliver innovative products.” Somehow, he’s suggesting that those who take the high road are due the freebies, while those who whine are not. Not mentioned is the real criteria–those who are owed something by the company should receive it, those who aren’t should not. It’s all very confusing. Lastly, take a look at the comments to the Gizmodo posting for an authentic look into the mind of today’s retail buyers. Maybe it’s the economy, maybe it’s the little-person vs. big-company thing. Either way, “accident” and Mother Nature don’t cut any slack with this group. Makes you wonder if the recent burglars at The Gateway were just collecting what was rightfully theirs.