Okay folks, I’ll be honest. Right from the beginning. Right off the bat. I can be a customer service fiasco. So. U-Haul: Frontline worker at local office: «Hello U-Haul» «Yes, I need a quote for a 14′ truck» «Can I get your name?» «No, but thanks for asking, I just need a quote» «Uh, I’ll have to get your name to do that.» «Really? I just need a quote — 14′ truck for a one day, in-town move» «Sorry, it’s company policy that I get your name» «Mhm. Can I speak to your Manager?» Manager: «Can I help you?» Me: «Yes, I need a quote but don’t think you need my name to do that» «Actually, we need your name so we can provide you with optimal customer service and price – we get your location, distance, name, etc» «Uh, those other things help you determine a rate … does my name help you determine the rate? Are you practicing price descrimination based on my name?» «No! Your name has nothing to do with the quote!» Me: «Exactly! so can you give me a quote?» «No, not without your name. Listen, when you think of optimal customer service, what do you think of» Me: «I think of being addressed on a first name basis! You guys are doing the right thing, but I shouldn’t have to cooperate to get a quote!» «Well, this is company-wide policy, so call 1800-go-uhaul and see what happens.» Me: «Great idea! Thanks!» 1800-GO-UHAUL: «Hello, U-Haul» Me: «Yes, I need a quote for a 14′ truck» «Can I get your name?» «No, but thanks for asking, I just need a quote» «No problem …» And I get the quote. And then I call back the manager at this local office: Me: «You’re right, U-Haul has great customer service!» You can think about this as a kind of parable or fable where you get to think about what all this means. Why not break rules about customer service in the interest of customer service? Anyway, U-Haul corporate 1, U-Haul at 519 South Eddy Street 0.