Google Lost and Found

Jun 26, 2009 by Suzy Ogé    3 Comments    Posted under: Customer Delight, Just Life

I found a bank card on the sidewalk in front of our office yesterday and it did not belong to anyone within shouting distance.

As a frequent misplacer of all things, I considered leaving it in case the person  retraced their steps, but then I decided to grab it for safe keeping.

This morning my colleague was on an endless hold with the bank about the card when I suggested that she Google the Guy.  The probable match was made within seconds and it turned out that our Mr Ramirez*  works at a high-profile and high-security International Organization here in The Hague.   This made the process of contacting him a bit tricky, but after initial refusals from security, she was eventually “allowed” to leave a voice mail.   A surprised Mr. Ramirez called back within minutes and he was delighted.    He simply thought he left his card at home and hadn’t blocked it.  He appreciated the extra effort we made to find him.  At lunch time he was standing in front of our door with a big smile and a lovely bouquet of flowers.

Mr. Ramirez was reunited with his card and left only to return a minute later.  He just had to ask how we made it past security.  I assured him they were not forthcoming with any information, but he must realize now how easy it is to be found.  That of course can be good or bad!

Unfortunately for my colleague, she had the afternoon off and missed Mr Ramirez by 10 minutes.  So, the flowers are mine!

*Name changed to protect his top secret status (at least a little bit).

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