In the Mid 1980’s I was working in the administration office for Conklin Shows. That office did a little bit of everything from accounting to payroll to general show administration and it was the call centre for the entire operation. We would field calls from customers, clients, business associates, the media and employees, and handle guest services issues. Once you had arrived at the office, it would seem that the phone would never stop ringing.
One morning at the CNE, I was in the office alone trying to get caught up on some paperwork before the endless interruptions of the show daily business started. Of course the phone is already ringing.
About the 4th or 5th call I answer is from a gentleman that has a Guest Relations complaint – so I pull out the customer care form and get ready to start to fill it in. The gentleman goes on to say that at last year’s Canadian National Exhibition he had been in the Coliseum and had employed the services of the palm reader to tell his fortune. Well the fortune tellers in the Coliseum are not part of Conklin Shows, they are booked by the CNE and I’m getting ready to re-direct his call to their Guest Services when the conversation starts to engage me and I ask the gentleman to continue with his problem.
Gentleman: “Well last year at the CNE I had my palm read by one of the fortune tellers in the Coliseum and none of the fortunes came true and I would like my money back.”
Me: “Well, Sir – I think your problem is that you have not waited long enough.”
Gentleman: (Fairly long pause well he is thinking) “I suppose you are right – thank you for your time.”
Me: “Goodbye”
Gentleman: “Goodbye”
