Listers treat customers to 1st Class evening
Posted on 18/08/2016
The customer is always right. It’s an adage that for many businesses becomes their company mantra. An unhappy customer will leave you quicker than water down the plug hole. So imagine the work it must take keeping the same customers happy for 20+ years!
That’s exactly what Window and Door Manufacturer, Lister Trade Frames based in Fenton, Stoke on Trent, have been doing for the last 40 years and they decided it was about time they shared this milestone with some of their most loyal customers.
And that is why on a beautiful August Saturday evening, 50 guests joined the Listers team on the platform of Churnet Valley Railway for a private 1st Class train journey through the gorgeous Staffordshire countryside enjoying gourmet food and fine wine.
“We wanted to do something really special,” said Sales Director Phil Warren, “and the idea of taking some of our longest serving customers on a train journey symbolised the journey we’ve all been on together for the last 20+ years.”
Arriving for cocktails on the platform, Lister's customers had the perfect opportunity to unwind and share memories of their time working with Listers before being whisked away in a fully restored first class dining coach. There they enjoyed a fantastic three-course meal with full waitress service all on-board a train which Listers had privately booked for the occasion.
The celebrations didn’t end there as the Listers Marketing team had a few more surprises up their sleeve. With celebrations in full flow, every customer was presented with a professionally printed scrapbook of memories stretching back to the very start of Lister's trading history and of course, every customer on the train was represented inside the scrapbook. As an added touch of class, the inside front cover held another little gem as Listers presented each customer with an individual ‘Platinum’ Trade Card, laser engraved with the customer’s name to replace their well-worn trade cards which many had had for over 20 years.
“The criteria for this evening was simple,” remarked Phil, “thank customers who have been working with Listers for over 20 years. It was imperative that they understood how much we appreciate not only their business but the friendships that we’ve built over the last 2 decades.”
Judging by the smiling faces, empty plates and customer comments, the evening was a big hit. One customer, Geoff Hodkinson commented, “That’s what makes Listers different. They could have simply given us a bottle of wine or a gift voucher, but the level that they went to tonight is exactly why I have been buying from Listers for more than 20 years. They go that extra mile for us customers and that means a lot.”
Listers once again showed that thinking outside of the box is what has stood them apart for 40 years and being that little bit different is something that customers will never tire of.
