I Hope A Stranger Wins The Lottery

I work at a call center for a travel agency. It’s one phone call after another. We are expected to take 35 to 40 calls per day. When the phone rings, you never know who is going to be on the other end. Sometimes it’s an irate customer, someone who hardly speaks English, or someone who has no idea how to use the internet. Occasionally, you “meet” some interesting people on the phone.

Speaking to a friendly person with a personality is always welcome. Today, I had one of those calls from a man who flies often and had several bookings. He needed some itineraries double-checked and wasn’t sure if he had booked a hotel for a particular trip. I reviewed his information and while assisting him, I noticed he had rebooked a flight and not cancelled the one he was replacing. When I asked him about it he said he had been told the exchange fees were more than booking a new flight. So he just left it. I explained that although the airline penalty was steep, he could still have some credit to apply towards a future flight. He was unaware of that so I processed the credit for him.

At the end of our call, he said I just have to tell you this is the best customer service I have ever encountered. Thank you! If I were worth millions, I would see to it that you never have to work again. I laughed and said if you win the lottery you’ll have to split it with me.

I sent him a personal email while on the phone advising how to avoid the exchange costs he was unscrupulously quoted. One of the things I do not like about my job is the shady behavior we are encouraged to employ to illicit money from people. I refuse to do it, but still have to maintain my sales quota.  I told him in the email I was going to advise him of the fee avoidance even before he promised to make me rich. 

He emailed me back and said he has never bought lottery tickets in his life, but he was going to buy them. If he won, he’d let me know. Please let him win.