THE "LIGHT" AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

It is true that I have often maligned the various companies with which I deal for the absence of good customer service, easy to open product packaging, lack of clear intelligent instructions, etc..

The other day I discovered something refreshing.

It had to do with a product whose installation I oursourced. I used to install my own security lights. Since the last one required special wiring I called my favorite mobile home fixit guy - Bill Herkel.

Bill is a godsend for fixing or replacing the many things that can go wrong with your home. My wife Phyl and I were joking about putting a sign out front: "The Home That Bill Re-built." We then realized it was against the community signage policy to do so.

Bill didn't let us down this time either. The security light he purchased and installed was perfect for our needs. Even 2 lb Chihuahuas can use a little light when enjoying last call at the end of the evening.

Now, Phyl and I can go out back in safety- Bella can see her path clearly - and we can locate and pick up her droppings with ease. Everybody's happy, including the Armadillo that sometimes resides beneath our home and enjoys nightly forays into the development across the street via a hole she dug under our back fence.

We're a match made in heaven. I fill it up - and she digs it up again. (Please do not be so boorish as to inquire how I know the sex of the armadillo.)

Now that I've described the happiness of our family and extended family, due to the brillance of the halogen security light, I'll get back to the purpose of my story.

It started with old Mr. Fumbles. He did it again. The light burned out due to my insistance that it be set at a longer display setting.

Not to worry. "Mr. F'. climbed up his ladder to determine the type of bulb within the fixture and behind the protective glass. He ( I love the use of the third person in these situations) fussed, pulled, slid, and tapped until he found a hinge clip on the top of the glass.

Due to his excitement and amazement at his new technical prowess, he opened the hinge. This immediately released the protective glass. "Mr. F" watched with a mixture of surprise and fear as the glass dropped onto the ladder before continuing it's journey to the concrete floor of our tiny but comfy back porch

The largest piece of the now shattered protective glass stared back at 'Mr. F" - sharing his amazement.

"Mr. F" was not pleased with himself and about as equally charitable with the suggestion from 'Mrs. F" to use super glue.

He realized "Mrs. F" would probably be mailing out copies of his death certificate before that mission was accomplished.

But, not to fear . "Mr. Collector", another of your bloggers many diverse personalities immediately stepped up and solved the problem.

Mr. Collector, or "Mr. C". as we affectionately refer to him, has copies of every warranty and instruction booklet that ever came into his possession - including his Junior High graduation mortar board.

On a whim "C" called the manufacturer of the "Motion Sensing Halogen Fixture" to determine where he might locate a replacement glass. Please note, this was only after he read the warning in the booklet: "No service parts available for this product."

The company is called HealthCo, LLC and is located in Bowling Green Kentucky. The customer service rep. almost renewed my faith in corporate responsibility and appropriate C.S.

She answered the phone promptly, demonstrated a great affinity for proper usage of the English language, and did not appear to have to refer to a book of instructions in responding to my query.

However, she also advised me they did not sell parts for their halogen products.

Detecting a notable sigh of disappointment from me, she said she would be happy to replace the broken glass piece at no cost and appreciated having me as a customer. She also explained it was company policy.

I will admit my first reaction was that the company's management team was obviously from Berkeley and had opted for a liberal employee relations policy that included the use of hallucinogenic substance breaks.

I quickly regained my senses and thanked her for the generous and timely assistance.

Today, I did my part. Upon opening my mail I found my new protective glass wrapped in a double insulated envelope.

I called the Customer Service number and thanked them again.

It's just one more way to keep that light shining.