You know how we are creatures of both habit and comfort? And when we are NOT physically comfortable, we are not usually nice about it?
That was driven home to me on Sunday night, March 10th. I arrived home to Toronto after an emotional visit with my very sick sister. My husband, the dog, 4 cats and the fish had been freezing, literally, since Thursday night. I had expected to come home to a warm house because I had been in touch with 'my guy' since Fri and he kept saying he would come by. Bear in mind he's kept my old furnace running for years. Years! So by Sun night he still had not appeared and I was SICKER than I knew. (I actually had pneumonia!) Monday night he showed up and said we probably needed a new furnace. WHEN is the timing ever good to be uncomfortable? Exactly! Never! By now I had 3 space heaters which definitely helped. But short term. He said he'd be back Thursday so in my feverish state, I thought he meant INSTALLED by Thursday. How wrong I was. And how COLD we were. (And one cat is 19 and not in the pink of health either...) So when he called Thurs morning to say he would be by to measure...measure!! I lost it. I typed in 'furnaces' on google.
I had my name on a website at 2pm.
At 2:15 I got a phone call from City Home Comfort.
Analissa asked me if anyone had called me yet. I said no. She asked if someone could come out at 4. I countered with 'anything earlier?' She said yes! Before 3, an incredibly positive and upbeat man bravely appeared at my door.
Steve looked at my furnace, I told him my quick story. That I was sick. About my sister in Boston. That I'm selling my house shortly! About 'my guy' and how miserable I was. And outlined my bottom line numbers.
Can I say that in literally 5 minutes after his arrival Steve and I had come to an agreement?!! He was so optimistic, so knowledgeable, so....secure...I knew in my heart that this was the way to go. BUT, with pen in hand, as I was about to sign, I felt like I had to do the decent thing and at least give 'my guy' the courtesy of a phone call. Steve just froze. Not like I had been! He just stopped having any motion. He stopped cold. (so not an intended pun!) He listened as I made the call. I told 'my guy' I had someone over and I was about to sign the deal. Ironically, he walked in at that moment and when I tell you it was one of the most awkward moments for me...believe it!
I was literally in tears! (Bear in mind, pneumonia. So cold inside. So frustrated) My heart was heavy but my brain was spot on.
This time it was about my family and ME.
I said good-bye to 'my guy' forever.
Fast forward to 9:30 the next morning, 17 hours from the time I put my name on that website. 16 hours from the time Steve arrived at my door, Terry came, literally unrolling his red carpet. And despite my pushing tea and banana bread on him, he was very self-contained. He even charmed my dog!! At 4ish, Steve reappeared to see what was going on. Terry had just tested the parts. We were about to have heat! Wonderful wonderful wonderful heat!! (and bonus, air too!!) That man did not stop for 11 solid hours!
Steve and I toasted with a Guinness and uh, tea. (damn pneumonia!)
So, here it is, three weeks later. It's April, theoretically spring, yet still that cold is in the air.
I have BLESSED the people at CITY HOME COMFORT EVERY DAY. EVERY SINGLE DAY for three weeks! And I shall, for the rest of my life. Analissa for getting the ball rolling. Steve for everything after opening the door. Terry for his dogged determination. And Chris for giving the green light.
This team of people are now MY team. I have hooked them up to my real estate team. I will never stop raving about their incredible service, their human approach, their kindness and hot dog, their HIGH EFFICIENCY! (And again, no furnace pun intended!)
Yes, I am moving. And I am taking City Home Comfort with me every step of the way.
5 Stars just isn't enough. 10 out of ten MAYBE. I would give a 100% across the board. You're the BEST!!
Thank you always guys. Thank you from the bottom of my big WARM heart.
Wendie
