‘Proper’ letter gave me write of reply

I RECEIVED a letter from my bank today informing me I was in the brown, again.

Opening the mail is no fun these days.

All the good news comes via text, e-mail or WhatsApp, leaving the dull, boring stuff to Royal Mail.

Letters are usually pre-printed and anything of importance no longer carries a return address and never a contact phone number, well not one that anyone actually answers.

In fact, companies that answer the phone are becoming extinct.

If it’s a number for the sales team it may get answered, but for anything else forget it.

The very last number to call is customer service.

You could learn to play the harpsichord while waiting for an answer to that call.

I was organising the return of faulty goods recently and the supplier’s website made it abundantly clear that the chances of actually talking to a real person was zero.

So imagine my delight today when I received a letter from Electricity North West quoting their postal address, e-mail details and a phone number they actually answered.

Furthermore, they informed me that they operate on a 24/7 basis. (Note to self, Cheshire East road maintenance).

I was so delighted I wanted to phone and say thank you but it would have tied up a phone line so I am expressing my thanks right now.

What an absolute joy to receive a ‘proper’ letter that has a return address, email contact details and a phone number answered by real people.

What’s the point of sending out a letter making it impossible for the recipient to answer?

Thank you Electricity North West, you have renewed my faith.