news-record.com

Good customer service is a rare commodity today.

So rare, that if you actually reach a live person after you've punched buttons and endured multiple recordings, there's a distinct possibility that person is not even in this country.

When you find a local business that offers exemplary customer service, it's like getting a warm hug close to home.

In honor of Customer Service Recognition Week, I thought it only appropriate to give a shout-out to some of my favorite places, where customer service and satisfaction are still a priority.

Summerfield Family Practice: When we moved here, my then 6-year-old son developed hives from head to toe. After six visits in five weeks to a pediatric practice, never seeing the same doctor twice, I'd had enough. I asked around and heard positive things about Summerfield Family Practice. I thought a "family practitioner" sounded too generic and wouldn't be able to provide specialized care, but I couldn't have been more wrong.

After our first visit, my son's hives were gone in a few days without medication.

My whole family goes there now, and we love it. Every doctor, nurse and staff member knows me by name and knows who my children are, which is invaluable.

When my kids are sick, they consider things another doctor might not even look for because they know our family history.

We never feel like we are just a chart with symptoms, and a real person always answers the phone. Imagine that.

Once, my daughter was bitten in the face by a dog and needed medical attention. It was after 6 p.m., so I set off for the emergency room. As I passed by SFP, I noticed the lights were still on, so I stopped and knocked on the window. The receptionist recognized me and came to the door. She said the doctor was still there. They patched her up, and she was home in bed within an hour. That's customer service.

Summerfield Pharmacy: Stepping into this quaint, privately owned pharmacy is like stepping back in time. It's so cool.

I have heart issues, so it's important to me to have a pharmacist who's familiar with my history and the cocktail of meds I take. Just the other day, I mentioned that my new meds were making me tired. Lee Brogden suggested that I try switching the times I take two meds -- problem solved.

Summerfield Pharmacy is the best of both worlds: personal attention and customer service with competitive pricing. You'll never catch me waiting on line in some chain for my prescriptions, not when I can give Brogden, Scarlette Barefoot or Marirose Billheimer a call, and they'll have whatever I need ready and waiting for the same low $4 generic price as the big retailers. If you're in a hurry, there's a drive-through.

And they have an awesome coffee bar! There's always a hot pot of "Summerfield Blend" coffee, and it's the best cup of joe in town. If you prefer something fancier, like espresso or flavored coffee, they have those, too. My kids love to go in and check out the latest Webkinz and cute gifts items, and grab a Good Humor ice cream.

Summerfield Family Eye Care: I wear contacts, so when I moved here I found SFEC, close to home, and they accepted my insurance -- a slam-dunk.

Little did I know they would become instrumental in solving one of my ongoing medical mysteries. Ever since my open-heart surgery five years ago (bad mitral valve), I've had continued, sporadic problems with temporary blindness in my left eye. I've seen every doctor imaginable, but because it happens without warning, no one has ever examined me while it was happening -- until January. I was sitting home alone, working on the computer when -- BOOM -- I went completely blind in my left eye. I got in my car, still in my pajamas, and drove down the street to SFEC. I walked in crying, told them what was going on and begged for someone to look at it right away.

Dr. Jennifer Flaherty took me immediately and got me right in to see a specialist. Turns out I was having a retinal stroke. I lost some vision but am so grateful for their immediate attention and compassion. I now take medication to prevent further problems.

Summerfield Food Lion: I realize it may not be as "chic" as some of the newer supermarkets, but you won't find friendlier, more accommodating employees anywhere. Everyone in the deli is awesome. They know me by name, as well as what I order and how I like things sliced.

When I was sick and my husband had to do the shopping, I told him to just let them know he was my hubby, and they'd hook him up. They did. They are always turning me on to amazing new foods I would have never thought to try.

If I'm looking for something they don't carry, James Little and Joe Galvon will order it. The other day, I went to get milk, and the register spat out a coupon for paper towels. Rachel Harrison said, "Go get the paper towels." She pointed out they were on sale for $4.99 and I'd just gotten a $1.50 coupon. Major bargain. Customer service at its finest.

Summerfield Veterinary Hospital: Anyone can administer a rabies shot and vaccines, but at a time of grief, true customer care and compassion shine.

A few weeks ago we had to make the heart-breaking decision of having our ailing 14-year-old cat put down. The staff at SVH comforted me as I sat crying. Afterwards, they sent our family a beautiful, handwritten note offering their condolences.

Last but not least, I'd like to give a nod to the staff at Sir Speedy Printers in Greensboro. I am the editor of our school newsletter, and Sir Speedy has been great with pricing, quality and turnaround.

An employee has guided me through the digital process with such patience.

I can't help noticing that if "Summerfield" precedes the name of your business, you might just have the best customer service around.

It just goes to show that sometimes you don't have to go any farther than your own backyard to find the customer service and satisfaction you long for. I love this town.

Nancy Duffy is a mother of two Stokesdale Elementary students and a Northwest High student.